Page 29 of Caress of Fire
That single scale was worth more than any mating contract ever signed. That single scale that had been carved into the symbol of Fedryc’s lifelong commitment to her.
Marielle reached for it but her fingers shook and she stopped before touching the shimmering surface. Her hand just hovered there, unable to touch the precious bracelet but unable to withdraw, either.
“Take it, Lady Marielle.” Asha lifted her brows in encouragement. “It’s wonderful. I’ve never seen a Draekar bracelet before.”
“Itisgorgeous.” Marielle nodded but still, her fingers didn’t obey when she ordered them to touch the bracelet. “But I can’t take this. This is… this is…”
She didn’t have the words. Priceless was what this was. Priceless and unique. Some work of art forged by dragon fire, for a woman who was as worthy as this gift. She wasn’t that woman. She was just a woman trying to survive, trying to save the last member of her family still alive.
She wasn’t worthy of Fedryc’s devotion.
“This has been made from Nyra’s scale,” Asha insisted, her lovely face suddenly confused. “It can only be worn by you.”
Marielle brought her fingers away from the bracelet. It was too much. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve anything from Fedryc.
Not after what she had done. Not after what she would still do if it could ensure Devan’s safety, if Fedryc didn’t find him fast enough. Because no matter what the Draekon Lord said, she knew where to find Ignio Marula. She had grown up under the thug’s shadow. She knew who he was andwhathe was.
She knew she could take the bracelet and sell it for whatever fortune it was worth. Even if she sold it for half its value, she could still repay Ignio Marula and live the rest of her life with Devan comfortably.
But she couldn’t.
Betraying Fedryc had seemed so easy at first. Steal whatever she could find, then run. This time in the right direction, maybe even taking a hover transport to reach the capital.
But now, she wasn’t so sure anymore. Just the thought made her stomach clench in knots. The thought of painting pain on those sharp features, clouding those silver eyes. She couldn’t do it.
But then, if not Fedryc, she would doom Devan.
Marielle shook her head against the impossible choice she had to make.
Still, whatever her choice, she knew, somehow, somewhere inside her heart, that if she sold this bracelet, it would break him. Fedryc would not forgive her and she would never forgive herself.
She could live with him hating her for leaving, for taking money from him and running away like the thief she was, but she couldn’t break him. Because he had offered her something no other man had ever offered. He had offered her more than an entire lifetime of safety and comfort.
He’d offered her himself.
And because of that, she was going to give him what he asked for. She would give Fedryc time to search for Ignio Marula, and during that time, she would stand by his side. Until then, she couldn’t accept a gift like this.
After a few more seconds, Marielle reached for the lid and closed the ornate box. From the look on Asha’s face this wasn’t something that was expected of her.
“But you have to wear it, Lady Marielle.” Asha stood there with the box, her soft golden eyes wide and fearful. “It would be of great offence to Lord Fedryc if you didn’t.”
Marielle stood, undecided, as the door opened behind her. She turned to see the tall, well-built silhouette of Fedryc entering the room, his eyes on her like two silver moons. At the sight of him, a wild tide of desire rose inside her, and memories of their encounter flashed in her mind. Her body responded despite herself, like it knew something she didn’t. Like it wanted to belong to him.
Fedryc approached, his eyes on her, not blinking. He looked so dumbstruck, Marielle couldn’t help but feel a stab of pride at the open appreciation in his eyes. He looked at her like no other men ever had.
Like she was perfect in every way.
He walked toward Marielle, never taking his eyes off her. He nodded quietly to Asha, who bent her head and handed the box over to her Lord before leaving in a flurry of gray fabric.
“Do I look okay?” Marielle asked to break the awkward silence.
Fedryc lifted his brows at her question and his mouth hung open for a few seconds before he scoffed. Doubt insinuated itself inside her and Marielle swallowed, hard.
“You don’t look okay.” He shook his head. “You look like the incarnation of the fire Goddess herself. There won’t be any woman half as beautiful as you there tonight. All eyes will be on you.”
“I don’t want anyone to pay attention to me.” Marielle brought her hands to her naked arms. Her skin was cold under her palms and she shivered. “I’m not the one who’s being honored tonight.”
Fedryc’s lips lifted in a lopsided, sad smile. “You are mistaken. This Mourning has little to do with my father.” He trailed a hand to her collarbone, tracing the line of the bone to the curve of her shoulder. Marielle’s skin warmed under his touch and her fear lifted. “This Mourning has everything to do with showing all those High Lords and their ladies that we are not to be trifled with.”
