Page 65 of Crown of Thorns
The music starts again, and Rhys leads me down the aisle after Dahlia hands me my bouquet. I can’t believe it but I’m a married woman. Once we’re out the front doors of the abbey, we’re loaded into a gold trimmed carriage and led by six horses through the streets as thechurch bells ring out to announce the news that their king has wed. People everywhere cry and cheer as they wave flags and toss flowers.
When we reach the castle, we’re brought through to have official wedding portraits taken—alone, together, with our families. It’s bananas. And then afterward, we’re led out onto the official state balcony where we greet those waiting to see their king.
We wave as we’ve been directed and then Rhys grabs me again and kisses me. When he pulls back, there’s a huge smile on his face as he waves to his people one more time before he takes my hand and leads me back inside.
“You did so well,” he says to me. “I’m so proud of you. What do you need?”
“A giant turkey sandwich and not these shoes,” I reply before I can think, and he throws his head back and laughs.
Maeve is there, waiting for us, her hat and gloves gone. She’s back to work, her job to look after us, and as I’ve always known, it’s with love.
“Now, you’ve got the afternoon to rest before glam will be back to patch you up for the party tonight,” she says to me before turning to Rhys. “Do not tear that dress, it’s to be displayed in the archives next week.”
“Spoilsport.” He laughs.
“You’re a child,” she says good naturedly. “Now off with you before someone comes looking for you.”
“Thanks, Maeve,” he says, placing a kiss on hercheek. “You’re a gem.”
“Don’t I know it. Now go on, then.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he says before wadding up my train and stuffing it in my arms. Then he scoops me up in his arms and takes off down the hall.
“Ach! Not the dress,” I hear her whisper shout in our direction and the protection officers snicker as they follow behind us.
“You’re a brute,” I laugh.
“This dress must weigh a thousand pounds,” he says. “I’ll no’ have the strength to tear it.”
“Good.”
Rhys kicks open our suite door before nodding to our protection officers “I’ll take it from here, lads,” he says, making them snicker again.
“Pleasant afternoon, Your Majesties,” one says just before the door closes.
I blush wildly.
“Does everyone know what we’re doing in here?” I ask before biting down on my lip. I hate being a spectacle.
“Aye,” he says with a smile as he shucks off his coat and tie before unbuttoning his vest and shirt. When he’s down to just his pants he says, “We’re to be making a baby now.”
“Now?” I gasp. “Like right now?”
“Aye and not a moment before,” he chuckles. “Now turn around so I don’t rip your beautifulwedding gown.”
I do as I’m told and turn away from him.
He carefully pulls the clip holding my veil and sets it on the chaise before unpinning the tiara from my head. That he takes more care with. Knowing that the suit belonged to his late mother, I understand. I wish I had things like that from mine. The earrings are laid gently in the box with the necklace, next to the case for the tiara.
Then button by button, he lets the dress fall from my body, the lace butterflies take flight down my arms, and it all pools in a frothy mess at my feet, leaving me standing in nothing but a lace thong and heels. That is until Rhys holds out his hands for me to step out of it all, and I happily leave the heels behind.
Once I’m clear of the dress, he scoops me back up in his arms and walks over to the bed, where he lays me down. Rhys lets his own pants fall to the floor before covering my body with his. He makes love to me so well that I completely forget that I was worried about my safety.
A dangerous mistake to have made because in a few hours, I will die.
Chapter 21
Betrayed
