Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel (28 page)

“I can make the purchases. Do we have apples
to trade?”

“We do. Will you take Swiftly with you?”

“Of course.”

* * * *

Swiftly pulled the wagon to a stop in the
market district and hopped down from his seat. As he came around to
help me from my perch, I took a fortifying breath and eyed the
different merchant stores that offered produce. The last time I’d
tried to trade hadn’t gone well.

“Thank you,” I said. “If you want to stay
with the apples, I’ll see if I can find someone willing to
trade.”

The first merchant greeted me with an air of
indifference and said he would take a basket from me but only
offered a few coppers.

“There are apples everywhere,” he said.
“It’s harvest season. You won’t find a better price.”

I thanked him and tried several more
merchants only to receive similar answers. With a frown, I returned
to the wagon.

“They’re not worth the trade. We would be
better served to press the majority into tart cider as my father
suggested.” That meant I would need to part with some gold to buy
the supplies I needed. Supplies we couldn’t bring back with a wagon
full of apples.

“Let’s move the wagon to the trade street,
Swiftly.”

Doors opened before we even parked. Homes
with children received the milk and cheese Kara had sent; however,
the apples were so plentiful, we gave some to every house. Retta’s
mother didn’t ask about her children, but she did thank us for the
apples.

Back on the market street, I went to the
merchants who had advertised the lowest prices and purchased sacks
of vegetables and a small bag of sugar. While I waited by the wagon
for Swiftly to carry the sacks, a familiar voice called my
name.

I turned and saw Blye briskly walking my
way. Her bright smile confused me, as did her exuberant hug.

“You look well,” she said, her volume
hurting my ear. She pulled back and smiled at me as she gave my
arms a sisterly squeeze. Her gaze slid to the side then
returned.

“How are the wedding plans? Have you and
Lord Ruhall set a date?”

Movement around us slowed, and I realized
her game. I averted my gaze to hide my anger and spotted Ila not
far away. Her gaze met mine, and I found understanding there.

“Excuse me, Blye,” I said, pulling from her
false embrace. “I don’t have much time here and need to speak with
someone.” I turned toward Ila.

Behind me, Blye twittered.

“I understand. I’ll see you soon,” she
called.

Ila smiled in greeting as I joined her. Her
hug felt true and welcoming.

“How are things with you?” I asked,
withdrawing from her embrace. We started a slow walk toward the
house of the Sisters.

“Well,” she said with an excited grin.
“Henick came to take me for a ride yesterday.” Her eyes sparkled
with excitement. It was the most animated I’d ever seen her.

“Ila, I’m so happy for you. He knows
everything, then?”

She nodded. “Just as you said, he didn’t
care. Have you started to make plans for your wedding? Is your
sister making your dress now that you’ll be Lady Ruhall?”

I snorted in a very unlady like way.

“No, Blye will not make my dress, though I’m
sure she’d like to. I’ll wear the one you made me. Alec contacted
the Head, and we’ll marry in a week. I would like you to attend,
Ila. It will be a very quiet ceremony,” I said quickly, “so please
don’t mention it.”

“I won’t say a word. And I would be
delighted to attend.”

When we reached her house, she turned around
and started the walk back to the wagon with me. Swiftly had
everything loaded when she and I parted with a final hug.

“I will see you soon,” she said with a wave.
Her words made me smile.

* * * *

The time until the wedding whittled away.
Alec entertained me with walks, games, and fishing during the day.
At night, I continued reading the book. The author’s descriptions,
and Alec’s attentions when I woke, convinced me there could be more
to the experience than I’d been exposed to. Though it reduced my
hesitancy and my fears, nervous anticipation remained.

The day before my wedding dawned bright. I
found myself on my back, my shirt spread open, and Alec’s fingers
tracing an idle path between my sternum and bellybutton.

“Good morning,” he said with a secret smile
that made my toes curl.

“Good morning.”

Though he hadn’t touched them, my breasts
already ached because I knew what was to come. He didn’t
disappoint. He leaned over and set his mouth on me. I closed my
eyes with a contented sigh. His fingers continued to trail my
stomach, then down my legs. I knew what he was about and didn’t
mind. I trusted him and relaxed my legs.

Instead of trailing closer to where I ached,
he pulled away from me altogether and stared down at me.

His face was flushed and full of want.

“One more day,” he said, his voice husky,
“then you’re mine. Forever.”

I nodded. “One more day.” Saying it made my
nerves jump but I didn’t let it show.

“What would you like to do today?”

“If Kara doesn’t mind, let’s do something in
the kitchen. We can do better than coddled eggs and egg
tartlets.”

He grinned and nodded.

“Dress,” he said. “I’ll meet you there.”

I quickly obeyed and hurried to the kitchen,
excited to spend another day with him. To my surprise, Bryn was at
the block, kneading dough. When Alec had confronted her at the
bakery, I hadn’t given any thought to her returning to work in his
kitchen.

She looked up at me, hurt painting her
face.

“Were you going to tell me?” she asked.

I knew she meant the wedding.

“You’ve made it quite clear you want nothing
to do with me as your sister, and I want nothing to do with you as
Lady Ruhall.”

Her gaze turned sad, and she nodded.

“I have. And I’m sorry for it. I hope one
day that changes.”

I inclined my head, neither agreeing nor
disagreeing and left the kitchen. As much as I didn’t want her
there, I didn’t have it in me to turn her away for Edmund’s sake
and her babe.

Alec met me in the hallway.

“Do you no longer wish to cook?”

“No. I was thinking we might talk to Father
about fermenting apples.”

Thus, we spent the day before our wedding
pressing apples.

* * * *

Egrit woke me with a chipper good morning
and a laugh when I sat up in a panic.

“Don’t worry. I warned him I would wake you
this morning.”

I blushed crimson as she took my gown from
the wardrobe and laid it out on the bed.

“Would you like a bath?”

I shook my head no. Sticky with the juice
from far too many apples, I’d had no choice but to bathe the night
before. My hair was oiled and dry.

“To relax?”

“Not now, but I might need one after
dinner.”

“Then, if you’re ready, there is someone
here to see you. She thought you might like company and offered to
do your hair.”

A smile lit my face.

“Ila?”

Egrit nodded.

I spent a pleasant morning closed in my room
with Ila. She took her time braiding and weaving my hair and helped
me into my dress.

“Do you have any questions about tonight?”
she asked. “Are you nervous? Frightened? It would be understandable
if you were.”

“I am nervous but not afraid.”

“Good,” she said, stepping back to eye her
work. “You are a beauty.”

I laughed lightly.

“Thanks to your efforts. Thank you for
staying with me, Ila.”

She hugged me tightly. “I’m glad I’m here.”
When she pulled back, she wrapped my hand around her arm and led me
from the room. My heart fluttered at the reality of what would soon
take place. I would marry Alec.

Neither of us spoke as we walked down the
hall toward the library. My nerves prevented it, and she seemed to
understand.

All my trepidation evaporated when we turned
the corner, and I spotted Alec pacing outside the library doors. He
froze when he saw me. Beside me, Ila excused herself and went
in.

Alec and I stared at each other for a moment
before he exhaled slowly and strode toward me. He was dressed in
dark pants and a matching jacket. A red bloom was tucked into the
lapel, matching the threads in my gown.

When he reached me, his blue gaze swept over
me.

“You are beautiful,” he breathed. He reached
for me, gently running his knuckles along my cheek.

“Will you stay? Will you be my wife?”

I turned my head to kiss his hand.

“I will stay. I will be your wife.”

He pulled me close and set his lips on mine.
The passion behind his kiss robbed me of thought.

A throat cleared and reluctantly Alec pulled
back. I blinked at him and then glanced toward the doors. My father
stood there, his amused smile causing me to grin in return.

“I wanted to hug you one last time as my
daughter before you become Lady Ruhall,” he said, approaching
me.

Eagerly, I hugged him.

“I love you, Father.”

“And I you.” He held me tightly for a moment
more before surrendering me to Alec.

Alec offered his arm as Father went inside.
Holding him tightly, I let Alec walk me in.

The Head waited for us along with a small
audience. I barely saw them or heard what the Head said. Time moved
too quickly and soon Alec was speaking his vows to love and honor
me in this life and the next. Nerves danced in my stomach as I
realized my turn had come. Taking a calming breath, I spoke my vows
to do the same.

Cheers erupted around us, and Alec pulled me
in for another kiss. Another throat clearing and good-natured
laughter forced us apart so he could lead me to the dining
room.

Someone had set the length of the table.
Alec took the seat at the head with me at his right and Father at
his left. Everyone joined us and that was when I noticed my
sisters. Bryn quietly sat beside Father. She didn’t look at me.
Instead, she struck up a quiet conversation with Father.

Blye almost sat beside me, but Egrit stopped
her.

“One seat over, Miss Hovtel.”

Ila took the seat beside me, and I sighed in
relief.

Mr. Crow, Kara, and Egrit brought the food
out. As I’d asked, they had kept it simple. We served ourselves and
passed the portions to the next person. Conversation flowed around
the table, and it was a relaxing meal...until Ila excused herself
for a moment.

Blye took that as an opportunity to speak to
me.

“Now that you’re Lady Ruhall, you’ll need
new dresses. I could stay here and work on them.”

The horror of the idea certainly had to have
shown on my face because the conversation around the table quieted.
I looked away and caught Otta glaring at Blye. I wanted to smile at
her.

“No,” Alec said. “You will not make her
dresses, and you aren’t welcome to stay here any longer than it
takes for you to visit with your father.”

Blye’s face flushed scarlet, but she said
nothing further. Ila returned and eyed the quiet table as she
resumed her seat.

She leaned toward me and softly asked if
everything was all right.

“Yes,” I said, taking a bite of roast.

“It’s been brought to my attention,” Alec
said to Ila, “that Benella is in need of a few more dresses in her
role as a Lady. The dress she wears now is beautiful, and I would
like to see her have a few more of that quality.”

I frowned at Alec, not for his snub of my
sister, but for asking for additional extravagant dresses.

“This might be a bit more formal than I will
need for every day,” I said diplomatically.

Ila laughed and patted my hand.

“Have no worry. I know what kind of dress
you like.”

She did. I smiled at her and turned to
Alec.

“I still prefer my pants,” I whispered.

He choked a bit on his food and shook his
head at me. As we finished, Bryn and Kara collected the empty
plates and asked us to remain seated as they excused themselves.
When they returned, they carried a large cake.

“Edmund and I made it for you. A gift to
celebrate how sweet life can be. If you let it,” she said
quietly.

My eyes watered. I wasn’t ready to trust her
to be my sister, but her gift, her words, and her new consideration
of Father gave me hope.

* * * *

A tub of water waited in my room when I
finally excused myself from the table. I sent a silent word of
thanks to Egrit and stripped off my gown.

The manor was settling in for a quiet
evening, and I knew what that meant for me. Nerves coiled in my
stomach. By giving me the book, Alec had hoped to ease my fear of
the unknown. Though I appreciated his thoughtfulness, the author’s
side notes about easing the pain of the first time hadn’t reassured
me. I would have preferred to remain ignorant of that part.

With a shaking hand, I hung the dress in the
wardrobe then padded to the water. Steam curled from the surface.
I’d no sooner slipped into the water when the connecting doors
opened. I jumped slightly and turned to watch Alec enter. His gaze
locked onto mine as he slowly closed the door behind him.

“Will you douse me with water if I watch
you?” Though the words were playfully said, his expression remained
serious.

“No, husband, I won’t.” I attempted a smile
while trying to calm my stomach.

He didn’t linger by the door but came to the
tub and knelt beside it, watching me as he rolled his sleeves from
his corded forearms.

“Are you afraid?” he asked.

“Are you?”

“Very. I’m afraid you’ll run or worse, stay
and hate me afterward.”

Hearing his fears helped ease a few of
mine.

“I won’t hate you, Alec.”

He looked down and dipped a finger in the
water. My pulse leapt because I knew he could see me clearly. Yet,
he didn’t reach for me. Instead, he exhaled slowly.