Page 21 of Temel

There was a fireplace on the wall opposite the bookshelves, and he ushered her to the seating area in front of it. He’d lit a small fire to ward off the chill of the spring evening, and she gaveit a grateful glance as she settled down on the small sofa. He hesitated, then joined her, their bodies only a handspan apart.

“It’s nice to have a fire,” she murmured. “That water was so cold.”

“You’re still cold?”

He put his arm around her to draw her against the warmth of his body. When she tensed, he started to remove his arm, but then she sighed and leaned against him.

“Not really, not after a hot bath and a warm kitchen. It’s more like the memory of cold, if that makes sense.”

She shivered as she spoke, and he drew her a little closer.

“I understand. There are still times when I feel cold and wet and hungry even though none of them are true.”

“The war?” she asked softly, and he gave a quick nod before changing the subject. He had no intention of distressing her by discussing the horrors of the war.

“Did you talk to Dora?”

“No. She acted as if she were asleep, although I’m sure she was only pretending.”

“But she’s never mentioned Naffon before?”

“No, although she was acting a little strange on the way out here.”

She sighed and stared into the fire. He remained silent for a moment, considering his words.

“You seem very young to have a daughter of that age,” he said finally.

“That’s very sweet of you,” she murmured, sounding half-asleep. “Although it’s definitely possible. Women tend to marry young up here. But I wasn’t one of them and she’s actually my stepdaughter. But she’s my daughter in every way that counts,” she added fiercely.

He hummed an agreement and she relaxed again. How had he never realized how pleasant it was just to spend a quiet evening with a female before? Because he’d never had time? Or because he’d never encountered the right female before? He was not an impulsive male, but he could not deny his immediate attraction to her.

“Dora seems very close to your youngest daughter,” he said a little while later, and she tensed.

“It’s… complicated.”

He could hear the reluctance in her voice and decided to let the subject drop. He could wait for his answers until she was ready to talk. Right now he had a more important subject on his mind.

“I hope you will decide to stay here. Is there anything I can offer to help encourage you to agree?”

She pushed away from his chest so she could look into his face.

“Why, Temel? Why do you want me here?”

“In part because your presence changes things. You make the house feel… welcoming. Like a true home—one I don’t think any of us have ever had.”

“Really?”

“I’m afraid so. My father was obsessed with his position and raising me to fulfill his expectations. Naffon had a brother, but it was just the two of them until his brother died. And Kalpar… He doesn’t talk about his past, but I have no reason to believe it was happy.”

“I’m so sorry. Is that why all of you joined the military?”

“In my case, it was expected. As for the others, it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Those big green eyes studied his face for a long moment before she nodded.

“And the other reason?”

“This,” he said, and kissed her.

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