Chapter 15
She found him in the north tower, staring out the window overlooking the castle’s sweeping gardens and the stretch of unspoiled nature that followed. In the past, she had watched countless sunsets and sunrises from the exact spot he stood rooted on, enthralled by the untamed beauty surrounding them. Honoria had always found the temperamental weather romantic, poetic in the way sunny spells and dark shadows rolled over the hills with brazen wantonness.
It had been four days since he taught them the Spanish Flamenco. Four days of keeping each other company with cards, reading, and more dance lessons. Four days of Hugh plastered to their sides, pretending she did not find the tall, broad-shouldered Rom in their home beyond appealing. Four days of waiting to be alone with him.
Now that she’d finally found him alone, all she wanted to do was run her hand over his back, feel the flex of his muscles beneath her fingers, and delve her hands into his inky black hair. She must be mad to feel this way?
Aye. A thousand times aye.
“It’s mystical, is it not?” she murmured, resting her back against the thick stone wall. She knew the view by heart—could close her eyes and picture the exact moment of the day. But this was the first timehewas in that view.
And it was breathtaking.
Green eyes turned to fix on hers. Searched her face. “Yes.”
Her cheeks flushed. “The view is at its most spectacular when the evening sun illuminates the thick woodlands and unimpeded hills.”
“Then I cannot miss that, can I?”
She pushed away from the wall and wandered over to the window. “I’ve spent hours on this very spot, watching the clouds float to and fro, ushering storms over the countryside and painting the sunset sky with color.”
“Like a princess locked in a tower.”
“Or an enraged woman attempting to soothe her wounded pride.”
A reluctant smile tugged at his lips. “There is no place for greed and anger in nature; it gentles the heart when you are face to face with it.”
“Is that what the Rom believe?”
He lifted his shoulders. His gaze seemed to draw her in, trap her by some ancient magical spell. “That is what I believe.”
She quirked a smile. Her gaze dropped to the spot he’d been stabbed. “You are almost fully healed.”
“Thanks to you.”
“Och, well, I am thrilled to have saved a wandering soul.”
“We are all wanderers.”
Honoria gave a curt nod. “You are right; I’d love nothing more than to wander out the castle door.”
He flashed her a grin. “I thought I was the only one growing restless.”
“You are not, I assure you. Speaking of wandering, you must be anxious to carry on your search for your sister.”
“At times I wonder if I’ll ever find her. She might be lost to me forever.”
“I am sure she is safe, Lash. Youwillfind her.”
“You believe that?”
“Aye, I believe if your sister is anything like you, she may very well rule the world someday.”
His laughter came loud and unexpected, surprising them both before his mouth flattened to a somber line. Fierce pools of green delved into her.
“You are in danger, Honoria.”
He said it so solemnly, her brows furrowed. She tapped her finger against the wall. “Your brother would need an army to penetrate these stones. And loads of weapons.”
