Chapter 17
Gissandre and her sister entered the chapel arm-in-arm. Both were very beautiful in formal dresses and pirated jewels. The Endricane princesses and their husbands sat in the front row with the king. Ketturan warriors and a couple of their wives sat in a tight cluster as well. Otherwise, the chapel was full of onlookers.
Linc and Giss made their promises, and he thought he’d never forget a single second from the time she walked in until the moment she put her hand in his as his wife. He closed his fingers around hers and didn’t let go until he had to when they were forced to walk single file down a corridor to the reception room.
There was food and drink and lots of dancing and laughing. Gissandre looked happy and was as lively as he’d ever seen her.
“She seems like she doesn’t have a care. I haven’t seen her like this since before our father died. You’ve given her such a gift,” Zawri whispered to him.
“She’s the gift,” he murmured.
“Yes,” she said with a proud smile. “Where will you live?”
“Wherever she wants, but mostly on Orius near you.”
“Kettura is beautiful. I’m sure she’ll be happy to spend long visits there as well.”
“I have no doubt. Kettura’s heart is its people. We band together and form the type of community no one can resist. It’s what everyone wants, deep down. She’ll learn. You and Tok are welcome there too.”
“Maybe we can travel back and forth all together as a family?”
He nodded.
“I’m happy for you both and that you came into her life when you did. I know I’d have lost her if not for you. I’m very grateful.” She paused to glance at Giss. “I’ve never seen her look at anyone the way she looks at you. She looks at you the way most people look at her.”
A small smile played on his face.
“Not that she’s a flirt,” she added quickly.
He shook his head. “She glows like a white moon. It’s not intentional. It’s just what she is.”
Zawri nodded. “Yes, exactly. I’m glad you understand.”
Gissandre broke free of some well-wishers and returned to them, putting a hand on his arm. “Are you ready? Princess Lana’s arranged for us to stay in her brother-in-law’s castle at the edge of the dunes. It’s got a private sculpture collection I’ve always wanted to see. You don’t mind, do you, Zaw?”
“No, of course not.”
“Just for a few days. Then we’ll be back,” Giss said.
Zawri hugged her younger sister. “Go and have a wonderful time.”
* * *
Giss sat on the edge of the bed in the luxurious room in Calex castle, the home of Princess Lanamoar’s sister Brandese and her husband Lord Evston. There had been lovely celebrations in Alorn and on the express glider train they’d taken to get to the castle. But now Giss was enjoying the quiet, and the only person she wanted to concentrate on was her new husband.
“There are barriers against conception,” she said softly. “What do you think?” Her voice had a slight quiver in it.
He shed his clothes. “There’s no need to wait.”
“So try for a baby right away? Or there’s a tea? I had some brewed. I’d just need to drink it.”
“Is that what you want, Giss? To wait?”
“I think so. I’d like to have more adventures with you first.”
He brought the cup to her. “What kind of adventures?”
“All kinds,” she said with a wicked smile, then drank the tea. “We have to wait a bit.”
