The thought tore at him, the pain unbearable and he yanked her against him. With a fiery glare that was meant to mark her, he claimed not only her lips, but her as well.
Her surrender sealed the exchange for him. She submitted to him willingly, eagerly, and that told him that she wanted to be part of him as much as he wanted to be part of her.
Their kiss trailed off to smaller kisses until their lips simply brushed and they rested foreheads to each other.
“I thought you might not show up this morning,” Lachlan said.
Terese rested her head to his shoulder and her hand to his chest. “Why?”
“I was told last night that you took to bed early and were not to be disturbed. I thought perhaps that you changed your mind about us.”
“I needed to think,” she said, taking his hand and leading him to their favorite spot where with an arm around her waist he lowered her and himself to the ground.
He ran the back of his hand down her cheek and lightly across her lips, and she turned her face into his touch.
“You have a gentle and patient way about you.”
“Not all that patient,” he said with a glint of a grin. “But tell me what troubles you.”
He saw that she hesitated and it disturbed him. He took her hand. “We are friends, Terese, and always will be. I trust you and wish for you to trust me.” He felt her ease slightly away from him, not far, barely a fraction, but it was a distance nonetheless. He would have none of it and tucked her closer against his side. “Don’t,” he warned softly. “Stay beside me. You belong there.”
Her smile though sweet, was sad. “I’m not sure where I belong.”
“I can only imagine. Being sent away by someone you thought loved you, having to assume a different identity to remain safe, and learning to be a warrior to protect yourself and others. It cannot have been easy. But trust me when I say I will not hurt you. I would never send you away and I will always protect you.”
“Why? We are but friends who will pass in the night and then be no more.”
This time the pain struck his heart and gave him worry, for she spoke the truth and yet, he didn’t like the sound of it. It took a moment for him to respond and even then he wasn’t sure of his words.
“Think of no time beyond this time. Nothing else matters, nothing else exists, except you and I, and here and now.”
She smiled slowly, though he saw that sadness still tinged her blue eyes.
“No time beyond this time,” she repeated softly.
Again a pain struck his heart and he worried, for what if it was the old god’s love arrow piercing his heart? What if he was falling in love? What if Terese was the woman meant for him? He had no idea what he would do.
They talked as they did each morning, debating opinions, laughing and kissing and deciding that they would share a private noonday meal and later, much later they would share much more.
With promises and plans made, they parted to see to their responsibilities. But noon brought a far different plan then either of them had expected.
Terese was ready and waiting for Lachlan well before the assigned time. Rowena had packed a generous food basket and Terese knew the perfect spot to take him. It was near the stream but secluded. The sun had remained bright in the sky and her cheeks flushed pink with the thought of spending time alone with him.
No time beyond this time.
Terese intended to remind herself often of those words, to simply enjoy the here and now and not worry beyond the moment. She deserved this time, this pleasure and she would have it without regret, though guilt was another matter.
They were friends who could trust as he had reminded her again and again. But she wasn’t being completely honest with him and that bothered her. She had rationalized the situation over and over, and concluded the same each time. There was no way she could confide the truth to him. She would lose her freedom and that she refused to do.
No time beyond this time.
Those words would be her saving grace, and she would think on them often and long after he had gone.
Shouts and cries startled Terese out of her musing and she rushed out the door of the common house to see everyone running to a group of people entering Everagis. Terese quickly joined them.
“These people are fleeing the battle between the clans and the mercenaries,” Megan explained quickly when Terese caught up with her as Megan helped a partially crippled old man to the common house.
Andrew appeared and took charge of the old man. “Where do you want him?”
Megan pointed to the large tree near the common house and then turned to Terese. “There are about five who have injuries. The others are exhausted and hungry.”
“Then let’s take care of them,” Terese said, but before she reached anyone Piper popped up in front of her looking fretful.