Page 38 of The Irresistible Warrior
Hamish led them into the Great Hall, Declan keeping firm hold of Aura’s hand, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the hush of the keep. Word had not yet spread about the sudden and disturbing news, but the stillness felt heavy, as if the stone walls themselves were waiting to hear what would be said.
Cleric William stood near the hearth, his robes dusted from travel, his hands clasped before him. His eyes moved first to Declan, then to Aura, and he inclined his head politely.
“My lord, my lady,” he greeted, his voice steady but not without curiosity. “I received a request from this keep for a marriage rite, and I have come at once.”
Declan didn’t immediately answer. He studied the man. He was of good height, fine features, though a scar, healed but visible, marred his one cheek, and his shoulder-length white hair was neatly kept. He wore a clean brown robe and there was a quiet authority in his manner. He found no trace of the sly, watchful look he remembered from the cleric who had stood before them not long ago.
“There is… a complication,” Declan said finally, his voice even. “A man claiming to be a cleric has already wed us.”
William’s brow creased. “No such man came from Donchill Abbey. I am the only cleric Abbott Bennet sent.”
Aura felt the tension tightening between them. If they told him the truth, that she suspected the man was a warlock, would he bless their union, or condemn it? She kept silent, her hand closing tightly around Declan’s.
William’s gaze moved between them. “If the rite was not performed by a true servant of the Church, it is not recognized in the eyes of God. Men have been known to pose as clerics to take advantage of god-fearing people, to get food and shelter and even coins.”
The words landed like a stone in the pit of her stomach since she felt there had been more to the man than someone looking merely for food, drink, and shelter.
Declan’s jaw tightened. “What do you suggest?”
“I suggest we see to it now,” William said simply. “Properly.”
For a moment, Aura thought herself in a dream, though more a nightmare, and that Declan would look at her, laugh, and refuse to wed her. She cast a cautious glance at Declan, searching his eyes for the decision that must be made.
Declan’s hand tightened around hers, a soft smile on his face, and love shining openly in his eyes that appeared more green than blue today.
“We’ll see to it now,” he said, his gaze never leaving hers.
Something in his voice, firm, sure, protective, loosened the knot in her chest, even as her mind whispered of curses and false vows.
Cleric William gave a single nod. “Then let us waste no time.”
Hamish stepped forward. “I’ll fetch a few witnesses from the village. A marriage should be seen.”
Declan shook his head. “Nay. This is for us.”
Aura was relieved it would just be the two of them with Hamish as witness. And she was glad to see that there was no deception in Cleric William’s eyes, only quiet patience.
William gestured toward a small alcove not far from the dais. “We may hold the rite there. Private and proper.”
Declan turned to her, and for a moment, the keep, the village, the threat beyond its walls, all of it faded.
“I’ll say the vows as many times as it takes for you to know you’re mine,” he murmured.
Her lips curved faintly. “And you are mine.”
They stood before the cleric, hands clasped. William spoke the words with calm authority, and Declan repeated them without hesitation, his voice steady, his eyes never straying from hers. When her turn came, Aura’s voice caught, just for a heartbeat, before she found it again.
William pronounced them husband and wife, death the only thing that could part them and when Declan bent to kiss her, she felt the faintest shiver in her spine, as if some shadow lingered at the edge of the light.
William offered his blessing, then quietly stepped away to speak with Hamish, leaving them alone in the small alcove.
Declan still held her hands, his thumbs brushing lightly over her fingers. “Better?” he asked, his voice low, meant only for her.
She nodded, though a faint unease still stirred beneath her relief, she didn’t want to mention it and spoil the moment.
He kissed her, sealing their vows. “Good. Then it is done and nothing can separate us.”
He turned to join Hamish and the cleric, drawing Aura along with him, but the moment they stepped forward, he felt as if his boot caught on to something, yet he knew there was nothing there. He lurched forward, releasing her hand to catch himself against the wall.
