Page 64 of Ironling
From his pocket he pulled three uncut gems. It wasn’t enough for the parcel, but it was enough to surprise her.
“I can bring more for the full price,” he said.
“Are those…?” She tentatively reached to touch one with a fingertip.
“Sapphires.”
Her mouth opened and closed as she brought one closer to inspect. She turned it round, catching the light in the dark blue depths.
“Oh, Hakon, these are beautiful. Where…?”
“Not half as beautiful as you, my lady.” She blinked up at him, and for a moment he didn’t think she’d heard his bumbling declaration. Then pink suffused her cheeks and her lips twitched with a smile.
Heart in his throat, Hakon rounded the desk and reached for the hand holding the gem.
“Even when it is cut and polished, it won’t shine half as brightly as you do.”
Her blush deepened, and she seemed to squirm in her seat.
“You’re flattering me.”
“I’m only speaking the truth.”
He brought the hand he held to his lips and kissed each knuckle.
“Hakon…” Perhaps his name was a warning, perhaps a plea. All he knew was its breathy tone and how it lured him closer.
“I would make you the finest crown, the brightest torque inset with these. No one would be able to look away from how you shine.”
She stared up at him, her lips parted. “I don’t shine,” she murmured.
“Oh, you do. So brightly, it burns hotter than my forge fires.”
His heart ached to see the way her eyes went wide and vulnerable at his words. She wasn’t ready to hear his praise—which meant she wasn’t ready to hear how deeply he adored her.
Reluctantly, he let her hand go and resumed his place on the other side of the desk. He kept his expression open and friendly as they worked out the details of the deed. He didn’t tell her how her hair caught the daylight, shining like spun gold. He didn’t say how he admired the slope of her shoulder or careful flex of her fingers as she signed the deed. He didn’t even admit how thoroughly he wished to kiss her as he bent to add his own name.
He didn’t know Eirean writing so instead signed his name inorcish.Hakon Green-Fist.
He more than liked the way it looked alongsideLady Aislinn Darrow—he relished it.
“Thank you, my lady.”
She smiled shyly up at him, having regained her composure. “I look forward to seeing the life you build there, Hakon.”
15
The ensuing days were so hectic, Aislinn barely had time to sleep, let alone solve the mystery of the missing missives.
When her father returned the day after Allarion’s visit, she had just enough time to slip his and Hakon’s deeds beneath her father’s hand before more business intruded.
Merrick’s brows rose. “The Scarborough estate?”
“He seemed determined. And the sale will cover all the extra dues for the year.” The additional funds required by the crown were one reason her father had been willing to sell land to the otherlies wishing to settle in the Darrowlands, but neither of them had dreamed anyone would want something as large as the Scarborough estate—and be willing to pay.
Her father quickly read the deed before dipping a quill in ink and adding his name to the deed. “Well, a fae for a vassal. This ought to be interesting.”
“And this.”
