Page 65 of While Angels Slept
Myles threw an arm across her shoulders, preventing her from rising. She was fairly weak and didn’t give him much of a fight. He was able to push her back to the bed without a significant struggle.
“He will come to you, I am sure,” Myles insisted softly. “Be at ease, Val. I do not want to see you further injure yourself.”
There was something in his tone that made Val take a closer look. For a man who, as long as she had known him, had only spoken of warring things and other trivial subjects, it was a tone of voice she had always wanted to hear from him. Perhaps his sympathy for her injury would cause him to say something sweet to her, something she had longed for. Perhaps he would say that he felt more for her than just knightly camaraderie.
“Why not?” she asked softly.
He appeared confused by the question. “What do you mean?”
“Why do you not want to see me injure myself further?”
Myles stared at her. But as he did so, something in his blue eyes changed. They seemed to soften, grow liquid and warm. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
“Because I do not,” he whispered. “That is all you need to know.”
She could sense humor and her dark eyes glittered. “That is not true,” she murmured. “I need to know everything. Tell me, Myles.”
His smile grew although he fought it, biting his lip as he averted his gaze. “I cannot tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I am a coward.”
She grinned. “Myles de Lohr, you are no such thing. Tell me why you do not wish for me to injure myself further or… or I swear I will never speak to you again.”
He cast her a sidelong glance. “Never?”
“Never. Never, ever.”
“That is a very long time.”
“It is. Are you willing to take that chance?”
He sighed heavily, although he was still having difficulty looking at her. “Can you at least give me time to determine what it is I need to say before you cut me off completely? I do not want to say the wrong thing.”
She did giggle, then. “How on earth can you say the wrong thing? Myles, you had better tell me what I wish to hear or there will be serious consequences.”
His grin broke through. “I do not like consequences.”
“Would it be easier if I spoke first?”
His grin faded and he looked at her, then. In fact, he looked both curious and hopeful. It was a strange combination.
“Aye, I believe it would,” he confided.
Her smile faded as well, though it didn’t vanish completely. She gazed at the man, his handsome face, someone she had known for many years. She had always been very fond of him, made stronger now with age and experience. She couldn’t remember when she hadn’tlonged for him in a way that made her heart race and her palms sweat. Reaching out, she gently touched his wrist.
“Very well,” she whispered. “Promise you will not laugh.”
“I will not laugh, I swear.”
She nodded her head, almost reluctantly, as she summoned her courage. “I know I am not a fine lady with elegant pursuits,” she admitted. “But I am strong, brave, and of good character, and I swear I would love you forever if given the chance. I would do all in my power to make you happy and content, Myles. Perhaps you do not feel the same way about me but I would be honored if you would at least give me the chance.”
His smile was completely vanished as he stared at her with big eyes. After a moment, he took the hand she had placed on his wrist and brought it to his lips, kissing it reverently. Val had no idea why tears sprang to her eyes, but they did. They streamed down her temples as she watched him gently kiss her hand, her wrist. It was the most wonderful moment she could have ever imagined. When he was finished kissing her hand, he moved to her head, very carefully cupping her face between his two big hands. He just stared at her.
“You are far braver than I am, my lady,” he murmured. “You have spoken everything that is within my heart but I have been too afraid to speak the words. I never thought… I did not believe you would be receptive.”
She grinned at him, thrilled beyond measure at his tender touch. She had dreamt of this moment and now that it was upon them, she could never have imagined it to be this wonderful.
