The Blacksmith: Order of the Broken Blade by Mecca Cecelia

Author:Mecca, Cecelia
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-946510-35-8
Publisher: Altiora Press
Published: 2019-07-22T16:00:00+00:00

15

Idalia pushed her way into the Small Tower but did not ascend the circular steps in front of her. Instead, she leaned against the inside of the door, breathing heavily. She’d fairly run to find her mother’s maid, and then here.

Was he waiting for her?

More importantly, what in the heavens had her mother just said to them?

Lance had reacted so calmly throughout the whole encounter. Indeed, he’d seemed almost amused when she’d stumbled over that small lie she’d told her mother. Idalia had not wanted to be dishonest, but what else could she have said? That he’d done something more wondrous with his fingers than she’d ever thought possible?

That she ached for him whenever they weren’t together?

Idalia had even dreamed of him. That morning, Leana had remarked on the fact she’d awoken with a smile on her face. How could she not smile? The way he looked at her, and touched her, made her feel like the most beautiful and desirable woman in the world.

But he was troubled.

So much so that Idalia wanted nothing more than to learn the cause. To heal the wounds he so obviously carried with him each day.

But . . . marriage?

Was it her mother’s illness that caused her to say such things? She shoved aside the wicked thought that Father Sica might be right. The devil did not possess her mother.

And yet, she hardly knew the woman they’d spoken to earlier.

I’m dying.

It was not true. Idalia refused to believe it. But if her mother thought it to be true, she supposed such a sentiment could change the way a person thought of everything around them.

Taking a deep breath and climbing the stairs, Idalia opened the door at the top and saw him immediately.

When he turned, her breath caught. Her entire body felt as if it were a bowl of pudding, and for a long moment she could do naught but stand there looking at him, like a simpleton.

“I thought you may not come.” His deep, resonant voice vibrated through her very soul.

“If anyone should be running for Eller’s Green, it is you. After that discussion . . .”

She trailed off, not knowing what to say.

He did not move toward her. An awkwardness had settled between them after their audience with her mother, one she would do anything to dispel.

“I will admit, it was certainly not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“To be tossed from Stanton, at best.”

The thought had occurred to her as well. To save his position and his reputation, she’d been prepared to promise she would never see or speak to him again.

A promise that would have killed her.

The thought sent a pang through her chest.

“I am sorry—”

One moment Idalia stood there, wishing there was not so much distance between them—the next, she was in his arms.

“Do not” was all he said as he held her.

She squeezed him, reveling in the feel of him in her arms, then turned to face the stars and settled back in his embrace, wishing she could stay this way forever.

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