Page 50 of Clash of Storms
"It seems to me to be a ridiculously easy means for adrekimale to pull the wool over a female's eyes. Here, have some flowers, which will die within the week. Let me fetch your cloak, fair maid. Should I quote poetry? Stolen, no doubt, from the pages of a book, and adapted to suit my purposes. Empty. Meaningless. And false."
"Youare empty and meaningless," she snapped. "Have you never given your heart to someone? Have you never looked beyond the concept of throwing a woman over your shoulder and dragging her into your blankets?"
"There's something to be said for such a method." Heat flared in his eyes, and her breath caught.
No.She wasn't going to be drawn by his carnal innuendoes. No matter how much her words conjured the thought of him throwing her over his shoulder, and tossing her onto his bedroll.
"That's because you're a barbarian—"
"If I was a barbarian, you'd be flat on your back on my bedroll. You don't know a damned thing about me. Your mind was made up about me years ago, and you refuse to take a second look."
"You're impossible." She shoved to her feet, and dragged the cloak tightly around her. "That's what you are.Impossible. I think I've finally discovered the reason you've kept a cold bed for near-on ten years."
The sound of his laugh shivered through her, husky with heat. "Oh, sweet Malin. How can you be so clever and yet so blind?"
"I can see clearly enough to see right through you."
Slowly he unfolded himself to his full height. "You also keep bringing up my cold and lonely bed, Malin. Does it bother you?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
"Someone has to." His smile held an edge. "You speak of being courted. Of poetry and flowers. But I think you're far more interested in kisses. Have you ever been kissed Malin?"
Heat burned through her cheeks. "You know I have not. And I know you're not truly speaking of kisses."
A strange light seemed to gleam in his eyes. He took a step closer to her. "You should be kissed. If only to know what you're missing out on. Is that what you want?"
"All I want is a male wholovesme. One who would make an effort for me. One who sees.... Who seessomeonewhen he looks at me. Someone worthy."
Instantly she regretted the words.
He would use them against her somehow, she knew it.
But she was wrong.
The taunting smile slipped from Sirius's lips. "Youaresomeone, Malin. You're a beautiful, stubborn, frustrating, dreamy-eyed young woman who would stand up to the queen herself if it meant she could protect those she loved." His lashes lowered. "You have an abhorrent obsession with fairy tales and romantic drivel, and you curtsy and simper and hide behind your meekness instead of arguing, but you're incredible, Malin. You could charm the coldestdreki'sheart. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise."
The words left her tongue-tied.
"I...."
"Someone will love you one day. Perhaps he already does. How could he not?" His mouth twisted in a faintly mocking way. "To see your face is to step outside and be drenched in sunlight. Your smile holds the warmth of a fire on a cold winter's night. You are light and laughter, Malin, enough to stay the darkest dawn. And one day, you will realize you are enough. You've always been enough. Perhaps when you find the man who is meant to love you, you'll see yourself through his eyes and begin to love yourself too."
A choking sound echoed in her throat. "Are you certain you're not a poet? Or did you steal that from a book?"
He camethisclose to rolling his eyes—she could tell. "And you call me the unromantic one. I believe you missed the point. If it was an arrow it would have struck you in the heart."
She hadn't missed the point at all.
She was simply trying to reconcile it.
I am enough. I am more than enough.Her fingers curled into little fists, her nails digging into her palms as she looked at him strangely.The Blackfrost just said my smile warmed him.
No,she corrected herself.Sirius said my smile warms him.
The flurry of a dozen butterfly wings suddenly fluttered in her stomach.
Malin felt like she stood in the middle of a maelstrom, with the thick ocean current swirling in a dangerous whirlpool around her.
