Page 44 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“Ah,” he says, his tone neutral. We just sit like that for a while, the silence heavy and awkward. I’m too embarrassed to look at him, afraid of seeing the disdain I’m sure is on his face after my careless remark.

“The timing is off,” he finally says, breaking the silence. “I’ve been dealing with far more issues than I expected, and it’s taking me away from home more than I’d like.” I turn back to him, surprised that he would even try to justify my comment. He doesn’t need to—he certainly doesn’t have to.

“It’s fine.” The words come out automatically, a reflex more than anything else.

He lets out a soft laugh, the sound almost foreign. “But it’s not, though, is it?” His dark eyes meet mine, and it’s like he’s seeing right through me. “I thought you wanted it that way. That you were scared.”

“Do you want me to be scared?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Everyone else is.”

“I’m not scared.” And that’s the truth. Maybe I’m crazy, delusional, or whatever you want to call it, but his actions speak louder than all the horror stories I’ve heard about him. Fate nestles closer to me, reminding me of his thoughtful gift. Actually, what I’m scared of is growing attached, scared of seeing sides of him I like more than I should. And the more I look at him, at his discomfort and stiffness, the more I realize that if hedoesn’t give any kind of warmth, it’s not because he doesn’t want to—it’s because he doesn’t know how.

“Teresa said you didn’t seem like yourself today. Is everything alright?”

So he worries. He actually cares, and I can’t help but feel that damn warmth spreading across my chest. And this is what scares me—this is what I absolutely need to avoid.

I wave my hand dismissively, torn between hating that he cares and craving it at the same time. But I also don’t want his vision of me to change. I’d hate for him to see me as a victim, as a weak girl who can’t take things head-on. “She worries too much.”

“She cares.”

Do you?The question hovers on the tip of my tongue, and I think he sees it because he cocks his head to the side, his eyes never wavering from my face.

“I just feel a little under the weather. Nothing that some herbal tea and a good night’s sleep won’t fix.”

“Do you want me to get you a cup of tea?”

I can’t help the small laugh that escapes me. “The sotocapo is offering to serve me?”

“This sotocapo is also your husband.”

“I—” I start, then sigh, shaking my head. “No, thank you. I think I’ll go to bed soon.”

He nods but stays in his chair, his presence filling the room with a quiet, steady strength that makes me feel… safer, somehow.

“I also tried the cake you made when I came home last night. It was delicious.”

I feel a blush creeping up my skin. Compliments from him seem to hit differently, more deeply. “Do you bake often?”

“Enough to drive my mother crazy. Same with the reading, mind you. She could never understand why I would stay inside and be stuck in a book.”

“It’s not about being stuck; it’s escapism. When you read, you get to visit so many different worlds.”

I don’t know what to say because there’s nothing more to add. This is exactly what I feel. It’s as if he’s seen a part of me that I didn’t expect him to understand.

“You really enjoy reading too, then,” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

He nods, his gaze falling to the book I’ve set aside on the table. “I used to have more time for it, but as my role within the family increased, the less time I had for it. It’s not to say that I don’t miss it sometimes.”

His honesty surprises me, and for a moment, I see a glimpse of the man behind the title, behind the cold exterior. “I’m going to my parents’ house for dinner tomorrow night,” I say, almost hesitantly. “I can’t dodge their invite any longer.”

“Okay, what time are we expected to be there? I’ll make sure to be home by then.”

“What? No, it’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll just say you’re too busy, which is true.”

He frowns, leaning forward in his seat. “Don’t you want me there?”

“No, that’s not it. I could use the support, but honestly, subjecting you to a dinner with my parents…” I wince at the thought.

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