He listened, head tilted to the side. "You would dictate who I kill?"
I shook my head. "I would ask you to make that decision but to weigh the risk or danger to us rather than kill indiscriminately. I, in turn, will trust your judgment to determine who that is and never doubt you. I know how honorable you are." My mouth went dry. Nervousness set in, the kind of anxiety I knew stemmed from my experience with Taylor. There was no red flag in my mind at the prospect of marrying Batu, but the scars of Taylor remained.
He was thinking it over, gaze glued to mine. I had asked only what I felt I needed for us to make it without me flipping out eventually over him murdering people.
"Yes, Moonbeam. I will bend my will as you ask," he said softly.
"Then I will be your wife." Holy shit. I was starting to panic. It had nothing to do with Batu and everything to do with the emotions I hadn't dealt with yet originating from my trip to the Old West. The sense of detachment crept upon me, and I wobbled.
He closed the distance between us and rested his hands on my hips. I leaned into him, steadied by his heated strength. "Hear me, see me, touch me, taste me," he whispered and kissed me.
I focused on him, on how his arousal was thick and hard at my belly and the flavor of his mouth stoked a fire that never really went out and burned solely for him. A lifetime with Batu …
It wasn't enough. I didn't think any amount of time ever could be. I wrapped my arms around his neck and broke off the kiss, burying my face against his chest to breathe his scent. He held me tightly, his warmth engulfing me.
"You are frightened?" he asked, lips moving against my ear.
"A little. I cared about Taylor. It hurt losing him. But Batu, if I lost you …" I couldn't even register the idea.
"You will not."
You don't know that. I had no idea if I was free and clear of Carter and Taylor's people. I hoped that, if they hadn't found me by now, they wouldn't. I had been in this place and time for over three months. But if they did … the issue was what might happen to Batu, if he'd meet the same fate as Taylor.
"I must deal with my uncle. Wait for me here," Batu said and eased away.
I almost asked what he intended to do - but stopped. I had promised to trust his judgment, and I meant to do so, no matter what that meant.