Chapter 17
The morning of the wedding dawned fair and fine. Already the weather was starting to hint at autumn, each morning revealing more trees decked out in reds and golds as the cool morning air hung close to the ground. Keira and Anna woke up early in order to help their mother as she rushed around the kitchen. The geese had been slaughtered the day before and were hanging in the cellar, the wild boar was dressed and ready for the fire, the pastry was made and rolled, and bread was rising on the windowsills. The feast was to be held in the village square, the meat roasted in the large fire pit in the center of the square. When early afternoon arrived, Mother pulled Keira aside and opened her hand to reveal a small cake of delicately scented soap.
“I bought this a few years ago from a traveling tinker,” she explained, “and I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. I think your wedding day is such an occasion.” Keira carefully lifted the bar from her mother’s hand before looking up and meeting her gaze.
“Thank you, Mother,” she said softly. She wrapped her arms around her parent, who stood stiff for a moment, before lifting her own arms and returning the embrace.
“You’re most welcome, my daughter,” she replied, her voice quavering. “Now go make yourself ready.”
When Keira reached her room, she saw that Bess had already dragged the large copper tub into the room and filled it with water heated over the fire, while Mary was laying Keira’s wedding garments out over her bed. Steam filled the room, and the air was heavy with the scent of the lavender that had been crushed and tossed into the water. Keira stripped off her clothes and stepped into the tub, sinking into the luxurious warmth.
It was a few hours later when Keira stepped out of her room. Her wedding gown, finished just the previous evening, was made of finely woven dark blue linen. It was cut wide across the shoulders and the bodice fitted her closely. The waist was low and below it the fabric flared in gentle folds. The long pendulum sleeves were cut wide at the wrist, the gold lining contrasting richly against the deep blue. A girdle of gold silk was tied around her hips, the long ends hanging down the front of her gown. Her long, dark hair had been parted and intricately braided with gold ribbons, while a circlet of flowers sat on her brow. As Keira walked into the parlor, Anna thrust a wooden cross into her hands with a small posy of flowers resting on top.
Mother looked her critically up and down, before nodding her approval. “You look well, my child,” she said.
Father stepped up and dropped a kiss onto the top of her head. “Come,” he said. “Nelly’s waiting.” Keira stepped outside to see that the family horse had been tethered outside the cottage door with a richly colored blanket spread over its back and crimson ribbons for reins. Father lifted Keira onto the mount’s back with a smile.
“You’re a good daughter, Keira,” he said, “and I pray that Aaron Drake will treat you well.”
“He will, Father,” she said. “He’s a good man.”
Father nodded and handed Keira the reins. He led the horse by the bridle, and Mother and Anna followed behind them as they made their way through the village to the village church. The priest was already standing on the steps, while Aaron and another man waited at the bottom. Keira barely paid the second man any attention, but stared at Aaron. He was a dazzling figure in gold and crimson; the clothes covering his splendid frame were rich and luxurious. A shirt of cream silk could be seen beneath a doublet of gold velvet. Crimson dragons were embroidered across the chest, the flames from their mouths reaching up to his neck. His hose were of gold silk, disappearing into his customary knee-high boots of dark brown leather. Over his shoulders was a gleaming cloak of gold, lined with crimson, the gold dragon brooch pinning it together over his chest. At his side hung a sword, with two dragons winding around the sheath, their eyes crimson rubies. The hilt of the sword was covered in precious stones, but Keira had no doubt that Aaron could use it with deadly force if necessary. His head was bare, and his tawny hair was pulled back in a gold ribbon, matching the gold in his hair highlighted by the bright afternoon sun.
Keira’s father helped her off the horse and pulled her arm through his as he led her up the path to the church stairs where Aaron waited. Father kissed her gently on the cheek before placing her hand in Aaron’s and stepping away. The square in front of the church was full of the villagers who had come to watch the ceremony and enjoy the festivities.
“You look beautiful, my sweet,” Aaron whispered. He clasped her hand in his as he led her up the stairs, joining the priest at the door, while Keira’s family gathered on the steps below, standing beside the man who had been waiting with Aaron. The sun was shining brightly as they stood on the well-worn porch of the small stone church, where the priest conducted the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved,” he intoned, repeating the words used in marriage ceremonies throughout the civilized world. Aaron gazed at Keira as he repeated the sacred vows, his eyes alight when he slid a band of gold onto her finger. The smile that lit his face when she began her vows was exultant, and Keira stumbled over the words until he squeezed her fingers with a grin. As soon as the vows were exchanged, the priest led the couple into the candle-lit church for the nuptial mass, before finally leading them back outside and presenting them to the waiting crowd.
They had just begun to descend the stairs when Anna grabbed Keira and pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I’m so happy for you,” she whispered. She pulled back with a little smirk. “And me too, of course.” She turned to Aaron.
“Well, brother,” she said with a cheeky smile, “are you going to embrace your new sister?”
“Of course,” Aaron said with a smile, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “But if you start making trouble, I’m sure I can find a dungeon to lock you into,” he added.
“I never make trouble,” retorted Anna, but Aaron just lifted his eyebrows dubiously, before turning away. The man who had been waiting with Aaron stepped up and clasped one hand on Aaron’s shoulder, while shaking his hand with the other.
“Congratulations, milord,” said the man.
“Thank you, Thomas.” Aaron turned to Keira. “Keira, this is Thomas, my trusted steward and a good friend. I rely on him in many matters, both business and personal.”
Keira looked the man over carefully. Despite being older, in his late forties or early fifties, he stood straight and tall. His hair was thinning, but his eyes were a piercing blue, intelligent and kind.
“Thomas.” Keira inclined her head in acknowledgment.
“Milady.” Thomas returned the greeting before turning away to join the mingling crowd.
Trestle tables had been set up in the village square, and fowl and boar had been roasting since the morning over a fire that roared in a pit in the center. The wedding table had been placed on a raised dais at one end of the square, while other tables were arrayed around the outer edges, leaving the center open for dancing.
Aaron led Keira to the main table, and they were soon joined by Keira’s family. Wine and ale were already flowing freely amongst the revelers, and serving maids carried large trays of meats. News of the wedding had brought a traveling minstrel into the village, and he was soon entertaining the villagers with bawdy songs and heartfelt ballads. As soon as he stopped for a rest, the village musicians took over, their instruments urging people to their feet as they joined hands to dance the traditional wedding carol. Aaron grabbed Keira by the hand and dragged her into the circle, joining the villagers already dancing, and when Anna joined them, he pulled her into the circle on his other side. The one person noticeably missing from the festivities was Edmund, although his absence was met with relief by Keira. His father, the reeve, was in attendance, however; but he spent most of the evening glowering at Aaron and whispering with the few men that hovered around him.
It was already past the midnight hour when Aaron suggested to Keira that it was time to make their escape, a suggestion to which she heartily agreed. Aaron gestured to Thomas
, letting him know they would be on their way, while Keira scanned the crowd in search of her family. They were on the other side of the square, where Father stood with other village men, and Mother was deep in conversation with Jane Tanner. Anna was close by, laughing with a group of village girls, their giggles rising above the general hubbub of the gathering. Taking Aaron by the hand, Keira led him over so they could make their farewells, weaving her way between the dancers and musicians still enjoying the revelries despite the late hour. At the sound of their approach, Father looked over at his daughter, and a smile wreathed his face.
“You’re a beautiful bride, my daughter,” he said. “Your countenance has been radiant all evening.”
“Thank you,” replied Keira, glancing quickly at the source of her joy with a warm smile. Aaron wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his side as Keira continued. “We’re leaving now, Father.” Mother and Anna had joined the little group, and this pronouncement was met with expressions of surprise.
“Surely you don’t intend to travel to Storbrook Castle at this hour,” Mother exclaimed. “It’s already past the witching hour.”
“You must stay in our home, at least for the night,” Father urged. “You can travel to Storbrook tomorrow, by the light of day.”
“No,” responded Aaron with quiet finality. “Storbrook is my home, and is now Keira’s home as well. I have a horse waiting, and my man Thomas will travel with us. I know the road well, and I can guarantee you that no harm will come to your daughter.”
Anna was standing a few feet away, and Keira heard her mutter something under her breath. She thought she caught the word ‘fly,’ but whatever it was she said, it made Aaron glance her way with a look of stern disapproval before he turned back to Keira.
“Ready?” he asked as Thomas appeared behind the square leading two horses by the reins.
“Yes,” she said, then turned back to her parents. “Thank you for everything,” she said. She reached for her mother’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze before turning to Anna and pulling her into a tight embrace.
“I’ll be looking for you in a month’s time,” whispered Anna. “Don’t forget.”
“We’ll be back soon,” promised Keira. “A month will go by quickly.”
She turned back to Aaron and placed her hand in his, smiling up at him.
“Let’s go home,” she said.
Bound by a Dragon Page 17
