Ronin opened his mouth, then closed it, his blue eyes dark with pain.

CHAPTER 30

JILLIAN COULDN’T STOP SMILING. IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE not to in the midst of such excitement. How Grimm managed to continue looking so somber was beyond her comprehension.

She spared a glance at him, which she nearly begrudged because everywhere else she looked she found something enchanting and Grimm looked so miserable it depressed her. She knew she should feel more compassion for his plight, but it was difficult to feel empathy when his family was so overjoyed to welcome him back into the fold. And what a magnificent fold it was.

Gavrael, she corrected herself silently. Rather than motioning her to join them after he’d greeted his da, he’d sprinted back to get her so they could ride in together. Surrounded by the cheering crowd, he’d explained to her that when he’d left Tuluth years ago he’d assumed a new name. His real name, although he insisted she continue calling him Grimm, was Gavrael Roderick Icarus McIllioch.

She sighed dreamily. Jillian Alanna McIllioch; said aloud it was a tumble of l’s that rolled euphonically. She had no doubt that Grimm would marry her once they’d settled in.

Grimm tightened his grip on her hand and whispered her name to get her attention. “Jillian, come back from wherever you are. Balder’s going to show us to our chambers, and we’ll get you warm and fed.”

“Oh, I feel much better, Grimm,” she said absently, marveling over a beautiful sculpture that adorned the hall. She trundled after Balder and an assortment of maids happily holding Grimm’s hand. “This castle is enormous, breathtaking. How could you have ever thought it was dark and dreary?”

He gave her a glum look. “I haven’t a blethering clue,” he muttered.

“Here’s your room, Gavrael—” Balder began.

“Grimm.”

“Lad.” Balder stared him down levelly. “And Merry here will see Jillian to hers,” he said pointedly.

“What?” Grimm was momentarily dumbfounded. Now that she was his, how could he sleep without Jillian in his arms?

“Room.” Balder gestured impatiently. “Yours.” He turned abruptly to a dainty maid. “And Merry here will show Jillian to hers.” His blue eyes reflected a cool challenge.

“I will see Jillian to hers myself,” Grimm begrudged after a tense pause.

“As long as you see yourself right back out of it, lad, go on ahead. But you’re not married, so doona be thinkin’ you can act like you are.”

Jillian flushed.

“No reflection on you, lass,” Balder hastened to assure her. “I can see you’re a fine lady, but this boy is randy as a goat around you and it’s plain to see. If he seeks the joys of wedded bliss, he can wed you. Without a weddin’ he’ll be havin’ no bliss.”

Grimm flushed. “Enough, Balder.”

Balder arched a brow and frowned. “And try to be a bit nicer to your da, lad. The man did give you life, after all.” With that he turned and blustered down the hall, his proud chin jutting like the prow of a ship breaking waves.

Grimm waited until he had disappeared from sight, then sought directions from the maid. “I’ll escort Jillian to her chambers,” he informed the elfin-looking Merry. To the cluster of maids he said, “See to it that we have a steaming tub and”—he glanced at Jillian worriedly—“what kind of food might your stomach tolerate, lass?”

Anything and everything, Jillian thought. She was famished. “Lots,” she said succinctly.

Grimm smiled faintly, finished giving the maids instructions, and escorted Jillian to her rooms.

As they entered the rooms, Jillian exhaled a sigh of pleasure. Her chambers were every bit as luxuriously appointed as the rest of Maldebann. Four tall windows graced the west wall of the bedroom, and from there she could watch the sun set over the mountains. Snowy lambskin rugs covered the floors. The bed was carved of burnished cherry that had been polished to a vibrant luster and canopied with sheer white linen. A cheery fire burned in an enormous fireplace.

“How are you feeling, Jillian?” Grimm shut the door and drew her into his arms.

“I’m much better now,” she assured him.

“I know this must all be quite shocking—”

Jillian kissed him, silencing further words. He seemed startled by the gesture, then kissed her back so urgently it caused her toes to curl with anticipation. She clung to the kiss, spinning it out as long as she could, trying to imbue him with courage and love, for she suspected he’d be needing it. Then she forgot her noble intentions as desire sizzled between them.