“I don't remember anything about that.”
He laughs. “You probably spent too much time on the gushy love parts.”
My cheeks heat. I return to walking toward the barn, keeping a slow pace for him. “Chancellor Jacob was an uncommonly kind man.”
“More than most people will ever know. He was trying to figure out the best way to use the law when she died. He was the Grand Chancellor's strongest opponent. I think after that he lost his will to do anything.”
We enter the barn and stop in front of my new horse. He leans against the stall and we stare at each other. A fluttering fills me. I clear my throat. “This is Goldie.”
“Serena.” His voice is low, tantalizing.
Why am I suddenly so nervous? “I haven't ridden her yet, but I'm hoping to. I got a saddle.”
“Serena.”
“I'll learn one of these days.”
He grabs my hand. I've never been so glad to be without my gloves. To feel another's skin on mine.
“Serena.”
“Yes.” My voice is whispery.
“May I kiss you?”
“What about your fiancee?”
His brows crease and then relaxes. “Technically that's you. I haven't known what the girl I was once engaged to is doing since before I beat Thomas. We were never really close. She was nice, but not the one I care about.”
He doesn't care about her? Hope starts pounding through me. “But you freed me.”
“We're still connected by the engagement ceremony.” He reaches up and brushes his thumb across my neck, right where my brand is. “I don't know of a way to break the connection that I spelled to us, but I can try.”
I lick my lips. “Does that connection take away any of my choices? Make me have to listen to you?”
“No. It just claims you as mine. Warlocks can cast a spell to read it and know that I have a claim on you. Like a contract, but there's no paper or signature. In my country a bride wears a ring that does the same thing.”
Of course the country that was supposed to be barbaric finds a way to connect a couple without branding a woman. They're the least barbaric people I know.
His cheeks pink in the way that I've come to adore. “I don't want to own you.”
I don't want to be owned either. I've barely gained freedom and no one can ever make me give it back. But I don't want him entirely gone either. When the idea comes to me, I don't hesitate to ask. “Is there a way for you to change it so it would say I'm protected, but not owned by you?”
He's silent a moment, his lips slowly turning upward. “I think I can do that. But before I do anything, you should know, I was sort of hoping to court you.”
“You mean, get married?”
The pink of his cheeks darkens. “Not right away. More like us spending time together.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what? You want to spend time with me?”
“Yes, I want to spend time with you. Yes, you can do the spell.” I take several breaths, but it doesn't help. My heart still flutters wildly. “And yes, please kiss me.”
I reach up, stepping on my tiptoes. He leans down. My pulse speeds as he moves closer, but time seems to slow. His lips hover over mine. Waiting. Soft puffs of air caress my lips. The fluttering in my chest becomes happy anticipation. He grabs my waist and pulls me the rest of the way to him. Our lips meet.
Gently and so sweet. I relish every second of him. Of being. Joy bubbles within me. My fingers twirl in his hair. I can feel his heart beating in time with mine. Too soon, our lips part.
Slowly, he puts me to the ground, his lips hovering over mine. He sneaks another soft peck. I reach up, about to go for another.
“Are you playing with Goldie?” Sally asks from the doorway.
I scoot away from Zade, my cheeks heating.
He grins. “Your sister was just introducing us.”
“Did she tell you I named him?”
“She did. Did she tell you, she wanted me to teach her how to ride him?”
Sally's eyes grow wider. “She does?”
“Yup. I'm thinking she needs to go get some breeches on so I can teach her.”
I laugh. “Sorry, trying them on once was enough for me. I found out women in Arllos use a side saddle. That's what I have.”
“No breeches?”
“No breeches.” I open Goldie's stall and grab the side saddle on the way out. “Think you can show me how this is supposed to go on her? I've been learning how to care for her, but we haven't covered anything about riding, yet.”
“I'd be happy to.” He grabs the saddle from me and turns to Sally. “What about you little miss? You want to try breeches?”
“Can I, Serena?”
“You can do whatever you desire. You'll get no demands from me.”
“Yay!” She races back toward the house.
As I watch her go, knowing my sisters are safe, I grab hold of Zade's arm. He brushes a kiss in my hair. This feels so right. Being here with the man I love. The man who loves me, but doesn't own me. Everything is mine.
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Acknowledgments