Power seethed in the room as the three witches struggled.
As if someone had turned a switch, the air stilled.
Marri looked up at Gryff. “What’s happening?”
He shook his head. “Beats the hell out of me.” He drew Marri closer as Seleena backed up a few steps. Nardik’s cloak fell away. He stood straight and tall, his dark eyes alight.
Gryff frowned. Serepta looked the same, and yet…something was different.
“What have you done?” Serepta stared at her parents. “What have you done?” She screamed the words.
“Deprived you of your gift,” Nardik said, his voice as cold as the stone floor. “You have abused it long enough.”
“No! No, that’s impossible!”
“I am sorry,” Nardik said quietly. “Seleena, let us depart.” Taking Seleena’s hand, he turned to go.
Serepta stood there, her expression blank. And then, eyes filled with rage, she lunged at Gryff, fangs bared, her hands like claws.
With a growl, Gryff shoved Marri out of the way, shifted to the wolf, and sprang at the vampire’s throat. He was bigger, stronger, and he drove her backward, landing on top of her when she hit the floor. Burying his teeth in her throat, he shook his head.
Blood sprayed from the killing wound, staining the floor, the walls, his muzzle.
When he was sure she was dead, he backed away. Lifting his head, he stared at Nardik and Seleena.
The wizard nodded. “We’ll wait for you outside.”
Uncertain of what Marri’s reaction would be, Gryff hesitated a moment before resuming his own shape, then slowly turned toward her.
Marri blew out a sigh. Ripping a piece of material from Serepta’s skirt, she wiped the blood from his face. “Let’s go home.”
* * *
When they arrived at Brynn Tor, a page hurried to summon Marri’s brother from his private chamber.
Artur entered the Great Hall wearing a white shirt, baggy brown trousers, and his favorite forest green cloak. Taking his place on the throne, his gaze moved over Marri and Gryff before settling on the wizard. “So, Nardik, I see you have brought them all safely home.”
“Yes,” the wizard said. “And a surprise, as well.”
“A surprise?” Artur leaned forward, looking as eager as a child awaiting a treat. “What might that be?”
With a wave of his hand, Nardik opened the door on the north side of the Hall.
An audible gasp erupted from Artur’s throat when he saw his father — and the woman standing at his side.
“Mama.” Marri’s eyes filled with tears as her parents entered the room.
When Amerris opened her arms, Marri ran to her. With tears running down her cheeks, she embraced her mother. She had a hundred questions to ask, but none of them seemed important now.
“How I’ve missed you.” Amerris stroked her daughter’s hair.
“Where have you been?”
“Not far. Nardik kept me informed about things happening here. When he told me you intended to renounce the throne, I knew I had to come home. I will not let that happen, daughter. I will not let Artur sit on the throne of Brynn Tor.”
“Here, now,” Leonid said, glancing from one to the other. “What are you talking about?”
Amerris pointed an accusing finger at her son. “Ask him. Ask him for the truth of what happened to his brothers. Or why Annis ran away in fear for her life. And Marri, too. Ask him!”
Marri looked at Artur, watched him shrink at their mother’s accusations.
Leonid snorted with disdain. “Did Marri fill your head with this nonsense? She came to me with the same wild stories, claiming Artur killed Caddor and Cobb.”
“And you didn’t believe her.”
“How could I?”
Amerris shook her head. “Artur was always your favorite. When he was a child, you turned a blind eye to his cruelty, refused to believe any who spoke against him. But it was all true. When he killed Cobb, I could no longer stay here with him. Or with you.”
Leonid approached the throne. “Tell me,” he said, his voice ringing off the walls. “Tell me the truth!”
Artur shook his head. “Lies!” he shouted. “It’s all lies!”
Leonid glanced over his shoulder. “Nardik?”
“Amerris speaks the truth. It is the boy who lies.”
“Artur,” the king said quietly. “Tell me the truth.”
Eyes blazing maniacally, he screamed, “I did it! I killed them all! The throne is mine!” Pulling the jeweled dagger from the sheath at his side, Artur sprang at his father. His aim was true. The blade buried itself to the hilt in the king’s heart.
Marri screamed, “No!” as her father dropped to his knees, one hand clutching his chest.
Gryff ran forward, intending to put himself between Artur and Marri. He was halfway there when Nardik conjured a lance from mid-air and hurled it at Artur.
It buried itself in his back.
With a cry of pained surprise, the boy who would be king fell dead at his father’s feet.
Amerris covered her face with her hands.
Marri stared at her brother, seeing him as he had been so many years ago — a happy baby, a curious toddler, an energetic little boy. What had changed him into the man he had become?
Turning away, she buried her face against Gryff’s chest and let her tears flow.
* * *
Feeling numb, Marri stood at the window of her bedchamber. Night had fallen and the castle lay quiet beneath a pair of bright yellow moons. Everything had happened so fast, she was still trying to sort it out in her mind.
Gryff had killed Serepta. Marri had tried to feel at least a hint of regret at the witch’s death, but it was impossible. The woman had been evil inside and out.
Artur was dead, killed by Nardik. The thought brought a wave of fresh tears. Again, she tried to summon some sense of loss and failed. Her tears were not for Artur, but for Caddor and Cobb, for the years of pain and suffering that Artur’s obsession with the throne had caused their family.
Her father was dead, killed by his own son. Grief shredded her heart. Her father might yet be alive if he had listened when she tried to warn him about Artur.
Earlier, she had inquired as to Talitha’s whereabouts, only to learn that her former chambermaid had fled the castle moments after Marri returned. A wise decision, Marri thought. She had no sympathy for the woman who had betrayed her.
She dried her tears when someone knocked at the door. Sensing her wish to be alone, Gryff had left the castle, no doubt to go running beneath the full moon. Expecting his return, she called, “It’s open. Come in.”
Amerris, attired in deep mourning, stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.
“How are you, daughter?”
“I’ll be all right.” Marri forced a smile. “I’m so glad you’ve come home.”
Amerris sat on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress beside her. “Come, sit with me. We have much to discuss.”
Alarmed by her mother’s tone, Marri perched on the edge of the mattress.
Amerris took Marri’s hand in hers. “I’m sorry I left you. I never should have run away, but I didn’t know what else to do. I knew Artur had killed his brothers, that he intended to have the throne at any cost, but I never thought he would turn on you. I’ve always known you had no desire to rule, and I was confident Artur knew it, as well.” She shook her head. “I still cannot believe a son of mine was capable of such despicable acts.”
In lieu of words, Marri squeezed her mother’s hand. They sat in silence for several moments before Marri spoke. “Have you been with Nardik all this time?”
“Yes.” Amerris gazed out the window a moment before she said, “We intend to marry when the mourning period is over.”
Marri stared at her mother in disbelief. And then she frowned. “But….what of Seleena? He fathered her child.”
Amerris smiled faintly. “They’ve been friends a very long time. Serep
ta was conceived in a brief moment of passion.”
“You and Nardik.” Marri shook her head. “However did it happen?”
Amerris shrugged. “Does anyone ever know? All I do know is that I don’t want to live without him.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “You have much to consider now. You must be crowned Queen as soon as possible. I know you’ve always held Nardik in high regard, and I would suggest you appoint him as your chief advisor. He is a wise man, one you can trust.”
Marri nodded, though she was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that her mother was in love with the wizard. But the more she thought about it, the more pleased she became. Her parents had never been in love, never been happy together. Theirs had been a marriage to unite kingdoms, not hearts.
“Now, what of this man, Gryff?” Amerris asked briskly. “What is he to you?”
“He is my Nardik,” Marri replied with a quiet smile. “I love him more than my life.”
“But he is a commoner!” her mother exclaimed, aghast at the very idea.
“I know.”
“Child, it simply isn’t done. You’re the queen now, you must marry royalty.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”
Amerris frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Gryff is my husband.”
Amerris stared at her. After a moment, she said, “The marriage must be annulled immediately.”
“No.”
Amerris considered trying to change her daughter’s mind, but, hearing the steel beneath the softly-spoken refusal, she knew it was pointless. “You could knight him,” she remarked, thinking out loud. “And then grant him land in the northern part of Brynn Tor. That would give him status.”
“Sir Gryff,” Marri said, and burst out laughing. “I can’t wait to tell him!”
* * *
The wolf raced through the forest behind the castle, trying to empty his mind of everything but the hare he was chasing. But, for once, there was no solace in the night, no forgetting that Marri would soon be queen of Brynn Tor, and when that happened, all his dreams of spending his life with the woman he loved would be swallowed up in reality.
He had nothing to offer Brynn Tor’s new ruler — not power, not wealth, not land. Not a damn thing. She would be forced to dissolve their marriage. Wed a man worthy of her. Share his bed. Bear his children…
With a growl, the wolf’s jaws closed on the rabbit’s throat. A quick shake broke the creature’s neck. Blood filled his mouth. Suddenly repulsed, he tossed the furry corpse aside.
No matter how he longed to share his life with her, Marri would forever be out of his reach.
* * *
Marri paced the floor of her chamber. Where was Gryff? He had been gone for hours. Had something dreadful happened to him?
She was giving serious thought to sending the royal guard out to search for him when he entered the room.
“Gryff! I’ve been so worried. Where have you been?”
“Nothing for you to fret about, princess. I just needed a little fresh air. Everything okay here?”
“As much as it can be. I’ve so much to do. I need to let the people know that their king is…is gone, and…”
“You’ll be fine. You were born to be queen. With Artur out of the way…” He shrugged.
“All your problems are solved.”
“My mother’s in love with Nardik.”
He grunted softly. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“Nor did I. They plan to wed next year.”
He nodded. “I wish you well, Marri.”
Alarmed by the tone of his voice, she frowned. His expression was implacable. “Gryff…”
“Hey, you’re the queen now. You don’t need a guy like me in your life. I’d just be an embarrassment to you.”
“You’re leaving me?” Feeling as though all the air had been sucked out of the room, she stared up at him. “But…”
“I don’t belong here and we both know it.”
Determined not to cry, Marri lifted her head, blinked back her tears. She was Queen of Brynn Tor. If he wanted to leave, then good riddance. She didn’t need him.
But she did. More than her next breath. “I forbid you to go.”
His eyes narrowed. “Is that right?”
“I am your wife, Gryff Donovan. But even more than that, I am your queen. As such, I command you to stay here. If you refuse, I’ll…I’ll…”
“Yeah?” He lifted one brow in wry amusement. “You’ll what?”
“Nothing. I thought you loved me.”
“You know I do.”
“Then why are you leaving?”
“You know why? I’m nobody.”
“I intend to change that, if you’ll let me.”
“Yeah? How?”
“I’m going to grant you knighthood and a large parcel of land in the North Country.”
“Me? A knight?” He shook his head, amused and amazed by her tenacity. “And then what?”
“And then,” she said, her eyes shining with merriment, “we’re going to get married again, in front of my family. And I’m going to wear the most beautiful gown you’ve ever seen. And a long white veil. And a crown.”
He couldn’t help it. He laughed. And then he drew her into his arms and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Marri, my queen,” he said fervently, “I am yours to command, now and for always.”
Chapter 31
Marri gazed at her reflection in the looking glass, one hand pressed to her abdomen as a million butterflies took flight. Today was her wedding day. Except for the immediate family, no one knew she and Gryff were already married. With that in mind, she knew she should have waited the proper interval after the funerals of her father and brother before marrying Gryff, but she didn’t care what people thought. She had waited three months. Three months of pretending he wasn’t her husband. Three months of him sneaking into her room after everyone else had retired for the night. She simply couldn’t wait another day for everyone to know they were man and wife.
Gryff had been knighted. He now owned several thousand acres in the North Country, as well as his family home in Nardinnia.
“Are you ready, daughter?”
Marri nodded as her mother stepped into the room. Soon all the world would know he belonged to her.
* * *
Nardik led Marri to the church located behind the castle. It was a beautiful old building, with stained glass windows and a bell tower. Once she was wed, the bells would ring out the good news.
Marri had asked Nardik to walk her down the aisle and he had graciously accepted. She was surprised at how easily he had slipped into life at the castle, almost as if he had never left.
Though it was customary for all the citizens of Brynn Tor to attend royal weddings if they wished to do so, her mother had decided that, with the recent deaths of the king and his son, it wouldn’t be seemly. Therefore, only the king’s widow, esteemed members of the clergy, and the rulers of the prominent city-states would be allowed to attend.
Now, walking down the aisle toward the altar, Marri was oblivious to everyone in attendance save for the tall, dark-haired man standing beside the priest. Save that he was clad in white instead of black, Gryff looked much as he had the first time she had seen him — dark and handsome and dangerous. Little had she known then how closely their lives would entwine, or that he would become the most important person in her life.
She smiled at Nardik as he placed her hand in Gryff’s.
Obviously feeling ill-at-ease in the midst of Brynn Tor’s ruling class, Gryff managed a smile. Leaning forward, he whispered, “I love you, Marri Donovan.”
His gaze locked with hers as they repeated the vows that joined them together as husband and wife in front of Brynn Tor’s invited guests.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Gryff’s smile widened as he drew his wife gently into his arms, lifted her veil, and kissed her in full view of her subjects for the first time.
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* * *
Again, due to recent events, Amerris suggested they postpone the customary lavish reception following the ceremony, and Marri agreed. There were some who were unhappy with this decision, but Marri felt that, under the circumstances, it was the right thing to do.
Alone in their chambers, Gryff closed and locked the door, then drew his bride into his embrace. Clad in a long white gown, her golden hair spilling over her shoulders, she had never looked more beautiful, more desirable. “I will love you as long as I live.”
“And I, you.”
“Are you sure this is going to work? Not you and me, but me being your…what am I, exactly? The royal consort?”
“No, silly. You’re the king of my heart.”
With a shake of his head, he removed her veil, showered her with kisses as he unfastened her dress and lifted it over her head, leaving her clad in only her undergarments and shoes.
He whistled softly, smiled as she blushed from head to foot.
Arching one brow, she undressed him down to his briefs. “That’s better.”
“Much.”
He toed off his boots.
She slipped off her shoes.
He stepped out of his shorts.
She shimmied out of her underwear.
“Like what you see?” she asked.
He waggled his brows at her. “I always have.”
She laughed softly as she glanced at his arousal, let out a shriek of anticipation when he
swept her into his arms and carried her to bed.
“Was it so bad?” she asked, a twinkle in her eyes. “Marrying me again?”
He shook his head, then kissed the tip of her nose. “Marri, my sweet, I’ll marry you as many times as you wish, because there’s no place I’d rather be than here, with you in my arms.”
She sighed as he rose over her.
There were no assassins hunting for her.
No vindictive witch searching for him.
They had time now, she thought. All the time in the world.
Epilogue