by Shari Anton
Content to allow Nicole her reunion with her sisters without his interference, Rhodri slipped the sword under his belt and, armed only with his harp, descended the stairs to where Alberic and Darian stood and also fondly, patiently watched the sisters celebrate their reunion.
Alberic readily accepted Rhodri's outstretched hand.
" 'Twas good of you to bring her home," Alberic said. "I thank you for the service you gave her, in the church."
He shouldn't have been surprised Nicole had immediately explained to Alberic, during their embrace, how she could now greet him without pain.
"Believe me, Alberic, I could do no less. May I assume both Gwendolyn and the new babe are doing well?"
A proud grin lit his face. "Babes. A boy and a girl. A surprise to us all. And, aye, all are healthy."
"My felicitations, my lord, and my thanks for your support against the earl."
"I had little choice," he said without a hint of ire.
"You could have begged favor for Nicole and allowed the earl to have me."
"Nicole would have fought to save you, and one does not lightly dismiss the desires of a Pendragon princess."
Darian chuckled. "Nay, one does not. They are, all three, strong-minded women."
Strong-minded, perhaps, but also loving and fiercely loyal to those they loved. So, too, were their husbands. Why Alberic and Darian had allowed Nicole to leave the inn in the company of a man they didn't know, Rhodri had never quite understood.
"At the inn, you allowed Nicole to accompany me to Wales. I never came to any conclusions as to why."
Darian waved a dismissive hand. "When you told us that Nicole had spoken to you of her gift, I realized destiny had already taken a hand. She would not have revealed her abilities, particularly with regard to William, if she did not already love and trust you. She had already chosen you, whether she knew it at the time or not. 'Twas the same with her sisters and us."
"Your wives, they have powers similar to Nicole's?"
Alberic answered. "Somewhat, but that is a tale for later, when we are all together, with no one else to hear. 'Twill require a stretch of belief on your part, and an oath to tell no other."
"You may have that oath now."
"Then we welcome you as our brother." Alberic lightly cuffed Rhodri's shoulder. "What say we celebrate the day's success with a tankard of ale?"
Oh, that sounded grand, but he had one more thing to do before he could celebrate.
"Not as yet. I made a promise to Nicole I should like to keep now. While I assure you she is truly wedded and bedded, she worries that there were no witnesses to our vows. As long as her family is all gathered and a priest at hand, I should like to lay her concern to rest."
Alberic glanced over his shoulder. "Father Paul, your services are required. Rhys, perhaps you can take charge of Rhodri's harp for the nonce. There, I have done my part. All that remains for you to do is tear Nicole away from her sisters."
"Oh, I believe this is one time she will cooperate."
The comment elicited laughter from both men he could now call brother. He'd married Nicole and gained a family, a blessing he hadn't foreseen.
He handed his harp over to the tall, lank, gray-haired Rhys, Camelen's bard, whom Nicole had mentioned a time or two.
Rhys plucked a string and smiled at the harp's voice. "Do you mind if I play?"
"Not at all."
His hands now free, Rhodri strode over to the women and placed his hands on Nicole's shoulders. "My ladies, if you would be so gracious, I should like to borrow Nicole for a moment."
Nicole turned around to gaze up at him. "Why for?"
"We now have witnesses."
She glanced around at the crowd, her family, and at Father Paul awaiting them at the top of the church's stairs.
Beaming, Nicole placed her hand in his. "You can write the song of our journey now. This is a fitting ending to our adventure, do you not think?"
"Ah, but a new adventure begins. I love you, Nicole de Leon. I should have told you long before today. I wish—"
She put a fingertip to his lips. "Better today than never, and I think today simply perfect. I love you, too, Rhodri ap Dafydd. What say we declare that love before all and sundry?"
Without a qualm, Rhodri cooperated.
About the Author
Shari Anton's secretarial career ended when she took a creative writing class and found she possessed some talent for writing fiction. The author of several highly acclaimed historical novels, she now works in her home office, where she can take unlimited coffee breaks. Shari and her husband live in southeastern Wisconsin, where they have two grown children and do their best to spoil their two adorable little grandsons. You can write to her at P.O. Box 510611, New Berlin, WI 53151-0611, or visit her Web site at www.sharianton.com.