Page 63 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Brenna

E mrys stood at the door, patient while Brenna paced. Heat rolled off her skin in her anger. “You knew who I was, and you didn’t tell me.”

He ducked his head. “My light, I was unsure until recently. Then I was concerned for your safety.”

“What do you mean?” she said, turning on her heel and facing him.

“Your mother hid you away to protect you.”

“From what? A prophecy?” Brenna asked, pressing her hands against her corseted top. The jewels were sharp under her fingers.

“The Lord of Summer tried to kill you as an infant.”

“Because I’m some sort of threat?” Her voice rose.

“No, you are not a threat. But Elio believed so, and others would as well.”

“How do you know?”

“We can review the prophecy, but I know you are not a threat to the fae. Being powerful does not make you dangerous. You are their new queen.” Emrys tucked her hair behind her ear, trailing his finger over the gold cuffs. “We have a seer ready to marry us under the moon in under two hours.”

“Two hours,” she echoed. “My father is Daryan, Cerne’s exiled friend.” The stories she had heard began to click together in her mind. “He is here.”

Frowning, Emrys ran his hand down her arm and took her hand. “I’m sorry, Daryan left immediately after the battle. I had to compel him to come and help, and once the task was complete, he departed.”

“Compel?”

“With my blood magic. It was a combination of crafts that exiled him, tied to his blood through me.”

“Did he know about us?” she asked, her eyes falling to the carpeted floor.

“No.” Emrys ran his thumb over her knuckles. “But we can contact him if you wish. But not before our wedding and coronation. Right now, we must prepare.”

“I don’t know what to do,” she said. “What is expected of me?”

Exhaustion and desperation fought to overwhelm her, until only his touch anchored her.

He kissed her forehead. “Attendants will get you ready. And then we will recite vows and seal it with a kiss. It is nothing to worry about.”

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. Sighing, Emrys rubbed his hands down her arms. His voice was low and warm. “It will be fine. Try to relax. I have to go. The court rulers should have decided by now if we are to be the next high king and queen. Servants will be here soon to help you.”

“I have to talk to my sister,” she said. “She is probably worried sick right now.”

Emrys sighed. “There is no time to go to her, but if you write her a letter, I will have it delivered.”

“Thank you,” she said faintly.

“You’ll find supplies in the desk. I’ll have someone fetch you in a bit.” He buried his fingers in her hair and kissed her soundly. When his mouth was on hers, it felt as if everything would be alright. And then he was gone.

Brenna brushed the delicate petals of the flowers crowning her brow. Spiky dahlias, delicate cannas, and ruffled ranunculus woven together with more flowers she couldn’t identify, all of them a deep crimson.

Her hair spiraled over her shoulders, but the attendants had intertwined small braids with golden beads, so her hair sparkled when she moved. She was exhausted, but they had to wed tonight if they were to be crowned in the morning’s light.

“Are you ready, my lady?” A petite nymph addressed her. His hair was moss and his skin a soft green to match. He smiled up at her politely. She wondered if he had served Queen Araluen, and guilt prickled at her. She didn’t mean to replace the elegant high queen, but it was what was necessary.

“Yes, I think so,” Brenna said. Her fingers tangled as she tried to keep from messing up the beautiful makeup and finery the attendants had created.

“Right this way,” he said, opening the door for her.

Tayen waited in the hall. His injuries were healed, but dark circles shadowed his eyes. “You look lovely, Brenna,” he said softly.

She rushed forward and threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Of course,” he murmured. “Cerne and Ayala are waiting outside already, but I hoped to walk you.” She linked her arm through his, and it felt familiar and reassuring.

He leaned close enough that the servants trailing them would not overhear.

“Are you sure I can’t talk you out of this?

” It sounded like a jest, but his eyes were deadly serious.

“No, I have to do this,” she said, resolute. “And I want to.”

Tayen was quiet for a moment as they walked. “I truly hope he makes you happy and doesn’t hurt you. But if he does, I will be here.”

“Tayen,” she said, her stomach feeling hollow at his declaration. “I love you. Thank you for being my friend.”

He smiled, but it faded. Frowning, Brenna tugged on his arm. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” His smile was back, brighter.

“Tayen.”

Exhaling, he ran his fingers through his curls. “I do not want to share my troubles at your wedding.”

“We aren’t there yet, and it’s not normal circumstances. So please tell me.”

Tayen swallowed and glanced down at her. “I spoke with Eladin before he left, and he no longer wishes to see me.”

“What?” she yelped. “Why?”

“He is the crown prince now, and that comes with certain expectations. ”

“Tayen, I am so sorry.” She slowed, placing her other hand on his shoulder. “I am sure he regrets that already. And perhaps things will work out after all.” The pain in his eyes stopped her words.

“I’m afraid you have bigger concerns,” Tayen cleared his throat, resuming their walk. Servants waited in the entry hall to open the looming doors for them. “What about your sister?”

Brenna held her breath for a moment. “I’m doing this for her. As queen, I can pardon her.”

Tayen’s voice was soft, just for her. “We can find another way. Do not marry him if that is your reason.”

“It’s not. But the urgency is to do with that.”

He nodded, accepting her answer.

A million stars glimmered overhead as they descended the stairs.

Emrys waited upon a stallion draped in lace, garnet fabric over a coat of night.

He lifted her up to sit before him, his arm snaking around her waist securely.

As they rode through Court Tara, he whispered praise and promises of their life together with his lips to her neck.

Nobles waited along the ramparts and bridges to witness their marriage ceremony. Brenna’s heart raced, not knowing what to expect. The night air nipped at her bare feet, making her feel like a child.

At the edge of the river, Emrys dismounted. She slid off the horse into his arms, closing her eyes in a moment of comfort before facing the expanse of flowing water and the wide arc of fae witnessing.

Hand in hand, they walked into the water to the point the two rivers converged once more before branching out as they reached for the sea. The icy current rippled over her toes and tugged at her dress. She shivered from the cold.

Emrys leaned close and ran his hands over her arms, using her own magic to warm her skin.

His palms skimmed down her forearms until he captured her hands.

He was so handsome with crimson flowers matching the shade of his eyes, his skin a milky tone in the moonlight.

The way he looked at her, she felt treasured.

She glanced at Tayen, standing with Ayala and Cerne along the bridge.

The only thing that would make it better was if Meara was there too.

But that was not allowed. Tomorrow she could pardon her sister and free her.

Surely Meara could forgive the rushed wedding when it meant her freedom.

Brenna took a slow, calming breath as she reminded herself of that.

Meara had never failed her, and now that she had the chance to save her, she would not fall short.

Emrys squeezed her hand, and she smiled up at him. His expression was soft, but somber, as the seer approached. The sylph wore long, flowing robes that trailed in the water. Moonstone adorned her neck and hair.

She led them in repeating vows, and Brenna echoed Emrys, each word sending her pulse pounding in her ears and drowning out the river.

“By moonlight and sunfire,

I pledge my soul to yours.

As constant as the river’s flow,

I bind my heart to you.

May our bond be as ancient as the star’s song

and as enduring as the mountain’s stone.”

Emrys grinned, lifting her hands to show that her palms were glowing. Brenna’s anxiety fell away and she smiled back, letting Emrys tug her forward by their joined hands. He dipped her sideways and kissed her.

Clapping resonated around them, but Brenna could think of nothing but his lips on hers. Her flower crown began to slip, and she grabbed it. Emrys lifted her back onto her feet, leaning down to kiss her once more.

“My wife,” he growled, “and my queen.”

All she could do was reach up and pull his face down to meet hers again. The seer officiating walked away, leaving them standing with the shallow river rippling around them as they pressed closer, his hand firm on the small of her back as she clung to his jacket.

“Come, we should celebrate,” Emrys said. He swept her up, sending a spray of water into the air from the hem of her dress. With haste, he carried her to his horse. They rode up the hill to the castle, to the king’s palace that would soon be theirs.

She leaned against him, relieved the ceremony was over. Emrys placed brief kisses along the shell of her ear before pulling her hair to the side and kissing the nape of her neck. She sighed as his teeth scraped the sensitive skin there.

“I can’t wait to get you back to our rooms,” he murmured.

She rested her head back against his shoulder. “I believe there is a feast in our honor. Our attendance is expected.”

“I don’t care.”

“I’d like to go,” she said gently.

Emrys sighed. “For you.”

“Thank you, husband,” she said, testing out the word. His grip across her stomach tightened, clearly liking the word.

“By the way, I sent a summons to your brother. I thought you’d like to meet him,” he said.

“My brother?” She blinked.

“Yes, you are the younger sister of Amadi, the Lord of Spring. He is a kind faerie, and I think you will like him.”