Page 13 of Forbidden

“Yes.”

“Do I know you?”

“You know only what is in your own mind,” she said. “Do you know me?” she countered.

“I think I have never seen a girl more beautiful. Not even…”

The man’s deep voice faded and he frowned heavily.

“What is it?” Amber asked.

“I can’t remember her name.”

“Whose?”

“The one who was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Until you.”

As the stranger spoke, Amber deliberately flattened both palms against the naked skin of his shoulders. A vague image came to her of a girl with hair as red as flame and far-seeing eyes of jeweled green.

The image faded, leaving him without a name to put to the delicate face. He shook his head and cursed roughly in frustration.

“Give yourself time to heal,” Amber said. “Your memory will return.”

Big hands clamped around her shoulders and strong fingers dug urgently into her flesh.

“There is no time! I must—I must—God’s teeth, I can’t remember!”

Tears came to Amber’s eyes as the stranger’s anguish swept through her. He was a man whose honor was his greatest possession. He had given vows that must be kept.

But he could not remember who had accepted those vows.

Nor could he remember what the vows had been.

A cry was dragged from Amber’s throat, for the man’s pain and fear and rage were also hers while she touched him.

Instantly the pressure on her shoulders was relieved. Battle-hardened hands began caressing rather than digging into soft flesh.

“Forgive me,” he said hoarsely. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Surprisingly gentle fingers brushed over Amber’s eyelashes, taking her tears. Startled, she opened her eyes.

The man’s face was very close to hers. Despite his own agitation, he was concerned for her. It was as clear to her as the dark, thick lashes that framed his hazel eyes.

“You d-didn’t hurt me,” Amber said. “Not in the way you mean.”

“You’re crying.”

“’Tis your anguish. I sense it so very clearly.”

Dark eyebrows rose. The backs of the man’s fingers brushed very lightly over Amber’s cheek. Hot tears burned against his skin.

“Don’t cry, gentle fairy.”

Amber smiled despite her tears. “I’m not a fairy.”

“I don’t believe you. Only a creature of magic could have pulled me from that savage darkness.”

“I’m a student of Cassandra the Wise.”