Page 61 of Beholden
“Now is fine.” Her voice was low but with a note of eagerness that made me smile.
“Good,” Ty said. “Then as your chaperone, I’ll no longer need to worry about how to tactfully implore His Highness to refrain from any further kissing of the lady.”
I grinned. “Yes, of course we want to make your duty easier if we possibly can.”
“I think Your Highness is putting me out of a job altogether.” From the kindness in Ty’s tone, I suspected he understood how the challenges of the past months had brought about my inner transformation. And he was pleased with it.
“It’s mighty clear God brought ye to each other.” Curly now joined us in the cavern. “Never met two kinder souls, and if any deserve happiness, it be ye two.”
“You shall have your chance at happiness, Curly,” Gabriella said. “We shall reach the others. And then Ty can marry you and Molly straight away.”
“I be praying so,” he whispered thickly. “That I do.”
Curly had been willing to sacrifice much on behalf of Gabriella and me. In fact, he’d left before he had the opportunity to marry Molly, knowing he might never see her again. I, too, could only pray someday erelong he’d have the chance at happiness.
Today, now, was my chance. I drew Gabriella into the crook of my arm eagerly, and Ty took his place in front of us. As we spoke our vows to each other, ones nearly identical to our betrothal vows, my heart swelled with both peace and joy. This was where I wanted to be, by this woman’s side and nowhere else.
“The Lord mercifully, with his favor, look upon you,” Ty concluded, “and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.”
“Amen,” I whispered with the others.
“Now you may kiss your bride, Your Highness,” Ty said, “anytime and anyplace you wish.”
“And as long as I wish?” I drew Gabriella into my arms.
“Now that is something only your bride can determine.”
I framed my bride’s face, feeling her lips curve into a smile. “How long may I kiss you, my beloved bride?”
Her smile widened. “Most fervently now and forever.”
Chapter
22
Queen Margery
“They vanished.” Irepeated the words of the commander, tapping my fingers against the armrest of my throne, the jewels from the rings glittering brilliantly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” His voice wavered, laden with fear, and rightfully so. At the foot of my dais, he was close enough I could see the stark despair in his eyes. “They vanished without a trace.”
“Without a trace.” I kept my voice as calm as I could. It was a technique I’d learned instilled more fear than when I erupted into one of my rages. “How is such a thing even possible?”
“My scouts, along with my best tracking dogs, have searched for over a week. But they have left us no trail.” He glanced behind him to the dozen or more of his best knights who’d been tasked with bringing me Prince Vilmar and Lady Gabriella. Defeat lay upon every shoulder and creased every face.
The commander had likely pushed the knights hard, giving them little opportunity to eat or sleep. I had no doubt he’d swiftly punished any who slackened their duties. Nevertheless, he and the men had failed me.
I thrummed my fingers again, my long nails clicking and filling the silence that had settled over the great hall.
“My speculation,” the commander continued tentatively, “is that they made their way by river to the coast and have by now left the country altogether.”
“Commander, you know I do not like speculating.” In fact, over the years of practicing alchemy, I’d grown to despise all the speculating involved in the process.
“I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty.” He knelt and bowed his head. “My knights and I do not deserve your mercy for our failure, but I beg you to give us another chance to search for the prince and his lady.”
I straightened my already rigid spine and head, enjoying the swish of the diamonds studded throughout my hair. Soon I would have jewels of gold. Very soon.
“Please, Your Majesty. We shall turn our searches to the coast and commandeer every vessel—”
