“No,” I huff. “I happen to like it here.”In a castle. Surrounded by all my comforts…
“I’m sorry, Vivienne. I would stay for you if I could.” I’m surprised by how sincere his words sound. “But I swore an oathto my kingdom… to protect and defend my realm. I cannot go back on it.”
Reluctant admiration stirs at his sense of honor.
Auren reaches for the silk ribbon still binding us together, and loosens the knot, careful not to pull too hard or risk hurting me. His gentle touch sparks a flicker of warmth in my chest.
The fabric slides free from my wrist, and instead of tossing it aside, he folds it neatly and tucks it into his pocket.
I frown. “What are you going to do with that?”
“Save it for when you actually want to consummate our marriage.”
My head jerks back. “Excuse me?”
“The binding ribbon is meant to bless the union,” he explains calmly. “It’s said that keeping it ensures many children.”
I nearly choke. “Well, you can just throw it away right now.”
A faint smirk curls his mouth. “I think I’ll hold onto it.”
“Fine.” With an exasperated huff, I throw off the blankets and turn away from him, storming toward my dressing screen. “Keep your ribbon for all the good it will do you.”
“I’ll be back shortly,” he says, utterly unaffected by my fury. “Say your goodbyes and pack what you need. We leave in an hour.”
“You expect me to pack in an hour?” I ask incredulously.
“Yes. Pack only the essentials. We need to travel light.”
I start to protest, but he’s already heading toward the door. “I’m going to ready my things and speak with my fellow warriors. I’ll return soon.”
The moment he’s gone, I call in the servants. With their help, I fill six trunks with only the essentials—a truly remarkable feat, considering under normal circumstances, I would need twice as many.
When Auren returns with my father and brother, he stops dead in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he surveys the six trunks stacked neatly in the hall.
“What is that?”
I lift my chin. “The essentials.”
His frown deepens as he strides forward and opens them, inspecting the contents. He shakes his head when he sees my gowns, perfumes, and the entire collection of velvet-lined jewelry cases.
“I told you,” he mutters, rubbing his temples, “we are traveling light.”
“You did,” I say sweetly. “So I packed accordingly.”
Auren inhales deeply, as if summoning patience. “You have no need of all this. I will buy you whatever you require when we reach my home.”
“You’re a soldier.” I frown. “You cannot possibly afford to replace my things.” But then something occurs to me. “Ah, you mean you’ll pay for things with my dowry, is that it?”
“He refused your dowry,” Father interjects.
“Hewhat?” My jaw drops as I turn to Auren. “Why in the world would you do that?”
“It’s quite simple,” Auren says as he takes my hand. He presses a tender kiss to the back of my knuckles and flashes an infuriatingly handsome grin. “Because you are all the treasure I need, my darling wife.”
I scoff, and jerk my hand from his.
My brother snorts, and I scowl at him.
