“Aye.” His smile returned. “As many of our own that we can stand makin’.”
She felt her face go flush. She smiled and looked away. Many children—here with him. Her heart flipped at the thought.
“Captain,” she said softly. “Perhaps after supper you would not mind taking a walk with me.”
His smile warmed her heart and other hidden parts of her. His gaze softened and glimmered with affection. “I wouldna mind.”
She nodded. She’d been embarrassed at first to seek out time with him, but she saw Braya smile at her from her seat beyond Lionell. The women here were strong and bold and feminine. They admired strength in each other. They would not think her odd for being bold.
Galeren had tried to see her a number of times, but their meetings never lasted overly long before someone found them and pulled her away.
He’d been patient, understanding that his “kin” wanted to get to know her. But she could see the longing in his gaze for her. Tonight, she wanted to give him that time back. If he wanted to kiss her, she would allow it. She might even kiss him first. She smiled thinking of it.
His dimple deepened across the table.
“Can ye both stop tryin’ to make me ill?” Lionell drawled and swept his mane of hair off his face. Having only one hand made it impossible for him to tie it back or braid it. So, he left it hanging around his face.
“Are ye sure ’tis not the way ye fought today that sickens ye, little lion?”
“I told ye I was no good at it,” Lionell argued.
“No one is good when they first begin a thing,” Galeren said, showing who was the wiser brother. “That is what practice is fer.”
When they all retired to the solar for a drink, Galeren took her hand and led her outside.
The weather was surprisingly warm but Galeren still put his arm around her while they walked.
“I have missed ye, my love,” he told her. “I dinna know why I thought ’twould be less hectic here.”
She smiled against his chest. “’Twill settle down soon. Your kin are happy for you. You have been chaste since you were ten and eight. Your mother thought you might be fulfilling your calling to be a priest.”
“A priest!” He laughed. “No. My callin’ was to be a soldier. I wanted to be the best and havin’ a lass in my life and couplin’ on my mind would have likely gotten me killed. I know by lovin’ ye that if I ever go into battle again, I will fear dyin’ and leavin’ ye.”
“I do not want you to fight anymore battles, Galeren!” she cried out. “Please!”
He didn’t answer. He was still a captain in King David’s army. He couldn’t just walk away from his duty.
“Galeren, will you always be a captain?”
“No, love, but I am still young. No doubt there will be more battles ahead fer our weary countrymen.”
“They will need you,” she guessed out loud.
“Aye, they might.”
“I will pray that they never need you again.”
She heard his heart accelerate, and his breath shorten. He kissed the top of her head.
She stopped walking and saw that they were in the stronghold’s gardens. They were alone.
She felt his fingers under her chin to tip her face to his.
“I canna wait to be yer husband,” he ground out huskily over her lips.
“I cannot wait to be your wife.” She pulled him in and parted her lips to welcome him.
She trembled against him as his arms came around her and encircled her in his strength.