“Yes.” He took the ring back and held it warm in the palm of his hand as he considered her. It wasn’t necessary to dip into her thoughts to see that she was suffering. It wasn’t particularly noble, but the fact that she was pleased him very much. “It seems a pity.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Then again, I much prefer you to her.”

She blinked. “You do?”

“Very much. I was beginning to find her a little dull. She’d never argue with me, and she was forever having her nails done.” Gently he cupped a hand behind her head and drew her closer. “She certainly wouldn’t have been caught dead in those jeans.”

“Guess not,” she murmured, leaning into him, into the kiss.

She felt herself tremble, felt the tears welling up again as she threw her arms around him. “Sebastian. I need …” She tightened her hold as her lips clung to his.

“Tell me.”

“I want—Oh, Lord, you scare me.” She drew back, her eyes wet and terrified. “Just read my mind, will you? For God’s sake, just look at what I’m feeling and give me a break.”

His eyes darkened, his hands moved up to cup her face. He looked, and found everything he’d been waiting for. “Again,” he murmured, taking her mouth. But this time the kiss was gentle, coaxing. “Can’t you tell me? Can’t you say the words? They’re the truest magic.”

“I don’t want you to feel like I’m boxing you in. It’s just that I …”

“I love you,” he finished for her.

“Yeah.” She managed a weak smile. “You could say I blurred the lines. I wasn’t going to bring it up, but it seemed like I should. Only fair that I should be up front. Pretty awkward when you’ve got a houseful of people.”

“All of whom have their noses pressed up to the kitchen window and are enjoying this nearly as much as I.”

“Who—?” She spun around, flushed and stumbled backward. “Oh, Lord. Look, I’m going. I really can’t believe I did this.” Unnerved, she lifted a hand to tug at her hair. And saw the ring back on her finger. As she stared at it, he stepped forward.

“I gave the stone to Morgana. A stone I’ve treasured most of my life. I asked her to have a ring made out of it. For you. For you,” he repeated, waiting until she lifted her eyes to his. “Because you were the only woman I wanted to wear it. You were the only woman I wanted to share my life with. Twice now I’ve put it on your finger, and both times it was a pledge to you.” He held out his hand, offering. “No one, in any time, in any place, will love you more.”