On the day of her wedding, the sun was shining, and it was a warm spring afternoon. Serena’s father had arranged for the ceremony to be held within the family chapel, with only the immediate family present, along with a few witnesses. Freiherr von Meinhardt would be waiting for her at the altar, while the bishop gave the wedding Mass.
Serena wore an ivory silk gown, embroidered with a thousand seed pearls. Around her throat rested a choker of diamonds and more pearl teardrops hung at her ears. Last, came the tiara that her grandmother had worn upon her wedding day. It was heavy, but Serena hardly felt the weight of the emeralds and diamonds as her sister adjusted her veil.
Her body and mind were numb as she allowed them to dress her. She hadn’t slept all night, worrying about Karl. Though she’d wanted to reassure him, the fury in his voice when she’d refused to free him had silenced her. She didn’t know if her idea would work, and if she’d released him, she doubted if he would have listened.
No, she could only hope that everything would work out as she and her mother had planned.
The queen sat in a chair watching Serena, a satisfied expression upon her face. “It’s time for the ceremony. Now, behave like the princess you are and prepare for the wedding. All will be well in time. You’ll see.”
Her mother departed, leaving her with her ladies. Anna was already dressed and awaiting her at the chapel.
As Serena walked toward the family chapel, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting, her heart turned from ice into stone. At the thought of her father’s fury, a thousand fears rippled through her. What if this didn’t work?
Anna walked down the aisle first, carrying a bouquet of spring lilacs tied with ribbons. Serena followed, her hands clenching her own bouquet of white lilies, their deep scent choking her. Her father walked behind her, as was the custom. And yet, she half-wondered if he were trying to keep her from fleeing. Her mother sat in the front row, a hopeful look in her eyes.
The bridegroom was kneeling at the altar, his back to the wedding guests. Serena was afraid to look as she knelt by his side. “You look beautiful,” he said, but his voice was not the baron’s.
She lifted her eyes, to his, fighting to keep her courage.
Don’t say a word,Karl’s eyes seemed to command.
Serena turned around to glance at the queen and saw her mother’s calm, contented smile. It was the greatest act of defiance either of them had ever enacted—to wed the man she wanted, right in front of her father’s eyes.
And as she heard Karl’s low voice speaking vows before the bishop, followed by her own, she was careful to keep anyone from seeing his face. Rings were exchanged, for the bishop had already blessed them at the altar. The cool band of gold was anintricate band of leaves, and it reminded her of the days they’d spent together in the abbey.
“I told you I hadn’t given up,” she murmured beneath her breath.
“Don’t be afraid of what happens next,” he answered. “I love you, Serena.”
When it came time for the kiss of peace, his mouth met hers in a slow kiss that reminded her of all the reasons why she loved him.
Then he turned to face a shocked King Ruwald, along with the rest of the palace witnesses.
“What have you done?” the king demanded. Though his words were directed toward Karl, Serena stepped forward with his hand in hers.
“I’ve married the man of my choosing,” she answered. “And you’re going to let us go.”
The king’s rage was visible on his reddened face, a vein pulsing in his throat. With a signal to his guards, soldiers came forward. Serena tried to grasp her train, and Karl took her by the hand, leading her out the side door of the chapel. Outside, the sunlight nearly blinded her, but Serena ran as fast as she could. Horses awaited them, and Karl lifted her up, before mounting his own stallion.
He sent her a roguish smile. “Any regrets?”
“None.” With that, she spurred her horse onwards and rode as fast as she dared. Karl led them down a path that trailed over the hill. When they reached the other side, he pulled his mount to a stop.
Hundreds of soldiers stood armed, with Lohenberg flags flying. She recognized Fürst Michael, while behind him was an older man with a graying beard and a shrewd look in his eyes: König Sweyn. She recognized the King of Lohenberg in that split moment.
The look in her husband’s eyes was one of disbelief and gratefulness. “I always imagined you’d have a more traditional marriage, Karl,” the king said, by way of greeting.
“So did I.” Karl led Serena forward, bringing her beside the king. When the Badenstein guards emerged over the hillside, the two dozen men stopped short at the sight of the army.
“I sent word to your father and brother, but I never imagined they’d come this fast,” Serena breathed.
Karl reached out and took her hand. “After I followed you back, Michael and Hannah returned to Lohenberg. He asked our father to intervene.” He pressed the back of her hand to his mouth. “I didn’t know if the king would agree.”
She managed a small smile. “I’m glad he did. And that our arrangements were successful.”
“You should have told me last night,” he said. “I thought you were planning to give up.”
“You were so angry with me, you hardly let me speak at all. And there were guards there who were loyal to my father. I couldn’t reveal our plan until my mother’s servants could free you.” She frowned a moment. “But I’m not certain what happened to the Freiherr.”
