Eternal Love by Maggie Shayne

Author:Maggie Shayne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, witches, historical romance, contemporary romance, immortals, romance series, maggie shayne, multibook collection
Publisher: Maggie Shayne

Chapter 11

ARIANNA UNDERSTOOD NOW, so much more than before. Perhaps Nicodimus would love her . . . if only he could. But he could not. Oh, she did not believe for a moment that his heart had died with his family. No, his heart was strong in him, and filled with tender emotions. She had seen the pain in his eyes as he’d spoken of his lost family. One could not hurt if one were incapable of loving. Indeed, she had begun to think her husband had more love inside him than anyone she had ever known. But not for her. Nay, not for her. He could not risk loving her, nor would she ask it of him. For he knew—and now she did as well—the consequences loving her would bring. He would be forced to watch her grow old, while he remained young and strong. He would have to watch her die, leaving him behind. Immortal and utterly alone.

She thought on these things as she rode before him on his fiery black stallion, her back pressed to his chest, his hand at her waist. She thought on these things and more. And she realized that she had to give up her dreams of making him love her. For his sake. She loved him too much to ask him to suffer such unspeakable anguish because of her. She would not ask it of him again.

He glanced down at her, concern etched on his face. “The things I’ve told you tonight . . . they’ve shocked you.”

She thought on that for a moment. “Shocked, aye. But enlightened, as well. I ken your heart more now than ever I have, Nicodimus. An’ ‘tis glad I am you finally shared your secrets with me.”

His steady gaze made her wish for more than could ever be as he replied, “I always intended to tell you all of this. I only . . . thought to wait until I judged you ready to hear it. I thought—”

“You thought a girl so young and flighty, too immature to deal with these truths. You thought I would run in fear of you, or give myself nightmares.”

He frowned, a hint of guilt appearing on his face. “I only thought to protect your tender heart and mind from such dark truths as these.’“

At that, Arianna smiled. “My heart is far from tender, Nicodimus. I am strong. Far stronger than you could ever dream.”

“And far more vulnerable than you know, little cat.”

“Nay. ‘Tis not so. In time, you’ll see.”

He returned her smile, but his was doubtful, tentative. And slowly a more serious expression replaced it. “I’ve trusted you with these secrets, Arianna. And secrets they must remain. Understand that.”

“Aye,” she replied. “Nicodimus, I ken full well the need for secrecy in this. An’ I would die of torture before revealin’ a word of what you’ve told me this eve. I swear it to you on the name of my sister.”

He blinked as if in surprise at the vehemence in her voice.

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