Page 31 of To Love

“Your directness is admirable.”

“As is your cunning.”

“Aye, it was my goal.”

“Why?”

Alden leaned forward, placing his wine goblet on the table. “The truth?”

“Is always preferable.”

“Because I saw the way you looked at me earlier and am having difficulty concentrating on more serious topics since.”

She would not deny it. “I believe we discussed our mutual . . . interest . . . as well as the many reasons acting on such interests would be at best, inappropriate. At worst, dangerous.”

“We did.”

“Then there is naught more for us to discuss on this particular topic.”

“I disagree.”

He could surely hear Elara’s very heartbeat, as she could easily do so, each beat ringing in her ears.

“Do continue.”

“We failed . . .” He pushed back his seat. “To discuss . . .” Alden strode around the table, toward her. Every movement both slow and methodical. But also, deliberate.

She could not breathe. At least, it felt as if she could not, but her shoulders rose and fell nonetheless. She did not take her eyes from him.

When he reached her, Alden paused.

And squatted beside her chair.

Picking up her kerchief, one she had not noticed had fallen from the table, he stood and handed it to her.

“We failed to discuss why you ended our conversation when I mentioned my possessive nature.”

She swallowed.

“Elara?”

“Aye?” she asked, the voice certainly not belonging to her. At least, Elara never heard herself sound quite so guttural before.

“Do you wish for me to possess you?”

Chapter

Thirteen

Alden had no intention, coming here tonight, to say such a thing.

However, when Elara looked at Alden as if he were the next course, not hiding her desire despite being a woman who was very skilled at masking her emotions, everything changed. Remembering clearly their conversation the last time they had spoken, he also remembered something his father once told him.

When you’re working with metal, there comes a moment when it’s at just the right temperature—pliable, ready to be shaped. Hesitate too long, and it cools, becomes unyielding, and you miss your chance. Life is the same. There’s a time to act, a moment when everything aligns just right, and if you let fear or doubt hold you back, that moment may pass you by.

Following this advice, Alden had asked a man well above his station, a renowned swordsman, to train him. A man who became Alden’s mentor even though he had no claim to his time or training.

It had led him here, to Castle Blackwood.