When they had finally been too frozen to remain outside any longer, they had all retreated into the cabin and locked themselves away for another night. Emberly had said she needed a little time to prepare for the wedding and had gone into the bedroom, where she had styled her hair as best she could,pulling a few strands up and leaving the rest down. He regretted that she did not have an elegant dress to change into, that she had only the jeans and sweater she’d worn yesterday.
However, she was more than stunning, especially because her eyes shone with love for him, her expression was sincere, and her lips were curved into a small smile.
“I love you, darling,” he said again, and this time followed his declaration by bending down and touching his lips to hers.
Her mouth was absolutely delectable, tasting sweet and fresh. Her lips always responded to his so eagerly, so willingly, so passionately. Every time he kissed her, he told himself the kiss would sate his hunger for her, that he would be fulfilled. But the opposite seemed to be happening. Every time he touched her lips, he only wanted to taste her again and craved her even more.
Braun cleared his throat obnoxiously.
Emberly was the one to pull back, nibbling at her lip and attempting not to smile and so irritate Braun even more.
“Let us pray.” Braun bowed his head, and Winzig followed suit.
Emberly closed her eyes, and Max’s heartbeat sped with the wonder that she was his wife.
“Eternal God, Our Creator and Redeemer. Just as you gladdened the wedding at Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so gladden this wedding with your presence now.”
Emberly opened one eye and caught Max staring. She immediately smiled, clearly entertained by Braun’s ability to perform the ceremony so perfectly. At least no one could accuse them of not having a traditional wedding, including a short sermon that Braun had already delivered as well as a recitation of 1 Corinthians 13.
As Braun made the sign of the cross and opened his eyes, he frowned at the sight of the two of them staring at each other. “Since we have no rings, I shall skip ahead to the benediction.”
“The ring that is set aside for my bride is a family heirloom.” Max squeezed Emberly’s hand. “I shall give it to you once we are at the palace in Vollenstadt.”
“I’d like to give you a wedding ring too.”
“There is a traditional ring for the groom as well.”
“I want to give you one that comes from me, from my heart.”
At her words, he wanted to bend down and kiss her again. But with the way Braun was frowning, he merely nodded. “Of course. I shall treasure such a gift from you.”
“Dearly loved.” Braun’s voice rose several decibels. “By their promises before God and this assembly, Nikolaus Constantin Maximillian and Emberly have joined themselves as husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Husband and wife. They were officially married.
“Thanks be to God.” Braun spoke solemnly. “Amen.”
“Amen,” Emberly whispered.
“I now pronounce that you are husband and wife.” Braun took a step back and folded his hands together as though he was closing the order of service.
Max waited.
Braun raised a brow.
“You are forgetting something.”
“No, I am not.”
“Yes, you are. You have yet to say that I may kiss my wife.”
“Your Highness, clearly you do not need my permission for doing so since you have already been taking liberties all throughout the ceremony.”
Emberly chuckled.
“You are not wrong, Braun. But please. Could you humor me and say the words?”
“That will be no trouble, Your Highness, since I am accustomed to humoring you.” Braun cleared his throat. “I now present you as husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
