Free The Craving (Rogues of Scotland #1) by Donna Grant Page B

“Are you sure?”
    “It’s part of the reason your aunt came to visit.”
    Meg dropped her head against his chest, and felt as if a huge load had been taken off her shoulders. “I won’t have to go to a convent or worry about finding relatives to allow me to stay with them.”
    “You get to make your own destiny. Including taking a husband.”
    She stiffened and slowly raised her head. If she could find a man who would take her without a dowry, then yes, there was a chance. But none of them would be Ronan. He had ruined her for any other man.
    No one could give her that mischievous, wicked smile like he did. No one could make her toes curl with a single kiss like he did. No one could make her heart race uncontrollably just by being near her as he did.
    “I don’t think so.” Was that dejection she saw on his face? Surely not.
    “I see.”
    She frowned, wondering at the odd tone in his voice. “What about you? Will you leave the castle now?”
    “I couldna even if I wanted to.”
    Meg ignored the little thrill that shot through her. “What do you mean? It’s the mirror, isn’t it?”
    Ronan wouldn’t tell her that it had been pulling at him for a week now. He had been ignoring it, but then he found himself in the attic that night. Imagine his surprise when Meg walked right up to it.
    Fear knifed through him, and he had reacted instantly in pulling her away. Even now, looking at the hated mirror, he wouldn’t chance Meg being drawn in.
    How much longer did he have before the mirror had him again? A day? An hour? Less?
    He didn’t want to go back into that dark prison without at least letting Meg know that she had changed his life. If only he had realized the chance he had and not ignored the feelings that had been growing.
    But it was too late for him and Meg now. She no longer trusted him.
    “I’m staying because I want to. I’m staying because of you, because I...love you, sweet Meg.”
    Ronan didn’t know what he thought would happen, but her silence was deafening. It was what he deserved. He had been going through the past weeks as if his life was his to control once more.
    All those wasted hours he could have been wooing Meg to love him. They had been glorious days, and he was thankful they would get him through more centuries in the darkness until – if – anyone ever released him from his prison again.
    Knowing he loved Meg and she didn’t return his feelings was painful. It must have been what Ana experienced, and why she took her own life.
    “You love me?” Meg asked in a soft voice.
    Ronan couldn’t stop touching her. His hands reverently cupped her face. “I didna realize it until tonight when you were putting a wall between us. I had to let you know before...”
    “Before what?” she pressed.
    He smiled, his heart breaking inside his chest. “My time here is up, sweet Meg.”
    Her gaze darted to the mirror. “I said you could remain. I’m not sending you back.”
    “I know. It’s the curse. When I’m released, I guess I go through a test of sorts.” At least now he knew what he needed to earn his freedom – love.
    He could have had that with Meg, he knew it in the depths of his soul. If only he had realized what he would need to fight for. But it was too little, too late.
    “You can’t leave,” she said, her voice becoming shrill. “I’m not ready for you to leave.”
    “Neither am I.”
    Ronan tried to tell her he loved her again when the edges of his vision went black. He could hear Meg screaming his name, but it sounded far away, and growing fainter by the moment.
    He blinked, and the next instant he was back in the mirror. The desolation was severe, the despair intense.
    The anguish fierce.
    His sweet Meg was gone from him forever. He threw back his head and bellowed, putting every ounce of regret into it.
    Meg slammed her hands against the mirror, the inky glass unswayed by her attack. She hollered for Ronan again and again, but he didn’t answer.
    She refused to