Flame Thrower (22 page)

Tillian caught a glimpse of the world outside and saw a long velvet carpet awaited their arrival. Her gaze traced the length of the rug and knew it would lead them into the castle ballroom which was lit up with hundreds of tiny pin pricks of light. There was no way these were all small candles or the place would be up in flames in moments.

He saw her line of sight and tilted his head. “Wondering how those lights work?”

“Actually, yes.” Tillian met his eyes with a look of pure confusion.

“Magic. I made these lights when Kincaid explained this reception. I wanted you to be dazzled by stars and bathed in their radiance. What do you think?” He looked back at the effect. He couldn’t resist a half smile when he took in that his castle was illuminated with thousands upon thousands of small twinkling lights. A warm glow bathed the grounds around the building, inviting spectators to walk the gardens, which they could see at night in the soft glow.

“It’s wonderful.” Her wistful response warmed him to his core as he watched her take it all in.

“Wait until you get inside.” Ryan extended his hand to help her from the carriage. He assisted Tillian and detached the train from her dress freeing her from the weight. “There. You should be more comfortable now.”

She looked behind her and sighed, “Thank you.” She watched as he bunched it up and tossed it unceremoniously back inside the carriage before bathing her in a warm smile.

The poor coachman had finally recovered and cleared his throat to get their attention. “Your Highnesses, I’m to lead you to a waiting room while the guests arrive from the ceremony. If you’ll please follow me?” he asked with a flourish and led the way down the velvet carpet into the building with haste.

Immediately upon entering, the coachman turned right and disappeared into a room illuminated with more of the magic lights. She skidded to a halt when they followed, sucking in a breath in amazement. Tillian looked around at the little details that were laid out for her. Her gaze drifted from one sight to the next finally landing on his smug face. He knew he’d outdone himself. Tillian looked back to the room, sighing. Ryan had crafted flowers of her homeland out of magic and those filled vases around the room. The sentiment touched her if not made her feel homesick.

“I didn’t want you feeling so out of place, so brought a little of Folkyn to celebrate with his today,” he whispered.

“I love it.”

Wallace materialized out of the nowhere, smiling at them in his formal attire, dress sword at his hip. Following just behind was his untamed wife, who wore a wholesome smile on her face as she greeted the newly married couple.

When the doors were closed, sealing them alone, Wallace and Ryan clasped lower arms in a congratulatory fashion. “Congratulations Ryan.” Wallace turned to Tillian, a matching smile on his face. “You too, Tillian.”

“Thank you, my friend.” Ryan released his arm and claimed Tillian’s waist, turning to June. “You were right, June. Marriage feels good,” he said with a genuine joy.

“It’s frankly about time, Ryan,” she beamed. “Tillian, I’ve been after him for years to find the women of his dreams, and leave it to Ryan to take his own sweet time at it. Fate made sure he didn’t take too long, though.”

Wallace harrumphed. “Now who are you going to harass, sweet wife?” he teased.

June lifted her head with a challenge. “Silly man. Ryan just upped the challenge. Now it’s all about when will there be children?”

Tillian couldn’t help but laugh at the horrified look on Ryan’s face and smothered her reaction when he glared at her.

“Don’t encourage this, Tillian. Just wait until she corners you during tea,” he warned warmly but pulled her tightly to his side.

Thinking of children made Ryan recall something. “Wallace, did you hear if my sister has arrived?” Ryan inquired.

“No, but a message arrived this morning that she was delayed due to your Aunt falling ill. She’s not comfortable leaving her in the care of the servants, and she sent her apologies. She promised she’d be around in a week once she is confident your Aunt is well.”

“That’s disappointing.” Ryan really wanted Crysin here for this, especially since they were so close. He’d practically raised her himself and wanted her to get to know Tillian and love her as much as he did. He knew how much their Aunt meant to her, however, and understood his sister’s concern. Their Aunt was practically a mother to Crysin, and that alone made her absence acceptable.

Wallace leaned close. “Knowing your sister, she’s feeling just as badly, Ryan.” He, too, knew Crysin well and understood how missing her brother’s wedding would affect her.

“You’re right, of course. She’d not miss this if it wasn’t serious.”

Tillian wrapped her arm around his waist and hugged him, knowing he felt badly, but before she could comfort him more, the doors to the formal dining hall opened and the horns blasted out their entrance.

Ryan leaned down and whispered, “Here we go. Remember, we eat, drink and dash. Agreed?”

Tillian smiled in relief. “Agreed,” she said a little too quickly, and had all four of them laughing when they entered the hall.

He was right. The ballroom was straight out of any childhood fairy tale, because there was decadence at every turn. All human senses were stimulated with lights, textures and scents. In the center of the ballroom was a gorgeous dance floor inlaid with green emeralds making the floor iridescent and shimmery, catching every flicker of candle light as it danced through the room. It gave the appearance of the rolling plains outside the large windows.

Above, suspended by air, were huge chandeliers that cast warm light on the occupants below. The room easily was three times the size of the ballroom in Folkyn and currently filled with people who made an aisle for them to enter.

The sound of their cheering inside was even more deafening than at the ceremony. The hornsmen waited for the commotion to die down and when they made their entrance, horns reeled announcing the two couples while they made their way down the aisle. All along their walk small white flowers from the plains of Yorath were thrown casting a white shower to rain down on them as they made their way. Their destination was the long head table erected at the front of the room. Servants stood ready, hands poised ready to serve the food that waited to be laid out. All of it was fantastic and Tillian allowed herself to enjoy the moment and accept that this was her day.
My wedding day
, she corrected.

They drank wine, ate food and socialized with hundreds of people before Ryan whispered into her ear, “It’s time.” He’d waited long enough, and rushed through his good-byes before he pulled her from the hall. He knew the guests would continue to enjoy the party long after they snuck out, so felt no regret departing early.

“Finally! I didn’t think that was going to end!” Tillian exclaimed. They walked down the hallway toward the massive double staircase in the center of the foyer. “Do you think anyone will mind we departed?”

“We greeted those most important,” he replied and they climbed the stairs hand in hand. Once they reached the top, he directed her, using his arm around her waist, to the wide elaborate hall toward their living quarters.

“I also didn’t want to wait one more moment, so I could care less if they did mind.” Ryan swept her into his arms and strode down the hall, crossing the threshold of their living quarters with her snuggled in his arms. Once inside he placed her feet on the floor and shut the door behind them. The sudden change to utter silence from the overpowering noise downstairs was dramatic. “Much better.”

His lips found hers immediately and kissed her with such intensity that her knees buckled beneath her, causing her to fall deeper into his embrace. His hands were not idle and while he was plundering her mouth, he proficiently untied her corset in the back. With a dramatic flourish, he pulled the string out of their eyelets, and then attacked the numerous hooks also keeping the top closed and holding her flesh captive. Flesh he desperately wanted freed.

With one last snap, the top released its hold and he roughly pulled the bodice from her frame and pushed it to the floor so the fabric heaped at her feet. Her breasts heaved with her rapid breathing, her nipples puckered with both arousal and the touch of the colder air.

Ryan froze as he couldn’t think or move. Tillian was utterly perfect and he was dumbstruck that she was now his wife. She stood before him naked except for the rose pendant at her throat and the thin lace underwear. The contrast of the tiny explosion of color against her creamy white skin was devastating to his emotional state. “You’re beautiful, Tillian,” he finally whispered into her ear as he began to tickle her neck with his lips with little kisses that traveled from her ear, down her throat and collar bone.

Tillian was powerless against this and let go. As she had numerous times before, she let down her guard, released her fears and let Ryan love her.

* * * *

Tillian rolled over in order to look at him. He’d essentially ravaged her again and again, forcing her to admit how happy she was. “Ryan, today was incredible. I never dreamed of such a wedding, let alone my own. I’m afraid that I’ll wake up tomorrow and be back in that windowless hut.” Tillian paused for her emotions got the better of her for a moment. “Because of that, I still don’t feel worthy to be your Queen.”

He knew she tried to hide the tear that slid down her cheek, but he saw it and felt a moment of worry. “Tillian, what is it going to take to get through to you?” he asked as he gently wiped the tear away. “You belong right where you are. The people of Yorath love you, as witnessed by thousands of people.” He touched his nose to her ear and breathed warm air down her neck. “What is it going to take?”

“Time.” Her voice thickened with emotion when she said this one word. “It’s not been that long and I think I just need time to move past the hurt those men caused.” She paused. “I need to forgive my family.” Tillian really tried to be strong but she felt so vulnerable at the moment.

“You have forever, Tillie. I guess I just desperately want you to believe that I’ll shower you with love for the rest of your life. I hope that soon, you can go a full day without crying or experience many nights without nightmares.” He had not removed his finger from collecting her last tear and began to caress her face.

“I know all that, I just need time to feel it. You’ve given more to me than words will ever express. It’s just that I need a little more time to believe all that you’ve offered,” Tillian replied.

Ryan snuggled her closer inhaling her scent and smiled. He could already feel his arousal recovering and knew he’d get another opportunity to show her all he offered.

“That was just the beginning, so save your energy, love.” He teasingly warned. His words earned one of her smiles that melted his heart. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Hmm. I think you’re biased.” She stretched long and pulled a blanket over both of them while they relaxed.

Seeing her this relaxed, this at peace warmed his heart. She looked properly ravished with her fancy hair style destroyed, her makeup smeared but her face absolutely radiated contentment.

“You’re a mess,” he teased, knowing she’d worry about it and want to bathe. He wasn’t disappointed as he read the urge to jump and change flash in her eyes.

“Can it be any worse than you?” Tillian eyed him from head to toe and felt like purring if such a thing were possible. Ryan’s face was flushed and sweaty and his body relaxed. Her eyes traced how his blond hair stuck out in bizarre places, giving him a crazed appearance. He was utterly gorgeous.

He chuckled when he looked down at himself. “Guess we both could use a good long bath after today.” He winked before he rolled away and found a robe for himself. From there he notified the servant to draw the water. On his way back to the bed, he filled two glasses of wine and brought her one, holding one out before him in a toast. “To love,” he said while he touched the rim of the glass to hers.

“To love,” Tillian replied. As she sipped the wonderfully rich wine, her mind returned to consequence of this marriage. “Do you think the note has arrived yet?” The tone of her voice alerted him that she’d lost the magic he’d recently given her and returned to the fear that Irfan seemed to generate.

“No. I timed this so we would be married before it was delivered. It should arrive in two days.” He softened his tone, but he was serious. “You’re still worried, aren’t you?”

“I know my Father. He will not take this news well.” Tillian took another sip of wine. “I fully expect trouble from him, Ryan. I disobeyed him and cost him a tremendous amount of money. Mostly he’ll be livid that I disobeyed him. You’ve seen how well he responds to being disobeyed.” She turned her back to show the whip marks.

“He won’t touch you again,” he growled dangerously.

“We’ll see.” Tillian leaned on the bed watching Ryan, who suddenly switched from the dashing king to a man who radiated anger.

“Our bath is ready,” he said with bite. “You will have to learn to trust me on this, Tillian,” he added as he approached the bed and helped her rise. “I won’t let him touch you ever again.”

“I’m not just afraid for me. I will trust you when I see that no one is hurt from this. Right now, I’m ruled by my knowledge of what he can do.”

“You will see,” he said again before he disappeared into the bath with Tillian on his heels.