Kiran gasped in shock, his soft lips pulling on her as she held him against her. His hands grabbed her waist, clenching, and she knew he would push her away. She pressed her body against his, her hands holding his face until she wanted to be done. He needed to see how unwilling she was to get any other man involved. She knew she couldn't involve anyone else. It was their bargain and it should be them who fulfilled it. No third party required.

To her complete surprise, Kiran's lips began to move, joining hers in the dance she had initiated. His hands pulled her closer, one clutching her back as he moved the other to the base of her skull, twining his slender fingers through her hair. His whole body shuddered and he sighed into her mouth.

Cara moaned into his mouth before pulling back, breathing hard. His eyes were dark, not yet red but not silver either. Almost like a burgundy in color, but they were alive with emotion.

He was panting too, his hand moving from her hair to her cheek, his thumb caressing the soft skin there. "Why did you do that?"

"Is there another?" Cara asked, slightly horrified. She had never thought to ask if his reserve was because he was already in love.

Kiran chuckled. "If I had a mate, you would not have gotten that far." He cocked his head. "There are eligible men in your town. Why have you not pursued one of them? Why do you continue to throw yourself at me?"

Cara bristled at his word choice but answered, "I fear I will end up an old maid if my only options are the men in town. None of them are worthy enough to be my husband."

"I didn't say you had to be wed. Although it is unusual for a woman of your age to be unwed, no matter her appearance."

She heard the underlying question in his tone. "I had no interest in marriage. I did not plan to bear children, or even have the desire to participate in courtship. Several women my age are married and bearing children, but what becomes of them now? Am I supposed to manage this farm and my children?"

Kiran furrowed his brow. "Your husband would tend the farm. It's a man's duty."

She recalled Betsy giving birth. A man would help with that? As far as she could remember, her mother had always tended the farm. We were fortunate enough not to have to handle any crops, our neighbor graciously bringing over what his family didn't use or sell.

Kiran broke away from their embrace, putting a good distance between them. "I shall tell the queen you have found someone and are attempting to woo him."

"But isn't that a lie?" Her heart ached from his distance, the space between them, and the chill in his voice.

"No, for you're trying to woo me. There is no need to provide further details than what I previously stated." He turned.

"Wait. Kiran!"

He looked over his shoulder, his face devoid of emotion and still as stone.

"You said before names are important. So, Kiran, I command you to return to me and bear children with me."

His eyes widened and then he laughed. "It seems you understand their importance. But Kiran isn't my true name." He sauntered off, disappearing into the forest, leaving her gaping like a fish.

His true name. What did that even mean? Did the Fae have more than one name? Kiran had to be his real name, for his sister had called him Kiran as well. He said she understood the importance of names. Were they used for commanding them? Could he command her since he knew her name?

Picking up the basket she had dropped in her haste to kiss Kiran, she cursed. The eggs had broken and were spilling over the gravel trail. She dug a small hole and buried the shells in it, then overturned the gravel to dispose of the yolks.

When she stood up, she noticed Deirdre on the border of their farm, arms crossed over her chest. Heaving a sigh, Cara braced herself for the worst. What had her mother seen?

***He kissed her back!***