Josh took one last, long look at the two wedding parties heading in opposite directions before mounting his horse.
My carriage swayed gently, finally stopping at the gates of the General’s estate. The curtain was lifted. Instead of the traditional
red silk ribbon, my hand was taken by a strong, calloused one.
The owner of that hand led me through the entire wedding ceremony.
Seated on the wedding bed, I was a bundle of nerves, unsure how I would face General Kaelen. After what felt like an eternity, footsteps approached the door.
lifted from my head. Before me stood my husband, holding the ceremonial scale used to lift the veil, his gaze gentle
A weight was lift
and restrained.
“My… my lady… it is time… for the wedding cup.” The general, so decisive in battle, was now stammering. If his men could see him
now, they would laugh themselves hoarse.
I had been somewhat afraid of him, but seeing him in this flustered state, I suddenly relaxed.
I looped my arm through his, feeling the tension and tremor in his powerful muscles, and tilted my head up, bringing my lips to his.
His body went even more rigid, and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.
“My lady, I… I don’t want to sleep in the study. And I don’t want to sleep on the floor. I want us to be a true husband and wife.”
The man’s rough thumb brushed over the rouge on my lips, yet he used no force, as if I were a porcelain doll that might shatter at
his touch.
“I do, too.”
The moment I decided to marry him, I was prepared to give him everything.
“My lady… thank you.”
Chapter 2
133
04:50
As the fifth watch sounded before dawn, Kaelen traced the features of the woman in his arms by candlelight. Even now, it felt unr- eal. That he, one day, would truly pluck the most prized, most delicate blossom in the capital and hold her in his embrace.
I slept soundly and didn’t wake until the sun was high in the sky. When Rose came in to attend to me, she was stifling a grin.
I felt as if my entire body was about to fall apart. And Kaelen had been holding back. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like when he unleashed his full passion; I wasn’t sure I could handle it. But those muscles of his were truly magnificent, so powerful… The
thought made my cheeks burn.
After I had taken my midday meal, Kaelen returned from court.
“My lady, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Perhaps because of our newfound intimacy, he was no longer so nervous when he spoke to me. The thought that this was the man who had tenderly cleaned my body the night before sent a fresh wave of heat to my face.
looked away and answered softly, “I am well.”
Kaelen lifted me into his arms and gently placed me on the bed.
“My lady, I am sorry. I did not control my strength. Tonight, I promise I will be gentler.”
ww
The thought of doing that again tonight made me want to bury my face in the blankets. But I hadn’t forgotten what I needed to ask. I placed a hand on his chest, stopping his advance.
“My lord… why did you really marry me?”
