For a long moment she simply stared. Then blindly she walked into his arms. Burying her face in his shoulder, she gave a sob. “I thought you hated me…”
“No, I could never hate you.” His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. “Even when I thought the worst… Ah, don’t cry, Brynn.” He could feel love and despair pulse through her body, feel her trembling.
“I fought against loving you,” he murmured. “I tried to convince myself that what I felt was merely an obsession. But I should have realized the truth much sooner.”
She shuddered. “The thought of you hating me tore me apart.”
He drew back, gazing down at her, seeing her lashes spiky with tears. Her hair in the firelight shimmered like molten embers. Gently he touched her face. “You arouse any number of feelings in me, siren. You make me burn with passion or fear or fury, but never hate.”
She gave a shaky laugh. “Certainly fury. I’ve given you ample reason to be furious with me.”
“Even so, I’ve loved you almost from the first time I saw you.”
Slowly Brynn shook her head. “It was only the curse.”
“No,” he said gravely. “Perhaps a spell could make me want you, desire you, but it couldn’t make me love you. I love you, Brynn, not because of any Gypsy spell or your physical allure, but because of the woman you are. You make me feel complete. You fill the part of my soul that was missing.”
“Oh, Lucian…”
He took a deep breath, seeking courage. “Brynn, I know ours was to be a marriage of convenience, that you wanted us to live apart after our child is born, but I hope to God you will reconsider. I want to be your husband, Brynn. Loved, honored, cherished for all the world to see.”
Her expression softened. “You are loved, Lucian. I told you the truth earlier tonight. I love you. I was afraid to admit it only because of the curse. I hope you believe me.”
“How can I not believe you after tonight?” Lucian asked, his voice suddenly husky. “You proved your love more than adequately, throwing yourself in front of a bullet meant for me…” He shuddered with soul-deep terror, realizing how close he had come to losing Brynn. He had wealth, titles, all the privileges money and rank could buy, but they were all worthless if he lost the one thing that mattered most. And he knew Brynn felt something similar if she had been willing to sacrifice herself for him.
His brows drew together as he recalled something she had said earlier. “What was it the Gypsy at the fair told you? That you must be willing to give your life for me?”
“That I had to love you enough, yes.”
“If her prophecy is true, then the curse should be broken.”
Her eyes widened. “Perhaps it is,” she said in wonder.
Lucian held her gaze. “So you don’t intend to leave me?”
“No. I never wanted us to live separate lives. I only thought I must to protect you.”
“The best way to protect me is to stay with me. I might as well cut out my heart if you leave me.”
“I won’t ever leave you, Lucian. I can’t live without you. I know that now.”
The soft light in her eyes reflected her quiet smile, catching his heart and sending it thudding after his racing pulse.
He drew her into his arms once more, pressing his lips against her hair, his relief overwhelming. Only now was he realizing how desperately he needed her love, how rare and precious that love was.
Brynn stood in the warmth of his embrace, cherishing the feel of his hard body against hers. She could feel her fear easing. Perhaps the curse had indeed been broken because she had risked her life for him. If so, then she was free to love Lucian with all her heart.
“I love you so much,” she murmured, repeating her own declaration of love.
That made him raise his head. His voice was gentle, as were his eyes. “I’m not certain I know why. I’ve never given you any reason to love me.”
“That isn’t true. What you did for Theo was reason enough. And now Grayson… I thank you from the bo
ttom of my heart, Lucian. Can you ever forgive me for what I did?”
“Only if you can forgive me.” His soft laughter was self-mocking. “What an arrogant bastard I was… Arrogant, selfish, thinking only of myself, my own needs. I thought I could easily charm you into doing my bidding. I forced you to conceive a child because that was what I wanted… You deserved more, Brynn. I would say that you have far more to forgive than I do.”
“But still…”