‘Imalwain, I am so sorry! I was so blind . . .’
But his words were lost on her as she had fallen fast asleep from exhaustion.
She awoke some hours later, startled by a large shape in the shadows. It was Birin’s horse, grazing nearby. She felt Birin’s warm body at her back, and a pair of strong arms around her that felt protective, comforting. Her body yearned to respond, but she was determined not to be taken again so easily.
‘You are awake?’
Stiffening, she said, ‘I am warm now. You may release me.’ Somehow, she knew he smiled at this.
‘Is it that what you want?’
For some reason, his remark touched at her grief. ‘Since when have you been concerned with what I want?’
He sighed. ‘Since I learned of the suffering I caused you.’ He wrapped his arms more comfortably around her, sending an involuntary shiver of excitement through her.
Alarmed, she tried to extricate herself. ‘Birin, please! I’m not going to let you hurt me again.’
He decided then to do what he should have done years ago.
‘Imalwain, will you consent to be my wife?’
She almost fainted with shock. ‘You bastard! Stop playing with me! I can’t stand it. Why must you keep tormenting me?’