FOREVER KNIGHTS: #17 Marked As Mine

Browning Village, Isle of Wight

LUCIEN

Meralee tentatively opened the door. “What is it?”

“I must speak with you, My Lady.” Lucien said. The somber tone of his voice alerting her something was amiss.

“Lucien?” She questioned. It was the first time she’d used his first name.

He was pleased. Something indefinable lurking in his golden-brown eyes.

“My Lady. Our Captain has given us an order.”

“To take me to wife.” She chewed her lip fearfully. Her eyes hardening.

“Yes. I know you aren’t impressed with the order. But the Captain is wise and has led us well. I can’t defy him now.”

Her face grew yet harder and he realized his wording wasn’t ideal. Lucien was certain he was mustering through this conversation poorly. He swallowed hard.

“You’ve come to know me in this short time.”

“Yes.” She cut him off. “You’re difficult and demanding and find inappropriate things amusing at the worst times.”

“True. He nodded grudgingly. “And I suppose my bluntness could be construed as insensitivity. Though I struggle speaking in a manner, ladies might well receive, I am sturdy.”

“Sturdy?” Her brows lifted.

He cleared his throat. “Solid. I’ve not led you astray.”

“Well, that’s something.” She said dryly.

“Fine then.” He slumped. “Perhaps I should explain instead that I enjoy your company immensely. Despite that you’re a difficult and volatile creature. You’re also rather wonderful and filled with passion.”

Her brown gaze narrowed. Lip curling. “Where are we going with this confidence?”

This isn’t going well.

“See.” He gestured to her face where anger was apparent. “Look how difficult your being as I spill honesty.”

She subsided into a dark glower. Still saying little.

Disturbingly little.

He paused and bit a cheek. “I’ll attempt again.” He paused to gather appropriate wording.

“Please do not!” She put up a staying hand. “I’m not certain I can bear anymore.”

He swallowed and blurted. “I believe I love you.”

“You believe, do you?”

“I do.” He admitted roughly.

Her face softened. Eyes widening. “Why?”

“You’re impossible. You don’t waste time pretending to be happy when you aren’t, as many women do. I know where you stand at all times...be it pleasant or nay. I could spend a lifetime at your side. When you shout and stomp, I want nothing more than to prove to you I’m worth fighting with.” He smiled softly. “For I know you must have someone to rail at, or you’d not be you.”

Her face was impassive, but her chest heaved with deepening breaths. Her eyes filling with dampness.

He’d clearly affected her. He reached out a hand to her.

“Do not deceive me, Knight.” She put her back against the doorframe and slid to the floor. “Do you care for me?”

“I do.” His hand dropped and he lowered before her. “Forever and always. You’ve my vow, the promise of a Templar, and the word of a dragon. No greater honesty then that, I assure you.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

He felt helpless. I was trying to say something kind.

Instead I’ve brought this strong, bright woman to her knees. He grasped her dainty wrists and pulled her hands from her face.

Her eyes shined with vulnerability. Cheeks damp as she looked at him. “There any chance if we do this, you could come to care for me?”

“It’s too late, Lucien.” She shook her head.

His jaw ticked and his chest tightened.

“I couldn’t come to love you, Lucien.”

His brow furrowed and eyes showed agony. He closed his eyes tight. “Because I took you from your home?”

He rose. Towering over her to hide his own vulnerability. He twisted to walk away.

But her hand snatched his thick wrist. She stood to face him. “No, because I already have...”

Baffled, he cocked his head at her. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment in that blasted gazebo when you said the most ridiculous thing to me! Then sitting with me at an old table in a rundown inn speaking intellectually of your views and entrusting me with your journal. Now I’m not sure how I could be without you...”

He was taken aback now. Stepping away from her.

She pursued him, a hairsbreadth away.

He laughed, tipping his head back as he pulled her into his arms. “Are you sure you understand what I am and what it’ll mean?”

“I do.” She fiddled with his collar. “Be certain. I intend not only to wed you but to mark you the eve of the day.”

“I read of marking. It will mean I will live as you do.”

“It means you will outlive your brothers. So think on it carefully. It shouldn’t be considered lightly. But if you are certain you will marry me, I’d like to tell our guests when they arrive it will be something beautiful and I can plan a lovely banquet.”

“Please do.”

“I must ask you something, Mera.”

My curiosity is overwhelming.

“Anything.”

“Do you know the truth behind how you escaped so many trained Knights, instinctual predators, through these woods?”

“You saw it.” She sighed. “I’d like to imagine myself some great warrioress but instead I suspect those men are greater friends to you then you’ve ever suspected…”

“As is My Captain.” He said dryly. Agreeing with her assessment.

They let me win. They knew I wanted her.

Was it so obvious from the beginning?