Page 109 of The Darkest Oath

Her hand brushed his. “It means I want you, and only you. As far as Hugo goes, he doesn’t want to let go. He thinks that in time, I will lose my love for you.”

Rollant pulled his arm away. “It may not be safe for years; you may be older than I am when I return.”

“Then I will wait,” she said.

His brow furrowed as if her response was impossible.

“The village should have eligible suitors, should you want to see if one of them might give you the life you imagine.”

She slipped her hand into his within the folds of her coat. The warmth instantly soothed the chill in her fingers. “I want to be with you.”

Rollant’s lip twitched like he was afraid to smile. “Then, promise me you will consider the possibility of growing old and dying while I remain as this. Consider the possibility of going years between seeing me and knowing I can never fulfill your physical needs as a wife.”

“I’ve considered it,” she said, hoping their eyes met, but his gaze was locked ahead.

Rollant shook his head. “I want you to experience life to the fullest, and it is not with me, but if you still choose me, then you can tell the village people you are my wife, and you will be allowed to go to my home where my first family is laid to rest. I have told you all the truths, but find the graves if you want to see how you will end under my curse. If you tell the village people you are my wife, you cannot consider any young man there. Of course, when you return to Charonne, I will not hold you to anything said here should you want to be free from me. But for a time, you will give up everything.”

He patted his coat pocket and pulled out a small pouch. “If you choose to say you are my wife,” he said. “You will need to wear this. It is a ring with my family’s insignia—a mountain with three stars for faith, honor, and duty.”

Élise studied the pouch. “Have you always carried this on you?”

Rollant shook his head. “No, I had it made after the king’s execution for this very moment. I had to ensure your safety. I know you, Élise, you would have gone into my home and risked your life to see if I told you the truth.”

She chuckled. “You do know me.”

“How much farther?” Camille cried out in a huff.

Élise released his hand as Rollant turned to the community members. “Let’s rest here until dawn. We don’t want to scare the villagers. I will scout the village first and ensure it still stands before we enter,” he said.

The community nestled into the woods opposite the crumbling estate, and Élise snuck off after Rollant. She had to make absolutely certain of her next action.

He turned around, letting Élise bump into his chest. The village torches and their community traveler’s torches were specks of light in the distance on either side of their path.

“Why are you coming?” Rollant asked as the moonlight caused the shadows to dance across his face.

“Do you not want me? Is that why you push me away?” she asked.

“Of course, I want you. I want you more than death.” His hand clenched, and her heart broke at his struggle. “I love you, Élise, but as I’ve said?—”

She rolled to her toes and pressed her lips against his cheek like she’d done in Le Marais. His lips followed hers until they almost touched, but he stopped, longing in his eyes. “I won’t drag you into my curse, Élise. Only step into it if there is no other way and your life depends on it.”

“If I tell them I am your wife,” she said. “Will you take me back with you to Charonne?”

Rollant shook his head. “Not until it is safe. I cannot protect you if you are arrested in the morning and executed by sundown. It is safer here being so isolated and unknown.”

“But you will return for me?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Then I will say I am your wife.”

His eyes glistened with a pained gaze. “Consider it all first, please,” he whispered, pushing her hair behind her ear.

The village still stood, and they returned to camp. Hugo saw them and shot Rollant a deadly stare.

Élise made her way to Hugo, and they walked to the edge of camp out of earshot.

“I can’t do it, Hugo. I can’t marry you. You’re right, I will always choose Rollant,” she whispered.

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