My hands were already on Gwen’s waist. I pulled her toward me as I leaned closer to deepen our kiss. I could not get enough of this woman.
She pushed against my chest and pulled away as she gasped for breath. “Reagan, someone might see us.”
I looked around the darkened hallway outside of her chamber door. “It is the middle of the night? Everyone else is asleep.”
There was a catch in her breath as I leaned in to kiss her neck. Despite her verbal protest, she tilted her head to give me better access. She squeezed my upper arms.
“We should get some sleep as well. The wedding is only hours away.”
“Fine, let’s go back into your chambers and get some sleep.”
She giggled. “The wet nurse will be here soon for Nic’s feeding. We have gone this long without getting caught. In just a few hours it will no longer matter who knows.”
I had dedicated the baby as Dunbar Niocol Barnali a week after my coronation, but we were calling him Nic. He had been staying with Gwen, but after the wedding they would both move to the royal chambers. I could not wait for us to officially be known as a family.
I had taken a step forward until I had her pressed against the wall. I began kissing her once again. She entwined her fingers in my hair, tugging slightly, and I lifted her feet off the floor. I knew if I carried her back into her chambers, she would not resist.
“Gwen, Reagan, can you two not wait one more day? What if someone besides me saw you out here? It looks as if you two are . . . are . . . well, you know.”
Brianna stood just a few feet from us with baby Deidre on her shoulder. She rocked back and forth, looking every bit the mother as she scolded us with just a look.
I could not resist. “Maybe it looks exactly as it is.”
“Reagan . . .” I felt Gwen’s hand on my arm. I put my hand up to my mouth to cover my grin.
Gwen turned to face her friend. “Brianna, there is no need to worry. I should have told you before now, but we are already married. Actually, we have been for the last three months. With the exception of Dad, no one else knows. The pastor is going to make the announcement just before the ceremony.”
I had written Einri at Gwen’s suggestion to ask if he knew of a replacement for Arlana since he had trained others to be steward. I had not said as much, but I had hoped he would not suggest Austin. I was confident in Gwen’s love for me, but that did not mean I would be comfortable with him here. Surprisingly, Einri had offered his own services while Austin had taken over the job in Aisling. We had decided to marry the week after his arrival.
“I do not understand. Why get married and then wait to have a ceremony?” Even in the near darkness it was easy to see the hurt and confusion on Brianna’s face.
“We had set the date in August only to give everyone time to travel here after Session was over. We just could not wait that long.”
“You could not wait?”
Gwen looked down at the floor. I was sure that if it were not so dark, a blush would be visible on her cheeks. When an explanation was not forthcoming I decided to step in.
“The Bible says it is better to marry than to burn. Trust me, there was a lot of burning going on.”
Gwen hit me on the arm, and I could no longer hold back my laughter. “Reagan . . .”
“What? She is a married woman. She knows what I am talking about.”
They both joined in on my laughter. Gwen gave me a little shove. “I think it is time for you to go before someone else catches you here.”
“Knowing how castle gossip is, I am sure everyone already knows. Trust me, they seem to be aware of everything that happens between me and Garrett.”
“We have been very careful. What are you doing out here wandering the halls at night for anyway?” Gwen leaned over and peeked at her sleeping niece. She had Brianna’s auburn hair and Garrett’s pale green eyes. The combination was very striking.
“Deidre is just a little colicky, that is all. I have found it helps to walk her around a little. Now that she is asleep, I need to get her back to our chambers so we can both get some rest before the wedding. Reagan, do you mind walking me back to my door?”
I laughed and gave Gwen another kiss. Brianna was right. We all needed to get some rest before the wedding.
I stood at the front of the chapel with my brothers and Brianna, waiting for the bride to make her appearance. I was more nervous now than I had been for the first ceremony. With Einri as her escort, Gwen stepped through the door at the back of the chapel and stole my breath away. It was not just her outward beauty. I was in awe of the way she made me feel complete in a way that no one else had or ever could.
She wore a shimmering gold-colored gown that was unlike anything I had seen before. Gwen told me she had designed the gown herself. I was impressed with yet another of my wife’s many talents. Her golden blond hair was piled on her head and was encircled with a crown of white flowers. I had given the necklace that had been intended for a Christmas present as a wedding gift. The blue topaz and diamond jewels around her neck sparkled in the candlelight.
Einri carried Nic in his arms. He had the corner of the lapel of his granddad’s jacket in his chubby little hand. A good portion of it was darkened with his drool. He gave me a toothless grin and waved his fist when he saw me. I could not love our boy any more than I did, and I knew Gwen felt the same.
All of our family would stand around us as we said our vows, but my wife had wanted our son to have some part in the ceremony. Einri stepped to the side with the baby as soon as they got to me. He had taken up his role as grandfather as if he had held that position all along. We were blessed to have him here in Gilvary with us.
Gwen faced me, and I took both of her hands in mine. The pastor cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make before we get started. The bride and groom wanted to have this ceremony today as a celebration to be shared with their family, friends, and loyal subjects, but they said their official vows before me on the thirteenth of May. They have in fact been married these last three months.”
There was laughter and murmurings coming from our guests. From some of the remarks, most of them had known about our meetings in the dark, but not that we had wed. I smiled at Gwen. We had thought we were being careful and sneaky. I hated that anyone had thought this of my wife, but at least now it was out in the open, and no one could refute the truth of the pastor’s words.
The pastor gave a nod. “We come here today to recognize the union that already exists between Gwendolyn Rose Alexander Barnali, who will be recognized from this day forward as queen of Gilvary, to Reagan Augustine Barnali, king of Gilvary. You may proceed.”
I knelt before my wife in front of the congregation. It was an act of the husband humbling himself before his bride and I was glad to do it. She meant more to me than anyone else on the face of this earth.
“Gwen, I kneel before you today in the pledge of my undying love and devotion to you with God and these, my people, as my witnesses. Everything I have, I give to you freely. I promise to be a faithful husband. I vow to lead you and the family we share together on a righteous path that leads to Christ.”
I could feel her hands trembling in mine but her smile never wavered as she looked down at me. “I promise to love you above all, Reagan, and to remain faithful to you always. I will share in your obligations to your family and this kingdom. We will uphold one another in our commitment to continually seek God’s will.”
“I present to you, Reagan and Gwendolyn Barnali, king and queen of Gilvary.” Clapping and cheers from the people drowned out the last of the pastor’s words.
I looked deeply into Gwen’s blue eyes. “I love you.” I leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
“You have made me so happy. I love you as well.”
I rewarded her with another kiss.