Guardian of the Stone
Page 32
“Is she safe?” Federic asked.
Dane stepped forward to wrap his arms around her. “She’s safe.”
Epilogue
EDELINE PEEKED THROUGH the closed flaps of the tent and smiled.
She couldn’t imagine a more beautiful scene or a day more perfect. Tall wisps of grass bowed for miles over the rolling hills, all stretching their slight forms toward the gathering near the ruins of Vanac. It was as though they had gathered and declared the event worthy of their attention, or perhaps they were merely drawn by the music. Tender and rich, the satin-smooth notes of a well-played harp blessed the peaceful valley currently housing the makeshift altar and small army of invited guests.
This was her life, past and present, captured in one unforgettable moment. It held the sum of all her treasures, all her hopes, all her dreams.
Somewhere, on one of the surrounding hills, her mother was buried. Edeline felt her presence even though she could no longer see her face. Closing her eyes, she took a moment to imagine her mother there, standing on the hills, her hand secure in the hand of a handsome warrior with long blond curls.
They were there, she was certain, them and three knights Edeline had never really known yet could never forget.
She opened her eyes, and her two worlds met.
Heading down the aisle, her hand tightly held in Amanda’s, was Lucy. Not a petal had left the basket, but it didn’t really matter, the guests were completely charmed, as were her parents.
It had been love at first sight for Amanda and Paul. The moment Edeline handed Lucy into their arms, the little girl’s future had been sealed. She’d found her home atop a used bookstore in the center of Morrow’s Haven and deep in the hearts of two kind and loving souls.
“Ack. This tie is choking me,” Federic complained from behind.
Edeline dropped the tent’s flaps, turned and batted away his hands from his satin foe. “It’s almost over, Dad,” she said, loosening and then readjusting the offending material. “Then I promise I won’t ask you to endure this torture again, at least not this trip.”
“Thanks. Can I have that in writing?”
She laughed.
Her father’s eyes grew serious. “You look beautiful, Edeline. If I haven’t told you enough, I love you. No father could be prouder of any daughter than I am of you. You have brought me more joy than I can ever say.”
Patting the now well-behaved tie, she fought back the tears. “And I am so very proud to be your daughter. I love you too, Dad.”
The music stopped, then quickly started again, this time filling the hills with the joyous melody of the Bridal March.
“That’s our cue,” Federic said, taking Edeline’s arm and wrapping it through his. He kissed her cheek and then pushed back the tent’s opening. “Sure you’re ready for this?” he asked, looking a bit pale himself.
“I’m sure,” she said, spotting the handsome soldier who had fought for her freedom, only to turn around and steal her heart. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”
Arm in arm, they stepped out of the tent and toward the aisle.
Chairs squeaked and clanked and an audible swoosh sounded as guests rose from their seats to turn and look her way.
She swallowed and stepped forward, her heart soaring as she caught Dane’s eyes upon her. Just like that first day in the lab, his feelings were written clearly across his face and in the depths of his eyes—she was his. Nothing and no one would ever keep them apart.
As the sun shed its warmth and promise across the hills of France, they pledged their lives and their hearts to each other. When the “I dos” were passed and their worlds combined, they turned to face their honored guests.
From the crowd, forty swords were drawn and brought together, their chimes echoing through the hills of present and past. And through the arch of their bright silver glory, Edeline and Dane made their way into the future.
Acknowledgments
To my much appreciated editor, Sean Riley, for being a great coach and director.
To the team at Omnific for giving a newbie a chance.
About the Author
Amity Grays is an accountant by day, romance writer by night. She lives in Southern Idaho with her husband, two daughters, two sweet dogs and one snobbish cat.
True to the nature of an accountant, Amity is a list builder, budget monitor, and proud owner of a 2005 Camry, which she’s holding onto for another 140K miles because the salesman assured her she’d get 300K, and she feels the need to test his accuracy.
On the flip side of her obsessive nature is a desire to let go—to spin a globe, point a finger and explore the world, to walk through haunted castles and to jump into time warps. She enjoys exploring emotion and capturing its intensity inside the written word.
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