Erik’s eyes burned with purpose as he moved toward Bryn. “I knew I’d find you.” He glanced around. “Maybe not how I intended, but the end result is the same. I knew on the plane that you were the one I searched for. I felt like a fool for searching for two years and there you were, seated right next to me.”
“How did you know?”
“Your ring. I’ve searched for that crest for months on end.”
She grinned. “I think the ring has to find you, not the other way around.”
Lars clapped both men on the back. “This littlegetting to know yousession is great, but come on. Let’s go home. It’s a good day.”
Bryn’s heart burst with happiness as she watched the men. When Sven held out his hand to her, she grabbed it and kissed him.
It was, indeed, a good day.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sven
Two weeks later…
The entire town turned out for the royal wedding. What Sven had anticipated as a small, intimate wedding had turned into the event of the century. He was surprised, and pleased, to learn King Jakob and King Gunner attended from the nearby provinces.
Despite the enormous guest list, the wedding hadn’t turned into a pompous, extravagant circus. Everyone had come together to help Freya with the food and preparations, and the wedding had become a community event that tied the town together. Simple, but beautiful, flower arrangements mixed with candles and garlands decorated most of Stagholt.
Erik adjusted his tie. “Do I have this thing on right?”
“You do. You’ve taken it off and put it back on like a dozen times already. Leave it alone.”
“I want it to be perfect.”
Sven snorted. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. Even Bryn would tell you that. You just have to be happy.”
Erik grabbed Sven’s arm. “Before we go out there, I wanted to tell you something, Sven. I know I left like a jerk because I was mad at our father. But I am sorry that I left you. I’m sorry that I didn’t check in like I should have.”
“Hey, you don’t have to apologize. Especially since it turns out you were looking for Bryn’s clan.”
“But I didn’t know that at the time. That was just luck the way it turned out. I know people have talked and thought I was out doing something horrible or hanging out with the Skelvarns.”
Sven didn’t want to sugarcoat it. “We’ve talked about this. Yes, we were concerned about what you were doing, but I never doubted you.”
Lars raised his hand as he exited the bedroom with his jacket. “I did.”
Erik laughed. “Of course you did. You think a strong wind is a bad omen.”
“The point is, it’s done and over. Move forward, not back. You don’t have to keep bringing it up.” Sven meant his words. Now that the castle was safe again, he didn’t want to relive the bad parts of the last couple of months.
For the first time in generations, the Skelverns had scattered. Without any leadership, it would be difficult for them to reorganize. Magnus had quickly been tried by the Visionary Trust Council and imprisoned in parts unknown. The threat of the toxin had been destroyed, even though Martin still worked on an antidote, just in case.
The danger had passed and everyone was safe. It was the perfect time for a celebration.
When they moved out to the altar, Sven watched his people as he waited for the bride to come down the aisle. His bride. His one true mate. And, unbeknownst to Bryn, his child was right along with her. He had dragged the information out of the doctor and then sworn him to secrecy. While he knew she suspected, Bryn had nothing confirmed yet. While he wanted to blurt the news out to her, he respected her desire to be married before she knew for sure.
They were still working on her gifts and abilities. With the knowledge Erik had learned in his quest, Bryn had learned tofocus her healing ability to its full potential, at least that’s what they assumed for now. Martin still waited on a few blood tests to see if there were any surprises there.
Now Erik and Lars stood beside him, as always, but this time as a friend and not a protector. Bryn’s sister stood opposite them in her role as maid-of-honor. She had arrived in Stagholt the week prior and promptly fallen in love with their little kingdom. Freya sat in the front row, excitement oozing out of her.
What had started out as an obligation turned out to be the most important event of his life.
The music started and everyone rose. Sven rubbed his palms on his trousers while he waited for the door to open. His grandmother appeared first, then Bryn. His heart stopped as he watched Hilda walk Bryn down the aisle. Her gown was layers of silk and organza encrusted with tiny pearls and diamonds. Her hair was arranged in an elaborate updo, and her face positively glowed.
