Greylen shouldn’t have been surprised that Gwen chose to go alone. He was the one who turned her away. Why, then, did his heart constrict? His men said nothing as he turned back toward his study, but he didn’t miss Gavin’s look, the censure in his eyes.

It took less than an hour for him to come to his senses. He sat behind his desk, his hands pressed to the sides of his head. His only thoughts were of her.

How often she had come to him? How often she had given of herself? How often he had thanked the gods above for the grace of Gwendolyn in his life?

He didn’t face his men as he approached the stairs, and for the first time felt unsure as he entered his chamber. Gwen didn’t look up when he came in. She sat on the floor in front of the fire, staring at the flames and listening to music. The volume was so low her head rested on the hearth next to the speaker.

She looked sad, a look for which he was to blame. He sat on the floor and faced her. Still she didn’t look up. “Gwen, I’ve done things a certain way my entire life. I’ve had to. But I’ve never regretted them…till now.”

“You shouldn’t have to regret your actions, Greylen,” she whispered. She didn’t speak for another full minute, but when she did, her words caught on a sob. “I feel so alone right now, and you’re sitting right beside me. That hurts more than anything.” Still, she didn’t look at him.

“Look at me, Gwen,” he pleaded softly.

“I’m afraid of what I’ll see there, Greylen.”

“Only love, Gwen,” he said in a voice he scarcely recognized. “I swear ’tis only love.” He sensed her struggle and damned himself for being the cause.

She finally looked up. “I hate that I love you so much. I hate it.”

The words tore through his heart, and again he was unsure. He just wanted to hold her, but now it seemed this wall lay between them. And once again, ’twas she who came to him. Gwen crawled into his lap, then laid her head upon his chest. He could have squeezed her to death his relief was so great.

He held her as he sighed, feeling so very lucky to have her in his arms again and realizing now just how fearful he was of her rejection. “Will you stay with me by the fire?” he asked. He still couldn’t sleep in their bed, but he’d been a fool to turn her away earlier.

“Anything, Greylen,” she whispered. “Anything.”