Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,54

survived. You saved me in the end.” And she would never forget it.

He nodded. “So that’s why you told me you loved me. You were grateful.”

“No!” She shot to her feet. “Don’t put words in my mouth. Don’t tell me how I feel.”

“Why not? You’re doing it to me.” The softly spoken words hit her with the force of a laser cannon. She sat down hard on the bed. Was he right?

“I’m trying to do what’s right. You’re a prince of Gravas. I’m no one, an assassin with no home, no last name. Look at me.” She waved her hand in front of her. “I’d never blend on your world, always be an outsider.”

“Then we won’t live on Gravas.” He said it so matter-of-fact it struck deeper than if he’d made an impassioned plea.

“You can’t mean that.” Her throat ached. “You have a family. Obligations.”

“I can visit my family. And I’m gone a lot on missions. My life wouldn’t change much, except I wouldn’t be alone.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I’d have you. The woman I love. It’s not gratitude or because I didn’t have any memories and you were there. It’s you, Delphi. It’s your loyalty and confidence, your kindness and determination, your protectiveness. Your spirit burns so bright it’s blinding.” He gave a rough laugh. “I even love your stubbornness.”

“You can’t talk,” she was compelled to point out.

“See, we’re good for each other. You’re the first woman I’ve ever met who sees my being a prince as a drawback instead of a lure. You’re special.”

Could she believe him, trust him not to change his mind?

“What about your father, the king?”

One corner of Ivar’s mouth kicked up in a grin. “He has my mother.”

That surprised a laugh from her. Only Ivar made her want to laugh and cry at the same time. “Be serious.”

“I am. He has my mother and my other brothers and their children. Since the day I was born, it was drilled into me that much was expected. I’ve given it my all for the thirty years I’ve been alive, spent the past decade away from home to serve. I can keep doing that, but I can’t do it alone. Being in captivity, facing my death made me think about things. I want more than duty and obligation. I need you.”

She peered into his eyes and saw the same longing, the yearning that existed inside her. Like him, she’d known duty and obligation. Understood expectations. Like him, she had family, but had still been alone.

“You really love me?”

He captured her hands and brought them to his lips, brushing his lips over them. “I do. And I’m in this for the long haul. I don’t want to scare you, but I want forever. We can take it however slowly you want, but I’m not going anywhere.”

Forever. It echoed in the lonely chambers of her heart. Dare she take the risk?

“What if your father, your king, forbids you from being with me?”

A look of sheer stubborn determination came over him. “If it comes to that, we’ll leave. Spear will help us.”

She shook her head. “My brother is still on Gravas. Sass is with Spear. I won’t put their lives in danger.” Not after spending all these years protecting them.

“Then face my father with me. He’ll not harm your family because of something we do. That is not his way, not our way. And Spear would not let anyone harm Sass. I’ve never seen him show affection to anyone before. He’d destroy entire worlds to protect her.”

That much was true.

Hope burned in her soul. She’d let him go once, or tried to. Whatever happened, their destinies were entwined.

Leaning forward, she kissed him.

****

The sheer terror that had gripped him bled away. Her entire face softened, her eyes warmed. And then she kissed him. It was soft and sweet, their lips barely touching.

“Tell me you love me.” He needed the words.

“I love you.” Worry bled away. Whatever came, they’d face it together. And as they’d already proven, they were a formidable team.

“Kismara.” He took her mouth, feasting on the taste of her. The ordeal was finally over. Balthazar had escaped, but there were assassins already on his tail. Their part in this was over. The loose ends could wait. Making love to Delphi could not.

Desperate to touch her, he undid the fasteners of the fitted top she wore, peeling it down her arms. She was bare beneath it, her breasts small but perfectly shaped, her dark skin smooth