Free Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 by A Knight of Valour Page A

woods, and fish in the sea. We shall not go hungry.”
    “I would dwell with you in a cave so long as we are safe and together.” Cupping Talan’s cheek, Mylla kissed the day old stubble on his cheek. “Did you shave it to disguise yourself?”
    “Do you favor me with or without it?” Capturing her hand, he brought it to his lips.
    “It makes no difference to me,” she said. “I love you.”
    Pulling her tight against his chest he kissed her, his hand snaking up to cradle the back of her head to lay claim to her body and soul.
    Afraid to surpass the limits of his control, Talan broke the kiss when she molded her body against his instinctively seeking more. Halting his horse, he slid from its back to lift Mylla down. “I think it best if you were to ride on your own for a while.” He kept his gaze averted by busying himself with untethering her horse. “We need to quicken our pace.”
    Still reeling from the kiss, Mylla touched her lips with a look of wonder.
    “Come,” he said, extending his hand to her. “I shall assist you.”
    Lightly placing her hand in his, she stepped up to her mare. “How come you have never afore kissed me like that?”
    Talan dropped his hand searching for something to say. In the past, it was his honor that held him back. He wanted to wait until they were wed. After the justice had asserted his will and laid claim to her hand, he could not dishonor her in such a way. “I suppose I am more of the old ways than I thought,” he finally said.
    “You mean you are hesitant because we are not wed?”
    “Aye,” Talan said, “contrary to what Edmund thinks, I would make you my wife afore taking such liberties.”
    “It is not necessary,” Mylla said. “A priest’s blessing will not change how I feel about you.”
    Kissing her tenderly on the lips, Talan released her with an agonized look. “Please do not tempt me. I have reached the limit of my restraint.”
    “You are so honorable.” Reaching for the mare’s reins, she peered at Talan over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. “We shall revisit the matter another time.”
    The sun had fully risen when they stopped by a stream to rest the horses. Hours outside of Rochester, the rutted earthen road became lined by thick forests of yew, ash, beech, oak, and elm trees.
    Mylla unclasped her cloak to pack it in her satchel. “I believe the day is going to be tepid for a change.”
    Talan skimmed the blue sky dotted with cumulus clouds. “God has indeed blessed us with a fine day. It is a good omen.”
    “Do you believe in signs?” Mylla asked.
    “I have always believed what we put into the world has a way of coming back to us.” Talan’s look was solemn. “I knew it was wrong, yet even had you not chosen to be with me, I could not have allowed the justice to have you.”
    “Then put your mind at ease,” Mylla said. “I would say the heavens have agreed with your decision.” 
    “Truth be told, I am glad of it.”
    “Talan,” Mylla said thoughtfully, “had it been raining in Rochester this morn, would you have had a change of heart about us being together?”
    “You are the only one who could have stopped me from taking the course we now find ourselves on.” Talan stopped in the act of pulling off his surcoat. “Do you think you shall have second thoughts?”
    “I shall never regret my choice,” Mylla assured him. “Only, I just realized that you shall never again wear the Erlegh coat-of-arms because of me.”
    “Mylla, because of you, I know what it is to love and be loved,” Talan said. “That is all I need in this life.”
    “I often think you are too good to be true.”
    “Let us be away. We can talk of such things at length once I know you are safe.”
    “Mayhap—” Mylla’s words were cut off when Talan leapt in front of her. To the scrape of steel leaving its scabbard, he withdrew his sword in one fluid motion. It was then she heard the sound of galloping horses coming from the direction of