Page 56 of Knight of Darkness
His finger traced down her cheek. “I assure you, Ceridwen, there is only one woman who has ever held my heart and I am staring at her now. I have never brought a woman home as a possible bride because none before you ever held my interest to do so.”
“You mean when your parents yet lived and still held ownership over the land?” she asked softly. They had never discussed his youth and Ceridwen was curious how he came to be a champion knight for the Empress.
“Aye. My mother died giving birth to Reynard, so we were raised solely by our father. His death at the hands of the usurper’s men still weighs heavily on my mind even after all these years. His allegiance to the Empress is why our lands were stripped from us. He died protecting myself and my brothers during the siege. When the three of us made our escape, I vowed that day to keep us together. I hired out my hand to the highest bidder in those early days but finally came to lead a number of men for the Empress. Somewhere along the way, my reputation grew until I was known as the Knight of Darkness. I suppose such a name fit given the rage I felt back in those days. Those were indeed dark times.”
“I am so sorry for all you have been through in your past, Wymar. It could not have been easy having your brothers under your care whilst plunging yourself into numerous battles.”
He sat back in his chair and gazed about his hall. “I will admit ’twas not always easy, but I would not forsake the memory of my father’s last wish that we remain together. Now, I have my title and lands restored to me once more,” he said before turning his full attention back to Ceridwen. “I look forward to the years ahead as we once more make Brockenhurst a home.”
Her own heart leapt at his words. There was indeed hope for their future. “Then you are pleased we are to wed and that the Empress sent me as your bride?”
His smile was broad before he reached over to lightly grip her chin so she had no choice but to keep her attention upon him. “God above could hear the joy in my heart when I saw you earlier. Your arrival was the answer to all my prayers. Aye, I am most pleased and hope you are the same.”
“Aye. I am indeed pleased, Wymar.”
“Good! Then we can begin anew and plan our wedding in the days to come. After reading the missive from the Empress, I have learned that her men will remain here to ensure the marriage takes place but she is demanding we wed posthaste. She needs her men to return as soon as they are able, including my brother. Things have not been going well for her of late in her quest for the crown.”
“There have been rumors…”
He held up his hand. “We can discuss the Empress at a later date. This time belongs to you and I, and I plan to take full advantage of every moment we share together from this day forward.” He bent forward and placed a light kiss upon her lips. His mouth lingered near her own whilst their breaths became as one. She kissed him again and sat back in her seat.
Her smile in response to such an intimate moment surely told the whole room how much in love she was with the lord of Brockenhurst. Aye… she, too, was more than pleased to take Wymar as her husband!
Chapter Thirty-Five
The day couldnot have gone any better as far as Wymar was concerned. He had risen early and with a light knock upon Ceridwen’s door, he had told her to dress quickly to go riding. He was momentarily distracted to see her standing with the door only partially open. She held her robe together and he wished they were already wed so that he might wake with her with the rising of the sun. But there would be time for such mornings and evenings soon enough. Today, he would show her the estate of her new home.
’Twas just the two of them for their morning ride. He felt more than confident that Ceridwen was safe with him as her guard, particularly since she was more than capable of defending herself. He glanced over as she rode her white mare. Defiance had served her well and Wymar was pleased she had brought her horse with her and not left the animal at Norwich. The mare would be a good addition to their stable and they could possibly breed her with his own horse, Aries.
Ceridwen was beautiful this day with her blonde hair billowing in the breeze as their horses stretched their legs in a gallop across the strand of the beach. At last, she was the Ceridwen of old and the woman he remembered with a determined fire in her eyes knowing she was in charge of her own life and no longer weighed down by the memories of what Ratcliff had done to her. Thankful she was as happy as he was that they were to wed, they only awaited her gown to be finished before they would marry in Brockenhurst’s chapel.
His slowed his horse and she did the same. The smile that lit her face spoke volumes. He had not seen her this carefree before and the look suited her. He prayed to God above to allow him every opportunity to make this woman happy for the rest of their days and far into eternity.
“You know me well, Wymar,” she beamed at him whilst casting her gaze at the ocean waves. “This was just what I needed.”
“Somehow I thought a ride might please you. Besides, ’twas going to be too fine a day to be cooped up inside the keep,” he replied with a chuckle. “As you have seen, our lands stretch far from the coast and inland.”
“’Tis no wonder the Empress wished for you to secure these lands in her name. Do you suppose she will call upon you again to fight for her cause?” she asked. ’Twas apparent her words voiced her innermost fears.
“Would you miss me?” he teased with a wink.
A laugh escaped her. “I would not dare admit such to you or you might become too conceited. Do you not think ’twould make it difficult for me to live with you?”
He reached over to take her gloved hand. “I wish to never be parted from you again, my lady.”
“I would like nothing more than to live out our days quietly and without war or sieges at our gates,” she murmured. “I have little faith that she would allow me to join her forces by your side should she call upon you again.”
“Never again, Ceridwen,” Wymar growled out. “I will not risk your life for anyone ever again. Besides… there may come a time when we have babes to see to. One of us must live to see to their upbringing.”
She moved her horse closer. “Do not speak such things as if you might die in war and leave me alone. Quick, say a prayer so such a horrible event might not come to pass.”
“You say one for me, my love,” Wymar murmured whilst he watched her close her eyes and offer up a prayer on his behalf.
Opening her eyes, she once more turned her attention in his direction but he could see for himself that some of the joy he had witnessed but moments ago was gone. She gave him a small smile but it did not reach her aquamarine eyes. “Mayhap we should return home. There is much to do before we are to wed.”
He nodded and as he turned his horse around toward home, he called out over his shoulder. “I shall race you. If you win, then you may tell me what you wish of me as your reward.”
Her visage transformed once again to pure joy. “I accept your challenge, Wymar. Prepare yourself to lose!” She kicked her horse into motion as clumps of sand flew from behind her steed.
