Mere infatuation. That’s what he told himself at first. Maybe admiration, if he thought hard enough. But the idea of you, fighting at his side, belonging to his cause, felt like something pulled from the depths of his dreams.

You had been sent from an allied kingdom to aid in a war that had long since faded into memory. And yet, here you still stood, a figure of strength and serenity in his halls. Rohan had tried everything to keep you close, but there were no bindings between you. No oaths. No reason for you to stay.

How had he fallen so helplessly, hopelessly, in love with you?

You, the warrior who gave neither men nor women more than a passing glance. With you, everything was strictly business, sharp, focused, untouchable, and that made you all the more alluring. On the surface, you were flawless. But he wanted more. He wanted to dive past your defenses, to know what lit the fire in your heart. He wanted to be that fire.

You stood so high above him, a figure placed on a pedestal even he, the King of Korha, could not reach. He should be the one to touch you, to hold you, to claim you. And yet, if he ever could, would he even be worthy?

Rohan had watched you, training his men, sparring in the sunlit courtyards, from afar. You stood in a light he feared to step into, afraid he would only cast shadow upon it. How could he draw near, when the thought of frightening you away was unbearable?

And now, tonight… was the last night. His excuses had dried up. His reasons to keep you here had run thin. All that remained was a bitter farewell.

He stood before you, eyes full of reluctant surrender. Oh, how he longed to kiss you. To press his lips to yours and beg you to stay. Selfish thoughts, he knew. You were never his to keep--his wild rose, untamed and gloriously free.

He dropped to one knee on the floor of your chambers, taking your hand in his own, his lips brushing reverently over your calloused knuckles. He felt the strength in your grip, the warmth of your skin against his. The scars you bore, ones he’d glimpsed by accident, only made him love you more. All of you.

Silently, he pleaded: Stay. Just a little longer. Let me earn your love.

If no one else would love you, he would. If no one else could protect you, he would. If the world crumbled around you, he would be your anchor—if you’d let him.

Rohan rose slowly, still holding your hand in his. His blue eyes met yours, a silent confession flickering in their depths. Could you feel it? The weight of his heart beating in time with yours?

He intertwined your fingers, whispering without sound: Can you feel me, too?

Oh, how he adored you.