by Kristen Cobb
“I am in love with Conri. Why would you say that?” Nessa did not even pretend to whisper or hide her annoyance at whatever his comment implied.
“Because it seems to me that you have already moved on.” Will actually glared at her.
“What are you talking about? Who is it that…” She stopped herself right there. Rory. Will thought there was something going on between her and Rory.
“You cannot do this to Conri. Rory is his closest friend.” Shockingly enough Will’s concern for Conri appeared to be genuine.
Nessa wanted to be angry with him for accusing her of such a blatant betrayal but found herself smiling instead. “Since when have you become so fond of Conri?” It reminded her of what an exceptional man Conri was, compassionate, understanding, brave, the list could go on and on.
“Since he helped me when no one else would. Why are you smiling? This is serious. The man loves you. How can you be so cruel?” Will’s voice carried loud enough to be heard at nearby tables. Their area of the hall suddenly became very quiet as everyone struggled to listen.
She had no way of explaining the situation without telling him everything. Right now Rory was the only one, other than Conri, who knew the truth of her involvement in the heinous plot to assassinate him. He knew all of her secrets, including why Conri was not here sitting next to her. She felt closer to Rory than anyone else currently sitting at the table, including Conor and Will. Explaining that without telling the whole story would make it sound as if she were in love with Rory. Nessa noticed a man at the next table poke the person seated beside him then point toward the double doors coming from the inner ward of the castle.
Her heart beat faster as she turned to follow the direction of the man’s gaze, desperately hoping to see Conri. Finally he appeared, walking through the hall beside Laurence. She should probably be excited to see Laurence but as always her attention focused entirely on Conri. Their eyes locked across the room. When he smiled her heart soared.
Nessa jumped up from the bench and nearly ran across the hall to him, her eyes never leaving his. Rather than throw herself at him she stopped an arms length away. It would be beyond embarrassing if her initial assessment proved wrong and he pushed her away.
“Oh Laurence I cannot believe you are here. It is so good to see you.” Laurence said it all in a mock female voice, an amused grin on his face.
Nessa could see Laurence out of the corner of her eye. Conri actually laughed, the sweetest sound she ever heard. Nessa threw her arms around Conri’s neck and held on tight. Closing her eyes she said a silent prayer of thanks.
Conri wrapped strong arms around her for a moment before gently prying her off. “Not that I am complaining but you act as if I have been gone for months.”
“I was not sure you would be able to forgive me. When you did not come to bed last night I just assumed you were angry.” The overwhelming relief she felt could not be overstated.
“You told me Dermot was considering an attack on the castle. I had to make certain we were prepared. That is no small undertaking. I have been busy.” Conri leaned in close. “I will make it up to you tonight.
“You most certainly will not.” Laurence’s indignant tone conveyed disapproval in no uncertain terms.
Laurence suddenly had Conri’s full attention and he did not appear happy. “She is my wife. While I appreciate your concern I…”
“She is not your wife yet.” Laurence met Conri’s direct stare with one of his own, no stranger to dealing with powerful men.
“Irish law does not require a ceremony. We have made our vows to each other.” Conri widened his stance ever so slightly as if preparing for battle.
“But the Catholic Church does. You will not share her bed without the benefit of a formal ceremony while I am under this roof.” Laurence stood just a bit taller, attempting to make himself appear more imposing.
Nessa could not contain the smile that crossed her face as she watched Laurence try to intimidate Conri, the very idea ludicrous. Conri was laden with weapons, had most likely killed hundreds, possibly even thousands of men in battle, and could probably throw Laurence across the room even though they were close to the same height. Nessa laid a hand on Conri’s shoulder. “You must be exhausted. Why not get some sleep tonight. I will find other accommodations for the evening.”
“You can sleep in my wife’s room.” Rory’s voice came from behind her.
Nessa turned to face their king. Conri wound his arms around her from behind, the feel of his warm muscular body pressed intimately against hers beyond distracting. It made her want to drag him upstairs. Nessa leaned back against Conri’s chest, closed her eyes and sighed. Her eyes flew open when she realized what her gaze caught a glimpse of in Rory’s hand. A sword with something green on the end of the hilt.
Rory held a sword firmly in his grasp, hanging down by his waist. She could just barely see what appeared to be something green embedded in the hilt, his hand blocking a full view of it. Her eyes flew up to meet his, silently asking if this was her surprise.
Rory held out the sword for her inspection, one hand lying gently beneath the flat of the blade. “Yes, this is your surprise, although I see you do not need cheering up any longer.”
She had no idea what to say. No one ever commissioned a weapon just for her before. The green object embedded in the hilt made that obvious. He chose it to match her eyes. It was the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever given her.
“It is only green glass. I did not have time to find an emerald large enough to embed in the hilt. As it is Fergus has been working night and day to have it ready in time for your wedding.” Rory held the weapon out just a bit further, encouraging her to take it.
Conri pulled back, releasing her arms from his embrace. Nessa simply stood there for a moment inspecting every detail of the sword. It was a beautiful weapon. His generosity momentarily overwhelmed her, especially after revealing that she came here to assassinate him.
Rather than take the sword Nessa knelt on the floor in front of him, her knees pushing through the rushes to the dirt floor beneath. “My king.” Nessa bowed her head in homage. She looked up to find Rory gazing down at her with the same intense emotion she was feeling. “I vow to protect you with my life.”
Rory held the sword down to her, one hand under the hilt, the other beneath the flat of the blade. Nessa wrapped her hand around the hilt, lifting it from his hands. Rory held out a hand to help her up. A thunderous cheer erupted in the hall as she took his hand and stood.
10
“You look beautiful. I have never seen anything like it.” The awe in Glenna’s voice was reflected on her face.
“My son is going to be stunned.” Etain sat on the bed smiling.
They were in Rory’s wife’s chamber. He generously allowed her to use it last night. Staying away from Conri proved to be one of the most difficult things she had ever done. The urge to sneak over to the other tower and slip into bed beside him kept her awake half the night. This wedding could not happen fast enough. Laurence was completely immovable on the subject even though Conri made it clear he thought the entire concept ludicrous. Thinking back on the conversation the two of them had in the great hall last night over dinner put a smile on her face. Conri became very specific in his argument by listing all the places they joined their bodies. Laurence put his hands over his ears at that point, glaring at Conri. The list was actually quite extensive. Etain appeared a bit embarrassed and attempted to scold him. The fact that Conri merely grinned at his mother rather than make a derogatory comment provided an indication of how far their relationship had already progressed.
“He has never seen me in a dress.” She could not even remember the last time she wore a dress. It felt incredibly odd, as if she were in someone else’s body. The garment was beautiful but it did not belong on her. While she teetered on the verge of telling Etain and Glenna that she wanted to change back into her normal everyday clothing the door opened.
Rory walk
ed in. He stopped just inside the threshold without closing the door. Staring at her as if in shock the man who always had something to say appeared speechless.
Nessa had no idea if his reaction should be taken as a compliment or an insult. “I am changing into my normal clothes. I have no idea why I thought…”
“You will do no such thing.” Rory shut the door behind him. “You are stunning. Get used to people staring because there will be a lot of that tonight.” Rory walked over to the wooden chest at the end of the bed. Lifting the lid he reached inside, pulling out a small wooden box. “I have come to walk you downstairs but first that dress needs one more thing.” Rory set the box on the bed.
Etain stood up. “Glenna and I will meet you downstairs.” Walking over to the door Etain assumed Glenna followed behind her. Instead Glenna remained beside the bed scowling at Rory. “Come Glenna, give them some privacy.”
Glenna’s scowl only darkened. “I do not think…”
“Glenna!” Etain’s pale green eyes blazed at the obstinate shifter.
All three of them turned to look at the normally meek woman, shocked by the outburst. Glenna shot Rory one last glaring gaze then made her way, reluctantly, toward the door.
Nessa waited until they were alone before saying a word, afraid Glenna would start ranting about her relationship with Rory like Will did last night. Obviously Glenna agreed with Will. “They all seem to think we are having an affair behind Conri’s back.”
Rory pulled what looked like a pile of gold links out of the box. “I would never do that to Conri. To say I admire him does not even begin to cover how I feel about the man you are about to marry. Besides, I am the one that brought you two together.”
Nessa thought about the comment as Rory closed the wooden box, placing it back inside the chest. Closing the lid on the chest he let the gold links drop from his hand. It was a belt made of medium sized golden circlets. Rory wrapped it around her waist. Carefully selecting a link to attach the clasp he made certain the belt hung off her hip just so.
“This belongs to my wife but as you can see she is not here. Someone might as well get some use out of it.” Rory studied the golden belt at her waist for a moment then nodded as if pleased with the result.
“What if she shows up? She might be…”
“My wife is not coming. She would already be here if she were. Put it back tomorrow and she will never know.” There was a sad resignation in the way Rory spoke about his wife.
“Do you love her?” A bold, almost intrusive question but knowing his wife stayed away made her wonder. Did she shun him because he slept with so many other women or did he sleep with so many other women because his wife shunned him?
“No. Our marriage never had anything to do with love.” Rory’s answer was immediate and decisive.
“Have you ever been in love?” Nessa walked around to the other side of the bed, picking up her sword and sheath. The green ball of glass embedded in the hilt appeared to glow as the candlelight traveled through it.
Rory seemed to consider the question seriously for a moment before answering. It was telling that he had to think about it. “Not the way you love Conri. He is a lucky man. You have sacrificed a great deal to be with him.”
Nessa lifted the sword and scabbard over her head, adjusting its position until the strap across her chest was set in a comfortable position.
“You are wearing the sword?” Rory’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. Apparently he did not approve.
“A true warrior never goes anywhere without their weapon. What if someone were to threaten your life during tonight’s celebration. How would I protect you?” She felt a bit more comfortable with the weapon strapped to her back.
“You are a shape-shifter with magical powers. I think you would manage.” Rory grinned as he walked over and needlessly adjusted the placement of the sword at her back.
“But you gave me this sword.” She left the words that makes it special unsaid.
Rory looked into her eyes. “Would you truly have been able to kill me?”
The image of her attempting to poison Rory always ended the same. At the last moment she would knock the goblet from his hand. “No.”
For a moment it appeared as if he might say something then changed his mind. Instead he held out his hand. “Shall we. I do believe there is a rather impatient immortal downstairs waiting for his bride.”
Nessa placed her hand in Rory’s, feeling a smile spread across her face as an image of Conri formed in her mind. He would be downstairs waiting in front of the dais, Laurence in his plain brown frock standing with him.
They quietly left the room heading down the tower stairs, the narrow stairwell forcing her to walk behind him. Rory had somehow procured her a new pair of shoes that fit perfectly. They were highly impractical for everyday use. Unlike her boots they did not go over her ankle. Only one layer of cowhide covered the bottom. The top was made from a white cloth similar to that of the dress. She could feel the cold of the stone steps right through the bottom of the shoes.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs she remembered what Rory said about being the one to bring her and Conri together. “You assigned Conri to guard me on purpose, forcing us to spend time together. How could you have known?” There was no way Rory had the sight.
He grinned as they headed down the candlelit hallway toward the great hall. “I knew you were perfect for him when you refused to leave and very calmly threatened me with punitive action if I did not comply with your wishes. Beautiful, bold, and arrogant, a lethal combination.”
“You really do care about him?” Nessa stopped as they approached the entrance to the hall.
“Very much. He believed in me when no one else did. Conri stood by me through some of the most trying times in my life. I would do just about anything for that man.” There was no charming grin on Rory’s face now. “I am thankful he will have someone by his side long after I am gone. It gives me a great deal of peace to know he will not be forced to continue wandering the world alone.”
Nessa threw her arms around Rory’s neck. “Thank you.” It was all she could manage to say as tears began to form in her eyes. His gift meant more than he would ever know. Without his manipulation she might not be getting married today.
Rory hugged her back. “You are most welcome.”
Pulling away Nessa smoothed the front of her dress then wiped at her eyes to clear the few lone tears clouding her vision.
Rory held out his hand. “I do believe it is time for the king’s raven to marry her mate.”
Nessa placed her hand in his, watching their hands as his fingers wrapped around hers. “The king’s raven?”
“Well we cannot call you Dermot’s druidess any longer.” Rory led them through the stone archway into the great hall.
All other thoughts flew from her mind as Nessa spotted Conri standing in front of the dais. The hall was filled to bursting with people but they left a clear path open between the archway and the dais. Rory walked her slowly over to Conri. He looked as he always did, incredibly handsome in a black tunic, sword strapped to his back, light brown hair ever so slightly disheveled. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Laurence standing in front of Conri on the dais. Conri was staring in wide-eyed astonishment, looking her over repeatedly from head to toe.
When they reached the dais Rory placed her hand in Conri’s then stepped back to stand behind them. Conri wrapped his hand around hers. He was still staring at her as if he could not believe his eyes. Rory had been right about wearing the dress. He had been right about so many things.
Laurence cleared his throat to get their attention since they were looking at each other rather than facing him.
Conri grinned, still looking at her rather than Laurence. “Sorry father but I cannot seem to look at you when there is a goddess standing next to me.”
An enormous smile crossed her face as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I love you.”
Conri pulled her
even closer. His lips descended on hers, sealing their union. Nessa returned his passion, matching it with her own. They might as well have been alone in the hall for all they cared about their audience. His hands slid down her back eliciting a soft moan of pleasure.
Laurence cleared his throat again, louder this time. “It is not time for that yet.”
Conri groaned, reluctantly pulling away. “Apparently we are changing the order.” With a mischievous grin Conri turned to face Laurence. “You may proceed now. I will make every effort to control myself.”
“See that you do.” Laurence tried his best to appear stern but the joy sparkling in his eyes was impossible to ignore.
Nessa rolled over onto Conri. Crossing her arms on his chest she sighed loudly. He was pretending to be asleep. Laying her chin on her hands she studied his face, committing the moment to memory. The candle burning on the bedside table cast flickering shadows across his handsome face.
“Go to sleep wife. You have worn me out.” She could tell he was trying not to grin as the corners of his mouth began to curl, his eyes still closed.
“I am sorry that I did not tell you about Dermot’s plan sooner.” This particular topic had been on her mind since he walked into the great hall yesterday and smiled at her.
Conri’s eyes opened. “We have only known each other for a matter of weeks, although it seems much longer. I cannot imagine how much sooner you could have told me. You had no reason to trust me when we first met.”
“You were actually rather obnoxious. If not for Rory forcing us to spend time together I am not so certain we would be lying here right now.” She would be forever grateful for their king’s meddlesome manipulation, giving her a life beyond her wildest dreams.
Conri smiled up at her, well aware of his less than friendly demeanor. “And you are the worst assassin ever but I am thankful you agreed to Dermot’s plan. It brought you to me.”
“Which is exactly where I intend to stay.” Nessa leaned up on one elbow and blew out the candle. Laying her head next to Conri’s on the straw pillow she snuggled in close to the warmth of his body, throwing an arm across his chest.
