Page 69 of Haunted Hearts

Eighteen

Blaze had slept soundly,but was rudely awoken the next morning by a pounding on his solar door.

“What is it? I’m trying to sleep,” he ground out.

The door opened and Emery stuck his head inside. “I’m sorry to bother you so early, my lord, but it seems visitors have arrived, unannounced.”

“Well, send them away.” He rolled on to his side, wanting to go back to sleep since he’d been dreaming about making love with Lillith.

Emery cleared his throat and didn’t leave.

“Well? What is it? If you have something else to say, then speak.”

“Blaze, get up. Quickly,” said Lilly, running past Emery into the room, still tying her bodice of her purple gown.

“What the hell? Can’t a man get some sleep around here?” He yawned and sat up in bed, stretching. He slept in the nude, and saw Lillith’s mouth and eyes open wide when she noticed. He looked down to see that the sheet was not covering him, and his dreams of Lilly had giving him an erection.

“Oh!” gasped Lillith, covering her eyes with her hand.

“God’s teeth, what is going on?” He grabbed his trews and pulled them on, standing up and continuing to dress.

“You’ll never believe who is here,” said Emery.

“I’m sure one of you is about to tell me.”

“Uncle Arthur and my mother have arrived, and Arthur is insisting your wedding with Serena will happen now. Immediately,” said Lillith.

“What?” That woke him up. “He can’t do that. It’s too soon and the banns have not even been posted.”

“Actually, he can my lord.” Emery pulled a rolled-up parchment out from under his arm. “It seems the final agreement you signed . . . before reading it . . . says the wedding will take place when and where Arthur decides.”

“God’s eyes, can this get any worse? Why in hell is he doing this?” Blaze continued to dress.

“Someone else has arrived as well,” said Lillith, lowering her hand and wringing them both together.

“Nothing could be worse. Who is it?” Blaze finished dressing and buckled his weapon belt around him.

“He brought the Earl of Birmingham with him, my lord,” Emery answered.

“What?” Blaze’s hands stilled, and his heart almost stopped. He hoped he had heard Emery wrong. “Whatever for?”

“I’m not sure, my lord, but I think it has something to do with your request for knighthood.”

“He’s here personally to give me his answer. It must be a good thing,” said Blaze excitedly, brushing past Lillith and heading out the door.

They all made their way to the great hall where their visitors were awaiting them.

“My lords,” said Blaze with a nod and a bow, acknowledging both the earl and Lord Arthur.

“Lillith,” said Beatrice, hugging her daughter.

“Mother,” came Serena’s voice from behind him. Serena walked up on her own, holding on to Posy’s arm.

“You’re walking by yourself?” asked Lillith.

“Yes, isn’t it wonderful? Lady Minerva’s potion seemed to heal my swollen ankle quickly.” Serena looked at her foot, inspecting it from all positions.

“Potion?” asked the earl suspiciously. “What kind of potion?”