Ria Cantrell - Celtic Storm 03 (32 page)

As the men grabbed their clothes, Andarra scolded, “Oh no. Those filthy things are not going back on yer’ clean hides. It will serve ye’ right if ye’ are found with nothing covering yer’ arses. Take the drying cloths with ye’ and go back to yer’ chambers. I will have yer’ tunics laundered and your mail picked up to be cleaned by yer’ squires. Now go.”

Both men stood wrapped in the drying cloths but they left little to the imagination. As Andarra left the solar, the two men faced each other and offered their hands in a truce. “Mighty good parry, mate,” Randall said. “You almost had me.”

Shaking his head and grinning, “Nay, I was finished, man. When you pulled me down the second time, I knew I was going to lose that fight.”

“I suspect that given the chance, Andarra would best both of us.”

Erik now laughed. “Yes, I think you may be right about that.”

When they felt that they were clear to leave the solar, they hastily made it back to their respective chambers. Erik flopped down on the bed and thought about the next few hours. Suddenly, he could not wait to be a married man. That thought consoled him and he drifted off for some needed sleep. It was still very early and a few more hours in bed would be welcomed after his brief but tiring bout in the lists.

~~~~~

The mist swirling around his legs as he braced himself on the banks of the churning river gave Erik pause. He could not see the earth beneath him and felt the danger of being plunged into the icy waters stirring at his feet. He could sense the need to see past the mist. He needed to see into the depths of the river. She was there, and he had to save her. His eyes caught sight of the ebony locks that beckoned like a banner and without thinking he dived in. He did not feel the cold as he was enveloped in it, but he could feel the choking river water that threatened to fill his lungs. He feared they would both be dashed upon the rocks and he swam closer to her, trying to reach her desperately. He knew he had to save her. The entire time, he fought against the currents and he felt he had done this before.

She seemed to drift ever further from his reach but he knew that his life depended on saving her; for without her, he would have no life. That was certain.

He could hear her silent pleas for help and he would stop at nothing till he could do just that. He kicked his legs, which felt like lead, and was able to gain a little momentum to reach her. Why did it feel like he had done this a long time ago? That time seemed different…she was being pulled to the bottom of the sea. Still, here she was being carried by the strong tides that gave the river its course. His eye followed the flow of her black hair as it gave him a marker to grasp for. Yes, he could still see it. She had gone under for a split second and now she was just before him. Pumping his limbs to swim harder toward her, he felt his lungs burning, even as he sputtered the cold brackish river water. At last he reached her and clasped her delicate wrist in his strong hold. He dragged her with him to the outer banks and he pulled her limp form upon the soggy earth. She was cold, but her eyes, like emeralds, sparkled her thanks and he had to kiss her, lest she fade away from him. He knew his heart would no longer beat if she did, so he willed warmth into her as his lips claimed hers. She whispered, “You are ever my savior, beloved.” And he knew the table had been turned upon him. She was as much his salvation as he would be to her.

~~~~~

Erik woke with a start. There were no more cold rivers to ford. It had just been a dream. As bright sunlight filtered in through the closed shutters of his room, he realized the time had come to wed the one woman who had captured his heart.

~Chapter Thirty-Eight~

Rhianna was garbed in her wedding dress and she stood before the looking glass, staring at her reflection. The seamstresses had done a wonderful job on her gown. It was a brilliant blue hue and the fabric was shot through with gold threads. Those were Erik’s heraldic colors and she wore them to show her unity to him. Golden bands of corded Celtic love knots mirrored the twisted designs of the Norse heritage that Erik also shared. They rested above each elbow and her sleeves then flared to beautiful bell-shaped angel wings. Her underdress was made of a soft pale gold silk and the sleeves tapered and pointed below her middle fingers. They were laced with golden ribbons on the underside of her wrists. Her bodice hugged her form and spilled into rich flowing skirts, with a long added train that fell gracefully behind her. She circled her hips with a jeweled girdle that drew to a delicate “vee” below her waist and dangled to the hem of her skirts. Small sapphire and amber cabochons dotted her neckline and hemline in the midst of the Celtic embroidery there, as well. At her throat, she wore a gold necklace adorned with winking sapphires and matching earrings cascaded from her ears. The jewels had been a wedding gift from Erik and she admired them as she gazed upon her reflection. She had received the gifts early in the morning from Erik’s squire, but the best gift of all was the simple note rolled and tied in blue silk ribbons. For Rhianna, those words were more precious than any costly jewels. She played the words over again in her mind, remembering a time not so long ago when she had memorized a different kind of letter; one from the king. How she had dreaded what would befall her when she was being forced to marry one of his knights! Today, she thought on Erik’s words and her heart welled with love.

My beautiful Rhianna, I have given you my heart. Today I become your husband and there is nothing more I would wish to be. I face my future with joy knowing you will be by my side. Love, Erik.

Rhianna braided two long strands of her hair and tied them back with the silk ribbons, twisting them together to mimic the love knots of her dress. She was almost ready to go and so she laid a golden circlet under her braided hair, which pointed downward on her forehead between her delicate eyebrows; a matching blue cabochon adorning its peak. On top of her head, she had arranged a woven wreath of orange autumn flowers which sat on a sheer light blue lawn veil. When she heard the knock on the door, she knew it was her escort coming to collect her and take her to her wedding.

Opening the door, Rhianna beamed a smile to her new dearest friend.

“Sir Drew, t’is you. I was not sure who would be giving me away this day.”

He raised her hand to his lips and he kissed it, saying, “You are beautiful. Erik has been granted the greatest jewel in all of the kingdom.”

“You are such a flatterer, sir.”

He put a hand over his heart and he said, “I do not flatter falsely, m’lady. You would tempt the resolve of the saints, I think.”

Rhianna laughed at his bravado. She had grown to love this endearing rake in the short time since they had met. Putting her fingers through his bent arm, he patted them with his free hand and he said, “Shall we? Your bridegroom awaits you, m’lady.”

Without any reservations, Rhianna nodded happily. Suddenly, she just could not wait to see Erik. Drew walked with Rhianna to the outer bailey where her horse was waiting. Its mane was braided and adorned in some of the same fall flowers that were already in bloom. The trappings were festive, with gold and blue ribbons attached to the bridle and the saddle. A white surcoat embroidered in gold rested on the back of the animal. Drew helped Rhianna mount sidesaddle and he mounted his own horse to escort her to the church located in the center of the town. Long staffs of wood had been erected along the edges of the lane and were draped in wide ribbons of du Montefort, Ragnorsen and Fitzhugh colors. There were several with du Montefort and Fitzhugh twined together and du Montefort and Ragnorsen, likewise braided, like tiny maypoles each step of the way. Drew rode beside Rhianna and chatted quietly with her to make certain she was not ill at ease. Instead, he saw the happiness in her eyes, especially when she spied the staffs with her and Erik’s colors mingled. Janelle had already gone ahead and they were just waiting for Rhianna to arrive now.

Once inside the chapel, which was lit with hundreds of candles, Rhianna could see that many of the pews were brimming with guests and well-wishers. They had forgone some of the ordinary customs because of the two marriages being performed that day. Usually the bride would meet her bridegroom outside of the chapel and there, they would pledge their troth before entering the church sanctuary, but today the chapel doors were open and both brides were set to meet their bridegrooms at the altar. The sanctuary was bedecked with flowers and their perfume filled the space. Despite overflowing with wedding attendants, it was not hard to spot Erik as he stood, tall and handsome at the front of the chapel. He was dressed in a navy and gold doublet over form fitting trews. A dark cloak was caught with Nordic looking pins over each shoulder and it hung down his back, emphasizing his physique. As the doors were cast wide, a soft breeze seemed to lift that mantle from his back and Rhianna thought it made him look rugged and strong.
Thor!
Once again, she felt as if she was staring at the Norse god of Thunder that she had only read about in books. He wore Rhianna’s favor that she had embroidered for him on his belt. She had carefully adorned a soft kid glove with silk threads to bear the du Montefort crest comingled with the Ragnorsen coat of arms. Rhianna was happy to see him wearing her token of favor as she slowly approached on Sir Andrew Brandham’s arm. Rhianna assessed her betrothed with appreciative eyes and she felt instant desire course through her; that and more. Love welled inside her as if she was looking at Erik for the first time. His hair hung to his shoulders like golden honey. Rhianna licked her lips, thinking how positively delicious he looked. His legs were slightly braced apart and Rhianna could barely break her gaze from the powerful image of him standing before her like that of the Viking god.

Drew took her hand and watched as all rose and turned toward the two brides that would soon join their husbands. Janelle’s brother had finally arrived for the celebration so he guided her down the aisle toward Randall. Once she was settled at his side, Drew led Rhianna to meet with Erik at the altar’s edge. Erik swallowed deeply when he saw Rhianna dressed so beautifully and in his colors, to boot. It overwhelmed him and he was filled with deep emotions that prevented him from speaking. If he had to choose a mate for himself, he could not have chosen better. As he gazed upon her, he felt so much love for this woman. It was something that he could not put into words. It was hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, he dreaded even meeting her and now he was ready to spend his life with her.

Rhianna smiled shyly up at him. She could see he was struggling with himself and she wondered if anything was amiss. She gazed up at him and blinked, her thick lashes resting on her cheeks. Erik only nodded and he broke into a smile, showing a row of his white, even teeth. She breathed a sigh of relief and realized he too was overcome with emotions, as she had been. Before she could speak at all to him, the priest beckoned them to kneel down. Erik swallowed again, feeling the strong reaction to seeing her before him. Placing their right hands together, the priest wound ribbons around their wrists and blessed them. He moved to Janelle and Randall and did the same. As he was blessing the other couple, Erik whispered, “You are so beautiful, my love.”

He was charmed that she blushed at his praise and she responded, barely above a sigh saying, “Handsome does not describe you, Erik. Why you are good enough to eat.” With a slight wink he mouthed, “Later.”

It seemed like an eternity that they knelt before the altar. Erik watched Rhianna and felt he could scarcely take his eyes from her. It was as if all the others present fell away and only the two of them remained. So lost in thought was he, that when the priest bid them stand to speak their vows, Rhianna had to give his hand a gentle tug. He seemed to snap back to the present and he almost laughed out loud. If the priest knew what he had been thinking, he would have made Erik seek hours of penance, to be certain. It had not gone unnoticed by Rhianna and she could only guess what had distracted him. She forced the knowing smile from her lips and concentrated on the marriage ceremony.

When they had finally spoken their vows of fidelity and troth, they exchanged rings and celebrated the nuptial mass. Once all the prayers and blessings were said over the two couples, they were declared married. A cheer went up as the two couples left the church, hand in hand.

As they had ventured outside, a cool breeze whipped up and Erik saw an involuntary shiver pass over Rhianna. He unpinned his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. It was much larger on her than it had been on him, so he took one of his shoulder pins and pinned the cloak closed at her throat. The cloak was deliciously warm from Erik’s own heat still present in the fabric. Rhianna could smell his clean, spicy scent as she was enfolded in his mantle and it felt wonderful. Helping her onto her horse, Erik then mounted his black steed and taking both bridles into his fist, he guided both mounts back to the du Montefort Keep.

As they crossed the open draw bridge, they did not take much notice of any other distractions as they seemed to only have eyes for each other. Drew, however, did not miss the cooper woman being detained at the entrance. Thinking she would cause an ugly scene, he dismounted his horse before the others rode through and he said to the guards, “Is there a problem?”

“Nay. We were told.…”

“They will not grant me entrance, sir. I have necessary casks for the wedding feast.”

Drew felt her black eyes like those of a snake boring into him. He suddenly felt like he was her prey and if she could, she would devour him. As diplomatically as he could, he said, “We have no more need of any further supplies this day. All the preparations have been completed and the stores are near to bursting with your wares. Come back in a week or two and I am sure there will be an exchange at that time.”