A Promise Renewed

Alaric's words, laced with a teasing edge, instantly made Valerie's cheeks flush red. She raised her hand to push him away, but remembering his earlier claim of being injured, she paused. "Where's the injury? Is it serious? Let me see," she urged, clutching at Alaric's clothes, trying to get him to show her.

But Alaric had no intention of making Valerie worry after she'd gone through so much troub