Free Redemption (Red Dragon Book 1) by H.J. Bradley

knew better than to blame Cat for that particular situation.
    "Don't you think that would make for a very lonely life?" He released her wrist then.
    She shook her head again. "I'm marrying you aren't I?"
    "But you won't love me," he said.
    "There are plenty of arranged marriages out there without love Valto." She smiled at him, though it didn't reach her eyes. "It doesn't mean we can't be friends."
    He could see his whole life stretched out before him then, hovering around in Cat's shadow with nothing more than a lukewarm affection whilst he literally burned for her presence.
    "And children?" he said. "Surely you're expected to have an heir."
    She looked up at him quickly then, her eyes narrowing. "I won't be having a sexless marriage Valto, no matter how much you detest me. You seemed to be just fine the other night, and I hope that in time we will be able to fall into something of a routine. And if you have need for someone else, well …"
    That hit him like an electrical shock, left him reeling as she turned away from him then to look back out of the window He had never considered the idea that she would think that he would think she wasn’t enough, maybe even thinking that he didn’t love her. Unfortunately he had no idea how to voice any of this, say the words that he had fallen for her all over again in the short three weeks that he had basked in her again. “I wouldn’t …” She glanced over at his words. “… I would never do that Cat.”
    She shrugged her shoulders then and looked away. “Either way my country will have its heir and there’s nothing we can do to stop that happening.”
    ***
    It was late afternoon by the time they made it to Pembrokeshire. The sun was still relatively high in the sky, however there was a coolness to the air which marked it as close to tea time. There was the smell of salt in the air when he stepped out of the car, and he took a deep breath off it, letting his eyes close as he felt the stress of years roll away from him.
    “Caitlin.” The voice was softly feminine, with the thick lilting quality that the natives of this county tended to have. “You’ve grown even more beautiful than last time I saw you.”
    He opened his eyes then and turned to watch as an attractive middle-aged woman hurried down the steps of Belltree House. Elizabeth Lloyd was in fact the cousin of Cat’s long departed father, and she looked exactly how he imagined Cat herself would look in thirty years’ time. Shoulder length dark hair, petite figure, and an energetic but refined air about her.
    “Aunt Beth.” Cat smiled brightly, moving to meet the other woman half way and they embraced tightly. “I’m so happy to be here.”
    “Needed to get away from the city did you?” Beth smiled happily at her cousin, before kissing her on the cheek.
    “You have no idea,” said Cat.
    At that Beth’s green gaze slid over to him and a grimace came to her lovely face. “And I see you’ve brought your beau with you.”
    “Miss. Elizabeth.” He stepped forwards then wincing when her hands came up to grip his face tightly and drag him down to her height. “It’s a pleasure seeing you.”
    “Valdemer,” said Beth. “For some reason this woman has given you a second chance. Do anything to jeopardize it and they’ll never find your body.”
    “Beth.” Cat’s voice had a hint of humor to it. “Leave him alone.”
    “Do we understand each other, boy?” Beth’s hands tightened on his cheeks and her eyes narrowed.
    “Perfectly ma’am,” he said, rubbing his sore face with the tips of his fingers when he was released.
    “Good man.” With that he received a hard clap on the back. “Now come inside. Tea is just about to be served.”
    Valto had always forgotten what a force of nature Cat’s relatives could be. He had spent too much time recently around Myf and Lowri and had forgotten about this unusual branch of the Lloyds. Feeling like he had just been caught in a tornado, he leaned against the