Page 248 of A Sanctuary from Shadow
“Just—never mind.” Turning from him, I frowned down at my hands, my heart already breaking. “I know I have no right to ask that of you. You made it clear in the first place that you didn’t want us to get too entangled, that we’d eventually be a disaster. I know I kind of seduced you into what we’ve been doing, and you don’t owe me anything. Forget I asked.”
Regarding me like a puzzle he couldn’t piece together, Pete clicked his tongue. “You ken I didn’t bring up my having to flee so you’d offer me safety from Gentian, Shorty?”
I rolled my eyes. “Whyever would you do such a thing? A male asking afemalefor protection?” I feigned appall. “How would you ever hold your head up again in a locker room?”
Getting the general gist of my snark, Pete smirked. “Aye.”
I returned to my pout.
“And, aye, you did seduce me—the moment you told that first joke at the Thorny Rose Tavern, if you’re curious. Long before your summoning.”
I stared at him, flabbergasted.
“And though we’ll likely end in heartache, I don’t regret what we’ve been doing. Not at all. But consider for a moment our lot if I follow you to the Spring Palace. Do you ken what they’ll say of us at court? The queen and her lowly human lover?” His mouth quirked. “They’ll say I’m your concubine, your kept man, your doxy.”
I grumbled, hating my ignorance of race relations. Hating that he was probably right. “I get it, Pete. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I just—” I swallowed my sadness. “I was just wondering what you’d do if I asked.”
His brow furrowed. “Are you truly asking me?”
My voice went AWOL for a beat before I breathed, “Well—yeah.”
I watched his expression slant, his tenderness devastating. “Then allow me to answer, woman, before you decide you ken my mind.”
Wondering what in tarnation was going on in said mind, I watched as Pete cleared his throat, slapped his knees, and pushed to his feet. Then he proffered me a bear paw. “Stand for me, Shorty.”
Blinking, I took his hand and rose before him, this harbinger who’d stolen me away in the night just to help me find myself. The torchlight cast him in diffused sepia tones, reminding me of the illustrations from my oldGrimm’s Fairytalesanthology. The effect became even more surreal when Pete took a knee before me, still clasping my fingers. I half expected a diamond ring to appear when our eyes met. Of course, that’s not what happened. Something deeper was in the works.
“I’d like to swear you an oath, Shorty, if you’ll have it. I don’t expect one in return, for I ken you’ll likely be unable to keep it with the crown atop your head.”
I wanted to argue but feared I’d stop the beauteous, romantic things pouring from his handsome mouth.
“But if you’ve no objection, I’d like to pledge myself to you. With an ancient oath my auld grand-da taught me. May I?”
I gaped at him like he was the densest man who’d ever lived. “Yeah!”
Chuckling, Pete kissed my knuckles. “Amy Larkspur—my queen, my goddess, my rainbow-eyed girl—I do solemnly swear in the name of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, that you have my loyalty, my confidence, my friendship—and my heart—for as long as you wish.”
My rainbow eyes misted when Pete dropped my hand. “And I promise you this—” Hunching, he deftly hiked one of my legs over his brawny shoulder, his hands now palming my bottom. I sputtered as he turned his mouth toward my inner thigh. “I’ll follow you to the Spring Palace.” He nuzzled the delicate skin there, then grazed slightly left to do it again. “I’ll follow you to the Shadow Court.” He moved his mouth again.
And then—
“Oh, mother above, Pete,” I moaned, my neck arcing back as he continued his oath, marking each new vow with another exquisite nibble.
“I’ll follow you to the end of days—”
“Mm—”
“I’ll follow you to war—”
“Are you for real right now?”
“I’ll follow you to ruin—”
“This is the best promiseever.”
“I’ll follow you through fire—”
“You really weren’t lying about that silver tongue.”
