Chapter 26
“Ah…”
How strange, Godiva murmured inside.
“You’ve been unconscious for quite some time. I was so worried…”
“Sorry…”
It was not the nanny’s hand.
Firm. Warm. Rough. A hand she knew all too well.
Godiva stirred faintly. Before she could fully look, she felt it. An abyss of silver so deep it pierced her chest. She was gently laid back down.
“Don’t push yourself.”
Leofric. At the sound of his familiar voice, tears welled in her violet eyes.
“My lord, I’ll step out and prepare something for Miss to eat…”
The nanny hurried from the room.
Godiva buried her face in the pillow. Seeing him brought nothing but tears. Afraid she might sob aloud, she squeezed her eyes shut.
“So you cannot even bear to look at me.”
No… she answered silently.
“You must be disgusted by my cruelty.”
His voice had the same tone as that night. The memory stung. She bit her lip.
“Now…”
He thought perhaps this voice would never be heard again. Though half-muffled in the pillow, it was unmistakably hers. Leofric’s hand tightened in her golden hair.
“Can you…”
Godiva slowly turned her head toward him. Their eyes met.
“…see my heart?”
Her tear-brimmed gaze left him only one answer. Leofric nodded heavily.
“I will keep my promise.”
No—that wasn’t it. Her violet eyes denied him.
“I am drafting the documents—”
He fell silent. Her soft hand touched his cheek, stopping his words.
“I’m sorry.”
Godiva’s fingers traced the rigid line of his mouth, then brushed his damp hair. In every touch lingered the love she could not speak aloud.
“You do not… hate me?”
“No.”
Her answer was quiet but steady.
“Godiva…”
It felt as though something struck hard against his chest. He whispered her name helplessly.
“My convictions hurt you.”
But I never hated you. Not once. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
“I know. I’m sorry, Leofric.”
He had not expected that. He had feared she would turn from him forever. Again and again he had told himself that if only she would stay, he would ask for nothing more. Yet he had never imagined she would come to him with such gentleness.
He buried his face in her hair. Her soft scent filled him. After she left the hall of Coventry, time had been like hell. Only now did it end. Only now could he breathe.
“I…”
Like a child learning to speak, Godiva murmured faintly.
“I…”
Leofric lifted his head abruptly.
“I… lo…”
The clumsy syllables made his heart thunder in his ears.
“I love… you…”
He heard it. Yet he could scarcely believe he had.
“I love you, Leo—”
He captured the rest of his name with his lips.
“Ah…”
He kissed her, and kissed her again. Until Godiva grew faint, he stole her breath in sweet succession. His tongue pressed and searched, tasting the softness within her mouth, drawing half of her gentle breaths into himself.
“Mm…”
Something blurred his sight. He blinked away the haze.
“Leo… I can’t… breathe…”
Even if his breath stopped here, he thought he would not mind. He pulled her closer, their tongues tangling, stealing each other’s air.
“Ah… Le…”
Thud.
Her pale hand fell limp. Godiva lost consciousness once more. Around her bloodless face, her golden hair spread like radiant flame.
Leofric gathered both her hands in his. He pressed his face into them.
Silently, he confessed.
God, let her never see the blood upon my hands.
Moisture gathered in his silver eyes.
The world’s cruelty is already mine to bear.
His warm breath brushed her delicate skin.
Grant her only gentleness.
He dared to plead. Yet he no longer addressed God.
Stay where you are… and save me.
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