Page 144 of Arrows and Gems
“So you immediately rushed off to compete as one?” she replied with a raised eyebrow.
“To have a chance with you?” Moving his hand to cup her cheek, he murmured, “Always.”
His words sent a pleasant warmth through her chest. He’d refused to put his kingdom at odds with Ralnor for her, but he’d left it barely a month after unseating a usurper. The lines of division couldn’t all be healed yet.
But he’d still come running when he heard of a way tomarry her without upsetting her council.
“Alors ne refuse pas.” The Old Amitian words were awkward on her tongue “Épouse-moi.”
Then don’t refuse. Marry me.
His other hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer as he gave her one of his full smiles. Leaning in, he whispered against her lips, “Avec plaisir, ma chérie.”With pleasure, my darling.
Then he finally pressed his lips to hers, and Helena soaked in the message they told her.
Loved.
Cherished.
Chosen.
She’d never been as alone as she’d once believed. But knowing that her family loved her couldn’t compare to knowing that Rafe did, too.
And she never intended to forget the truth of either.
EPILOGUE
Helena
The trees flitted by as Helena rode past, but they wouldn’t last much longer. Rafe was more familiar with the route than she was, and he’d warned her they were getting close.
It wasn’t too late to turn around. She and Liesl could go home, and she might get another day or two with Rafe before he returned to Amitié and his responsibilities there.
Helena forced her hands to relax on the reins. There was no sense putting it off; she’d have to face him someday.
Even if he decided he no longer wanted her friendship, she owed him this much.
“Are you all right?”
Glancing over, Helena saw Rafe’s hazel eyes fixed on her. She should have recognized them when she met his siblings; the hair color didn’t make that much of a difference.
“Auburn suits you,” she commented mischievously. “It matches better when you blush.”
He sighed through his nose and said nothing.
Letting her smile drop, she looked away, examining the fallow fields appearing between the trees. It was easier to cover her vulnerability, but she didn’t have to with him. Or with Liesl, who rode just behind.
“Do you think he’ll see me?”
She kept her shoulders back and her chin lifted despite herquiet voice. Rafe watched her for a few moments before refocusing on the road ahead.
“Michael is a fair man,” he finally said. “I’m sure he will give you a chance.”
Her eyes darted over to him. “He’s not you, Rafe. And I—I behaved very badly the last time I was here.”
Memories overtook her, heating her cheeks with shame. She’d given Rafe the full story when asking him to detour to Daraigh’s capital, but that uncomfortable conversation didn’t make it easier to discuss now.
“You will stay with me,” he told her simply. “If Michael refuses to see you, he refuses to see the new king of Amitié.”
