He chuckles; reaching out he cradles her cheek with his hand, "Aye, you should do well to watch your tongue, maiden; not because you don't deserve to have your voice heard but because I fear the day the man on the other side of such a verbal lashing will retaliate against you."

When she looks up at him and their eyes meet, he stares deep into her soul as if searching for something. The way he looks at her, so kindly, so adoringly, causes her to flush. She thinks that perhaps, she loves him.

"Quell," she says softly, "About last night..." Her heart races, almost choking her.

He presses his...