by Jules River
She started for the kitchen, to drown her sorrows in a carton of ice-cream, when Warin gently caught her by the arm, “Come have a drink with me, please.”
Mira inclined her head and followed when he guided her to the lounge. She was nervous, afraid he was going to tell her he was leaving. His simple touch already had her heart beating faster, his rugged voice making it skip a beat; she could feel heat radiating off of him, and his intoxicating, earthy, purely male scent had her feeling like she had already had a few drinks. He poured glasses of whiskey, handing one to her before sitting down beside her on the sofa. He took her bandaged arm, carefully looking it over, then her neck and chin as well, angry with himself that he had not protected her better. They sat in contemplation, quiet, taking a sip now and again of the smooth alcohol.
Warin took a deep breath, as if struggling to find the correct words, and he began, “Mira, I have never thanked you for all that you have done to assist my brothers and me.” Mira thought to herself, Oh, no, here it comes. He is going to thank me and say goodbye, since there is no reason for him to stay.
She was barely able to get out, “There is no need for thanks. We were doing it because of our father.” She tried to hold back the sob that wanted to escape. She felt as if her heart were being crushed in an unforgiving fist. She unconsciously raised her hand to her heart, and clutched at her blouse, the pain was that physical. But she was not going to let him see how his leaving was going to affect her. She refused to “guilt” him into staying, and she especially did not want his pity.
Warin was discouraged by her words, and could not read her expression, but he was going through with this no matter what. He needed to see where he stood with Mira.
“I believe we would like to get into a trade business similar to yours, now that we know we will remain in this time. We are familiar with trading from our former time. We can do well enough to support a family. As you know, we had other small weapons and some items, coins, and adornments, which we could use as capital for this business.”
Not saying anything, she just looked at him confused. Mira let him talk while she thought, What the hell? A family? A business?
Warin continued, “Mira, I don’t know how to tell you this, but-,” she interrupted him and jumped to her feet. “Just go! I’ve always expected this; there’s no need for you to explain.” When she tried to walk away, Warin stood and caught her arm, whipping her around into his chest, being cautious of her wounds, “Go? What have you always expected, Mira? Look at me,” he demanded as he started to get angry, believing that she wanted to be rid of him now that the task was complete. He had no intention of leaving her, ever. When she did not look at him or answer, he decided he would convince her that she did not want him to leave.
He took her in his arms, bridal style. She let out a surprised shriek, and she struggled as she seethed, “What do you think you’re doing? Oh no you don’t! You brute!” He made his way upstairs in record time, not even winded as he carried her thrashing in his arms.
As soon as they entered the bedroom, he kicked the door closed, turning and locking the door with his hand under her knees, before walking to the bed and softly tossing her in the middle. He had his shirt ripped off over his head as he kicked off his boots and followed her onto the bed. She had stilled while she watched him take his shirt off, looking at his rippling muscles, so had not quite made it off the other side of the bed when he grabbed her shirt, pulled it over her head, and pulled her down on her back in one swift movement, looming over her. She struggled with him; they were both mad. She said as she pummeled his chest, “I hate you!”
He gritted out, as he carefully pinned her hands above her head, “No! When I’m done you’re going to love me, as I love you.” Then his lips found hers.
She stopped struggling, not sure she had heard him correctly, but hope sparked. She opened to his kiss. He noticed the change in her, and lifted his head to look at her. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears when she asked tentatively, “What did you say?”
“I won’t allow you to hate me,” he stated defiantly. “We are too good together. There are no longer reasons why we can’t marry, start a family, and grow old together.” He gave her a little shake to emphasize his words. “I won’t let you go, Mira, ever.”
“I thought you couldn’t wait to leave. You pulled away so much, until all we had between us was sex and a common goal,” Mira explained.
“No, we have always had so much more. I had responsibilities to my brothers, and the possibility of just not being anymore in less than three months. I had to protect us both somehow.”
“Are you saying you love me? Because if you love me and let me believe my feelings were not returned, I will beat the hell out of you.” Indignant at his lack of sharing, she had begun to get angry again.
Ignoring her anger, Warin lowered his voice to that seductive level that always had her melting. “I love you, Mira. I want to hear you say it.” He placed a persuasive kiss on her lips and waited.
“You must know I love you, Warin.” She looked at him, and let all of her love for him show.
The smile on his face, before he plundered her mouth in a long and loving kiss, was luminous with joy. He pulled back, stared into her beautiful eyes and stated, “We will be married tomorrow.” Typical of Warin, it was a demand. Without argument or hesitation, Mira agreed, “Yes, we will.”
She was not about to let him go, ever.
Epilogue
One Year Later
The wedding finally happened, after a ton of paperwork, numerous meetings, and a handful of bribes. At long last, special permission was granted for Dunstin and Lyra to have their wedding with two hundred guests, and not one person more, in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme of the National Roman Museum.
Lyra had her heart set on that location, since it was so beautiful and it held such fond memories for the couple. At one particularly difficult moment as they struggled with Italian bureaucracy, Lyra was ready to just break in and have a quick, super-small wedding and be done with it. After all, the place had been easy enough to break into the first time, but Dunstin insisted that he wanted to claim her in the light of day, so she relented.
On a bright and sunny Roman afternoon, Lyra made a beautiful bride in a long, slim, embroidered lace gown. Dunstin never looked happier.
***
Warin stayed true to his word. He and Mira married the very next day after his declaration that they would do so. Theirs was an intimate and emotional wedding at the castle with a local pastor officiating. Their siblings were present, as well as Steven, Todd, Dr. Campbell, and Olivia Sugarson.
Mira was the epitome of sophistication in an incomparable antique-silk wedding dress, discovered by the housekeeper in one of the castle’s storerooms, and worn with pride as a symbol of the old joining with the new.
***
Cenric and Faye celebrated their marriage six months earlier at St. Catherine’s Church in Hamburg, the oldest church in the medieval city. It was one of the biggest social events of the year, and the sisters’ extended family and friends flew in from around the world.
Faye was stunning in a beautiful, satiny confection of a dress with a ten-foot train trailing behind her. Cenric remains completely enchanted by her.
***
Steven and Todd met their current girlfriends at Faye’s wedding. Wagers were placed on how long it would take until Steven proposed. Faye won the bet when Steven announced his engagement at Lyra’s wedding. Todd is happier and more outgoing than they had ever seen him, and remembers nothing of their big ordeal.
Olivia Sugarson will be tying the knot for the seventh time, soon after Lyra and Dunstin’s return from their honeymoon. She swore it was love at first sight.
Dr. E.M. Pedocles sends postcards every so often from whatever beach he calls home these days. He is on permanent vacation, claiming he has worked enough for a hundred lifetimes, and vowing he’d toil no more.
***
Warin, Dunsti
n, and Cenric started their business with capital obtained from the sale of ancient coins they held when they were brought back to life by the sisters. Their business is a thriving success, and a natural adjunct to the sisters’ antiquities business.
Warin and Mira have news they are keeping to themselves for a bit longer, but the castle where they have made their permanent home will have one more resident in about seven months.
With the merging of past and present, life is good.
About the Author
Jules River carried around all sorts of stories in her mind, after years of sharing romance novels with her Aunts and Grandmother. She would rather read a great romance or even a so/so one than watch TV any day. Now that the education of her children took up less of her time, and Jules met an author that encouraged her to write those stories. With the unwavering support of her husband, her girls, family and friends writing has become her new passion.
When she is not writing or reading, she can be found taking care of her garden, paddle boarding with her family, or meeting up with her friends over a good meal, drinks and stimulating conversation.
Her first novel Tres has been a wonderful learning experience. Jules has a series in the works about her beloved South Texas and the latest Oilfield boom, since it's something close to her heart, after growing up in the last boom in the 1980’s.
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