Armored Hearts by Melissa Turner Lee Page A

of pure death. “I’m neither simple nor did I imagine the whole thing. And he had to be one big bat because I did more than see him. I flew with him.”
    Gareth stared blankly at her. “You went flying with him?” Gareth pointed at the ceiling. “Up in the air? How much celebrating did you and Tabitha do once you excused yourselves?”
    Her dark eyes flared. “I wasn’t drunk. He flew me to safety because someone shot arrows at us… well, at him, but I was there, so he swooped me up and took me to safety before going to investigate.” She stepped closer to Gareth, taking his hands and wrapping them around her waist before putting her arms around his neck. “I was this close to him—so close I could feel the warmth of his body through the armor. He’s no phantom. He’s living flesh. I could hear his pounding heart.” Her dark eyes met his. “Much like I can hear yours now.”
    Gareth swallowed. “And you’re telling me this dream you had last night because…? Is this some attempt to make me jealous?”
    Jessamine stepped back. “It was no dream. And no, I’m not attempting to make you jealous. You’ll soon be my husband and protector. These are your lands and your village. The knight said he’d never been attacked like that before so this could be some new danger for your household and neighboring people. I thought you needed to know.”
    Gareth’s glare became even more acrid. “Protector? Have you been blind to the wheelchair I sit in, day-in and day-out? I’m in no position to be anyone’s protector. If that’s what you want, maybe you should flag down your flying knight and marry him instead.”
    Jessamine shook her head. “I came to you with this as a way to start building trust between us. You are not just some cripple stuck in a chair with nothing to offer. You’re a man with strengths and abilities. Honestly, I believe you think of your chair as an impediment much more than anyone else does.” Jessamine spun around. “Look, it’s not even in the room and you have to bring it up.” She stopped and a curious expression came over her lovely face. “How do you get around in here without your chair? How did you get to the mirror where you stand?”
    Gareth held her gaze while trying to think of an answer. Then he remembered that he needed to drive her away. He knew just how. “Like this.” Gareth hopped and hobbled toward the nearby chair. Before he got there he intentionally stumbled to the floor.
    Jessamine started toward him.
    “Don’t. I can do this.” Gareth crawled his way up the chair and sat. “This is how your future protector gets about without his chair. Do you think this attacker will fear me when he sees me crawling toward him? Or maybe he’ll worry I can run him down with my chair?” Gareth was yelling at that point. His face grew hot from his rage at having to move about in such an undignified manner in front of her. “Does this arouse you? Look at me, the man you will soon marry. Get a good look because this is what you will be chained to for the rest of your life. You want honesty? This is what I am without my chair. If you must have your title so much, then take it and get on the ship with it, along with Tabitha and your father. Let’s not pretend this marriage is about any more than your rung on the social ladder.”
    Tears pooled in Jessamine’s eyes and her lip quivered. “I didn’t mean to upset you or…cause you embarrassment.” She stepped toward him, reaching out her hand. “I’m really not…”
    “You’re not what? Interested in marrying me? Good. Go without the title. Even better. That way we have no ties at all. I’ll do this for Tabitha if I must, but don’t expect me to pretend to be happy about any of it. If it wasn’t for her needing a secure future I’d not suffer your presence a moment longer. Now get out of my room!”
    Jessamine blinked hard and stumbled toward the door. She turned to face Gareth one last time when she got there.