by C. A. Szarek
She smiled and looked into the dark eyes that matched her—what? Betrothed? Aye, the man she would marry. Her heart flipped. “Thank you for having me.”
“Having you, lass? You’re family!” Anais exclaimed.
She wanted that.
Jarek snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“It’s getting late,” Kirgan said. The older couple faced them, his father’s arm around Anais, holding her like Jarek held Erron.
She didn’t want to be parted from Jarek, but they weren’t married yet. Where would she sleep?
“Lass, I’ve a loft across the way, above my shop. I sleep downstairs. You’re welcome to it,” Anais said.
“You don’t live here?” The words tumbled out of her mouth. She flushed, fidgeting against Jarek’s side. “Sorry, that was rude of me.”
“No, not at all. Kirgan and I are to wed, like you to my lad. I don’t live here, yet.”
Jarek’s father and Anais gazed at each other and smiled. Love. So much love.
Erron’s heart skipped a beat and she looked up at Jarek. What did she feel for him? Something strong, surely. How?
They hadn’t known each other long enough for it to make any sense. But the l-word hovered in her thoughts and she had to call herself a fool for that, despite everything.
“I’ll get the bed made up for you, lass,” Anais said.
“I can help,” Erron said.
“Nonsense. Say goodnight to my lad.” The woman smiled and gestured to Jarek.
She nodded, what choice did she have? Besides, she wanted to be with her betrothed as long as she could manage.
Hand in hand, Anais and Kirgan slipped out of the living area of the tanning shop.
Erron was alone with Jarek.
Her heart thundered. “I want to stay with you,” she blurted.
Jarek’s smile made her stomach somersault. “I want that, too. But Anais would tan my hide.” He pulled her into his arms and Erron sighed against him.
Safe. Warm.
Cherished?
“It’d be worth it, mind you,” he said, winking and kissing her forehead when she looked up at him.
Erron smiled.
“Let’s head over there, too,” he whispered after pressing a tender kiss to her mouth.
She nodded but her heart was heavy as Jarek lead to her to Anais’ home and shop. He’d explained she was a Master Weaver, but Erron didn’t take the time to be fascinated, or think that she could learn a real trade when Jarek said Anais would train her.
Erron just didn’t want to be parted from him.
Several hours later, she tossed and turned on the unfamiliar pallet. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but sleep had abandoned her.
The unbelievable day marched across her mind over and over.
She was away from her father. Free.
A handsome young tanner made her toes curl when he kissed her and wanted to marry her despite her past. Erron grinned in the darkness, her heart flipping.
Noise at the door of the small attic loft made her roll over on the pallet. Her stomach fluttered but she forced a breath.
No one was coming to harm her.
Jarek peeked in, a lantern held in front of his face. “Are you sleeping?” he whispered loudly.
“No.” Erron pushed herself up. She sat, waiting for her betrothed.
He had to duck to slip inside the short door, but he closed it silently, his lantern casting shadows. Jarek hung it on a hook near the door, illuminating the room in a pleasantly dim glow.
“I thought Anais would tan your hide if you came to me,” Erron said, but she wasn’t bothered in the least. She was relieved to see him. Maybe he’d stay with her.
Jarek grinned pure mischief and her tummy somersaulted, her heart picking up speed as he took a seat on the end of her narrow bed.
“I pretended not to hear her sneak into my father’s room and then waited until they were…busy.”
She laughed and he inched closer. Erron reached for his hand, and he entwined their fingers.
“I’m shocked, actually. She’s always so proper,” he said, bringing their joined hands to his mouth and pressing a kiss into her knuckles.
“Well, they’re both adults.” Her breathing was rushed as his dark eyes locked onto hers and he came even closer.
“So are we,” he whispered just before he covered her mouth with his, tugging her to him.
Her heart pounded as she melted into him, slipping her arms around his neck. Warmth spread over her body and Erron moved her mouth under his, their tongues dancing. Heat pooled between her legs, startling her as she recognized desire.
She wanted Jarek.
How could she even think about intimacy with a man after what she’d lived through? The thought caught her unawares, but she kept her mouth moving under his. Erron didn’t know where the desire had come from, but it felt right. That gave her courage to go with it. Hold Jarek tighter. Show him she wanted him.
Wanted to be naked with him as he moved in and out of her.
She wanted to give him what her father had always taken.
Erron shuddered, banishing the horrible memories.
She was with Jarek.
Norden had no place in this room.
Jarek kissed her harder, pulling her even closer, her breasts flattening against his hard chest. She moaned into his mouth and shivered, clinging to him.
He froze, pulling back from their kiss. “Oh, Erron. Blessed Spirit, I’m so sorry. I—”
He’d misinterpreted her body’s tremble.
“It’s all right,” Erron said quickly, leaning up to kiss him again. It was quick and left Jarek staring, his gaze searching her face.
She looked down, heat rushing her face. “I want to be with you,” she whispered. “I want to marry you.”
Jarek tilted her face up with gentle hands. “If you never wanted a man to touch you again, I wouldn’t blame you.”
“How can you want me?” The whisper fell from her lips. She swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. She’d told herself she wouldn’t ask him that question—ever. The first bout of nerves and it’d come right out. Erron frowned and swallowed.
His brows furrowed. “You know what happened to you isn’t your fault. Don’t you?”
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. It’d never occurred to her before, and shattered all the good feelings from his kisses.
Did she blame herself for her father’s actions? After all these turns?
“Erron.” Her name was hard and she blinked. He was angry, but not at her. “Don’t tell me you’re letting that bastard saddle you with guilt. Fathers are not supposed to rape their daughters.”
Erron winced. It hurt. Tears welled and spilled.
“Please don’t cry.” Jarek thumbed away her tears, kissing her cheeks, forehead, and then pressing his lips against hers. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”
She sniffled and let him pull her back against his chest, one big hand making warm circles as he rubbed her back.
“What he did to you, it was not your fault. I want to geld the bastard. I’m so sorry you went through that. If I could take it away, I could. I would—” Her betrothed’s voice broke, and the fact he was affected by what Norden had done to her stole her breath—her words.
Erron couldn’t answer him. She let herself be enveloped by his warmth. She was safe. Her eyes drifted closed.
Time passed, but was it minutes or hours?
“Erron?” Jarek’s whisper lifted her head from his shoulder. Their gazes locked. “I know it makes no sense whatsoever, but I have to tell you something.”
“Hmmm?” she asked, biting back a yawn.
“I love you.”
Chapter Twelve
How and why should have been instinct. But as Erron met his dark eyes in the dimness of Anais’ loft, her heart echoed his. Everything clicked. It made sense—as if it was fated.
“I love you, too.” She smiled.
Jarek stared in silence, his gaze searching her face.
“I know it doesn’t make any sense,” they spoke at the same time, paused, and shared a laugh.
“I’m staying with you tonight.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Erron whispered.
“I won’t…touch you…in any way you don’t wish. But I need to hold you to convince myself this is real.”
Her newborn desire warred with nerves—and a touch of embarrassment. Erron’s face, no, her whole body, was hot. This man was saying these things to her?
About her?
He leaned down, slanting his mouth over hers. But there was no urgency in the kiss like before. Tenderness and languorous heat made her inch closer, wrapping her arms around him.
Blessed Spirit, she really did love Jarek.
****
She loved him.
Jarek’s heart pounded in his ears as Erron slipped her tongue against his. Her arms tightened around him and he pulled her closer, her breasts flattening against his chest.
Thin fabric was all that separated her body from his. He was hard as a rock, his erection throbbing at the idea of her naked in his arms.
Slow. Down.
He yanked away from the kiss before he did something stupid, like push her down and whip up her chemise. Her bastard father had probably done that.
Erron gasped, her sky blue eyes going wide and starting to clear the passionate haze.
At least she’d been right with him.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“I want you.” His voice cracked. “And that’s not fair to you.”
Her already rosy cheeks flushed an even deeper red, but Jarek cupped her face before she could look away. “You’ve already been through too much. I’m sorry. I need to…will…be fair to you. I should go home.”
“No.” Erron’s protest was almost a shout. “I want you to stay with me.” This was a whisper, and her hands opened and closed on his forearms.
Jarek swallowed and studied her face, holding her cheeks gently with both hands. Tears hovered in her beautiful eyes, making his heart stutter.
“I’ve never spoken of it,” she started. Erron sucked in air, but maintained his gaze.
More tears would kill him, but Jarek would let her talk about it if she needed to. “Do you want to?” he whispered.
“I don’t know.” Her bottom lip wobbled.
“Whatever you need, I’m here for you. No matter what.” He drew her back into his arms. “I love you,” he whispered into her downy hair. Her long white-blonde locks were finally loose, flowing down her back and he smoothed his hand against them. Softness teased and wrapped around his fingertips.
Touching her felt good…right.
When was the last time that bastard had raped her?
It was better for him not to know.
Blessed Spirit, I want to gut him.
“Jarek?” His name was muffled against shirt.
“Hmmm?”
She lifted her head and their eyes locked. “I need you to know something.”
“What, love?”
Erron paused at the endearment.
He pressed a kiss into her forehead.
“I…I…” When she faltered, he squeezed her hand to give her strength. Her breasts rose and fell against him as she took a deep breath. “I’ve been with a man, and I never wanted that. But I do want you. I’ve never felt the way you make me feel.”
Jarek stared. What could he say?
She was the strongest person he’d ever met.
His heart tripped over itself.
He kissed her, intending something slow and tender that quickly became more. Erron melted into him, their tongues dueling. Her hands were all over him, and that didn’t help his self-control.
Panting, he pulled away before he wouldn’t be able to, but she clung to him, squeezing her arms around his neck.
The first hot tears hit his neck and he just held her, rubbing her back. Her crying was killing him, but she needed to get it all out.
Then, like he’d told her, he would listen if she needed to talk.
When she needed to talk. It would all have to come out eventually.
Jarek would have to restrain himself from going after the bastard and gelding him.
Whispering into her hair that he loved her, he held her close until Erron’s sniffles finally lessened. When she looked up at him, he wiped her tears away.
“I love you, too.”
He dropped a kiss on her nose. “Good.”
“Want to get into bed with me?” Erron asked. Her cheeks flushed pink, but she met his gaze head on. “I don’t know…what…I’m ready for.”
His heart flipped. “Shhh. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll be here for you when you’re ready. It happens on your terms, Erron.”
She offered a tremulous smile. “I love when you hold me.”
Jarek smiled back. “Good thing I love holding you, then.”
Erron laughed and it was the best sound he’d ever heard.
He crawled into the small bed next to her, yanked the sleeping furs up and gathered her to him. Closing his eyes, Jarek let the love…the rightness wash over him.
He could hold Erron forever. And he would get to. She was going to be his wife.
“Jarek?” she whispered as she wiggled closer, resting her head on chest.
“Yes, love?”
“My father will come for me.”
Pressing a kiss into the crown of her head, he sighed. “I know.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We’ll deal with it in the morning. But I promise I won’t let him take you away from me.”
Chapter Thirteen
Pounding. Yelling.
What was going on?
Jarek sat up and rubbed his eyes. With a wide yawn, he oriented himself.
Ah, that’s right. Anais’ loft.
Erron.
He looked down at the women nestled against him. The woman he would marry. The woman he loved.
Jarek smiled and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her mouth as she slept.
Erron stirred and smiled, her breasts heaving with a breath. Her gorgeous crystal blue eyes fluttered as she came around, tender smile still curving her full mouth.
“Morning,” Jarek whispered.
“Morning,” Erron echoed, slipping her arm around his waist and squeezing.
He caressed her cheek and brushed her flaxen locks from her face.
The noise outside increased, and Jarek glanced toward the small loft window when he heard a familiar voice shouting. Da. He frowned and glanced at Erron.
Her eyes were wide. She shoved to a sitting position and yanked the white linens to her chin. Her skin was as void of color as they were. “My father.” The two words shook.
“My father, as well.” Jarek pressed a quick kiss to her lips, but she didn’t react. “Stay there.”
He slipped from the small pallet and slunk to the window. Jarek’s father was shirtless, breeches held up with a hand, glaring at Norden. The taller man had an axe in hand.
Anais hovered in the doorway of the shop, long blonde hair loose and mussed. She clutched a cloak around her body.
“Son of a—” He cut off his curse at Erron’s whimper. No use worrying her more than she already was. He winced. Would her father use the tool as a weapon? Was his da’s life in danger?
The gasp at his elbow made him glance down. “You should’ve stayed in bed, love,” Jarek admonished. There was no reason for her to witness the scene below.
Her hand was over her mouth, her eyes welled with tears. “He wouldn’t…” She paled even more than moments before.
Putting both hands on her shoulders, he squeezed gently. “Shhh. I’m going down there. But you have to promise you’ll stay here.”
Erron swallowed hard, but nodded, her blue eyes misty and as wide as possible.
“It’ll be all right, love,” he said. “I won�
�t let him hurt us or take you away.”
He kissed her hard and fast, then stomped into his boots. Jarek raced down from the loft and out Anais’ front door.
Catching his father’s gaze first, Kirgan’s eyes widened, but he said nothing.
Erron’s father glared at him as Jarek slid between Norden and his father. The surprise must’ve knocked him off balance, because he dropped the axe.
It clattered to the ground and Jarek’s father grabbed it.
“Give me my daughter,” the man barked.
A wave of satisfaction rolled over him at the sight of Norden’s bruised face. The man hadn’t even bathed. Dried blood threaded throughout his beard under his nose. And it was a wonder he could see out of two swollen eyes.
“You can return home. Erron stays with me.”
Norden growled and launched forward, but dropped his axe. He snatched Jarek by the tunic with both fists.
Kirgan uttered a protest and Anais yelled his name.
“Unhand my son,” his father commanded.
“Give me my daughter,” Norden repeated, spittle leaking from the corners of his mouth.
Jarek winced as his foul breath hit his face. His stomach roiled, but he made no move to pull away from the taller, bulkier man.
“I will not let you rape her again,” Jarek bit out.
Anais gasped.
Norden’s fair brows drew even tighter, but he didn’t deny Jarek’s statement right away. “The lass has filled your ears with tales.” His eyes—a match for Erron’s—darted over Jarek’s shoulder, from his father to Anais. The apple of his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.
So he didn’t want anyone to know what he’d confessed at dinner.
Jarek threw his head back and laughed.
Glaring, Norden released him.
He stepped closer, growling. “You know damn well she told me nothing. You’re a monster. Harming your child in the worst way possible. You should have been protecting her, been her father.”
Erron’s father said nothing, but his jaw clenched and he flexed his giant fists.
“I’m going to petition Lord Camden this morning and file charges against you. Explain exactly what went on between you and your daughter.”