Earic emerged
from behind a rosebush, his eyes glistening at her. He looked misplaced, this
broad-shouldered monk-warrior, wandering amid the blooms of an Eastern garden.
Even at night, the reds and golds and pinks were vivid and breathtaking. “Is Marguerite
well?” he asked immediately, his brow creased with concern.
Zayn frowned as
he sat beside her on the bench. “She has been better.”
“Her injury—”
“It is healing
well. It’s not her leg that ails her so much.” Zayn looked down into her lap.
How would she tell him what Marguerite should be telling him herself? This
whole situation was terribly uncomfortable. “Lady Melisende has forbidden her
from keeping your company.”
He exhaled,
looked down as well. “I thought she might.” Zayn tilted her head to look at his
profile. His hair was freshly washed and still damp, dark at the roots and
shorter than before. Gone was the baby-faced Fair Boy she remembered; the man
beside her had a network of scars on his sun-baked face and neck. His palms
were like cracked leather, and the scent of sandalwood mingled with the musk of
a man. She was surprised to find that it did not repulse her. In fact, it did
quite the opposite. She glanced away.
“She never did
approve of our friendship,” he said with a sad smile. “I was not good enough
for her daughter. And I don’t disagree—I am not good enough for Marguerite.”
“Oh, stop,”
Zayn said impatiently. “Just because you were not born into the right family
doesn’t mean you cannot be friends.”
Earic
looked at Zayn. “I suppose. But Marguerite is something special.”
Her expression
softened. “Yes. I agree.” She hesitated for a moment. “She wanted me to tell
you that no matter what, your friendship will endure.”
His smile was
like a bolt of lightning in the dark. “Of course it will. Just like ours has.”
Zayn focused
straight ahead, her blood beginning to hum. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Zayn.” His
voice was hoarse with emotion, his hand gently brushing against hers. “I know
it’s you. I knew it was you the moment I saw you.”
“Your enemy,”
she heard herself say, turning to look at him.
His voice was barely a
whisper. “God’s bones! What have you become?”
Emotion
clogged her throat, made her voice rasp. “Forget you ever met me, Earic. You
must forget. I must kill you otherwise.”
“You can try.
You won’t succeed.” He moved his hand up her arm, sending sparks throughout her
body. “I had intended to visit Monteferrand soon. I wanted…to find you.”
She shook
her head, her breath coming quickly now. “Find me? Why? You are a Templar, have
you forgotten? And I…I’m not the girl you remember, not even a shadow of her.”
“I follow
no one’s law but my own.” His face was illuminated from within. “As for the
girl from Rafaniya… She’s here, I can still see her.” He raised his hand to her
mouth and touched her lips with his forefinger.
Her every nerve
tingled in response, her brain woozy with realization. Was it possible that he
had feelings for her? In the blink of an eye, her hand flashed out, seeking his
throat. Before she could grasp him, he’d snagged her wrist in his powerful fist.
Her other hand lashed out; he stopped it as well. Her body rose in fury, but he
rose with her, twisting her forcefully against him. Locking her within his
arms, he lowered his head. “I won’t touch you, Zayn, I swear it. Please, control
your strength. I don’t want to hurt you.”
The roar abated;
her strength retreated like a falling tide. She gasped and slumped against him.
How was he so strong? She was surprised how far up she had to look to meet his
gaze. “I don’t understand. How…?”
His lips
were inches from hers. “Haven’t you realized it yet, Zayn? You and I…”
His breath
mingled with hers, intoxicating her. “What?” she managed to whisper.
Rather
than answer, he dipped his head just a fraction and touched her mouth with his.
The spark his lips ignited was so very different from the one created by her
power. A warmth spread throughout her body, turning her muscles to jelly. She
felt completely, utterly human in Fair Boy’s arms, and it was too good to be
true…
She pulled
away abruptly, horrified. “I have to go. I can’t… You must forget about me,
Earic. Or else you put your life in danger.” Before he could reply, she turned
and hurried away, breathless with fear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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