by D. R. Grady
His hands tightened on her. “More so than I ever thought possible.”
“You will sleep in the castle tonight?”
“I sleep in the castle every night.”
She rolled those expressive eyes. “I mean within the castle, rather than below it. There are plenty of guest rooms.”
“I wish to be close to you.”
Her lips pursed. “Yes. Now that I’ve named you the king, there might be those who are sore about my decision.”
“I shall remain close by. Aasguard warriors require little sleep.”
“I have much to learn about you.” She sounded intrigued by this.
Although longing to pursue Raene’s thought, Vidar instead turned his attention to safety matters. “Will Stefana also be at risk?”
“Perhaps. But Stefana’s parents know to place a guard with her.”
He frowned. “They can’t very well place a warrior in with a maiden.”
“They can so long as said warrior is her twin brother home for a break.”
“Ah. So he’ll be a nasty shock to anyone who tries to take her by force until this is all official.”
“Oh yes. I plan to inform his commander that his services are required indefinitely here in the castle.” The mischief returned. “Except, as king, that’s your duty.”
“I’ll be happy to inform this young man’s commander that he is needed to protect his sister.”
“This particular general is well aware, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he sent Lukas home a few weeks early because he had seen the lay of the land, if you will.”
“I have been dreading this day.” He brushed his lips along her temple, wanting to draw her inside himself where he could better protect her. “The moment you announced your husband.”
“As have I. Now I’m so excited I doubt I’ll sleep.”
“Your mother knew you were going to choose me, didn’t she?”
“I believe she suspected where my affections lay. And she encouraged me to choose you, even though it’s never been done before.”
“We had best make certain our betrothal is announced.” An announcement would help to quell any neighboring factions who might be interested in Raene and her wealth.
“I imagine Haines and Henry have already started the process.”
He nodded. “I’ll definitely finish it. But tomorrow.”
She turned in his arms to view the blackened area where the fire pit had been that took her mother this morning. “It seems as though her funeral was so long ago.” The happiness he felt still danced through her, only tempered now with waves of grief.
“Your mother wouldn’t want you to grieve her.”
“No. But I shall, nonetheless. She’s gone from my life. My very being aches.”
“It always will. But with time, the pain becomes more distant.”
“You lost your parents?”
“Yes. Long ago. They’re a fond memory, but it was difficult in the beginning. And of course, you never recover from death.”
Her hand tightened on his shirt. “I want her back. She would have loved to see us marry.”
“She was too far gone to enjoy our wedding, Raene.”
“Yet I think she knew.”
He squeezed her, more content than he thought possible, now that it was his right to do so. “We will protect Montequirst and keep our country safe for future generations.”
His vow made her blush again, but she also nestled closer. “Thank you.”
“You two need to find food,” Aern directed from across the cavern. “I’m capable of taking care of matters down here.”
“Thank you, Aern.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve never seen a more suitable couple.”
Vidar opened his mouth, but his stomach let out a vicious rumble. Raene’s answered. “We have been here since early this morning.” She grimaced. “And I didn’t eat breakfast.”
“We must feed you. It’s now after one.” The sun shone steadily overhead. Strange to think he would no longer live in this chamber.
“Will you adjust to living in the castle? Having to do paperwork and deal with less than stellar people?”
“I believe I am more than ready for the next chapter of my life.”
Their hands intertwined as they exited the cavern together. He had visited the main castle, but those instances had been for a brief span of time. Now he would live inside it permanently, and this luxury would be his home for the remainder of his life. However long that might be.
A funny feeling erupted through him.
He couldn’t discern whether the accompanying feeling was good or bad. But leaned toward better than good.
“The Duke of Lockwillow requests that you join him in the main dining hall, Your Majesty, Queen Raene.” At the maid’s formal announcement, Raene’s heart beat unsteadily. Her new ranking required adjustment time.
Vidar squeezed her hand, as though he understood.
“There are seats for the new queen and her king.” The maid’s eyes flitted over Vidar as though she wasn’t quite certain what to do with him.
“Thank you, Josie. This is Vidar, your new king.” His smile for the maid was kind as the doors leading into the main dining chamber opened. She and Vidar paused at the scrape of many chairs as all the diners rose to greet them.
Haines stepped forward to introduce them once again.
She barely resisted rolling her eyes at the pomp and circumstance. A ridiculous practice, but probably necessary. Vidar sent her a look that helped her to settle. Although not used to this, he had lived far longer than she, so his attitude was obviously better toward this sort of thing.
“Please welcome Queen Raene and King Vidar.”
Due to her change in rank, she now would dine at the head table, reserved for the queen and king. Supposedly a privilege, but Raene didn’t relish that all eyes would be on her and Vidar from now on.
The congregation bowed or curtsied while Vidar led her to the two places obviously set up for them at the monarch’s table. Both dukes, Stefana, and her family were already present.
At least they would enjoy their table companions.
“Thank you,” Raene murmured to Stuart. He sent her a droll look that somehow helped to quell the butterfly fights in her stomach. “Stuart, this is my husband-to-be, Vidar.”
Stuart clapped Vidar on the shoulder. “Thank you for taking this on.” He used an encompassing hand to indicate Raene.
Vidar’s lips curved upwards. “You’re welcome.” His silver eyes glowed with a light she appreciated and despite those looking on, and the silly court rules, she leaned up to kiss him.
He met her halfway and tingles erupted from her lips to shoot through her body, mocking the emptiness there.
Haines cleared his throat.
Her cheeks flamed until she peeked at the promise in Vidar’s expression. “It’s acceptable to kiss your betrothed.” His murmur reassured her that he was fine with all the smooching.
“We remain standing until you’re seated, your majesty.” Not a smidgen of rebuke infused Haines’ tone, but plenty of smothered amusement did.
“Do excuse us.” Raene perched on her chair, with Vidar and Stuart assisting her before Vidar seated himself. Their lunch companions then also sat.
No one had eaten yet, from the look of the still pristine dinnerware. As she thought this, a dining hall staff member wheeled the first cart into the room and set a salad in front of her and Vidar.
“When was the last time you ate in front of people?” She kept her voice low enough so only he heard her.
“I dined with your mother right before she fell ill.”
A suspicion roused in her mind. “She used that time to plant seeds in your head about marrying me?”
“I believe she and your father both planted them long before then. She’s been watering them for a time.” He expertly forked up some salad and ate it. His manners were the finest of any in the room. Comparable to both dukes and Henry.
/>
Raene relaxed and enjoyed the first dish. “She mentioned you from time to time throughout the years. I wonder if she intended to introduce us?”
“Yes, because of the legend,” Haines inserted.
“What legend?” She set her fork down.
“Bronwyn decreed that someday a member of her family, a future queen, would bond with a fierce warrior and her line would be forever strengthened by this warrior’s line.”
“Bronwyn was every bit the fierce warrior herself.” Vidar’s gaze rested on her. “I recognize many of her best traits in her offspring.”
Cheeks flushing, Raene picked up her fork again for something to do with her hands. “I have a long way to go to compare to you.”
“You don’t need to compare to me.” A mere statement of fact. He would protect her with all the skills he’d acquired and honed over his long years.
She would not find a more worthy warrior in all of Montequirst.
Contentment surrounded her, an emotion she had lost these past few grueling weeks. The smile she sent was for him alone.
His silver eyes flashed before his free hand settled over hers, resting in her lap. She intertwined their fingers, as holding his hand felt right.
They finished the meal, her in a bit of a haze. So much had happened today that numbness crept in. Followed quickly by drooping eyelids. A cup of coffee in the library should quell her desire for a nap.
After they left the dining area, Raene gave Vidar a tour of the main rooms in the castle, ending in the library. Opening a door in the wall behind the queen’s desk, she ushered him inside. “This is the office the previous kings have used.”
He inspected the spacious, well-appointed chamber. “I remember visiting your father here over the years.”
“How well did you know my father?”
“He was a valued friend. Your parents were both stellar people.”
“Thank you.” A shaft of pain pierced her heart, but knowing Vidar had been friends with both of her parents somehow eased the ache.
“You’ll be comfortable working here?”
“I never thought to have an office, so yes.”
“You will certainly need one. There will be far more meetings than you wish to conduct. Plus plenty of correspondence and records to keep.”
Vidar grimaced. “I’m sure I’ll adapt.”
“You are adaptable.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, seeking to be closer. “We’re going to be married in two weeks.”
His forehead furrowed. “That might be too far off.” Sweeping her off her feet, he settled her against him.
“We’ll be busy for the next fortnight.”
Agile fingers brushed several tickling curls from her cheek. “Can’t we marry quietly now? We’ll celebrate in two weeks at the official ceremony.”
She paused in circling his neck with her arms. “Vidar, we’re the queen and king. We can do anything we wish.”
He looked thoughtful. “I assume there is a marriage license?”
“Yes.” She indicated another door within the library. “We store them in there.”
“Does everyone come to you for a marriage license?”
“Of course. Well, not to me personally, but we have staff who see to all of the certificates. Birth, marriage, and death.”
“You know where the marriage licenses are kept?”
She wriggled free. Crossing the expanse to a door across the way, she used her handheld crystal to open the barrier. Inside, a cluttered desk stood in the center of the room while drawers and drawers and more drawers lined the entire expanse of all four walls and rose to the ceiling. A tall ladder attached to a rail made accessing the highest ones possible.
Raene paced to the appropriate area and removed the correct sheet of parchment. “Here.” She handed it to her intended.
His fingers closed around the sheet. He escorted her to her desk where he laid the license in the center.
“We need to fill this out right now.” He cocked his head to the side. “Do you know the legal procedure to formally marry us? Today?”
“Yes.” Her heart spun in crazy circles as euphoric bubbles burst in her head. “I take it today is to be our official wedding day?”
“Right now.” He plucked up the pen on her desk and filled out the form. Vidar signed the groom’s space with a flourish then handed her the writing instrument as he exited her chair.
She seated herself before signing the bride’s space, a surreal moment she’d never forget. Raene turned to the crystal console on her desk. There she called up the marriage tab and filled in the appropriate information. “This will take a day to process.”
“Will anyone take notice that we were married today, or can we keep it a secret?”
“Someone would have to actually search for our names to determine the exact day we married. Ours will shuffle in with all the other licenses that have been inputted this week.”
Satisfaction emanated from him. Then he drew her out of her chair and calmly stated his vows to her. Solemnly she repeated hers to him. Humbled by his silver eyes, which took in every aspect of her face, holding her hands with innate gentleness, he kept her close.
She was marrying this warrior, one who towered above every single man in Montequirst. Her lungs expanded.
Vidar the Loyal was willingly aligning his life to hers. Their intimate wedding ceremony marked the first chapter of their new life.
Her mother had been stolen much too soon. However, in the back of her mind, Raene was certain she heard her mother congratulating them.
When she finished her vows, the silence stretched as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
“I am thrilled to be your husband.” The back of his finger stroked along her jaw. “You have made me the luckiest, happiest man in the realm.”
“I am thrilled you are my husband. And I am elated to be your wife.” Then she remembered their sleeping arrangements. “We need to select our bridal chamber.”
“Yes. We must keep silent that we have married, but I feel the need to remain close to you. With the unrest it is best to err on the side of caution.”
“If you pretend that you’ll be remaining in your cavern for now, you can sleep with me while our official chamber is readied.”
“That is perfect.” He leaned down to kiss her. “Let us go choose the chamber.”
His eyes gleamed with masculine promise she very much wished to explore.
Chapter 18
If someone had asked him whether he ever anticipated marrying, he would have swept them off to the nearest healer. Now, holding onto Raene’s hand and being addressed as the king, there was no denying his married state.
No one in the castle knew they had safely wed. None would be made aware unless it became a problem. Vidar had insisted on their formal marriage today because his warrior instincts pressed hard.
Through the years he had learned if he ignored them, regret followed.
He did not intend to start his new life with Raene carrying regret. This was a time of happiness and promise. With grief interwoven, yes, because they both needed to process her mother’s passing. Also, he had no idea if there would be objections from his fellow Aasguards. Marriage was new territory to them, and he couldn’t predict their reaction.
Raene opened two massive doors to enter the royal wing of the castle. She led him to another set of doors. This had not been the room where her mother and father slept, but was located nearby. The doors were less ornate and much lighter in color than those her parents had chosen.
Vidar appreciated the simplicity of the doors and their sheer size. They suited him in stature, which was probably why she had chosen to view this suite first.
They entered the space, a massive apartment with well crafted furniture and a bed that would comfortably sleep him.
“From the time I was a child, I’ve admired this suite.”
At Raene’s admission, he took a closer look. “This chamber is well suited to us.”
“Yes, it is.”
“This will be comfortable for both of us.” They inspected the two dressing areas and the spacious bathroom with its fine appointments. “This is luxury, Raene.”
“Yes. It is fit for a king and queen.”
He tugged her close, because it had been far too long since he had last kissed her. “You are magnificent.”
“As are you, my king.”
“Will you be happy as a married man?” Raene sought reassurance. So much had happened today it boggled the mind.
“Married to you, yes. I couldn’t abide the thought of you being forced to marry.” Vidar’s brow furrowed. “You’re comfortable being married to me?”
“Yes. I feel as though I could float.” Their lips met in a kiss that blew apart any remaining doubts. “You’re my choice, Vidar the Loyal.”
He stroked the line of her cheek. “Excellent, because you just married me.”
Laughter bubbled. “I believe we’re going to be okay.”
His hands tightened on hers. “So do I, princess, so do I. I know you’re the queen now, but I’ve been thinking of you as the princess all your life.”
“I don’t mind being your princess. I’d prefer to have remained the princess.”
He drew her close, comforting her as they both reflected on the life they’d said goodbye to today. “As do I, Raene.” His warmth enticed her to nestle closer. “Then again, if she was still here, we wouldn’t be married.”
“We could have, you know. I became of marriageable age when I turned twenty.”
His eyes glowed as he gazed at her. “So you could have chosen me even if your mother was alive?”
“Yes. I barely knew you existed though. It’s not proper for maidens to visit a warrior alone.”
“Correct. I believe your mother planned to introduce us formally.”
She leaned back to peer into his face. “Why do you say that?”
“I caught the impression when she visited her treasure house a few weeks past. She appeared to be making plans for you.”
“Before she became ill, you mean?”
