Page 101 of Rook of Ruin
Panic ripples across his face, and he whispers, “I want you to call me your husband.”
I breathe out, “I need to know you’re not keeping anything else from me.”
“There’s only one more thing—you were my life debt.” I watch tears form in the corners of his eyes. “I fulfilled it.”
I knew this; in my heart, I already knew. He already told me in so many words. “Who?”
“I can’t say. Part of the life debt.” He moves his body so his warriors can’t see the pain in his face. “I did it to save the life of someone I cared about. Turns out they didn’t really need saving; they were playing a game I didn’t know I was a part of.”
Understanding blows through me. He was used, and I was the awful debt he had to repay. A single tear goes down my face, and I quickly wipe it away. “Why did they choose me to fulfill your life debt?”
“I don’t know exactly.” He doesn’t falter. “But they wanted someone to watch over you, to protect you.”
Anger bubbles up out of my throat. “Is that why you married me? To fulfill your life debt?”
Simon staggers back like I struck him. “I wouldneverdo that.” His dark brown eyes show the hurt in his heart, his voice full of anguish. “I would never. I asked for you to marry me because I felt—I feel like I can’t live my life without you.” He brings his hand up as if to touch my face, then hesitates, and his hand drops. “The day I found you half naked and bloody in the cottage is when it was fulfilled. I don’t know how I saved you, but I did. The moment I laid my hands on you, it was wiped away. I almost lost my mind when it happened because of the relief I had that it was over and the concern I had when you weren’t my responsibility anymore. I couldn’t let you go.” His fists clench. “When Jon offered to marry you, I saw you consider it. I knew when I met you that I was fucked, but in that moment, a part of me almost died thinking you would accept him.”
“You said it wouldn’t have mattered,” I challenge him, lifting my chin.
“It doesn’t fucking matter.” He moves closer. “You didn’t choose him.” Simon’s low voice becomes husky. “No one beforeusmatters, Orlaith. You chose me.” Something passes over his face, and I’m unsure of what it is. I narrow my eyes, trying to figure it out.
“Are you going to leave me again? Or will youallow meto fight beside you?” I stare him down.
His face becomes something entirely different than I’ve ever seen before, like stone. “I’m not sorry I did that. If you were on the horse when I went down, you could have died. I willalwaysdo what I think is best to protect you. You may not like it, but I can accept that. I can live with your anger if you are alive to be angry.”
“I understand why you did it, I just want you to tell me next time. I want you to trust that I will do everything to protect you too.” My voice becomes choked. “I could have lost you. When I saw you and Paul surrounded, I had to get to you. When I saw your horse go down, no amount of vengeance would satisfy me.”
His face softens. “I felt the same way when you charged toward us, when I saw you challenge the largest fucking Roggenwolf. I had to butcher him for hurting you. O, you killing that Wraith saved our lives. I don’t know exactly how you did it, but we may have all died if you didn’t.” He cups his hand on my face. “I just can’t lose you. I know you can fight. I know you can lead. I just want to protect you.”
We would both ride through hells and back to save the other, and this isn’t something that is going to be fixed right now. It’s something we will have to work on, work through.Fuck it. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him tenderly, then I pull back.
“Simon.” His dimples return at his Warrior’s Name. “Tell me. I want to hear you say it.”
He holds me, his brown eyes smiling. “I love you, O.” He gives me a wicked grin. “Princess Caddel, my very own Ruin-ous woman.”
I laugh, and he crushes his mouth to mine. His tongue seeks entrance, and I gladly give it.
Whistles and claps are heard, and Simon grins on my mouth. We break apart, and his face becomes red at the sight of everyone watching us.
“Are you blushing?” I whisper as I poke him in the leathers.
He playfully swats my hand away and smiles. A very handsome warrior with short brown hair comes up to us, bringing two shots of spice. “Sir. Ma’am.”
Simon hands one of the drinks to me, and we take it quickly. “Bucket.” Simon nods to the man, hands the empty glasses back, and the warrior saunters off.
My mouth drops open. “That’sBucket?”
Simon looks at me, confused. “Yes.That’sBucket.” My face flushes as I laugh, and Simon frowns. “You don’t want to know how he got that name.”
“Yes. Yes, I really do.” I wave to get Paul’s attention and point at Bucket. He nods, laughing.
“Do I want to know?” Simon raises his eyebrow.
“Carriage sex, Simon.” I burst out laughing. “Just carriage sex.”
Simon pulls me into another kiss and growls, “I will fucking murder Bucket if he so much as looks in your direction again.”
“I didn’t take you for a jealous man.” I squint at him.
