Chapter 21 #2
He made the journey to Flora’s chambers quickly, managing to avoid being stopped and pestered for information, though, at one point, he did have to slip into an empty room to allow a group of residents to pass.
While he understood the curiosity and didn’t fault the residents for wanting to know more, they were the last thing on his mind.
He needed to make sure she wasn’t left alone.
His knuckles rapped against the solid wood three times. “Flora,” he said, his voice gruff, “it’s me. I’ve come to check on ye.”
The door opened a few seconds later, revealing the woman in her dressing gown. She’d draped a robe over her frame, and it looked as though it were tied hastily, the belt sideways. Giving him a tired smile, she stepped back wordlessly, allowing him entry.
A weight he hadn’t realized he was carrying lifted off his shoulders when he saw her standing there.
He’d known already that he couldn’t imagine the rest of his life without her, but that thought became even more acute.
It was as though being separated from her while she was in pain caused him the same aches.
“Everythin’ went well with the healer, aye?” he asked as soon as the latch clicked into place. “Ye’re nae injured anywhere else? Nothin’ that required invasive intervention?”
“Nay,” Flora said, wrapping her arms around herself. “Me only injury is the one on me face. She believes it will heal quickly enough, though I may end up with a scar. She’s nae sure that I will, but she wanted me to be prepared for the possibility.”
Tension he hadn’t realized he was carrying drained from his body.
She was whole with no life-altering injuries.
In an attempt at humor, he said, “Well, if ye do end up with a scar, ye should wear it with pride. That’s what warriors do.
It means ye survived and came out victorious. It warns others nae to challenge ye.”
She giggled, a light thing that made him feel much better about her mental state.
There was no point in asking her how she was doing again; she’d just experienced another trauma on top of all the others that her life had thrust upon her, but she was speaking and laughing, which had to count for something.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, perching herself on the edge of her bed. She looked down at her hands for a beat, opening and closing them slowly. Then, she looked at him as she spoke again, “Thank ye for comin’ to check on me.”
“Ye daenae have to thank me for this,” Lucas said as he settled next to her, leaving several centimeters between the two of them. “I care about ye. More than I thought I’d ever be able to care for another person again. Ye’re me heart, Flora.”
“Lucas,” she breathed, her dark eyes shining with something that he thought looked a lot like hope. “I…”
“I daenae ken how ye managed to get past the walls that I keep up, but ye’ve done it,” he said, the words flowing with no resistance.
After nearly losing her, he couldn’t keep these feelings to himself.
“I love ye, Flora. I love ye so much, it makes me feel like a beast kennin’ what ye’ve been through. If I could, I’d erase it all.”
She was quiet for a long moment. Then, almost shyly, she said, “I love ye, too, but I wouldnae have ye change a thing that happened to me. If it hadnae, I wouldnae have met ye. I’d do it all over again if it meant that I’d get to come to Castle McGowan and be with ye.”
Slowly and with as much gentleness as he could muster, Lucas cupped her uninjured cheek. She leaned into it, her eyelashes fluttering. She was beautiful, the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and she was surrendering herself to him without any resistance.
Then, her eyes flickered down to his lips. The movement was minute, only lingering for half a second, but it was enough for him. It was a question. It was permission. He leaned forward, capturing her mouth in a kiss meant to convey all of the things that he couldn’t put into words.
Flora sighed against him, her body relaxing before returning the pressure. It wasn’t hesitant but careful, like she was proving to herself that this was real. He understood the sentiment more than he cared to admit.
He took control then, increasing the fervor with which his lips slid against hers. She reached out for him, her lithe fingers finding his shoulder as she anchored herself. There was no deepening of their kiss, only the promise that there was more to come.
When they parted, Lucas rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed against the swell of affection. Each of them was breathing hard, the emotions taking a physical toll that he never wanted to stop. Then, she let out a breathless laugh.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, opening his eyes and smiling at the joy written so clearly across her features. “Daenae tell me ye’re laughin’ at me.”
“It’s nothin’,” she said, giggling again. “Just… yer beard tickles a wee bit.”
“Ye’re goin’ to have to get used to it,” he said, grinning and leaning back in, stopping just short of her mouth. “Because I want ye to marry me.”
She froze, sucking in a harsh gasp, but she didn’t pull away. Her voice shaky, she asked, “Ye do? Ye really want to spend the rest of yer life with someone like me?”
“Of course,” he said fiercely, not giving her any room to question just how much he wanted her.
He leaned back just enough to see her entire face.
“I wouldnae say I wanted to marry ye if I dinnae mean it. I want ye, Flora. I want every part of ye: the fighter that saved me niece and tried to hit me with a stone when I tried to rescue her, and the woman that couldnae speak until she felt safe.”
“Ye’re ridiculous,” she said, blushing all the way down to her chest, though her smile only widened.
“Ach, that’s because ye drive me mad,” Lucas said, rubbing his thumb over her cheekbone. After a moment of silence, he asked, “So, Flora, would ye do me the honor of marryin’ me? I think ye’d make a fine Lady McGowan.”
“I’d love to,” she said softly, quiet as though she were afraid that voicing her desire would make the offer disappear. “I’d be honored to be yer wife.”
Instead of replying, Lucas sealed their future with another lingering kiss. As he pulled away, he took a moment to admire her beauty once more. Then, he moved to stand, saying, “I should let ye rest. Ye’ve had a long day, and I’m sure ye’re exhausted.”
Flora caught his wrist, looking up at him bashfully. Without letting go, she murmured, “I’d like it if ye stay with me tonight. I… I think I’d sleep better if ye were here.”
“Of course, I’ll stay,” he promised instantly, settling next to her once again. “I’m never leavin’ ye again. Even when ye get sick of me.”
“I willnae get sick of ye,” she said with all the sincerity in the world. “I couldnae.”