Kes moved to go to him but Elia’s arm blocking her path stopped her.
“I wish I knew the answers to your questions, Brother,” the king confessed. “Sadly, I do not. But I need your help against Henry. Do I have it?”
“Aye.” Nicholas told him without looking at her. “You have it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
He should be in Leicester with his men, preparing for the Tudor army. Not at home arguing with a stubborn woman about the future.
“You gave your word to help him against Henry. Why?”
They were alone in the solar, sitting in chairs by the window.
When he didn’t answer her, she girded herself up as if straightening her armor for war.
“He has to die, Nicholas!”
“Who says, Kestrel? God? He has not told me.”
“Would you shut up and listen to Him if He tried?”
He knew his betrothed was more afraid for him than angry. He wanted to vanquish her fears and see her smile, confident in him.
“Aye,” he said with the slightest of smiles. “I listen every time I want to throttle you and do not do it.”
The one-sided curl of her lips made his muscles tighten.
“Who would help you live up to your fullest potential if you strangle me?”
He couldn’t help but grin. “You see? He reminds me yet again not to do it and why.”
“Nicholas,” she grew somber again. A shaft of sunlight fell on the curve of her alabaster cheek and the glistening drop rolling down it. “Please don’t go to the battle.”
What was he to do? He prayed for an answer every time he thought about it. If Richard died, it would be the end of the House of York on the throne. They had all fought so hard for it. His father, his grandfather, and father before him. How could he step over to the other side and abandon everything, everyone?
She sniffled and turned her gaze to the window.
“Will you refuse to marry me if I decide to go?”
She turned to look at him, filling his heart to bursting. Her cerulean eyes widened with hope. “Are you still undecided?”
He rose from his chair and knelt in front of hers. He wanted to marry her today. Now. “You did not answer my question.”
“And you did not answer mine.”
He stared at her breathless, parted lips for a moment. Then he replied, “Very well.” He gave in. As usual. “Aye. I am undecided.”
Her lips curled into a smile. Finally. “Yes, I will wed you no matter what.”
He leaped up on his feet, took her hand, and hurried with her out of the solar. He led her to the great hall where everyone was gathering for supper.
“Everyone!” he shouted. “I have something to say!” When they settled down, he called out for the priest, Father Philip. “Kestrel and I are to be wed immediately. You will all be witnesses! To the chapel!”
Kestrel laughed and let him lead her and at least fifty others to the chapel.
“This is all so sudden!” someone in the crowd shouted out.
“’Tis truly cause to celebrate!” someone else called.
“They love you,” Nicholas said as he pulled her close as they hurried to the chapel. “Just as I love you.”
“Is this real?” she asked close to his ear so only he could hear her. “Are we really about to do this?”
“Aye,” he said, smiling at her.
They reached the chapel. Father Philip was the first one in, Bible in hand. He was excited and happy. Everyone was. Nicholas was glad she was sent here.
“’Tis in fact like a dream,” he said, taking a place before the priest with Kestrel at his side. It was like a whirlwind. They’d met just a fortnight ago and he was making her his wife. He was making a Lancaster his wife. He didn’t care. He loved her. He’d kill anyone who questioned it.
He had to call for quiet so the priest could get on with the ceremony.
Nicholas watched her while they answered Father Philip’s questions, candlelight falling on her face. He couldn’t wait to be alone with her. Everyone would have to have a celebration tomorrow night. Tonight was theirs.
“…and do you promise to love and cherish her ’til death parts you?”
Nicholas gazed into her eyes, and with the confidence of David when he went up against Goliath said, “Death will not part us.”
He wanted to ask Father Philip if there were any parts he could leave out so he could get to kissing her. But he kept quiet lest she think him an overeager barbarian.
When it finally came time to kiss her, he still needed to hold back and control himself. He was in a house of God, after all.
Everyone cheered as Nicholas and Kestrel became husband and wife and he hurried her out of the chapel.
When he had everyone’s attention again—which took quite long thanks to every woman from the castle and the village wanting to wish her their best. The men poked and ribbed him about his good fortune and excellent choice of wife—he told them to prepare for a feast and celebration tomorrow.
“No one will work today,” his wife called out. “And anyone who must work today to prepare for the feast will not work at all during the feast.”
They began to cheer again but quieted and turned their gazes to Nicholas, who cast his wife a stormy side-glance.
They were waiting for his agreement. He gave it with a nod. “As the lady says.”
The roar rose up to the turrets. People began singing and some danced.
Nicholas took the opportunity to spirit Kestrel away to the castle. To his chambers. Their chambers.
She stood at the doorway looking into the large bedchamber, the enormous bed in the center of it all. The mattress looked thick and inviting covered in woolen and fur blankets. The heavy four posts in each corner were polished and attached to a frame from whence curtains fell around the bed. For now, they were tied back. There were trunks, large and small, laid out along some
