Page 107 of Ruthless, But for Her

She was so very lovely.

“You sent me away.”

“To protect you.”

“I did not ask for such protection.”

No, she had not.

“I should have asked...” He wavered. How could he do it? Cassia deserved so much more.

“Asked? What should you have asked, Ashton?”

The Daisy. Margot. Coin tied up in the Reach. The danger of death lingering over him nearly every day. He stared into the fire. And now she was a target of de Grey’s, thanks to him.

“I should not have taken you.”

“But you did,” Cassia whispered. “You did, and I am glad for it.”

His gaze flew to hers. Ask, you fool.

“What do you want, Cassia? Where do you wish to go?”

He paused, knowing he had to give her more than that.

“My mother left before I could remember her. I spent a lifetime not letting anyone get close enough that losing them would matter. I was a fool.”

Thank you, Leif, for reminding me of what I already knew.

“I have so little to offer, but losing you...” He swallowed. Forced the words out. Ones that needed to be said. “I cannot lose you, too.”

“I want you, Ashton,” she said, tears forming in her eyes. “I only wish to be with you.”

He went to her then, wiped her eyes with his thumbs and pulled her into his arms.

“Sometimes I may choose wrong—” she admitted.

“Like traveling to Norham with one hired man for protection?”

“Aye. Though I do not regret it.”

Eventually, they would need to speak of the trial.

“You gave me a voice,” she continued. “And I will use it to choose for myself.”

“As you should. I was wrong, Cassia. But there is so much danger in the life I lead. And the Daisy. Of course, it is no place for you. I’ve thought already⁠—”

She pressed her finger to his mouth.

“We will speak of that tomorrow. The trial. Our future. Tonight, I wish only to remember what it is to be in your arms. To feel your lips on mine.”

“That’s easily remedied,” he said, closing the space between them and kissing her properly. She felt perfect in his arms.

But when her hands began to roam, when it became clear where this would lead, he said just two words.

“Remember... mercy.”

CHAPTER 59