Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
I hasten toward the commoners’ tents on the opposite side of the valley, already rehearsing an apology and proposal of marriage in my head. Nothing is going to be good enough. Nothing is going to make up for the pallor I’ve cast over our first days together, but maybe if God is merciful, I’ll be granted a lifetime to make up for it—
I freeze mid-stride.
Up ahead, the king of Lavere is taking Gwen’s hand, leaning over to kiss her knuckles.
The memory of him watching Gwen earlier comes roaring back and my organs seize inside of me. I’ve been an idiot, but this man obviously has not. He’s recognized Gwen’s worth and offered for her hand before I can. It’s obvious. God almighty, I am too late.
I’m too late to claim to love of my life.
Determination surges inside me, gripping me by the throat.
The hell with that.
“Gwen!” I bellow, my voice carrying through the valley and over the loch.
My feet carry me toward her, though the ground seems to be trembling beneath them.
She turns and the pain in her eyes nearly fells me. “Yes?”
“Please allow a fool to apologize,” I say raggedly. “Please allow him one more chance.”
“I’ve asked Lady Gwen to be my queen,” says the king of Lavere calmly. “It seems you’ve failed to do so, despite ample opportunity.”
My hand goes to the hilt of my sword, aching to carve out his fucking tongue, but I really must have left the Fury behind on the battlefield, because I resist, somehow aware that violence isn’t going to solve this particular problem. And being that this is the most important moment of my life, I have to get it right. I have to. So I speak to Gwen and only Gwen.
“He’s right. I’ve failed. Not offering you a place in my life that is worthy of your grace and beauty and strength is unforgiveable. You’ll never know how sorry I am.” A line works in her throat, but her expression remains unreadable. “I woke up without you, my love, and realized there is no worse fate. And I’ve suffered some terrible ones. Enough to know that losing you would be the worst punishment of all.”
“I challenge you to a duel for her hand,” inserts the other king.
Gwen gulps, her eyes shooting wide.
I don’t realize we’ve attracted quite a large crowd until several people laugh. There is no question I would best this man in any physical contest. I’m almost impressed he had the balls to call me out. But I’ve learned a lot in my short time of knowing and observing the woman I love—and I’m not going to let those lessons be for nothing. “No,” I say, unsheathing my sword and throwing it down. “Her fate is in her hands alone. No one else’s. She does not have to prove her worth with any more contests. Nor will she be treated like a prize to be won. The choice is hers to make.”
I step closer, close enough to see the sunset reflected in the sheen of her tears.
My love for her swells so impossibly large, I have to suck in a breath.
“But when she makes her choice, I ask that she please take into account how much I love her. How my heart tried to tell me all along, but I was looking through the wrong lens. She offered me a new one, though. One of beauty and hope and a brighter future. I see her through that one now and she’s even more extraordinary.” I take the crown off my head and place it on hers, bringing forth a sizeable gasp from the growing crowd, then I take a knee in front of her. “You deserve to wear it more than me, Gwen. If you do me the honor of marrying me and being my queen, I’ll lay my kingdom at your feet. My heart is already there,” I finish, my voice crackling. “Forgive a foolish man. Please. I love you.”
The longest moments of my life pass as Gwen considers me. “Honestly,” she whispers with a quiver in her voice. “It took you an entire day to realize it?”
Cautiously, I stand, not daring to take a breath.
She exhales in a rush. “I love you, too,” she says, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I’ll be your queen. And you’ll be my king. Our story starts here.”
Her words bring me back from the edge of certain death, my lungs beginning to function again with one giant wheeze of air, my heart rapping in my ears. Love and relief and gratitude rocking me to the core, I scoop her up, spinning her in a circle as the hillside erupts in applause.
When two little girls run over, their faces wreathed in smiles, I lift them into the fold of our arms and our newly formed family holds on to one another, our laughter carrying over the loch…