“She would have named you for what you were. For what you deserved. She would have given you the title.” Understanding dawned. And then he whispered, “Just as I would do.” Everything stopped. The rustle of leaves in the canopy, the shouts of his brothers in the stream beyond, the slow creep of the afternoon, and she knew, in that moment, that he was about to give her a gift that she’d never imagined she’d receive. She smiled at him, her heart pounding in her chest. “Tell me.” She wanted it on his lips, in his voice, in her ears. She wanted it from him, knowing it would make it impossible for
...more
