*Fiona*
His eyes flash. His jaw clenches, the muscles ticking, and he can’t meet my gaze. He suddenly looked so much younger, unsure, caught off guard. I’d almost say cute. His mouth opens, closes again.
“I—” He swallows the rest with an uncomfortable look on his face. He is fumbling. I should enjoy it, but I don’t have the time right now. “This isn’t—”
“Stop.” I don’t let him gather himself. I step into the heat of his body, lifting my chin so he can’t avoid looking at me. “None of that matters right now. Not your pride, not mine, or us. None of that matters. You’ve packed this fortress with wolves and kings and men who would gladly gut you in your own hall. You think you can posture your way out of that? You can’t.”
His nostrils flare. His hand twitches like he means to grab me, to h
