Chapter 20

NATALEE

Floura bounced up and down.“Oh, I’m so excited! Congratulations!” She hurled herself at me and gave me a fierce hug.

“I need your help, Floura.” I started tossing my things back into my valises the moment my friend released me. “I’m supposed to meet Knot by the river in one hour. I’d love for you, Madame Sage, Trevonn, and Lottie to come bear witness. Could you gather them up and be there in an hour? I’d like to finish packing and fix myself up a bit.”

“Consider it done,” Floura replied, already on her way out the door of my room.

Once I was alone, I finished packing all my belongings, fitting everything I owned into the two valises that I’d left the Foxthornes with in a hurry almost a month ago. So much had happened since then.

I’d become a siren. I’d fallen in love. I’d made plans to travel back to Jathaway, only to decide to get married and stay in the Faircross area for the time being.

I tried to ignore the flutters in my tummy. Knot would be a good husband. I wasn’t worried about that. Yet I still couldn’t help but fret over what my status as a former siren would do to his reputation. I reminded myself that it was already common knowledge around town that Knot was sweet on me and had visited me every evening for a fortnight, showing up and paying fifty gold pieces each night just to keep all other males away. I doubted the arrangement he’d made with Madame Sage was common knowledge, however, since it had become somewhat of a challenge for some males who’d shown up at the tavern during that time, who’d hoped Knot wouldn’t come and I would be free to go upstairs with someone new.

Well, I supposed the damage had already been done to his reputation. This realization bolstered my confidence in my decision to marry him, though it saddened me that gossip spread so quickly in Faircross. I thought of the lies Mrs. Foxthorne had spread about me, and the dirty looks I still sometimes received as I walked around town.

After glancing around my room to make sure I’d packed all my belongings, I moved to the small mirror above the dresser and set about fixing my hair. I styled it in a twist atop my head, with half of my auburn curls falling over my shoulders. It was the same style I’d worn the morning I met Knot in the mercantile when I’d almost bumped into him as I rounded an aisle.

Warmth filled me at the memory of that day, of how he’d made it halfway out the door only to turn around and ask me to meet him the next day.

Once my hair looked perfect, I gazed down at my skirts to make sure they weren’t too wrinkled. This was one of my best dresses and I’d felt a tad silly putting it on this morning without any special plans. However, I’d wanted to say goodbye to Knot and Faircross in my own way. Wearing the very dress I’d worn during our picnic beside the river had seemed fitting.

Once satisfied all the wrinkles were smoothed from my skirt, I placed my valises next to the door. I would ask Trevonn to deliver them to The Bluebird Inn after the wedding ceremony.

My heart skittered at the knowledge that tomorrow I would head to the mountain with Knot and be alone with him for as many days as we remained at his cabin.

At The Sweet Siren, we were never truly alone. The voices, laughter, and music from downstairs could always be heard in my room, even with the door closed. Not to mention the amorous noises that could often be heard echoing from the other sirens’ nearby rooms.

I sat on the bed, closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths. My hands started shaking in my lap, and I smiled at my own excitement to marry Knot. Weeks ago, when Mrs. Foxthorne had introduced me to the eligible males in town, I’d never imagined I would be this excited to get married. I’d envisioned myself settling on the most sensible choice and simply going through the motions of a wedding ceremony. I’d certainly never believed I would marry for love. But in less than an hour, I would be doing just that.

After glancing in the mirror one last time, I headed downstairs. I heard Lottie and Floura talking excitedly in the kitchen, and I slipped outside by myself, trusting my friends would show up at the river on time. I wished to arrive there a few minutes early, however, and decided to go on ahead by myself.

As I walked down the street, I avoided the judgmental glances a few of the older women gave me, though I couldn’t help but wonder what they would think if they knew the truth about the Foxthornes, particularly Mr. Foxthorne. At least I hadn’t run into him in town since that fateful night. I still couldn’t believe Knot, a former priest who’d taken vows of peace, had beaten the repulsive male bloody.

The bridge came into sight, as well as the rushing river, and I quickened my pace. But a short figure stepped in my path, forcing me to an abrupt halt.

My breath caught and my stomach flipped, but I held my head high, refusing to cower in front of this particular woman.

“Good morning to you, Mrs. Foxthorne.” Thankfully, my voice came out calm and confident.

To my surprise, the elderly woman didn’t glare at me or display any kind of look that bordered on hatred, as she had the night she’d kicked me out on the street. Instead, Mrs. Foxthorne smiled politely, and if I didn’t know better, I would have thought the woman had been crying recently. Her smile couldn’t disguise the dark rings surrounding her bloodshot eyes. I didn’t know if I should inquire what was wrong or keep walking.

“Good morning, Natalee. How-how have you been? Well, I hope?” Her voice trembled with uncertainty and… grief. More proof that something had happened.

Taken aback by what sounded like a sincere question, I stared down at Mrs. Foxthorne and tried to discern whether her apparent kindness was some sort of nasty trick. “I-I have been well.” Part lie and part truth, but she didn’t need to know all that had happened to me since the night Mr. Foxthorne had nearly molested me. All that mattered was that I’d found happiness with an admirable male who loved me.

“Are you and the priest going to get married? I heard that he’s been courting you, even though… even though… well, you know.” Mrs. Foxthorne flushed, and her eyes kept dancing away from mine.

I got the sense that she was too ashamed to hold my gaze. The realization stunned me. I cleared my throat. “Yes, I am going to marry Mr. Thazurok. Today, in fact.”

Mrs. Foxthorne smiled, though the unmistakable sadness still lurked in her eyes. She blinked rapidly a few times, and then she swallowed hard and appeared to fumble for words, because her lips moved but no sound came out. Quite uncharacteristic of the woman. Finally, I heard what she was trying to say.

“I wish you well, my dear. I wish you all the best.” Her head jerked up. “Well, I must be going. I am going to surprise Angus at his claim. He has been there for a long time without returning to Faircross, so I thought I might surprise him.”

“Surely you aren’t traveling there alone, Mrs. Foxthorne?” I couldn’t fathom what was wrong with my former friend. She was behaving oddly. I’d always imagined that if I ever ran into Mrs. Foxthorne, the old woman would sneer and try cutting me down with cruel words. But that wasn’t the case at all.

“I hired Trimm Yorkshire to bring me there. He takes a wagon up the mountain to Angus’s claim from time to time, to deliver supplies. I have never been there before, of course, but Mr. Yorkshire knows the way.” She displayed another smile that appeared especially forced. In fact, she seemed as if she might break down crying at any moment.

“Are you well, Mrs. Foxthorne?” I couldn’t believe I felt sympathy for the woman, given how she had treated me, but she’d been kind to me once upon a time. If not for Mrs. Foxthorne, I might have ended up at The Sweet Siren long before I had met Knot. I might not have fallen in love with the handsome orc, or met him at all, under such different circumstances.

“Yes, dear, I am fine. Like I said, I must get going.” Mrs. Foxthorne stepped out of my path and started walking away. “Congratulations on your marriage to the priest,” she called over her shoulder, her voice again ringing with sincerity.

“Th-thank you.” I stood frozen for several moments as I contemplated what had just occurred. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Mrs. Foxthorne. The woman’s husband was a scoundrel and a liar. According to Madame Sage, he used to frequent The Sweet Siren as well, proof that he’d been an unfaithful husband long before he’d set his sights on me.

Well, I didn’t have time to think about such matters now. I had a wedding to get to. I pushed all thoughts of the Foxthornes aside and headed for the bridge. I welcomed the cool breeze that drifted across the water. I smiled at the young boys who were fishing over the side of the bridge. There were other boys holding fishing poles scattered on the riverbank as well.

I hoped to have sons with Knot one day. Daughters too. Would we still be living in the Faircross area when our children were old enough to go fishing? I didn’t know, but the not knowing didn’t scare me. Not anymore. I knew one thing for certain—I loved Knot and he loved me in return.

Wherever we made our home, we would be together.

We would make it work.

I found my husband-to-be waiting at our picnic spot. A well-dressed human male who emanated authority stood next to him, presumably the traveling judge. Laughter and voices sounded behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Floura, Madame Sage, Trevonn, and Lottie scurrying to join us. I shot them a smile and then returned my focus to Knot. I came to stand in front of him, my heart racing faster.

This was really happening.

I was about to become Knot Thazurok’s wife.

Joy abounded within me.

“You look beautiful.” He took my hands in his.

I flushed. “I look the same as when you saw me an hour ago. I’m even wearing the same dress.”

“It doesn’t matter.” His eyes gleamed with warmth and adoration. “You still look beautiful.”

“Well, thank you.”

“Shall we get started?” The judge asked. He stepped forward with his hands clasped behind his back. “I have two more weddings to officiate today.”

“Yes, please,” Knot replied, not taking his gaze off me.

I stared up at him with tears burning in my eyes. My cheeks also hurt from smiling so much. I almost laughed at the realization. I couldn’t remember the last time my cheeks had ached from too much smiling. I took it as another good omen for our marriage.

A light breeze ruffled my skirt and my hair, blowing the long curls about my shoulders. My friends from The Sweet Siren stood nearby, and a few curious boys stood on their tiptoes further down the river, fishing poles still in hand. The noon sun beamed down upon us, highlighting a few strands of gray in Knot’s otherwise black hair that I had never noticed before. Gods, he had never looked so handsome.

“Under the watchful eyes of the gods, we are gathered here today…” The traveling judge had us married in a few short minutes. Knot vowed to love, honor, and cherish me, and in return I vowed that I would love, honor, and obey him. I meant every word of the vows, and my soul sang with the knowledge that he meant every word as well.

“Before all the gods, old and new, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Mr. Thazurok.”

And kiss me he did. Knot cupped my face and delved his tongue deep in my mouth, exploring me and taking command with a possessiveness that made an ache pulse between my thighs. My friends clapped and cheered. Floura, of course, cheered the loudest.

“I can’t wait to get you alone, Mrs. Thazurok,” he whispered against my mouth.

Warmth pulsed harder in my nether region and a shiver coursed down my back. My face felt flushed, and my breaths came rapid and shallow. The sound of my friends clapping and the clattering of hooves as travelers rode over the bridge faded as I stared into my husband’s beautiful dark eyes. I grinned at him and rather impishly said, “I can’t wait to get you alone either, Mr. Thazurok.”