His eyes cracked open, a faint smile coming to his dry lips. “And I have no intention of dying at the moment. The priest will marry us, you silly wench, unless you have decided against my proposal during our months of separation.”
Her tears came then, freely. Tears of joy, of sadness, of the longing that had been her constant companion during their time apart. She could scarcely believe what she was hearing from his pale lips.
“Today? We will be married today?”
“I refuse to wait any longer.”
“But what of Henry? Mustn’t you speak to him first?”
His smile faded and she could see fire within the depths of the bright blue eyes. “I have done my duty for God and country, and Henry can rot in hell if he has a notion to dispute our union. You are mine, Riss. I have earned you.”
She did not question him any longer. All that mattered was that they were to be wed this day, and the delight of her impending marriage was almost enough to offset the sorrow of Richmond’s injury. He was terribly frail; even as Mossy struggled to dispense the healing liquid from the vial into his dry mouth, Arissa and Gavan had to help him lift his head. When the contents of the glass were consumed, Richmond laid his head to the slats with a grunt of exhaustion.
A hush settled over the collection of people gathered around the wagon bearing Richmond. Arissa continued to hold his hand tightly, clutching it over her rounded stomach as they wait forthe priest to return. Yet in the midst of her grief, she also felt a certain amount of hope.
She simply couldn’t believe he had survived four days with a vicious belly wound only to die at some later time. The injury should have killed him immediately, but it did not. The life flowing within his body was a direct testimony to his fortitude and power, and of his love for her. He was going to survive. Hehadto.
“Riss?” his voice was faint.
She turned to him, noting his eyes were wide open, staring at the hot blue sky above. She smiled and touched his cheek.
“What is it, my love?”
“You will promise me something.”
“Anything.”
He looked at her, then. “If you promise to survive the birth of my son, I will promise to survive my bout with Hotspur’s sword.”
Her smile broadened and she leaned down, kissing him sweetly. “I promise.”
“And tonight. Promise we will not sleep.”
She put her cheek against his, feeling his life and knowing he would live to see another day. Knowing he would grow old beside her, loving and laughing and living. She had ordered him to endure and it was his pleasure to obey.
“We will not sleep.”
“Promise I shall forget all of my pain.”
Hot tears found their way onto her cheeks and his, knowing his softly uttered plea held a double meaning. She would make him forget his pain. As her protector had struggled to shield her from the worst in life, in turn, the charge would now become the protector. She would ease his ache, his heart, and his weakened body. She would give him the strength to live.
It was the very least she could do for the man who had loved her enough to die for her. A man who devoted his life toher protection eighteen years ago, risking everything so that she might survive.
A man she loved beyond the barrier of time. Even if he broke his vow and left her this day, there would be no ending to their love. On the next plane in their existence, she would still adore him with limitless devotion. She would always be his charge, and he would always be her great protector.
“I promise, my love,” she murmured against his lips. “No more pain.”
I promise.
It wasn’t until two months later on a cool September night, after the healthy birth of their first son, that either of them realized they had made their promises to keep.
*THE END*
Author Note
Great Protector was originally called The Guardian, for obvious reasons, but as the story grew, it was clear that Richmond was much more than a Guardian. He was everything to Arissa. Is it a bit of a Lolita complex? Not really. Their love was very pure, something that knew no age limits, and Richmond was certainly the model of propriety until Arissa became of age and admitted her feelings. But once she confessed her love, he realized he felt the same way. Then, and only then, did he allow anything romantic to occur.
The Great Lords of le Bec Series includes the novel Beast. Richmond and Arissa le Bec are the parents of Gisella le Bec, the heroine in Beast.
