Damien stepped down the first step and took her hand, his warm one enveloping hers.
Aurora stared into his eyes. His dark orbs were full of happiness and love. He stared at her with joy and tenderness. She smiled back at him.
He helped her up the final two stairs to where the bishop stood. He was a tall and imposing figure. Aurora had met him long ago when her father had visited England. He nodded to her.
She and Damien stood before him, hand in hand.
The bishop looked at the gathered crowd. “Does anyone know of any reason why this couple should not be married, speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Aurora glanced at Damien to find him looking at Gawyn. For a moment, tension seeped into her body. She glanced at Gawyn over her shoulder.
Gawyn smiled and shook his head.
“Very well,” the bishop said, drawing Aurora’s attention. “Damien, wilt thou have this woman for thy wedded wife, wilt thou love her and honor her, keep her and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and forsaking all others on account of her, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Damien’s look scorched Aurora. He nodded. “I will.”
“Aurora, wilt thou have this man for thy wedded husband, wilt thou love him and honor him, keep him and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all others on account of him, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Aurora squeezed Damien's hand. “I will.”
Damien looked at the bishop who nodded. He then looked at Aurora. “I, Damien, take thee Aurora as my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it. And thereto I plight thee my troth.” He kissed her hands.
“I, Aurora, take thee Damien as my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it. And thereto I plight thee my troth.”
“The rings,” the bishop called softly.
Gawyn stepped forward, digging inside his pocket until he came up with two rings. He glanced at them and then handed one to Aurora and one to Damien.
Aurora took the ring and slid it onto Damien’s finger.
Damien took Aurora’s hand into his and slid the ring onto her finger. She glanced down at it and her mouth dropped slightly. It was a golden band etched with a red rose. It looked like her mother’s ring, but different. There was a heart on the bottom of the rose. She lifted her gaze.
“You will always have my heart,” he whispered.
Tears filled her eyes and she launched herself into his arms, squeezing him tightly.
He barely caught her and had to take a step back in his surprise. His low rumble of laughter shook her body.
She pulled back to look him in the eyes. His wonderful black eyes.
"I love you," Damien said softly with tenderness.
Tears rose in her eyes to blur her vision. Those cursed tears, wavering his handsome image.
He dipped his head to press his lips against hers.
“You may kiss…” the bishop began, but he stopped and sighed. “You’re doing a fine job.”
Laughter came from those close enough to hear.
When they separated, Aurora had only a moment to compose herself. Her insides shook with joy. She couldn’t quite erase the smile that she wore on her lips. Together, she and Damien, hand in hand, turned to their guests.
“I present the Lord and Lady of Acquitaine,” the bishop announced.
--- The End ---
Beloved in His Eyes
A Medieval Romance Novel
Laurel O’Donnell
Beloved in His Eyes Copyright
Copyright © 2018 by Laurel O’Donnell
Visit Laurel's website at: www.laurel-odonnell.com
Published by ODONNELL BOOKS
All rights reserved. No part of this historical romance ebook may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems – except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews – without permission in writing from its author, Laurel O’Donnell. Please purchase only authorized editions of this work and do not encourage or participate in electronic piracy. Your support of the author’s rights, and hard work creating this book, is greatly appreciated.
The characters and events portrayed in this medieval romance novel are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
A Note from Laurel
My Dear Reader –
Welcome to Beloved in His Eyes!
This is the story of Gawyn, Damien’s brother from Angel’s Assassin. While it isn’t necessary to read Angel’s Assassin or Cherished Protector of Her Heart first, I recommend it as it establishes a bit of background for this story.
Gawyn has gone through his own challenges and obstacles in Angel’s Assassin, but at the start of Beloved in His Eyes he is settled and living with his brother. The stories take place in the fictional city of Acquitaine. While there is a real Aquitaine that is situated in France, the city where Gawyn lives lies somewhere in England.
Without further ado, I bring you Beloved in His Eyes!
Welcome to my world!
Laurel
Chapter 1
Gawyn leaned against the stone wall in the solar of Castle Acquitaine, his arms crossed over his chest. He couldn’t keep the grin from his lips as he watched his brother pace before the chair where his brother’s wife, Lady Aurora of Acquitaine, sat. It amused him to see Damien fight such a losing battle.
Damien was tall and imposing. He had an intense aura that frightened most people. Everyone except Aurora. His brows furrowed in concern and determination, his jaw clenched. He shook his head, his dark hair swaying over his strong shoulders. “I don’t think you should go into town,” Damien said to his wife. “Not today. The Hungars are angry with your decision to impose sanctions on trade with them.”
Aurora watched Damien calmly. She allowed her husband to voice his concern patiently. She was a vision of loveliness, her long blonde hair immaculately braided behind her back, her small form just curvy enough to attract the attention of every man. She leaned forward, her small hands clenched before her as if in prayer. “Then they should not have imposed ridiculous road taxes on the merchants.”
Damien paused before her. “I don’t care about taxes or sanctions. I care about your safety.”
Aurora grinned at Damien, her blue eyes sparkling.
Gawyn shook his head slightly. Damien was doomed to lose this argument. He would never convince Aurora not to go into town to visit her people. But he also knew that Damien was right. It was dangerous.
“I know. And I know you will do everything in your power to keep me safe,” Aurora said gently.
Damien clenched his teeth and closed his eyes.
Aurora stood and moved to him. She placed her hands on his shoulders. “I have to go in to town.”
“Just to visit your people. Your safety should be more important.”
She ran her fingers along Damien’s cheek. “If I don’t, it will tell the Hungars that I am frightened by their threats. It will be admitting that I am afraid. My people, all of Acquitaine, all of the Hungars, must know that I am not afraid.”
Gawyn had to admire her, after all she was a kind and wise ruler. She protected her people with conviction, and under her intelligent and just rule, her city flourished. In this instance, he agreed with her. She could not show fear to the barbarians that neighbored Acquitaine.
Damien inhaled slowly. He nodded his head once, in agreement.
Aurora leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in a long kiss. Then, she leaned her forehead against his. “I am sorry to have to make you
r job more difficult.”
Damien shook his head again, his brows furrowing in anguish. “I would do anything for you,” he whispered. “Except lose you. I can’t do that.”
Aurora hugged him fiercely. “You won’t ever have to do that.”
Damien lowered his lips to claim hers. His powerful arms wrapped around her small frame to pull her close.
Gawyn looked away. He knew how much they loved each other. He knew Damien would do everything he could to keep Aurora safe. Yet, he had known the outcome of this argument before Damien had spoken a word of objection.
When they separated, Aurora stepped back from Damien. “Don’t forget, my cousin Megan will be arriving in two days.”
Damien kissed her hand before releasing it. “I remember.”
Aurora moved to the door and exited. Damien followed. He paused long enough to grumble to Gawyn, “Double the guard.”
Gawyn smiled. “I already have.”
Damien tore his gaze from Aurora to glance at Gawyn. “You think this is funny?”
“Only because it’s you, brother.
Damien huffed. “One day, you’ll find your own wife. And I’ll be the one laughing.” He moved out of the judgement room.
Gawyn watched after his brother. Aurora had saved Damien in so many ways. He was a different man, now. As was Gawyn. Gawyn knew that Aurora had saved them both. He would be lucky to find a woman like her. Until then, his job was to see her safe, and to remain loyally at his brother’s side.
“Are you sure she comes this way?” the boy asked in excitement, straining on his toes to see above the head of the two men in front of them, looking toward the dirt street.
Justina Auber looked down at her younger brother, Adam. At a mere ten summers, he was thin and wiry, but very energetic. He hopped up and down impatiently, shifting from foot to foot, struggling to get a good view of the street through the gathered crowd. His dirty blonde hair was tangled and unkempt and he swiped it from his eyes. She grinned at his excitement. He had worked hard for an entire month at home, on her uncle’s farm, to get this opportunity. After she and Uncle Bruce had told him they would be going into town to see Lady Aurora, Adam had spoken of nothing else. Justina began calling her Adam’s princess. She shrugged slightly at Adam’s question. “That’s what uncle said.” And by the looks of the gathering crowd, he had been told correctly.
They had purchased a loaf of bread and now stood near a baker’s shop. When they had first arrived, there had only been a handful of gathered villagers perusing the shops wares. Now, the crowd had grown to twice the number with merchants, villagers, and visitors.
Justina and Adam lived outside of Acquitaine and had made the day long trek into the city just to get a glimpse of Lady Aurora. Ever since Adam overheard a knight speak of her beauty and her kindness, he couldn’t stop talking about her.
Adam grabbed Justina’s hand. “Come on! We must get to the street. We’ll miss her!”
Justina almost dropped the loaf of bread as Adam jerked her arm. She righted the loaf, but lost hold of his hand. She hurried behind him. She saw his bobbing head disappear between a farmer and a merchant. “Adam!”
“Sweet cider!” someone called from a building behind her.
Justina searched desperately for a resurgence of Adam’s head in the sea of people lining the road. She was not considered short, but even at eighteen summers she had to stand on her toes to see around and over the tops of some of the tall heads. Someone bumped her, and she juggled the loaf for a moment. “Adam!”
Adam appeared before her, seized her hand, and began to pull her into the crowd of villagers and merchants. “Hurry! We’re going to miss her!”
The market square was so crowded they could barely squeeze around villagers. Merchants shouted from shop windows, hawking their wares. “Venison! Get your venison!”
A farmer Justina passed reeked of sweet hay. Somewhere behind them a dog barked. The world seemed to swirl as Adam pulled her through the crowd of people.
Adam paused for a moment and Justina turned to look up at the shop window where a fat merchant sat, calling out for passing villagers to sample his smoked meats. Adam jerked her forward and she slammed into a man’s back. The man whirled on Justina, glaring hotly. She mumbled an apology and called out to Adam.
She remembered one other town where it had been this crowded. A tightness began in her chest, but she quickly pushed the memory aside. It wasn’t a good memory and she had no desire to relive it now. Still, the haunting similarity shook her. Unease spread through her and then Adam jerked her forward, pulling her out of her reverie. She instinctively followed him. The panic lingered as she curved and dodged around all sorts of people. Some merchants, some farmers, some knights. Some of the people in the square were dressed as she and Adam were, in plain colors, while others wore much more vibrant hues. Faces blurred past her. There were so many people. Voices rose around her, some loud and gruff, some quiet and timid. “Adam!” she pleaded. Her brother would not slow down. He was determined to be in the front. She skirted a rather large man wearing a ripped tunic.
Adam paused and released her wrist as silence spread over the square like a warm breeze. It was almost magical, the way it moved over the crowd and caused all the mutterings and murmurings to fade away one by one until there was nary a sound coming from anyone. And then, as one, the sea of people turned toward the road. Tingles raced along the nape of Justina’s neck. She craned her neck in an attempt to see over the taller men in front of her and a disgruntled frown tugged her lips down. She couldn’t see what was happening.
Then, Adam was moving again. She followed him through the maze of legs, ducking and squirming between them. It was hot and muggy in the midst of all these people, but Justina somehow managed to follow her brother. Suddenly, he was gone. She paused, desperately searching for his dirty blonde hair and tan tunic. Panic gripped her. She searched down low, through the legs of the bystanders. When there was no sight of him, she rose and stood on the tips of her toes, urgently trying to find him. She whirled, searching, but didn’t see him. He had to have moved forward to see his princess. She shoved forward, toward the street, and burst out of the crowd into the road.
Fresh air assailed her as she spun to look for her brother. Instead, her eyes locked on a man. Black eyes, black clothing, black hair. She froze. Dread and fear gripped her in an icy hand. She couldn’t move. She recognized him immediately. He was descending on her like the grim reaper. She shrunk away, recognizing those dark eyes, that face. She could never forget him. Her breath left her. It was him. It was him! He grabbed her arm. A terrified noise issued from her throat.
“Damien.”
The monster looked over his shoulder toward the voice.
An angel appeared, her pale face and white dress almost glowing in the bright sunlight. She lay her hand on the monster’s arm. “You are scaring her.”
The monster turned his dead, cold gaze to Justina and her world spun. For a moment, she thought he was going to kill her. That face. She would never forget that face.
“Justina!” Adam’s voice rang out.
Horrified the monster would turn his attention to her brother, she struggled in his hold. She stared at Adam who was approaching her with a skip in his step and joy in his brown eyes. She held a hand out to stop him, but Adam continued to come closer, a grin on his lips. Her heart pounded, and she looked back at the monster. The beast pulled her closer.
This was the end. He was going to kill her. She held up her hands to prevent the deadly strike.
“Watch where you’re going,” he snarled. Then, he released her arm. Justina tumbled to the ground on her backside, smashing the loaf of bread in the dust of the road. The monster turned away.
Cold engulfed Justina and she shivered. A jumble of emotions tumbled inside of her. Relief, fear, hatred. Paralyzed, she watched him leave her, watched him walk away. Tears rose in her eyes, stinging and burning. It took a moment for her to realize he wasn’t going to k
ill her. Free of his numbing hold, anger flared to life, extinguishing all her rational feelings. Like a silent accusation, she felt the cool metal of the dagger she always wore strapped to her thigh taunting her with her lack of response. Why hadn’t she used it? She had been too afraid. And that made her even more angry. How many times had she vowed to kill the monster? How many times had she imagined coming face to face with him and plunging the dagger into his chest? “I know you,” she whispered. Even her words came out shaky.
But it was enough. He stopped, his shoulders straightening before he slowly turned to her. Their gazes locked. That black, evil gaze pinned her to the spot.
She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. Come back, she silently begged and reached toward her leg. I won’t miss my chance again.
But the monster turned and continued walking away.
“Did you see her?” a distant voice asked, its owner lost in her hazy thoughts.
She trembled fiercely. He wasn’t coming back! She had missed her opportunity! Grimacing, she pushed herself to her feet, half drawing the dagger from the sheath at her thigh.
“Justina. Did you see her?”
Slowly, everything around her came back into focus. The murmuring of the crowd. The shout of the guard to “stand aside.” Adam stood beside her, shaking her arm. Still, she watched the monster move. Such power, such strength in every step.
“She was right next to you!” Adam groaned. “I should have stayed with you.”
Adam. Justina released her grip on the handle of the dagger. It wasn’t worth losing her brother.
The monster paused beside another man, a man the same size as he with brown hair. The two spoke. And then, slowly, they both turned to her. The second man nodded. His eyes pierced her with perceptiveness.
Justina rose, seizing Adam’s arm. They had to get out of there. She pulled him back into the crowd, hoping to disappear amongst the throngs of villagers and merchants. She moved quickly, hauling Adam behind her, holding his arm in a tight grip.
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