After years of never thinking about what happened after the war, he found himself yet again dwelling on what life was going to be like when battle was over, when he could ride the familiar hills and mountains, breathe in the sweet grass, and listen to the ocean's tides near his home every day, make love to a woman who stirred his blood and heart several times a day, if he pleased.
And the sky . . . He had only heard of it being blue and always imagined what it was like beyond the fog.
It would be a surprisingly pleasant life.
"This is all yours?" she asked, her hushed reverence for Black Moon Draw making him swell with pride.
"Aye. 'Tis."
"Have you ever thought about putting a cottage right there?" She pointed to the edge of the peninsula.
"Cottage?" he echoed. "My hold is there. 'Tis but half a day's ride." He indicated the place where the mountains, sea and hills met.
"That works I guess." There was a small smile on her face, one he wasn't certain how to interpret. "I can't believe this is your home."
"'Tis yours as well. Whether as my queen or my mistress."
"Don't start that shit again." She averted her gaze, but not before he saw the hurt in her eyes. Uncertain what caused it, he trailed as she began walking quickly, headed towards the dirt road winding among the low hills bordering the ocean.
He sensed a thaw without truly understanding her resistance to the idea of living there. The way her face lit up, she meant what she said about it being the most beautiful place she had ever seen. Why then, if sent here from another world, did she not welcome his offer?
The Shadow Knight began walking. It was not in his nature to dissect the mind of a woman, especially when he had offered the queen-ship to her without first breaking off his alliance with the Red Knight's sister.
If he did it before the end of the era, he risked alienating a kingdom he did not have time to combat, which meant he lost and his world was gone.
It was good she refused it. For now. That would change once the curse was broken. Of that, he had no doubt. He had lied about knowing a way to send her home to win her cooperation. Once he was able to offer her the position of becoming his queen, unencumbered by war or his betrothed, he was not going to take no for an answer.