Page 12

WARREN

Tova is quiet as I lead us down the path to the garden. The sun has long set, and the lights I had installed a few years ago keep it illuminated. Night or day, Tova makes her way out here often. I know my grounds are secure, and there is nothing I should have to worry about, but you can never be too safe. The lights had been a must, and so had the cameras.

I had to get her out of that dining room. With each question about the wedding, I could see my girl retreating into herself. The attention made her push food around her plate without eating. I know she has to be comfortable around people to come out of her shell. I hated that she was uncomfortable in what was to be her own home.

“I’m not allowed in here. I’ve been grounded for a few days.”

“Grounded?”

“Your note to my parents.” Ah, is that why she is so mad at me? I thought maybe it was the barging into her bedroom. I suppose I could have knocked, but I hadn’t wanted to. I needed to get my eyes on her, and that was the quickest way. I won’t apologize for that. It would be a lie to do so.

“It’s for your own good.” Everything I do is for her sake.

“How do you know what is for my own good?! You don’t know me.” Tova raises that chin of hers.

That’s laughable. I know more about her than I do anyone else. All the small details, everything she does. I soak it all in like a ravenous animal. I have to fight not to dig deeper into her. That’s why I keep my distance. It would only make my obsession with her grow more, but I suppose that doesn’t matter anymore.

“Don’t be so sure about that, little mouse.”

Her nose scrunches. “Mouse?”

“Always curious and slipping in and out around the farm.”

“Except the garden.”

“You’ve been in the garden far too much.”

“What does it matter?” She throws her hands up. “I mean, why do you even care?” I don’t miss the hurt in her tone.

“You burnt your cheeks and here.” I lift her arm to show her.

“It’s a sunburn.” Her expression turns to confusion.

“And you didn’t wear your sunscreen. You can’t spend hours outside without protection.” How can she not see that? Her skin is so fair and lovely. “You are now under my care.” If she won’t watch out for herself, then I will.

She has been under my protection from the second I laid eyes on her, but now she truly is. I don’t have to make up excuses and reasons to keep her tucked away safe here. My father’s idea might not be so horrible after all. I get to keep her closer than ever, but I can pretend to the rest of the world she is merely a wife I was forced to marry. That way no one will ever know the depth of my feelings for her. If my enemies think she doesn’t mean anything to me, they won’t hurt her to get to me.

“You’re really worried about a sunburn?” Tova’s whole face softens.

“I worry about a lot of things.” I reach up, brushing one of her curls the wind blew astray out of her face. “Sit with me.”

Tova sits on the bench next to me. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I always worry about you.”

“Always?” Tova tilts her head, having caught my slip of the tongue. A stupid one.

“I’ll always watch over you. You’ll be my wife,” I say. She already doesn’t want to marry me. If she knew all the things I’ve done, she would run from me. Not that she’d get far.

“Right.” Tova wrings her fingers together in her lap, her gaze dropping there, and I know I’ve said the wrong thing.

“This upsets you?” I want to know how to fix this, but maybe I can’t. That’s not acceptable.

“It is what it is.” She shrugs one of her delicate shoulders.

“I like this.” I touch the ribbon strap on her dress.

“Really?” Her eyes brighten, and she sits up straighter.