Page 11 of War King's Treasure

Gavin smiled. “Of course not. Nori isn't suited to be the wife of the second-born son of a baron. She’s meant to be mine. A War King’s bride. His queen. The greatest treasure I’ll ever hold.”

Chapter Five

Nori glanced up at Gavin, shocked at his words. Did he mean them? Did he see her as a treasure? Holy hell! She was a queen. She’d known that. Logically, at least. But hearing it… Hearing him refer to her that way to a man she both feared and hated, it put it in a different light.

Gavin said something else, but her ears were thundering with the rapid beat of her blood. He turned his horse, Cris beside him, holding the reins of her mount and leading him along with them. She should do something, say something, but she couldn’t form words. She was betrothed to Robert? Her grandfather had never mentioned it. Not once. Why would he do that to her? She’d told him more than once how mean Robert was to her. Once, she’d even begged him to take her with him, to not leave her at the Buckingham’s. He’d laughed it off and told her she was being silly.

“Nori.”

She glanced up to meet Gavin’s gaze when he cupped her jaw and tilted her face toward his. She wasn’t sure how many times he’d called her name, but she could tell it had been more than once.

“You’re mine. He can’t touch you.”

How did he know exactly what she needed to hear? How was he so attuned to her so quickly?

“We have to consummate the marriage. As soon as we get back.”

She heard Cris try to cover a laugh but didn’t care.

“We’ll consummate after two days,” Gavin told her. “That was my word to you.”

“I don’t care. Today. Tomorrow. I won’t go with him. He can’t make me!”

“No one is taking you from me, Nori.”

“You promise?”

He bent and kissed her softly on the lips. Not one of the explorative kisses he’d given her the night before. This was a soft, fleeting brush of his lips over hers.

“I promise. I need you to promise to stay with either me, Cris, or Con at all times while we remain here. Can you do that?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“I don’t want you to be afraid. I’ll protect you. Always. Buckingham can bluster all he wants. Phillip can as well. None of it matters. You’re my wife.”

“But we haven’t consummated our marriage. My grandfather said it’s not binding until we do.”

Gavin looked angry. “Your grandfather lied to you. It seems he’s made a habit of doing that. Our marriage is ours. I promised you two days to get accustomed to me. None of this changes my vow.”

“I don’t want to go with him. He hates me, Gavin. He made life horrible for me when we were growing up. He…” She paused, gulping down the fear that rose in her throat. “He did things. Said things. I won’t survive.”

“He’ll die for that alone.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Just make him leave.”

“Nori. Fuck, you’re shaking.” Gavin tugged her closer, wrapping his arms around her. “I’ve got you. He won’t touch you. I swear.”

She’d never been one to let fear rule her, but it had hold of her now.

“I need one more promise from you,” Gavin told her.

“Anything.”

“Don’t go anywhere with your grandfather.”

“You don’t trust him?” She knew it was a stupid question as soon as it left her mouth.

“Has he ever once mentioned the betrothal to you?”

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