“If you truly believed me to be your enemy, sire, I would not be alive to speak to you now.” Shifting to his knees, Rawn bowed his head. “Whatever your verdict, my life is yours.”
Leif’s dark green eyes held his, the intensity behind them piercing a hole through his chest. “Yes, it is.”
Thereafter, the King granted him a dukedom over the land of Sellav.
The previous lord had passed without an heir, thus it was given to Rawn as a reward for his deeds in preventing the capture of Greenwood’s princess. At least that was the tale fed to the court. With such a title, he now had the status to marry Aerina.
It wasn’t a reward well earned.
Rawn knew it as did the people. His family shunned him, and society scorned them. Making them the subject of gossip and malcontent. Even when he felt regretful for ruining her standing, Aerina held up her head through all of it.
Their wedding ceremony was small and private.
No fanfare. No guests.
Regardless, as Rawn spoke his vows, he could forget everything else, for at last, he could be with the one he loved. It was perhaps the best night of his life. So perfect, it felt like a dream.
But the morning after, when he woke to the golden light of dawn streaming in through their window, his bride tearfully stood in front of the mirror with a hand over her flat stomach.
Rawn thought he could live with never having any children. But he had not considered how his wife would feel. He saw the sadness in her eyes whenever a baby was in her sights. It was another secret wish neither of them dared to say aloud.
The best thing he could do was give her his heart and comfort hers, yet he could hardly give her that either. Henceforth, Leif named him Greenwood’s Red Shade, forever bound to his control.
Payment for his bride.
Over the course of four years, Rawn was called away nearly every day on missions for the crown. He led many battles and won each one. The victories were sour. For they cost the lives of his estranged brothers and his father. Once becoming General of the Armies, he would endure several months without seeing his wife.
The more Aerina was left alone, the more her desolation grew. Rawn could see it in the effort of her smiles that no longer glowed, and in her eyes that always seemed on the verge of tears. This wasn’t what he had envisioned for their marriage.
Relief came when Red Highland fell quiet again, and the fighting came to a standstill. There was no telling when he would have to pick up his sword again.
On a whim, Rawn took his wife on a short holiday away from the castle as an excuse to visit their appointed lands of Sellav. They traveled off the main roads and the change in scenery seemed to lift her spirits.
By the third evening, they arrived in a beautiful wood south of River Myst. The rush of water greeted them as they rode Fair onward until they reached a pool crowned by three cascades. Dynalya flowers glittered in the moonlight, petals floating on the surface. Their sweet scent filled the air.
Aerina’s face lit up with a true smile he hadn’t seen in months. “Oh, Rawn, it’s beautiful. Where are we?”
Dismounting from his horse, he took hold of her waist and brought her down. “The Melodyam Falls.”
They paused there by the shore, watching the water glisten beneath the moonlight.
“This place was all Sylar spoke about,” Aerina said with a sad sigh. “It was the subject of his healer studies. He was convinced…” she trailed off and softly gasped, looked up at Rawn with wide eyes.
“He was convinced the water infused with the dynalya flowers may hold great healing capabilities.” Rawn began to unbutton his tunic. “Beyond our understanding…”
Her eyes went wider when she saw his shoulder. Her fingers lightly traced the spot of where the spear had pierced him. The same spot Sylar had treated. The scar was gone.
“This is…”
“Impossible?” Rawn smiled.
Her eyes welled. “Are you saying…?”
Sighing, he pulled her to him and pressed his forehead against hers. “Aerina, I cannot promise to undo your curse, but I can promise I will love you and give you your heart’s desire, even if we should adopt a son who does not bear our blood.” He lightly kissed away the tears on her cheek and traced her trembling mouth with his own. Rawn’s pulse danced, so highly aware of Aerina’s warmth pressed against his chest. “You deserve the world,” he murmured against her ear. “For you are the entirety of mine.”
Lifting Aerina in his arms, Rawn carried her to the pool where he made love to her under the moon. Perhaps it was magic. Perhaps it was love. But after a month in Sellav, Aerina announced she was with child.
It was a miracle.
