Page 90 of Love Me Forever

“I am a lucky man.”

“That you are,” she agreed, “and I will show you how lucky tonight.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Promise?”

“Promise,” she whispered softly and sealed it with a kiss.

Anne and Brianna grinned as the couple turned their attention to them, Ian’s eyes widened when he saw his sister. “You look radiant, Brianna.”

“I feel radiant,” she said, certain she would continue to smile the day away.

“All is ready in the hall, and Royce grows impatient,” Ian said with a chuckle.

Brianna walked up to her brother and slipped her arm around his. “And I am just as impatient.”

“Then let us go and celebrate this glorious occasion.”

Moira and Anne proceeded them through the door and hurried ahead of them into the great hall. A fire roared in the large hearth, the mantel draped with greenery, pines, and berries. The tables were prepared for a feast with a variety of foods and drinks. The hall was packed with villagers and Royce’s men, all scrubbed clean and dressed in their best garments.

The cleric who was to perform the ceremony stood before the dais in his plain brown robe clutching a book and staring at Royce. The poor little man looked frightened to death, and she could not blame him. Royce looked intimidating, dressed in his finest garments with his shiny sword draped at his side, and the scar on his face reminding all of his courage and strength.

Royce smiled at her when their eyes met, and though they were only a few steps apart, she wanted to hurry to his side, grab hold of his hand, and never let go.

He seemed to feel the same, for he did not wait, he took the extra steps to her and eagerly took her from her brother.

“Keep her safe,” Ian said to him before releasing his sister.

“You have my word,” Royce said and took hold of Brianna’s hand.

They took their places before the cleric, ready to exchange vows.

The little man began to speak, but his voice faltered, and he had to take a moment to clear his throat. When he spoke again, his voice trembled, but this time he was persistent, and after several minutes his trembling subsided, and he spoke the Lord’s words with confidence.

Brianna barely heard his words, her attention focused on Royce and the way he looked at her. He loved her; she could see it in his eyes, it was written on his face, and she could feel it in her heart. She had never thought she would find such a strong love, and a small part of her continued to fear that this was all a dream.

Royce seemed to understand and squeezed her hand, as if letting her know that he was there beside her and that this was all real and that soon, very soon they would be husband and wife.

It was, however, not soon enough for Brianna. She wanted the ceremony done and finished. She wanted to be his right this very moment, and she could not say why it was so very important to her, but it was.

The words were slow in coming from the cleric, or perhaps it was Brianna’s own impatience that made them seem so. When finally, their vows were exchanged, she wanted to cry with joy, but there was more to the ceremony and she would need to be patient.

When it was done, the last word spoken, the cleric finally quiet, Brianna looked to Royce and her smile grew wide. He took her into his arms, shouts of joy and cheers filled the hall, and Royce whispered in her ear, “I love you from the depths of my soul.”

Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she pressed close to him, needing to know he was real, this was real, and that they were husband and wife. “I thank God for you.”

They kissed and the cheers grew louder.

They were briefly lost in their own world, and then family and friends crowded them, offering congratulations and demanding that it was time to celebrate.

Royce whispered in her ear so none could hear, “Later it will be just you and I, and we will love.”

She squeezed his hand in response and smiled, already impatient for the celebration to be over and yet looking forward to sharing this joyous time with family and friends.

A sudden chill descended over her. A strange chill, for the hall was warm and comfortable, and she could not understand where the chill came from.

“Are you all right?” Royce asked, drawing her close to him.

She nodded, feeling foolish. She had nothing to fear—Royce was now her husband and would protect her. He was, after all, a legendary warrior, and few would dare go up against him.