Unleashed (12 page)

“How can you do that?”

“My mother was of Flaradian heritage,” Amanda said softly as they walked along the hall. “She taught me several things, and left me a journal that I keep with me always.”

“You can do more?” Bettina’s blue eyes were wide with wonder. “What?”

“I’m not sure,” she admitted, pausing to look up at the portrait of the previous baroness. “Bettina, what am I doing? I’m just a Guild Master’s daughter. I know nothing of being a noble lady. I’m scared to death that if we go to court, and I know at some point we’ll have to, that I’ll embarrass Wulfgar by doing or saying something wrong that would insult someone and…”

“Shh,” Bettina said soothingly, drawing her farther down the hall to her room. “You wouldn’t because you can’t. You’re the sweetest, gentlest girl I know. You did splendidly when we were at court…”

“Because I spent as much time as I could at the museums and libraries,” Amanda laughed softly.

“True, but when you did come with us, you were very popular and I was told by many how wonderful they thought you were. A bit too intelligent for many, but most at court didn’t seem to like women who read more than the society pages.”

“Most at court don’t like women who do more than dance, gossip, and arrange flowers,” drawled Amanda as they reached her bedroom door. She opened it and entered, going to the wardrobe where Melly was arranging the new dresses. “Now, which one should I wear?”

“This is true,” Bettina sighed, closing the door behind them. “The pink or the yellow I think. We’ve no time for a white dress, but that seems more a court affectation than a country tradition.”

Amanda sent her a teasing look.

“So now country traditions are more appealing than what is done at court?”

Blushing, Bettina nodded and studied the two dresses Melly held up.

“Yes, I’ve discovered that our quiet town is more to my liking.”

Amanda held the rose dress to her and looked in the mirror.

“And I’m entering a brand new world here,” she whispered, fighting back the nervousness.

Bettina’s face appeared behind her and then her arms brought her in for a hug.

“You will be wonderful,” she encouraged quietly. “Your lord will be there and so will everyone here. But,” she grinned over Amanda’s shoulder at their reflections, “you can’t get married if you’re not dressed. Let’s get this bride ready, Melly.”

Chapter Ten

Wulfgar and his future father-in-law discussed more serious topics than fashion. The door to his bedroom closed and Heinrich paced over to the tall windows.

“You knew what her mother could do,” Wulfgar stated, slowly crossing the room and standing next to him.

“Not until after we were married,” Heinrich said. “And when I realized just what her people could do, had done, I felt as if I’d been tricked into marrying her.” He shook his head. “She tried to explain things and I wouldn’t listen. When Amanda was five, I found the two of them in the garden and,” he clenched his jaw and swallowed, “I’m ashamed of how I reacted. And again, after Amalia died, I found Amanda practicing what her mother had taught her.”

“You beat her? Beat them both?” Wulfgar snarled.

“I said I was ashamed of how I reacted,” Heinrich ground out. “I hid every paper I had on her family so Aaron wouldn’t know. It was for selfish reasons. I didn’t want him to know how I’d been fooled. Considering the change in him after he left for university, I’m glad I did for other reasons. I can only imagine what he would have done this fall if he had known…”

“If he had known that Amanda’s cousin is Crown Prince Karl?” Wulfgar said quietly.

“She told you.”

“Of course. There are no secrets between us.”

Heinrich turned his head.

“As his cousin, would you need his approval or permission to marry her?”

“I wouldn’t think so,” Wulfgar said after a moment. “The connection is through their mothers. And from what Amanda has told me, he approves of the match anyway.”

“He…” Heinrich’s jaw dropped. “How could he possibly know about the two of you?”

There was a knock on the door.

“Enter,” called Wulfgar, turning to see Jordan open the door.

“I thought I would help you dress, my lord.”

“Thank you, Jordan. How is Anders?”

“Finished a bowl of broth and insisting he is fine enough to attend the wedding.”

“Excellent. And so he shall.”

Jordan went to the wardrobe and opened the doors.

“Court attire, my lord?”

“Yes, that seems quite appropriate.”

While Jordan removed the clothes and began brushing them, Wulfgar turned to the waiting Heinrich.

“Apparently, Amanda and her cousin have a mental link that permits communication. It’s how he was able to save her from the attentions of Aaron’s friends at the museum.”

Seeing Heinrich flush, Wulfgar turned, satisfied that his father-in-law understood how things were. He and Amanda truly had no secrets.

As Jordan helped Wulfgar dress, Heinrich excused himself to change as well.

****

An hour later, Amanda turned at the soft knock on her door. Putting the brush down, Melly went to the door, spoke quietly, and then turned.

“Your father’s here to take you to the chapel, my lady.”

Amanda swallowed at the change in address, then nodded. Her father entered while the maid left. Turning on the stool in front of the vanity, she looked at him and smiled.

“You look very handsome, Father.”

“And you are beautiful,” he said quietly, stopping several paces from her. “I…”

He took a deep breath and she frowned slightly at the hesitation in his expression.

“Father, you approve of Wulfgar for my husband, don’t you?”

Heinrich smiled and crossed the distance between them. Putting his hands lightly on her shoulders, he kissed her forehead.

“I don’t think there’s anyone else better for a husband for you.”

“Then what is troubling you?”

“So many things,” he whispered, gazing down at her. “Most of all that I wish I’d tried more to understand what your mother could do. What you can do. I deeply regret…”

Understanding the two instances he meant, Amanda stood and hugged him. Her father’s arms went around her and he rested his cheek on the top of her head.

“You continued practicing on your own anyway though.”

“Yes,” she sighed. “I’m sorry I disobeyed you, Papa, but it was growing inside of me and I couldn’t ignore it.”

“At least Aaron never knew,” he murmured. “After Amalia’s death, I hid all but the marriage contract.”

“He found that and teased me daily until he left for university about not having noble blood.”

She felt her father sigh.

“I don’t know what happened to him. Where I went so very wrong as a father. For him to bargain you for his debts.” He shuddered and his arms tightened around her. “I know I’ve been harsh in my judgment toward Crown Prince Karl, and it’s been hard for you, but I am very grateful to him for coming to your rescue at the museum.”

“I’ll tell him that,” she told him, smiling up at him.

“What is this mental connection Lord Wulfgar mentioned?”

“I read about it in Mama’s journal. When we reached court, I sent a note to him, simply saying I had information about his mother’s family if he would like to meet. The next day, we met and started practicing together. One of the first things we learned to do was speak with our minds. We’re getting…”

Cousin?

Karl! I’m getting married any moment. I wish you could be here.

As do I, Mandy. It doesn’t seem as though I’ll be crown prince much longer.

She stiffened and stepped away from her father, barely managing to sit on the stool. She closed her eyes, trying to keep her hands from trembling on her lap.

Karl, what is it? What’s happening?

Uncle Jarl is unconscious. The physicians say he’s in a coma and it’s just a matter of days.

Amanda gasped and looked up at her father’s concerned expression.

“It’s Karl,” she whispered. “The king is in a coma.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” he said promptly.

Karl, Father is here with me. He’s asked if there is anything he can do?

Thank him for me. I may call upon him. I think things will be fairly quiet until spring. Then the southern lands will start stirring.

Do not start a war, cousin. I like Wulfgar alive and in one piece.

She felt his amusement.

I’ll do my best, Mandy. My congratulations to you both.

Thank you. Be careful.

Always. That’s why I’m still alive.

Her cousin’s presence left her mind and she trembled.

“Amanda?” her father asked quietly.

She repeated the brief discussion and he nodded.

“Something will need to be done to keep them quiet. It would be best for all if it was done without war.”

“I would like that above all,” she murmured, mind reeling at the thought of losing her beloved to a war.

“None of this sadness,” he said, lightly gripping her shoulders and pulling her to her feet. “You are about to get married to a man who is probably ready to carry you to the altar himself.”

Beloved, are you coming?

Amanda laughed.

Yes, love. Karl contacted me.

Is everything well?

The king is in a coma.

She sensed his mind sorting through the implications before a resoluteness settled.

That is for later. Hurry up or I’ll be thinking you don’t want to marry me after all.

We’re on our way now.

Taking her father’s arm, she smiled up at him.

“You have a connection with Lord Wulfgar as well?” her father deduced.

“Yes, and that’s because of his abilities as well.”

As they walked down the staircase, Heinrich sighed.

“I can tell my grandchildren are going to be a handful. Just like their mother was as a child.”

She laughed as they approached the chapel where Bettina stood in a pale green gown and a bouquet of lilies and white roses. With a smile for her husband, the older woman handed the flowers to Amanda, arranged the ribbons, and fluffed her skirt.

“Ready?” she asked quietly.

“Yes,” Amanda stated firmly. “This is where I’m supposed to be.”

With a nod, Bettina turned and pushed open the doors. Amanda and Heinrich stepped forward and stared. Lallas had taken his directive to the extreme—as her father guided her down the aisle, she was sure that not a single bloom survived in the greenhouse. The pews were full of staff members and everyone from the little village beyond the walls. Wilhelm sat on his father’s lap and waved happily at her. She smiled at him. As she neared, she reached out and brushed the boy’s cheek with her fingers. He giggled.

In the second pew from the front, she saw Anders, his head bandaged. He and Mrs. Anders smiled, the housekeeper already dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief.

As they reached the halfway point down the aisle, Wulfgar appeared at a side door and took his place in front of the altar where Father Wenceslas waited. Amanda’s breath caught.

“Amanda?” her father breathed.

“He’s in formal court attire.”

“Let no one doubt his intent,” he told her.

“Who is that with him?”

The man with Wulfgar was also dressed as if they were at the capital.

Wulfgar? Who is he?

My cousin.

And then they reached the altar. Amanda stared up at her love and felt everything fade away. Dimly she was aware of her father speaking and placing her hand in Wulfgar’s. She heard his deep voice, steady and sure, repeat the vows. She heard her own voice, low and hesitant at first, then grow stronger, taking courage from the man next to her. Wulfgar helped her kneel for the blessing as Bettina stepped forward to take the bouquet. She closed her eyes, feeling her mother’s presence, and the spirits of so many others.

Unknown to her, her body seemed to glow pale yellow. Wulfgar squeezed her fingers and she turned her head as he pulled her to her feet. She smiled and now saw the light as it stretched out to include him.

“You may kiss your bride, my lord,” the priest stated.

Wulfgar’s hands framed her face and he stared down at her for a long moment.

“My beloved,” he whispered, lowering his head.

His lips touched hers, lightly at first. She leaned toward him, opening to him.

As if you weren’t testing my control already.

My love.

His head lifted and their eyes held. With a whoop, his hands caught her waist, lifting her up and turning around with her. Father Wenceslas and his cousin stepped back, chuckling. Laughing, she put her hands on his shoulders. As he stepped away from the altar, still turning as he gazed up at her, he held her high so all could see her. The staff and villagers applauded and cheered. Near the first pews, he lowered her, letting her body slide down his. As her mouth drew even with his, his arms wrapped around her and he kissed her again.

“Time enough for that, cousin,” the newcomer teased in a voice nearly as deep as the baron’s. “I believe Father Wenceslas needs you to sign the register. Then as far as the realm is concerned, you will be legally wed.”

Laughing, Wulfgar put an arm around her waist and nodded to the priest. Wenceslas lead the way to the side door Wulfgar had come from. Heinrich and Bettina followed them to sign as witnesses.

“Beloved, this rascal is my cousin, Hunter. Your cousin sent him home.”

Pausing as she took the feathered pen from the priest, Amanda smiled at the man so similar to her new husband. Hunter, however, was staring slack-jawed at Wulfgar’s reference.

“Her cousin?”

“Our mothers were cousins,” she told him, signing where Wenceslas pointed. Straightening from the book, she stepped back so Wulfgar could sign it. As he bent over the desk, she rested her hand on his back and studied Hunter. Having seen and felt Wulfgar’s transformation into his beast, she sensed Hunter’s inner turmoil. “How old are you, Hunter?”

“You know?” he whispered as the Baron straightened.

“I do.”

She simply nodded as Wulfgar’s arm wrapped around her waist. Her father guided Bettina to the register. Despair filled eyes a slightly darker blue than his older cousin’s.