Page 13 of Alliance Bride
Though he phrased it as a courtesy, Eadlyn doubted he would appreciate delay.
She inclined her head. “I’ll retrieve my things.”
She flicked her gaze to Aevar, uncertain whether she needed his blessing to leave. Was she a partner now? Or property? Would she need to seek his permission for anything she did? But he made no move to stop her or follow, so she turned and walked away, the rain-soaked grass squishing beneath her feet as she headed back to her tent.
Alone for a breath of a moment, she lifted her eyes toward the gray sky, not even sure what prayer to offer. Her thoughts jumbled too much for her to form words. She looked down at her left hand, where the ring shone dully in the dim light. It was done. The agonizing, the waiting, the planning. Over. There was no going back now. Maybe the finality left her numb, but she prayed it lasted long enough to survive the goodbyes.
She ducked into her tent, where Mildred waited.
“Your things are all packed, my lady.”
“Thank you, Milly. You’ve served me so well. I’ve asked Oswin to see if you might stay on at the palace.”
“It’s been my honor, my lady. You’ve always been very kind.”
The girl curtsied, and Eadlyn nodded, her throat swelling as she turned to her two travel bags. She crossed to the bed and opened one, sliding her hand inside, not to double-check Mildred’s work, but to assure herself a particular treasure was still there. Her fingers found the familiar leather cover, and she drew it out enough to glimpse the old parchment pages inside.
Biblical manuscripts, her most cherished possession. She’d found them hidden away in the palace library years ago, once belonging to her great-grandmother. That they’d survived her father’s scorn for faith was a miracle. Had he known she possessed them, he might’ve destroyed them out of spite.
Father Bened had objected, of course, when she asked Edward for permission to take them to Nordra, but her brother had granted it without hesitation. It would have devastated her to leave them behind. She needed the strength they had provided all these years, now more than ever.
She tucked the bundle between the folds of her dresses and secured the ties. The numbness she’d hoped to keep wrapped around her heart was already beginning to fade, and pain crept in. Leaving this tent was harder than the wedding vows.
Steeling herself, she stepped outside. Galen stood there waiting with a stocky dun horse.
“I brought Hiroc for you.”
The pain in her chest dug deeper at the subdued tone of his voice. She fought to keep it from summoning tears. “Thank you.”
He took her bags and attached them to the saddle in silence. Eadlyn ran her hand down Hiroc’s warm, rain-damp face, smoothing his dark forelock. She glanced toward the Nords near the pavilion, then at her brother and Oswin, standing apart from them.
When Galen finished, his eyes met hers in an exchange that nearly broke her. Other than God, this man had been the most steadfast thing in her life, and right now, that strength seemed shaken. When she left, part of his life’s purpose would leave with her. She had to turn away otherwise she would lose the composure she fought so hard to gain.
Gripping Hiroc’s reins, she began walking toward the others, savoring the comforting, protective shadow of Galen’s presence as he walked alongside her one last time. He’d given her a sense of safety and security when her world had been dark and lonely. Now she had to let that go and trust God to face the unknown.
They joined the gathering, and Jarl Runar stepped forward to speak with Edward.
“We’ll begin cutting timber. I expect a shipment of grain to arrive soon.”
Edward met his gaze with resolve. “It will.”
It steadied Eadlyn to see him standing tall, speaking like a king.
Satisfied, Runar mounted his horse, and most of his men followed.
Eadlyn turned to Oswin first.
“You’ve done your people proud, Your Highness,” he said. “All of Essix will be grateful.”
“Thank you, Oswin. For everything.”
He nodded solemnly, and she turned to Edward. Her voice caught. So many words unspoken. But maybe they didn’t need saying.
She placed her hands on his shoulders. “You’ll be a great king, Edward. I know you will. Just seek God.”
He swallowed hard. “I will.”
And oh, how she prayed he truly would. She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him into a tight embrace.
