Page 39 of Bound By Knighthood
He shakes his head. “The only reason I wanted to be a knight is so I could take my brother’s place. With him now free, I realize that my place is here, spending time with the man who raised me while he still walks this world.” He gives my hand a small squeeze. “Besides, I wouldn’t want you to decide that I’m your rival again.”
“You’ll always be my rival, Byron. Because I’m not going to stop trying to prove to you that I love you better than you love me.”
“Oh, that’s a challenge I gladly accept,” he says with a laugh.
“Please stop,” Marvin groans from where he is up the road.
I flash him a grin. “Sorry, Marvin, but I must get all my romantic gushing out of the way before I leave so Byron can have something to remember me by.”
“Do you think Gertrude will be heartbroken to hear that Byron is finally claimed?” Marvin asks with a sigh. “I know she had a thing for him.”
Byron shrugs. “Maybe that will be an opportunity for you to show your quality. I’m sure she would appreciate a shoulder to cry on.”
I smile as I rest my hand on his shoulder as the sound of clanging rings through the air and the smithy comes into view.
“Do you think he will show up?” I ask.
“Calder promised.” Just as Byron speaks, I spot a cloaked figure standing in the shadows of the smithy. Byron spots it as well and straightens. “I’m glad you’re here to see Calder meet his grandfather. It wouldn’t be right to do it without you here.”
I turn to Byron, pushing on my tiptoes and plant a quick kiss on his chin. “I’m glad you’re glad.”
I step back, studying him. I’m trying to store up the memory of this moment, the smell of the autumn wind, the feel of Byron’s hand in mine, the blue of his eyes. How it feels to be home.
In Woodsbury with Byron. That’s my home.
For a while it will have to be what gets me through as I work toward my dream. But once I’m a knight I’ll come back and we’ll figure out some way to be together. After all, when two people love each other the way we do what could truly come between us?
Not time.
Not distance.
Not even the end of all things.
Because some things just persevere, and my love for Byron Coalbiter is one of those things.
