“Argue with me all you want, I will remain with you,” she said.
“Of course, you will,” he said with an angry laugh. “You need me to get you with child to keep your sisters safe.”
I want you safe as well.
The thought caught her by surprise. Never did she suspect that she would care for the cursed lord. All the gossip and tales had warned her of an evil man or a madman. Never had she thought she would find a scarred and injured man in need of healing, and it was not the prominent scar on his face that concerned her, but the scars on his heart and soul.
“I won’t deny that is true, but I care what happens to you,” she said.
She cared?
No woman ever cared what happened to him, not one of his wives or the women who took coin to couple with him.
Rannick stood and went to step in front of her. “Why? Why care what happens to me?’
“You are my husband,” she said as if that explained it.
“So, you care for me out of duty of a wife for her husband,” he said, sounding as if he accused her of something troublesome.
“Nay,” she was quick to say. “I care for a man who tended me when in need, protects me, has been kind to me—”
“There you go again, Bliss, thinking me kind.”
“Deny it all you want,” she said. “I have seen and continue to see the truth of my words.”
“Then it is kind of me to send you to live out your days safely in the keep,” he said with a smile that was far from pleasant.
Bliss stepped closer to him, so close their garments brushed. “You think to send me where Shona was poisoned?” She did not give him a chance to respond. “And what of your other two wives? Was someone instrumental in their deaths as well rather than the curse? I would be far safer by your side, and by your side is where I wish to be.” Her hand went to rest on his cheek, her fingers gently stroking his scar. “You cannot get rid of me, husband, I am here to stay.”
“You condemn yourself to death remaining with me,” he said, a creeping dread crawling over him. The curse would eventually take her from him, and he could not bear that thought. He cared far too much for this woman who had forced herself into his life and refused to leave.
“Healing has taught me that death is inevitable. That no one can escape it. That we must live and embrace each day. We can do that together if you will let us.”
It appealed to Rannick more than he cared to admit, but a barrier still existed between them. “And how will you feel when you are forced to remain my wife after failing to get with child and your sisters forced to wed? Will you embrace each day with me then with joy or with hatred?”
“I cannot speculate on what may or may not come to pass. I protected my sisters when necessary. Who knows if it is any longer a worry? Elysia may have wed Saber and is now safe, and Annis,” —Bliss smiled— “Annis may just save us all. Whatever the outcome, I am your wife and will remain so until I am laid to rest.”
Her last few words evoked a vision of her being swathed in cloth prepared for burial and it tore a pain through his heart he feared might take him to his knees. He could not lose her. He would not lose her.
His arm instinctively went around her waist to tug her close and he lowered his brow to rest on hers. “You are bound to me now and forever.”
“Not until our vows are sealed,” she reminded.
“Vows or not, you belong to me, and I have no intention of letting you go.” His declaration brought a sense of relief to him.
“Say that all you wish, but it does not make it true until our vows are sealed,” she said.
Rannick released her and stepped away. “Still, you attempt to fulfill your end of the bargain.”
“I bargained in good faith and for good reason. Would you expect anything less from me? Besides, I can speak the truth to your father when he questions why I failed.” She smiled. “I can tell him that I tried my best, but his son is far too stubborn for his own good.”
A smile tickled the corners of Rannick’s mouth. “You think me stubborn, wife?”
Bliss laughed lightly. “I know you are stubborn, husband.”
“You are wrong. I am not stubborn. I am determined.”
Bliss hurried her arms around herself, his eyes roaming over her in such an intimate way that it left her feeling naked and vulnerable.
“Take your garments off, Bliss,” he ordered.
There was tenderness in his tone but also a sternness that left no room for her to deny him, but why should she? Wasn’t this what she wanted, at least a chance to get with child?