wife, and the king’s interests with his sword, his will and his life’s blood. Even more thunderous applause erupted at the conclusion of Nathan’s fierce vow.
Large mugs of fresh ale were passed around by harried servants and Rhiann recognized her husband’s commander when he stepped up on the platform and raised his glass. “Hail Baron Nathan and Lady Rhiann! May they know long life. May their lands prosper. May their sons be blessed with their father’s strength and honor, and may their daughters be blessed with their mother’s beauty.”
“Here! Here!” Loud shouts of agreement echoed around the festive hall, filled to capacity, as mugs were lifted and drained. Rhiann raised her own mug and took a tiny sip of the ale. She never cared for the bitter taste. She noticed Nathan downed his full mug in a single swallow much to the delight of the approving crowd, and then took her still full mug from her hand and downed hers as well. A loud clatter arose as mugs were banged against each other.
Nathan could see by the confused look on her face his young wife failed to understand what the crowd demanded. Rather than explain matters to her he decided to show her. He turned her into his embrace and covered her mouth with his in a kiss far different than the ones they exchanged to date. His mouth moved warmly over hers, coaxing her response as loud cheers of appreciation from the crowd watching them faded into the background. When her lips trembled beneath his and her hands gripped his shirt, he groaned his approval in the back of his throat. Uncaring of their audience, he wrapped his arms around his bride’s slender form and drew her up against his hard chest. The crowd cheered all the louder. When she began shaking in his arms, Nathan reluctantly allowed their surroundings to intrude and he raised his head. At the glazed confusion in his bride’s eyes he was forced to restrain the urge to sweep her into his arms and carry her up to his rooms and answer the questions he could read in her glance.
The king clapped him heartily on the back and Nathan turned to accept his outstretched hand. Well-wishers rushed forward. Rhiann shyly accepted their congratulations and Nathan turned her in his arms so she stood between his legs and her head rested against him just below his chin. The signal for the evening meal came and the crowd made their way to the full tables set up around the hall. Rhiann was too nervous to do more than taste any of the offerings artfully arranged on the full plate placed in front of her. Rather than risk offending the king she pushed the food around on her plate while the other guests ate. She noticed enviously her husband appeared to have little trouble finishing the food placed in front of him and downing several mugs of the seemingly endless supply of fresh ale.
After the meal, the queen led her upstairs to new quarters she suspected belonged to her husband. A steaming wooden tub was placed before the hearth. The queen herself assisted her with her gown and wrapped her in a warm cloth before helping her into a sleeping gown in a material so fine she could see through it. Rhiann tried not to panic at the thought of the night ahead. As if sensing her rising anxiety, the queen squeezed her hands reassuringly, and then helped her into a robe made from the same material as the sleeping gown. “All will be well, my dear. You need only trust your husband. He is a good man and worthy of your love.”
Rhiann bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. Tears glittered in her eyes as she tried to smile bravely at the queen, well aware of the great honor she was shown when the monarch helped her to prepare for her wedding night. “I’ll leave you alone for a time. Though I doubt you will have long to wait before your husband joins you.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The queen’s prediction proved accurate. The heavy door barely closed
Large mugs of fresh ale were passed around by harried servants and Rhiann recognized her husband’s commander when he stepped up on the platform and raised his glass. “Hail Baron Nathan and Lady Rhiann! May they know long life. May their lands prosper. May their sons be blessed with their father’s strength and honor, and may their daughters be blessed with their mother’s beauty.”
“Here! Here!” Loud shouts of agreement echoed around the festive hall, filled to capacity, as mugs were lifted and drained. Rhiann raised her own mug and took a tiny sip of the ale. She never cared for the bitter taste. She noticed Nathan downed his full mug in a single swallow much to the delight of the approving crowd, and then took her still full mug from her hand and downed hers as well. A loud clatter arose as mugs were banged against each other.
Nathan could see by the confused look on her face his young wife failed to understand what the crowd demanded. Rather than explain matters to her he decided to show her. He turned her into his embrace and covered her mouth with his in a kiss far different than the ones they exchanged to date. His mouth moved warmly over hers, coaxing her response as loud cheers of appreciation from the crowd watching them faded into the background. When her lips trembled beneath his and her hands gripped his shirt, he groaned his approval in the back of his throat. Uncaring of their audience, he wrapped his arms around his bride’s slender form and drew her up against his hard chest. The crowd cheered all the louder. When she began shaking in his arms, Nathan reluctantly allowed their surroundings to intrude and he raised his head. At the glazed confusion in his bride’s eyes he was forced to restrain the urge to sweep her into his arms and carry her up to his rooms and answer the questions he could read in her glance.
The king clapped him heartily on the back and Nathan turned to accept his outstretched hand. Well-wishers rushed forward. Rhiann shyly accepted their congratulations and Nathan turned her in his arms so she stood between his legs and her head rested against him just below his chin. The signal for the evening meal came and the crowd made their way to the full tables set up around the hall. Rhiann was too nervous to do more than taste any of the offerings artfully arranged on the full plate placed in front of her. Rather than risk offending the king she pushed the food around on her plate while the other guests ate. She noticed enviously her husband appeared to have little trouble finishing the food placed in front of him and downing several mugs of the seemingly endless supply of fresh ale.
After the meal, the queen led her upstairs to new quarters she suspected belonged to her husband. A steaming wooden tub was placed before the hearth. The queen herself assisted her with her gown and wrapped her in a warm cloth before helping her into a sleeping gown in a material so fine she could see through it. Rhiann tried not to panic at the thought of the night ahead. As if sensing her rising anxiety, the queen squeezed her hands reassuringly, and then helped her into a robe made from the same material as the sleeping gown. “All will be well, my dear. You need only trust your husband. He is a good man and worthy of your love.”
Rhiann bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. Tears glittered in her eyes as she tried to smile bravely at the queen, well aware of the great honor she was shown when the monarch helped her to prepare for her wedding night. “I’ll leave you alone for a time. Though I doubt you will have long to wait before your husband joins you.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The queen’s prediction proved accurate. The heavy door barely closed
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