47 I Will Make You Mine

"So what happened five years ago is something you think is important? Why?"

Daemond paused. He reached out and grabbed a strand of Annica's hair. 

To Annica's surprise, he then tucked it back behind Annica's ear.

"A man like me is a man of duty, Annica," Daemond answered in a soft voice. "I can't just think about myself to the point of forgetting other important things, like the future of the Navaell Kingdom, for example. As long as I live, there is nothing more important than that."

Daemond lowered his head to kiss the top of Annica's head. He then continued, "I know you blame me for what happened to your father. I also know that I shouldn't have allowed you to stay here. But I did. Do you know why? I did it not because I underestimated you. Not at all. I'm sure you were capable of killing me if I gave you the chance. But I kept you because I couldn't let you go."

Annica didn't know what to say. Had the man just confessed his feelings?