Chapter Sixteen

Gavin held his breath as Nori appeared at the end of the aisle. He didn't glance at her grandfather whose arm she clung to. He had eyes only for her as she walked toward him. His bride. One who'd been robbed of the wedding she should have had. He hoped tonight's ceremony would make up for that. The joy on her face made him believe it did.

She wore a white gown with silver threading woven throughout. A silver chord emphasized the dip at her waist. She had a veil draped over the length of her hair, the light catching on her blonde locks through the translucent material. She was a vision to behold, and Gavin realized what he'd missed by sending a proxy to take his vows instead of showing himself.

"You're beautiful," Gavin told Nori once Phillip had passed her hand from his to Gavin's. Her fingers trembled. "What are you afraid of?"

Nori glanced up at him with luminous eyes, her smile more radiant than the sun, letting him know it wasn't fear that had her hand shaking. "I can't believe you'd do this for me. We're already married," she whispered.

"I'd do anything for you, Nori. Besides, someone explained how remiss I was to send another to speak my vows for me at our first wedding."

She blushed. Gavin almost laughed, remembering the tongue lashing she'd given him when she'd told him to figure out what was important enough to require his presence and asked if she should expect another in their bed when the time came to consummate their vows. He'd never fail her again.

He kept his gaze on her the entire ceremony. The priest was quick to refer to it as a renewal of their vows since Gavin had readily admitted he'd already claimed her as a man does his wife. God's truth, he couldn't wait to do so again. He kissed her, sealing their bond for all to see before turning to face the people who'd joined them.

Theo and Jo sat together, and the way his brother rubbed his fingers over her stomach made Gavin wonder if there would be another announcement soon. Jamie and Rory sat next to them, with Gavin's sister throwing fleeting glances toward the father she'd just met. For now, Gavin was still reserving judgment on Rowan York, but the man seemed to genuinely love Rory and want to build a relationship with her and Jamie. Then there was Serena sitting between her husband and father. Geoffrey's arm was around his wife's shoulder, holding her close while John Armstrong looked on with pride. Not only was he proving to be a great father-in-law to Geoffrey, but he presented a father figure to the rest of them who hadn't had one or had a poor example of one. John nodding at Gavin. He'd already told Gavin he was doing the right thing by having another ceremony, so he could be in his rightful place instead of having John as his proxy.

Finally, there was Marcus with his wife, Genevieve, and her grandfather, Lord Sevres Kingsley. It had been his idea for Gavin to find and wed Nori. At least, Gavin had let everyone believe that. He'd already started looking into the possibility. He'd let them think she was a means to an end in the beginning before he'd met her, engaged wits with her, and touched her. Nori was fire, both in bed and out. Gavin planned to make up for the years of neglect she'd experienced due to her grandfather and the man appointed as her caretaker.

King Phillip and Baron Buckingham. Gavin let the heat of his glare encompass both men. He might tolerate Phillip since he was Nori's grandfather, who she loved despite everything he'd done, but Buckingham was another story. It still surprised him the baron had stayed for the wedding after his sole heir had been executed. Gavin was sure that was Phillip's doing. A way to remind Buckingham who had all the control in his life. He'd overheard Phillip telling the man his youngest daughter would be married in a fortnight to the male Phillip had selected, one who would take over for the baron. Gavin hadn't cared enough to stay and listen to the rest of the conversation. If he'd had his way, the baron would have died along with his son. War Kings didn't keep traitorous men alive to manipulate them.

"Gavin?"

Nori's soft voice pulled his gaze, and he dropped another kiss onto her upturned face before taking her hand and leading their guests back to the keep. There would be plenty of wine and food and dancing tonight. Then they'd need to hold another celebration when they returned to his castle and Nori would be introduced to all of her people as their queen.

He led her into a dance as soon as the music began then watched as she danced with her grandfather and Lord Kingsley. He grinned when Theo stepped up when Jo ordered him to dance with his new sister. More often than not, his wife remained in his arms and the need they shared for one another grew hotter and hotter. Finally, when he felt enough time had passed, he went to fetch his wife from her latest partner.

He tugged his wife out of Lord Armstrong's arms when the dance ended and led her out of the laughter and revelry and to the stairs that would take them to their bedchamber above.

"I was hoping we'd head up soon," she murmured as they climbed.

"I wanted you to enjoy the celebration."

"I'll enjoy our private celebration more," she vowed, and Gavin paused, pulling her roughly against him and taking her mouth.

The heat in her gaze when he pulled back had him sweeping her up into his arms and taking the stairs at a hurried pace. He ignored the men outside their chamber, waving them away after they'd opened the door. He heard the bawdy comments about a king and his sword but cared little. They didn't say anything untoward about Nori, and that was all Gavin cared about.

"How do I get you out of this?" he asked as he set Nori on her feet.

She reached up and removed her veil first then scooped her hair over a shoulder before turning and giving him her back. "There are laces in the back."

His fingers felt too large as he worked the laces loose, trying his best not to rend the material in his need to see her. Unable to hold back, he dropped his mouth to her neck, kissing her softly while his knuckles grazed the skin exposed beneath the laces.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look?" he whispered.

"Yes," she moaned. "Hurry, Gavin. I need to feel you against me."

"Fuck!" he growled, biting down on her neck before grabbing his dagger and cutting the knotted ribbons free.

Between the two of them they had her stripped down to her stockings in minutes. Gavin lifted her to sit on the side of the bed then went to his knees before her. He took his time removing each of her stockings, kissing her from mid-thigh to the arch of her foot before spreading her legs and taking in the soft pink petals that shielded what he wanted to taste. He leaned in, licking over the plump folds, dipping his tongue inside to flick along her opening.

"Gavin!"

"Mmm," he groaned. "You taste better than anything served at our marriage banquet. Delicious. I could gorge myself for hours."

He dove in, using his shoulders to keep her spread wide while his fingers opened her completely to his touch. He licked and sucked, reveling in each cry he pulled from her lips. He didn't stop until she came undone, screaming his name at the top of her lungs. Even then, he barely let her catch her breath before he was pushing her over that edge, again and again, and her body was flushed with pleasure, her voice hoarse as she begged him to thrust with his manhood instead.

"I'd have a painting of you just like this, if I could," he murmured as he stepped back and made quick work of his clothes. "But I can't paint, and I'd kill any man who saw you like this."

She moaned, one hand reaching out for him. "Gavin."

He took those fingers, kissing them before trailing his mouth along her arm, across her shoulder, then up her neck to her waiting mouth. He was soft and slow, taking his time with her.

"Gavin, please!"

"What do you need?" he asked as he licked over one rosy nipple before gripping it between his teeth and giving it a tug.

"Oh, gods!"

He tugged her nipple again then wrapped his lips around it and sucked greedily while working his tongue against it. She held him to her, legs around his waist, ankles locked behind his back while she urged him to suckle harder. He wasn't sure how he'd managed not to take her the very first moment he'd seen her. With every taste, he wanted more. Needed more.

"Gavin!"

With a groan, he relented, sliding up her body until his cock lodged at her portal. He thrust deep, catching her cry with his mouth as he pressed their lips together and licked into her mouth, sharing the taste of her decadent cream with her. This woman wrecked him completely. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. If every moment of his life had been required to lead him to her, to this moment, he would suffer through all of it, again and again, knowing the outcome was well worth it.

"Gavin!" she screamed again, nails digging deep into his shoulders while her heels rode low on his back.

"I love you," he whispered, needing to share those words with her.

Her gaze met his, emotion spilling from her eyes in liquid drops that only highlighted the beauty of her eyes.

"I love you, Gavin. For now and always." She leaned up to kiss him once, twice, three times before meeting his gaze again. "Thank you for finding me. For claiming me. Nothing in my life has ever felt as real as you."

He gazed down at her. "I put all my focus into taming a land people claimed could never be tamed. Into holding what others coveted and tried to take. I found solace in a home built by my own hands, with people who I protected and respected for their hard work and dedication. But nothing will ever compare to you, Nori. You're my treasure. You're what I've spent my whole life searching for. You are my home."

"Home," she agreed, and he vowed that no matter what life threw at them, they would always find their home in one another.