Missy Jane - Born of Stone

He finally turned to face her. “One of the Council members gave this to me when I questioned them about you. She said it was your mother’s.”

“Yes. I remember it from when I was a girl but thought her things had been lost.”

He shook his head and fought down his anger. “No. Not lost, taken. For some reason no one could explain to my satisfaction, your mother’s things were given to another House when you were taken in by Iva. I was told this was the only item that could be located on such short notice.”

She nodded and ran her hands over the scarf he held as if it were a sacred treasure. Tears slipped down her face but she ignored them and returned her gaze to his.

“Is this truly what you want, Master Nel? You truly want… me ?”

He tightened his grip on the scarf and went down on one knee. It was well known the Masters bowed to no one but the king. However, where Nel only lowered his head in the king’s presence, he would gladly lower his entire body to the dirt-covered floor for Phaidra.

“I have never wanted anything more. Phaidra of Keva, would you be my bride? With this scarf of your mother’s lineage I would wed you before this witness, to be my wife for at least one year. If after that time you wish to leave me, I will let you go, but not one second before that time.”

Phaidra looked down at the man she never thought she would be able to keep and her heart filled to bursting. He really wanted her. It was a marvel and a miracle. She couldn’t possibly deny him. He had said the right words, as if someone from her home had taught him the ceremonial phrase. Now all she had to do was say it back.

She knelt also and faced him, taking his hands into hers and raising them up between them. “Master Nel of Halstrid, with this scarf of my mother’s lineage I will be your wife. I will wed you for one year and forevermore if you still want me after that time.”

His face broke into a radiant smile and a suspicious sheen covered his eyes. The priest stepped forward and took the ends of the scarf, wrapping them around their joined hands.

“Then I do bear witness to this handfasting, and declare you to be man and wife for one year of time.”

A weight lifted from Phaidra’s shoulders and she laughed with the joy erupting from her soul. Nel joined her before pulling her into a deep kiss. Finally, the priest had to clear his throat to gain their attention. Her face heated in a blush, but Nel simply grinned.

“Thank you, Father, I appreciate this more than you could know. In one year we will return to renew our vows.”

The priest nodded and Nel stood and pulled her up by their clasped hands. Then he gently pried them apart and folded the scarf before handing it to her.

“Hold this, my love, and we’ll put it somewhere safe once we’re home.”

She took it without hesitation before preceding him from the small church.

Nel wanted to shout from the top of the tower that Phaidra was now his wife, but he kept it to himself while they returned to the castle. She was quiet when he led her to his room and lifted her to sit on the side of his bed. He lit a fire and locked his door then returned to her. She watched him but still said nothing, just held her mother’s scarf.

“Can I put that away for you?” he asked. “I have a chest that sits empty now.”

She nodded and allowed him to take it. He put it away quickly and went back to the bed.

“Are you hungry?”

“No.”

“Tired?”

“No.”

“Angry? Bored? Annoyed? What still ails you, Phaidra?”

She took a deep breath and he braced for a physical blow. Though he knew she wouldn’t try to hit him he almost wished she would. Some kind of reaction would give him a hint of her mood and where to go from here.

“Do you love me?” she asked.

He froze, but more from the fact that instant denial was not on his tongue. When he didn’t respond right away she obviously took it to mean no. She slipped off the bed and ran to the door. He caught her before she could turn the lock.

“No, don’t leave. Look at me, Phaidra. Please.”

He turned her around and held her against the door. Tears streamed from her eyes but she made no move to wipe them away. He cupped her face with both palms and looked into her eyes.

“Yes, my pretty one, I do love you. In all honesty, I never expected to say that to any woman so I’m not really sure what to do. But if you leave me now I will follow. I’d be helpless to anything else.”

The surprise on her face annoyed him but he fought not to let it show.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t have you as my wife otherwise. I love you.”

Her smile was slow in coming but well worth the wait. Then she stood on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to his. He growled low in his throat and pulled her into his arms. After a couple of minutes, she finally eased back to gasp in much-needed air.

“I…love…you…too.”

He grinned and returned to his bed. Then he set her on it and started removing her clothes. “Good. I didn’t want to contemplate trying to live without you.”

She sighed and it was a happy sound. His heart lightened to hear it.

“I love you so much, Nel. But being away from you for days at a time is torture.”

She was naked before him, reclining on his bed, so it took a moment for her words to make sense.

“Hmm? Oh… I agree. It’s torture for me also. But there will be times I’m called away to do my duty.”

“I know and I understand that. But what am I supposed to do here in your absence?”

He stopped in the act of removing his shirt and frowned at her. “What?”

She rolled her eyes and sat up, covering her perfect breasts with one arm. His frown deepened and he finished taking off his shirt before unlacing his pants.

“While you’re off protecting the kingdom, I have nothing to do besides sleep, eat and pretend to help Astrid in the library. She certainly doesn’t need my help, even with Ourania in her arms. So, what am I supposed to do besides laze around and grow fat?”

He couldn’t help but laugh, but a glance at her face sobered his amusement quickly. “Forgive me. I don’t make light of your concerns, I swear.”

“Then what do you suggest? I know I can’t go with you.”

He sighed and dropped his pants to the floor before stepping out of them. For once, the sight of his nakedness seemed to have no effect on her at all.

“No, you can’t go with me. I don’t want you acting the servant either while I’m away.”

Rather than go to the bed as he dearly wanted, he turned away to pace across the room. If he got too close to her he wouldn’t be able to think.

“What skills do you have?” he asked.

She seemed to think it over for a few minutes. “Well, I can cook and clean. I can read and write. I’m not a very good teacher though. I can work with numbers fairly well.”

He spun on his heels to face her. “Truly? Do you know how to keep an accounting of money?”

She shrugged and finally dropped her arm. “I’ve never tried with money but if it’s working with numbers, I should be able to do it.”

He nodded and closed the distance, happy to know he might have found a solution to what concerned her.

“Good enough. In the morning, we’ll speak to Petros and he may have work for you. But for now…”

He joined her on the bed and covered her body with his. She opened her arms and legs to him without hesitation and eased his mind.

“For now you should make love to me, and perhaps our own babe will come in time.”

He couldn’t wait another second and took her lips in a searing kiss. She returned his passion and welcomed him into her body.

“I love you so much, my pretty one.”