Chapter 21

  Present Day

  There was an utter decadence to being naked in the bed with him, the door bolted against unexpected interruptions, and the shutters open to let the last of the day’s sunshine warm the room. The sheets and blankets were a mess, tangled around his feet.

  He lay on his stomach, his face lost in the dishevelment of his hair, and she lay at his side, tracing the pattern of scars that criss-crossed his back.

  “The wolf bites,” she murmured, remembering.

  “Hmm,” there was some laughter behind the tone. “Literally. Some knights expect their pages to keep their beds warm,” he rolled to face her, and his smile was predatory. “I declined.”

  “Oh, Sylvin,” her eyes filled. “In the village that day, you gave yourself up to them, so that they would not take me.”

  He stroked his hand through her hair. “You are mine. I protect what is mine.”