Page 107 of Love Me Forever

Words failed her but Royce did not.

“I want to love you, Brianna.” He reached out his hand. “I want to take away your hurt and fear. Let me love you.”

Guilt assaulted her. “You are too good to me. I do not deserve you.”

“You deserve much more, and I will strive to see that you get it.”

She shook her head, and he approached, slowly reaching the step beneath the one she stood on.

“Do not think of what life was; think of what it will be between you and me.”

She held her tears, refusing to cry. She had shed too many senseless tears. “That is the problem. I fear there will be nothing between us because I foolishly wed a madman. Now he will punish me as he always did, and I will be denied my love for you.”

Royce took the last step to stand beside her. “Nay, you will not be denied my love, nor will I be denied yours. We are meant to be together and we will be.”

He had reassured her many times, and he would reassure her as many times as necessary. She needed to hear him repeat it over and over and over, and he would do so if it made her realize that it was the truth. They would be together; nothing would stand in their way.

She rested her head on his chest, needing to hear the steady beat of his heart. “I have strength, so why, then, do I fear this?”

“In battle no one knows for certain who the victor will be. We pray for the strength to face our adversary and the courage to accept the outcome. You fear the outcome.”

“And rightfully so,” she said, her blue eyes focused on him. “I cannot be certain of the outcome.”

“The outcome is you and I together forever. It is the road in between we must travel that presents the difficulties. If we travel it together with confidence, then the journey will be less hazardous.”

She stared at him for a moment. “Now I know why you are a legend. You are wise beyond your years. You understand what most do not, and you accept what must be done and do it without doubt or fear.”

He smiled and looked as though he was about to laugh.

“And,” —she gave his hard chest a thump and a smiled— “you find humor in it all.”

“When all else fails, a smile is your best weapon.”

Her smile grew. “Then we are well armed.”

He leaned down and nuzzled her neck. “Now that you feel secure, will you let me love you?”

She loved when he teased her neck. It sent the shivers racing through her before igniting her passion. “Do you need to ask?”

“You seem to have little choice of late. At least in this the choice can be yours.”

Her laughter was a soft ripple that echoed along the stone staircase. “The choice is that I always want you.”

“This is good, for I feel the same of you.” He scooped her up into his arms.

“I grow too heavy for you to carry.” She protested with another laugh.

“Do not insult me. You weighed little before, and the babe adds little to you.”

“You do not think me unattractive?”

He stopped for a moment before entering their bedchamber. “What nonsense is that? I think you beautiful.”

“But I have grown?—”

He interrupted her as he kicked the door shut. “More beautiful.”

She giggled. “I do not care that you are blind.”