Page 66 of Savage Games

The bishop continued. “Will you, the families and friends of Richard and Elizabeth, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?”

The guests collectively responded, “We will.”

We then exchanged rings. My hands were trembling so hard I almost dropped the simple platinum band before I slipped it onto his finger. Richard then slipped a gorgeous infinity ring of blue sapphires on my finger.

The bishop joined our hands. “Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.”

Richard swung his arm around, pulling me close. Wrapping a hand around my neck, he leaned down and claimed my mouth in a deeply passionate and possessive kiss that had half the guests gasping in shock and the other half clapping and cheering.

We were married.

Married!

Richard was now officially my husband.

My lord and master.

In that moment, the orchestra burst into a loud, rousing rendition of our recessional music, the ‘Crown Imperial’ by William Walton.

It’s why I didn’t hear the gunshot.

CHAPTER 22

LIZZIE

Crimson blood splattered across my bodice and exposed neck.

Horrified, I stared wide-eyed at Richard’s shocked face.

My gaze followed his to the bullet wound in the center of his chest.

My mouth opened on a bloodcurdling scream as I watched Richard slowly sink to his knees.

“No!” I raged as I fell to my knees by his side.

Despite his bullet wound, Richard grabbed me and shoved me to the floor, putting his body protectively over mine, shielding me from any possible additional gunfire.

The entire cathedral erupted into panicked chaos.

Armed guards raced to surround the royal family as Richard’s own security force swarmed over us.

“Secure the perimeter!”

“Lock it down!”

“Get an ambulance.”

“The queen! The queen! Secure Her Majesty!”

Blind with fear, the guests scrambled and fought their way out of the narrow pews as everyone dashed for the exits.

In my fevered mind, Richard’s body on top of mine felt like dead weight.

He was dead.

I was sure of it.

It was all my fault. She had killed him because of me. My shoulders shook with sobs as he pressed me down against the icy marble floor.

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