The Robber Knight's Love (The Robber Knight Saga #2)(45)

Ayla smiled at him, though she went cold all over as she did. She knew what he was speaking of. “Speak the words, Captain. I'm not afraid to hear them.”

“Milady, they might try to assassinate you.”

Ayla nodded. “I was perfectly well aware of that, Captain.” Her eyes flickered to Reuben. “Still, it is not necessary for the guards to remain. I am perfectly safe.”

Linhart's eyes followed hers, and he seemed to understand. Chewing nervously on his lip, he stood there for a moment, then, determinately not looking Reuben's way, said, “Nevertheless, I would like for the guards to remain, if you don't mind, Milady.”

She smiled again, this time with real amusement and warmth. “If it sets your mind at rest, by all means, Captain.”

“Thank you, Milady.” He gestured to the three waiting guards, obviously in a hurry to get out of there and out of sight of Reuben. “Come on, you three. Let's go!”

As the four men at arms hurried away, Reuben stepped closer to Ayla and, smirking, whispered into her ear, “He doesn’t want you to be alone with me. He probably thinks I’m dangerous.”

“Indeed?”

“Yes. You have a smart Captain of guards.”

Ayla laughed softly. “I think so, too.”

“You do, do you? Are you sure it's safe enough for you to be alone with me, even with a dozen guards at your beck and call? I might do anything. Turn into a firebreathing demon, for all you know.”

She laugh again, and then, she didn't know exactly how, sobs began to mix with the laughter. Suddenly, tears were running down her face, and she was shivering all over.

Through the haze of tears, she saw Reuben peering down at her, puzzled.

“Err…I was only trying to make a joke. I can't really turn into a fire breathing demon, you know.”

“I…I know,” she choked out, though a small part of her was actually relieved to hear it. “It's not that. It's just everything…tonight…the knife…and…oh, Reuben!”

She simply threw herself against his chest and let the tears flow. It was all crashing down on her, everything that had happened during this wildest of nights, and it was too much to bear alone.

Reuben put one arm around her, and with the other hand, which still smelled slightly roasted, patted her hair awkwardly.

“Err…there, there,” he muttered. “It's not that bad, really. I've had plenty of knives to my throat in my lifetime. You get used to it.”

She slapped his chest. “I don't intend to get used to it! I'm not a robber or cutthroat like some people I know!”

That made him grin again.

“Well, if you don't want to get used to it, there's only one way.”

“What?”

“You have to be quicker than the cutthroats. There are various methods you can use to avoid a knife to your throat. I would advocate a kick in the balls. Most effective.”

“Reuben!”

“What?”

“I'm a lady! You shouldn't use such words in front of me!”

“What word?” he asked, innocently. “'Kick'?”

“No! The…other one.”

“Which other one would that be?”

Ayla blushed to the roots of her hair. The scoundrel! He wanted to make her say it. But she wouldn't!

“I see we're going to have to work on your vocabulary, Milady,” he said with a devilish grin that knocked the breath out of her.

“And you,” she said, sounding a bit out of air, “need to learn some manners.”

“Why ever should I?” he demanded. “My insolence seems to have its benefits. After all, I managed to stop your tears.”

Ayla realized he was right. Her sobs had ceased. Of her tears, only wet streaks on her cheeks remained. Reuben touched one of them gently and whispered, “Your eyes are as blue as sapphires. When you cry, it looks like a spring of crystal-clear water suddenly opening up. It makes you look even more beautiful than usual.”

Ayla's heartbeat increased, as if in fear. Strange—she wasn't threatened anymore. Her enemies were gone. The knife was gone. Why was her body acting like this?

Dimly, she noticed that the guards had unobtrusively moved some distance away from her and Reuben. Now, as Reuben leaned closer, whispering to her, a few of them turned or stuck fingers in their ears.

“By the way…” Reuben began, and there was suddenly uncertainty in his scorching gray eyes.

Ayla sucked in a quick breath. “Yes?”

The uncertainty in Reuben's eyes grew as he stared down at her with…what? Adoration? Maybe even love?

“There is something,” he said, “which I have been meaning to ask you.”





The Question of How

Suddenly, the uncertainty in Reuben’s eyes was replaced with resolution. Ayla’s heart nearly stopped from the look on his face.

He wanted to ask her a question? Her? What question?

Could it possibly be that he wanted to…?

Taking a deep breath, Reuben leaned forward until their faces were almost touching and asked in a rough voice, “Are you going to have me executed?”

Ayla blinked at him, uncomprehending. “What?”