“Damn iron cuffs,” Arenn groaned, sucking in a deep breath. “This is going to hurt,” he growled to himself.
“Do it for her,” she said, voice tight. “For Naria.”
“For Naria.” Tipping his head back against the wall, his shoulders shook as a vine rumbled along the floor, creeping towards Lyssandra’s cuff.
A few minutes later, the guard collapsed outside.
CHAPTER 36
NARIA
“Have I told you already how ravishing you look in your gown tonight,” Lukas’s hands slipped around my waist before dropping low enough to make me gasp, “wife?”
Warmth pooled in my belly along with a little too much wine. One more glass of champagne and he’d have to carry me around the dance floor. Not that I’d mind that. And judging by the way he couldn’t keep his hands from stroking the soft white tulle of my skirt, my bare shoulders, the curve of my flower-decorated corset in that sensitive area just below my bust…
A smile pulled at my blushing cheeks. Well, it seemed he wouldn’t mind either.
“Behave yourself,husband,” I teased, loving the way the word sounded on my tongue. Gently, I slid his roaming hands back up to my waist. “The wedding isn’t over yet and we still have guests to speak to.”
Lukas groaned before lifting me into a spin. Around us, music swirled between the tall columns decorated with roses. Servants carried trays of sparkling wine amongst the hundreds of other finely dressed guests that Raena and Cora had somehow pulled from nowhere. It was as if half the realm had travelled to see us marry.
“Such a beautiful ceremony,” a dancing couple greeted us once the song had finished.
“Thank you. I’ll never be able to thank Queen Cora and my wonderful head bridesmaid enough,” I told them, just as I’d told every other couple who’d made the same starry-eyed comment.
I wasn’t lying. It really had been a beautiful ceremony. After Raena and Cora had declared that a few hours was simply not enough time to plan ‘the wedding of the century’, we’d – or rather they’d – agreed on a date for one week’s time, with the venue being the lush, grassy grounds of Raena’s family estate.
But of course it’d been worth the wait.
Dainty bunches of wisteria swung from our wedding arch while lavender and other healing herbs decorated the aisle. King Ronan had officiated, and Raphael had been put in charge of the rings – two perfect gold bands woven with a silver ribbon.
Apparently, other Corlixins had come to watch the ceremony, too. Even the village mother had been there, seated right near the front with Marius and Terrence, burning through tissues like she’d sprung a leak.
But I couldn’t see any of this. Didn’t even notice she was there until our tearful reunion at the wedding banquet. Because during the ceremony, once the ornate doors to the garden swung open and the smooth sound of violins filled my ears, I could only focus on that one perfect figure standing tall at the end of the aisle. With happy tears in his steel-grey eyes.
“Are you tired, my darling?” Lukas’s smooth voice lured me from my thoughts.
My darling. I could get used to him calling me that. The sun was dipping below the horizon as he guided us off the dance floor, his arm tucked around my waist.
“Nearly,” I murmured, reaching to stroke the dark brown waves of his hair as we stopped beside a buffet table. Despite hours of dancing and feasting, he still looked just as flawless as he had during the ceremony. A dark grey overcoat, finished with gold braiding decorated his chest while matching breeches and dark boots covered his legs. He may normally look regal – but today? Today he looked spectacular. We both did. All day we’d been showered in compliments, like the white petals of confetti that’d fallen from the sky.
“I can’t wait to get this off you.” He leaned closer, stroking the delicate sleeves of my wedding gown. The dress hugged my figure, with tiny embroidered flowers on the bodice that flowed down into a long, trailing skirt.
“Shh.” I giggled, shooting a glance at the guests bustling around the garden. “People will hear you.” His fingers trailedup my corset, and when I gasped, a satisfied growl rumbled in his chest.
“You think I care?” Pushing me towards the table, his arms boxed me in as his lips brushed my ear. “You’re my wife now, Naria. And I want them all to know just how much you mean to me.”
Heat blossomed in my chest. Our bodies were breaths apart, but still, I wanted more. “I…” Swallowing, I chewed my lower lip. “About tonight… You know I’ve never—”
“I know, forest princess.” Drawing back slightly, he tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “But you don’t need to be afraid of what will come later. I’ll be gentle.” He leaned in again, kissing my neck as I bathed in the soft citrus notes in his hair. “So, so gentle. For you.”
Something fluttered in my chest. Strong and powerful. Screaming at me to throw my arms around him and ignore the party carrying on around us until the setting sun bowed down to night.
With a smile, I gave in to the feeling and locked my arms around his shoulders. His breath caught. I was moments away from meeting his lips with mine when a quiet voice piped up from behind him.
“Umm… Princess Naria?”
I stiffened, dropping my arms. Reluctantly, Lukas pulled away and moved to my side, revealing a rather nervous-looking Princess Callie.
