Page 35 of Obeying the Orc
The judge paused and looked at me over his shoulder. He gave a sigh and shook his head as if in exacerbation. “Let me guess. You need me to officiate a ceremony for you, too?”
“Are you free in an hour, Judge?”
“Yes, just tell me where to be. I tell you what, this town needs a priest in that temple, with all the weddings I end up performing during my trips here. I officiate more weddings than I hold trials.”
“Perhaps the town will have a priest one day soon,” I said. If I didn’t feel the calling to become the town priest, or Natalee remained averse to it, I would write to some of my friends in the Northern Isles and locate a priest for Faircross myself. “Judge, could you meet me and my bride down by the river? We’d like to get married as soon as possible.”
“I’ll be there.”
CHAPTER20
NATALEE
Floura bounced up and down.“Oh, I’m so excited! Congratulations!” She hurled herself at me and gave me a fierce hug.
“I need your help, Floura.” I started tossing my things back into my valises the moment my friend released me. “I’m supposed to meet Knot by the river in one hour. I’d love for you, Madame Sage, Trevonn, and Lottie to come bear witness. Could you gather them up and be there in an hour? I’d like to finish packing and fix myself up a bit.”
“Consider it done,” Floura replied, already on her way out the door of my room.
Once I was alone, I finished packing all my belongings, fitting everything I owned into the two valises that I’d left the Foxthornes with in a hurry almost a month ago. So much had happened since then.
I’d become a siren. I’d fallen in love. I’d made plans to travel back to Jathaway, only to decide to get married and stay in the Faircross area for the time being.
I tried to ignore the flutters in my tummy. Knot would be a good husband. I wasn’t worried about that. Yet I still couldn’t help but fret over what my status as a former siren would do to his reputation. I reminded myself that it was already common knowledge around town that Knot was sweet on me and had visited me every evening for a fortnight, showing up and paying fifty gold pieces each night just to keep all other males away. I doubted the arrangement he’d made with Madame Sage was common knowledge, however, since it had become somewhat of a challenge for some males who’d shown up at the tavern during that time, who’d hoped Knot wouldn’t come and I would be free to go upstairs with someone new.
Well, I supposed the damage had already been done to his reputation. This realization bolstered my confidence in my decision to marry him, though it saddened me that gossip spread so quickly in Faircross. I thought of the lies Mrs. Foxthorne had spread about me, and the dirty looks I still sometimes received as I walked around town.
After glancing around my room to make sure I’d packed all my belongings, I moved to the small mirror above the dresser and set about fixing my hair. I styled it in a twist atop my head, with half of my auburn curls falling over my shoulders. It was the same style I’d worn the morning I met Knot in the mercantile when I’d almost bumped into him as I rounded an aisle.
Warmth filled me at the memory of that day, of how he’d made it halfway out the door only to turn around and ask me to meet him the next day.
Once my hair looked perfect, I gazed down at my skirts to make sure they weren’t too wrinkled. This was one of my best dresses and I’d felt a tad silly putting it on this morning without any special plans. However, I’d wanted to say goodbye to Knot and Faircross in my own way. Wearing the very dress I’d worn during our picnic beside the river had seemed fitting.
Once satisfied all the wrinkles were smoothed from my skirt, I placed my valises next to the door. I would ask Trevonn to deliver them to The Bluebird Inn after the wedding ceremony.
My heart skittered at the knowledge that tomorrow I would head to the mountain with Knot and be alone with him for as many days as we remained at his cabin.
At The Sweet Siren, we were never truly alone. The voices, laughter, and music from downstairs could always be heard in my room, even with the door closed. Not to mention the amorous noises that could often be heard echoing from the other sirens’ nearby rooms.
I sat on the bed, closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths. My hands started shaking in my lap, and I smiled at my own excitement to marry Knot. Weeks ago, when Mrs. Foxthorne had introduced me to the eligible males in town, I’d never imagined I would be this excited to get married. I’d envisioned myself settling on the most sensible choice and simply going through the motions of a wedding ceremony. I’d certainly never believed I would marry for love. But in less than an hour, I would be doing just that.
After glancing in the mirror one last time, I headed downstairs. I heard Lottie and Floura talking excitedly in the kitchen, and I slipped outside by myself, trusting my friends would show up at the river on time. I wished to arrive there a few minutes early, however, and decided to go on ahead by myself.
As I walked down the street, I avoided the judgmental glances a few of the older women gave me, though I couldn’t help but wonder what they would think if they knew the truth about the Foxthornes, particularly Mr. Foxthorne. At least I hadn’t run into him in town since that fateful night. I still couldn’t believe Knot, a former priest who’d taken vows of peace, had beaten the repulsive male bloody.
The bridge came into sight, as well as the rushing river, and I quickened my pace. But a short figure stepped in my path, forcing me to an abrupt halt.
My breath caught and my stomach flipped, but I held my head high, refusing to cower in front of this particular woman.
“Good morning to you, Mrs. Foxthorne.” Thankfully, my voice came out calm and confident.
To my surprise, the elderly woman didn’t glare at me or display any kind of look that bordered on hatred, as she had the night she’d kicked me out on the street. Instead, Mrs. Foxthorne smiled politely, and if I didn’t know better, I would have thought the woman had been crying recently. Her smile couldn’t disguise the dark rings surrounding her bloodshot eyes. I didn’t know if I should inquire what was wrong or keep walking.
“Good morning, Natalee. How-how have you been? Well, I hope?” Her voice trembled with uncertainty and… grief. More proof that something had happened.
Taken aback by what sounded like a sincere question, I stared down at Mrs. Foxthorne and tried to discern whether her apparent kindness was some sort of nasty trick. “I-I have been well.” Part lie and part truth, but she didn’t need to know all that had happened to me since the night Mr. Foxthorne had nearly molested me. All that mattered was that I’d found happiness with an admirable male who loved me.
“Are you and the priest going to get married? I heard that he’s been courting you, even though… even though… well, you know.” Mrs. Foxthorne flushed, and her eyes kept dancing away from mine.
