he read my thoughts so easily? I couldn’t keep from leaning into his touch, and I had the urge to reach out and stroke his cheek.
He glanced over to Gregor, and I did likewise. The servant had finished his dinner and was resting with his eyes closed, as though attempting to give us a moment of privacy.
Mikkel turned his attention back to me. “Thank you for being here with me and showing me kindness, though you had no need to do so.” With one hand, he stroked my forehead. With his other, he slipped his fingers around mine.
The contact on both fronts set to flight a flock of finches in my stomach. “Since you have been honest, then I shall admit to the truth as well.”
“And what is that, my lady?”
“Yes, I shall mourn your death.”
His beautiful eyes held mine and searched my soul. I held my breath, hoping he’d see there what he was looking for. When he tugged my hand a moment later and drew me closer, I went to him willingly, settling against his side into the crook of his arm. I was careful not to brush his injuries, although most were healing well and not troubling him any longer. Even the bruises on his face had begun to fade.
He situated me, cradling me with one arm and still holding my hand with his other. I was so close to him, I could feel his warmth along with every rippling muscle in his body. Though I’d had more than my share of flattery and attention from men at court, I’d never felt this close to anyone before. And I couldn’t abide the thought that he would perish.
Maybe if I revealed some of the details about my situation, he’d open up about his. And maybe in doing so, I could glean enough to satisfy Irontooth.
I stared at his long fingers wrapped around mine, such strong fingers compared to my delicate ones. With my opposite hand, I tentatively touched him, tracing a path across his hand to his wrist, to his arm.
I felt him tremble—or at least I thought I did. His reaction gave me an ounce of courage. “Mikkel . . .”
The warmth of his breath against my temple sent the birds inside me fluttering once more. “Yes, my lady?”
I closed my eyes and reveled in the sensation but blurted the words before I changed my mind. “My real name is Pearl.”
He was silent for a heartbeat, as though digesting my revelation. What if he’d heard the name before in association with Warwick and Princess Pearl? As my fear mounted, I tried to silence it. Even if he had heard of Princess Pearl, he would assume, like the rest of the world, that the princess died last year in a hunting accident.
“It’s a beautiful name,” he whispered. “And it suits you.”
I released a tense breath I hadn’t known I was holding and relaxed into him. “I have always hated the name.” It reminded me too much of Warwick’s jewels and the gem mines and how consumed my mother was with gaining wealth.
“I have seen the beautiful woman you are on the inside. And that is truly what matters most.”
He’d misunderstood me. He assumed I was deformed and that’s why I hated my name. Should I tell him I had no blemish and didn’t belong on the island any more than he did?
“Thank you, Mikkel.” Uncertainty welled within me. Irontooth wouldn’t want me to reveal it. As a condition for remaining on the island, he’d insisted I wear the veil at all times and let everyone assume I was deformed. If the other outcasts learned I had no blemish—was in fact known for my beauty—they’d despise me, perhaps even harm me.
“I mean it.” His whisper was warm against my temple.
I curled closer into his side.
At the gentle pressure of his lips against my head, I stilled, my whole body tingling with awareness of this man, of his strength, determination, intelligence, and sweetness. I couldn’t deny any longer that my attraction to him had been steadily growing. His kiss might be purely platonic, and he might not have any desire for me beyond friendship, but I liked him . . . much more than I ought to.
“You can tell me what happened to your face,” he said softly. “It won’t change how I see you.”
“Yes, it will.”
“I vow it won’t.”
I paused. Maybe I couldn’t take off my veil and show him my fairness, but I could tell him who I