“Sir Bastien de Landuc, place this ring upon your bride’s finger and declare your wedding vows.” His brown hooded tunic belted at the waist, his tonsured head bowed in reverence, the rotund monk handed Bastien the wedding ring which had belonged to Gabrielle’s mother Mélisende.
Emerald eyes ablaze like the gem he slipped onto the finger of her left hand, Bastien’s deep voice reverberated into her very bones. “With this ring, I promise to honor, respect, and love you. And only you. Till death do us part.”
Her knees trembling under her deep green velvet gown, Gabrielle accepted the ring fromFrère Laurentas he directed her to place it upon Bastien’s finger and proclaim her wedding vows. Raising her face to hold Bastien’s intense, impassioned gaze, she said, loud and clear for all to hear as she placed the ring upon his calloused finger, “With this ring, I promise to honor, respect, and love you. And only you. Till death do us part.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Seal your wedding vows with a kiss.”Frère Laurentsmiled patiently as the couple complied.
King Guillemin rose from his seat to congratulate the newlyweds. His deep voice resonating with Yuletide joy, he proudly exclaimed with a jovial grin, “Messieurs dames, I present to you my daughter, the Princess Gabrielle. And her wedded husband, Sir Bastien de Landuc,le Marquis de Cornouaille. Future king and queen of Finistère.”
Festive music filled the air as guests congratulated Gabrielle and Bastien, then followed the bride and groom to the festive Great Hall where feasting and dancing ensued, lasting well into the evening.
“Come, everyone, follow me to the forest. It’s time to celebrate the winter solstice traditions of our Celtic Breton heritage.” Viviane donned her deep blue cloak, encouraging her guests to do the same. Following their hostess out of thechâteau, they strode across the snow-dusted castle grounds to the edge of the forest where the glowing light of the nearly full moon reflected on the shimmering surface ofleLac de Diane.
Viviane stopped in front of a woven basket lined in red velvet and filled with shiny objects at the base of a large, full fir tree. ““Like our Breton ancestors, we’ll decorate our winter solstice tree with celestial objects and small gift offerings to the Celtic gods and goddesses. Each person will add one ornament to our holiday tree.” A welcoming smile stretched across her lovely face, she announced, “Newlyweds first.”
While warmly dressed servants delivered mugs ofwassailmade from brandy, apples, oranges, and cloves to the guests gathered near the tree, Gabrielle led Bastien by the hand to the basket of Yuletide decorations at the base of the fir. Selecting a glittering star made of silver cloth embellished with tiny beads, she hung it on one of the branches as Bastien chose a moon-shaped ornament made from woven cloth of gold.
When everyone had finished and the basket was empty, Viviane led her jubilant, laughing guests back into the Crystal Castle where a Yule log burned in the crackling hearth. Attendants took heavy cloaks and capes, refilling mugs ofwassailas festive holiday music filled the joyous air.
Whirling in Bastien’s embrace as they dancedla carole, Gabrielle remembered the unforgettable evening in the tavern where she had given herself freely to this man she loved to the very depths of her soul. His arms wrapped tightly around her small waist, she buried her nose in the dark hair at the base of his throat, reveling in his earthy scent and shivering with sensual delight. Soon, they would make love as husband and wife.
And she would hang the heirloom Vikinglunulaover their marriage bed.Perhaps I will conceive Bastien’s child tonight.Warmth and desire throbbed between her quivering legs.
A while later, in Bastien’s room where servants had moved her bags and belongings, Gabrielle luxuriated in the delight of being alone at last with her husband.
Bastien sat on the bed, removing his boots and watching her. Desire danced in his dark eyes.
She retrieved thelunulafrom the black velvet pouch and placed it in his hand, nudging his legs apart seductively with her hips as she nestled close.
One hand holding the Viking heirloom, the other stroking her backside through the soft velvet of her wedding gown, he eyed her with an intriguing blend of curiosity, love, and lust.
She ran her fingers through his thick, dark mane, pushing strands of wavy hair away from his face as she leaned down toward his upturned, bristled chin. It’s called alunula,”she whispered, tracing her tongue along the inside tip of his parted upper lip. “A Viking fertility symbol to bless our marriage bed.” Withdrawing the pendant from his open palm, she wriggled out of the grip of his muscular thighs. On the wall behind the bed, she hung thelunulafrom the nail that Viviane’s valet Jacques had hammered into the wall at Gabrielle’s request. With a seductive smile, she sauntered back to the bed and resumed massaging Bastien’s thick, shoulder-length locks.
He unlaced the back of her dress with nimble fingers, tugging the velvet bodice down as he pulled her toward him, pinning her in place with powerful thighs. Tingling with anticipation, her bare breasts lingered before his rapt face, her nipples aching for his soft, skilled lips. He slid his hands up her back as he suckled a perfect pink peak, easing her down onto the bed to remove the rest of her gown.
He spread her legs wide to worship her with adoring eyes before tracing the soft curls and sensitive folds of flesh with long fingers and skilled, probing tongue.
Empty, throbbing, and aching, she watched with bated breath as he quickly shed his clothes. Her eyes rove over his sculpted muscles covered with dark hair, a trail leading down his rippled abdomen to the ardent arousal which made her swoon. He knelt over her, parted her thighs with strong knees, scooped her hips up. And filled her empty depths with his abundant seed.
Bodies sated, souls entwined, they slept together for the first time all through the night.
And when they woke, made love again. In the early morning light.
****
The day after the wedding, Prince Kaherdin and Princess Gargeolaine departed with their carriage and royal entourage, anxious to return tole Château Rosein Armorique to spend the holidays with Kaherdin’s father, King Hoël, and their young son Karenteg.
Cardin, his betrothed Charlotte, and a dozen personal guards also bid a fond farewell as they rode west to spend the holidays with loved ones in her family’schâteau, as planned.
On Christmas Eve—la Veille de Noël—Gabrielle sat between her husband and her father at Viviane’s holiday table where Sophie the splendid cook regaled everyone with a sumptuous YuletideRéveillonfeast.Guests gorged on savory soup made from winter squash and ham, roast goose stuffed with chestnuts, late harvest vegetables, baked pike from the lake, and the traditional Yule log cake,la bûche de Noël.
When gifts were exchanged Christmas morning, Gaston was thrilled with his new wooden sword and shield with three heraldic red diagonal stripes.
His expressive blue eyes bright with Yuletide delight, Lancelot knelt beside Gaston and asked, “Do you know why your shield has these three red stripes, which are calledbandes de gueules?”
“Because they’re your coat of arms. And you’re my hero.” Gaston stated proudly, adulation gleaming in his adoring eyes.
Lancelot chuckled deeply from his belly, mussing Gaston’s hair with a playful rub. “I’m flattered to be your hero. But there’s another reason why your shield has myécusson.” He smiled at Ghislaine and Gaspard, seated with Viviane and King Guillemin near the cozy hearth. “I’ve already asked your parents, and they have granted permission for me to offer this Yuletide gift. I’d like to bring you with me—as my own personal squire—when I return to Camelot.”
