by Alexa Aston
The queen’s eyebrows rose. She looked at Avelyn. “You told me this was the practice in your family. I’ve seen it with your uncle and Lady Merryn. And I visited with Lord Geoffrey’s cousin, Raynor, and his wife, Beatrice, recently.”
“And my sister Elysande and Lord Michael are also a love match, your grace,” Avelyn added. She shrugged sheepishly. “I suppose it runs in our family.”
The queen looked to Geoffrey. “Lady Merryn also approves of this coupling?”
“Wholeheartedly, your grace.”
“Then I suppose we cannot stand in the way of true love.” She rose and the three of them followed suit. “I offer my congratulations to this happiest of couples, for I see in your eyes a love that shines. May you enjoy as many years together as the king and I have, and may your union be blessed with many, many children.”
They thanked the queen, who then said, “Lord Geoffrey, the king asked that I bring you to his chambers when we finished our conversation.”
“That would be most agreeable, your grace,” Geoffrey said.
“And you two—you may remain in my gardens till Lord Geoffrey returns for you.”
Philippa stepped away, keeping a fast pace for a woman of her age, allowing Geoffrey to guide her from the gardens. They watched until the pair turned and were gone from sight.
Avelyn found herself enveloped in Kenric’s arms.
“She quite frightened me,” he admitted to her.
“She has that effect on most people, but the queen has the kindest of hearts.”
He gazed down at her in love. “So where shall we marry, now that the queen has granted us permission? At Sandbourne, where your mother married? Or Shadowfaire, your new home?”
Avelyn thought a moment. “I believe we should wed at Kinwick. ’Tis where Elysande and Michael made their vows. And without Uncle Geoffrey’s quick thinking, Lady Doria would have been stuck at Shadowfaire, raising Wymund as the earl when you were the rightful owner.”
Kenric cupped her face tenderly. “I look at Lord Geoffrey and Lady Merryn and see their lives are full of love. I would have us be as they are—deeper in love with each passing day. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness, my love.”
His mouth captured hers in a kiss that signaled a new beginning. They had started their journey to love here in London and now they’d come full circle. As Avelyn returned Kenric’s kiss, she looked forward to all of their tomorrows.
Epilogue
Kenric rushed Avelyn into the de Montfort’s solar and closed the door. A fire burned in the hearth, bringing warmth to the room. He took her in his arms for a lingering kiss. As he pulled away, he stared at her, drinking in her beauty.
“I cannot quite believe you are mine.”
She teased, “You are stuck with me, my lord. For now—and till the end of time.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “’Twill never be enough for me. I could love you from now through eternity and ’twould never be long enough for me.”
Kenric bent and kissed her then, a gentle, reverent kiss that spoke of his great love for her. He would never be able to get enough of the woman before him. His wife. His life.
Avelyn broke the kiss. “I have something for you. A wedding present of sorts.”
“You do?” Curiosity caused him to scan the room. He spied a small bundle on the table, something wrapped in a linen handkerchief that stood next to a carafe of wine and two goblets.
“I hope it will please you.” She moved toward the table and poured both of them some wine. She handed him his goblet and took her own before tapping it gently against his. “To our life together.”
“Together. Forever.” He downed the wine and placed the goblet back on the table.
She sipped at hers before setting it down and picking up the wrapped cloth in both her hands.
“I had this made for you. Ancel helped with it. He is quite talented with engraving. I hope you will wear them with pride.”
Avelyn handed it to him. It was heavy, which only raised his interest. He placed the cloth in his left hand and unwrapped it with his right.
Lying in his hand, he discovered a pair of silver spurs, finely etched. Tears stung his eyes as he stared at them.
She wrapped her arms about him. “I know you kept the spurs that you hacked off, but they could never be attached to your boots again. I thought, since we were starting a new life together, you could begin again with a different pair of spurs.”
His throat grew thick. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
Avelyn squeezed him affectionately. “You are the most honorable man I know, Kenric Fairfax. I thought it only fitting that your long journey to honor should be recognized. And rewarded. I give you these silver spurs as a sign of my love and to confirm my belief in you as a man, a knight, and loving husband.”
Kenric’s arms encircled her. “I will wear these every day of my life, my love, and think of you each time I see them. You helped me find things in myself that I had forgotten. I know you will help me discover things I have never known.”
He kissed her long and hard and then swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. They would discover even more of themselves in the coming hours, days, and years.
And always be united. As one. In love.
The End
About the Author
As a child, Alexa Aston gathered her neighborhood friends together and made up stories for them to act out, her first venture into creating memorable characters. Following her passion for history and love of learning, she became a teacher who began writing on the side to maintain her sanity in a sea of teenage hormones.
Alexa’s historical romances use history as a backdrop to place her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire for one another grows into the treasured gift of love.
She is the author of The Knights of Honor, a medieval romance series that takes place in 14th century England during the reign of Edward III and centers on the de Montfort family. Each romance focuses on the code of chivalry that bound knights of this era.
A native Texan, Alexa lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She enjoys reading, watching movies and sports, and can’t get enough of Fixer Upper or Game of Thrones. Alexa also writes romantic suspense, western historicals, and standalone medieval novels as Lauren Linwood.
Alexa loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her through FB, Twitter, and her website: alexaaston.wordpress.com.
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