Page 72 of One True Love (Love Mark 1)

Then he glanced away and blew out a breath as he wiped a hand over his mouth. When he returned his attention to me, I could tell from his expression that he was nervous. He wanted to impress me. The idea was so uncanny and flattering that I remained, waiting for him to speak.

“Okay,” I promised. “I’ll listen.”

With a grateful nod, he started. “I grew up fascinated with warriors and soldiers,” he said. “All the great swordsmen and champions of the past. So when I finally fought in my first battle and my father was forced to honor and recognize me in front of his people for my victory, I remember experiencing this overwhelming gust of joy as he drew his sword that day to honor me. I knew something amazing was coming. This sense of wonder and…and anticipation and exuberance crammed itself into every pore I had. It was everything I’d ever dreamed I wanted finally coming true. I swear, that moment before the edge of his blade touched my shoulder was more of a high than when it actually happened. And that’s the only way I know how to explain it when you are near. It’s like the most wonderful, searing anticipation.”

My lips parted as I gazed at him. It was bizarre to think I could do that for anyone, but to do it for this man—this tall, handsome, intense yet personable man—it was more than I could process.

“And I’ve felt it since the moment I left the ballroom,” he went on, watching me closely. “I even changed course to make sure of it.” Eyes glittering with smug awareness, he took me in from head to toe. “You’ve definitely been following me for a good five minutes.”

“I… I…” Feeling caught and exposed, I cleared my throat and glanced away, trying to ignore the fact I was blushing like crazy. “I… Yes, well... Okay, fine! I did follow you.” Cringing as if preparing for the reprimand that would surely follow, I slid my gaze back to him. “I’m sorry.”

But he only laughed. “Sorry? For what? I certainly didn’t mind it.”

“But I shouldn’t have,” I insisted.

He shook his head. “Why not?”

“Because…” I gaped at him as if he’d lost his mind. “They told me to stay away from you. They told you to stay away from me. I even asked your sister to make sure you did.”

Still amused, he leaned his back against the wall, his eyes alight with laughter as he continued to watch me. It was frankly unsettling how intense his attention on me was. Not disturbing, just unnaturally powerful.

“Yes. I received all the messages.” He shrugged and glanced away. “Not that I care what the others commanded.”

“And yet, so far, you’ve followed their edict to the letter,” I murmured, tilting my head in curiosity as I studied him.

“Not theirs,” he murmured, returning his attention to me. “Yours.”

My heart thumped hard in my chest. He’d been respecting my request, and my request alone. I once again felt the need to explain myself to him, and this might likely be my only chance.

“I… It seemed like the path of least resistance,?

? I offered, biting my lip on an apologetic cringe. “Better for all involved. For you, especially. Soren’s already making your life miserable. It could only be worse if you didn’t keep your distance from me. So, I apologize again. I shouldn’t have followed you just now. I don’t know what I was thinking. I was just…”

When I floundered for a word, he quietly finished the sentence for me. “Curious?”

With a sigh, I nodded

And he nodded as well. “As am I.”

“You are?” Shocked to the bone, I blinked at him.

His grin was immediate. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be? This thing on the side of my head keeps telling me I should hold you in more esteem than I’ve ever held anyone. Why wouldn’t I want to know why? Why wouldn’t I… God, you have no idea.”

With a hard laugh, he shook his head. “I want to know everything there is to know about you. I want to know why you make me hot and needy whenever you’re near. I want to know why you—a complete stranger—fill me with a loyalty and respect I’ve not felt before. I want to know how you make me think about you constantly and ache for your mere presence. I want to know why I’m so willing to die for you if need be, why I’d cut off my hand rather than hurt you, or my tongue before I spoke a single harsh word against you. I want to know why I now see your enemies as my enemies and your home as my home. All my allegiances are firmly placed at your feet. Of course, I’m curious to learn everything there is to learn about you.”

His words sent me reeling. I blew out a breath, overwhelmed by such…unwavering commitment, and yet still utterly confused by all this.

“So…” I shook my head. “So you have no control over these feelings at all?”

“None whatsoever.” With a grin, he shrugged quite playfully, as if it were no big deal.

But it felt like a big deal to me. It felt like a huge deal. “Well, I don’t like that,” I growled.

His smile faded. “Why not?” he asked, actually appearing hurt by my claim. “It’s all to your benefit, I promise you.”

“But it’s not fair to you.”

He frowned and shook his head as if he didn’t understand what I was saying, when I thought I was being rather blunt and to the point.

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