Page 102 of The Pacifist
“You said you were willing to fight for me. Did you think you wouldn’t have to make any sacrifices?”
I linked my little finger with hers. “You wouldn’t think less of me if I let them believe a lie?”
“Nope. I’m not some innocent Motlander. I was raised among wolves, remember?”
I looked around her beautiful room with crown moldings and rich colors on the walls. “Yeah, it’s a rough environment.”
“I know, right?” She laughed. “Wolves everywhere.” Lifting her head, she nodded to the floor where the four dogs lay stretched out. “But at least they’re cute and friendly.”
“And does your pack have room for another member?”
Her smile drew me in with the urge to kiss her.
With a hand to my chest, she stopped me. “Are we sure that we want the same thing?”
“I want you.”
“You said that the last time, but you weren’t ready to go all the way.”
My eyebrows rose up. “I was ready! We talked about it. I wanted to make love to you.”
“That’s not what I meant. I said I wanted everything, as in marriage and family, remember? You were the one who didn’t see the need. You wanted to keep our love secret.”
Letting my fingers caress her face, I spoke with sincerity. “The secret is out, Mila! After my speech today, the whole world knows that I love you.”
Her adorable apple cheeks brought out her dimples as she smiled. “I love you too.”
“Does that mean you’ll cancel the tournament?”
“No.”
“No?” I blinked my eyes in confusion. “But I want to marry you.” I pulled back. “You’re not actually making me fight in the tournament for you, are you?”
“Would you?”
“Mila… I… I… hate violence. I’m not a fighter.”
“Is that a no?”
“Yes, that’s a no. If you want me to fight, then I’m not the right man for you. I’m a pacifist and I thought you were too.”
Mila chuckled. “You should have seen your face. For a second there, you thought you didn’t know me at all, didn’t you? Of course I don’t want you to fight.”
“So, you are going to cancel the tournament?”
“No, but I’m not going to marry the winner either. There will still be fighting, gambling, drinking, and fun. The winner will get money, but no bride unless one of the Motlander women from the Matching Program picks him. I’ve suggested that we invite as many of them as possible and make it a big matchmaking event. That way Khan can still perform weddings at the end.”
“Sounds like you have it all figured out.”
“Not quite, but I discussed it with my parents, and Pearl and Khan a few hours ago.”
“Huh. And here I was preparing to have a couple of black eyes after telling Magni that I plan to marry his daughter."
Mila reached out for me. “That might still happen.”
“You’re worth it.”
She gave a soft laugh that got muffled when I kissed her.
