Cherished Protector of Her Heart

by Laurel O'Donnell

  Bruno brought the torch into the cell, hooking it on the sconce on the wall, and then left the small cell.

  The light washed over the old man. His boots were worn and dirty. He tried to straighten his legs, but there was a slowness in his movement that came from age. His hands were dirty, black beneath his fingernails. His tunic looked too big for him. His gray hair was greasy and hung in strands about his face. “Damien.” There was no joy in his voice, no gladness.

  Damien had expected none. “Father,” he stated. The word was simply a fact. No warm welcome.

  A crooked grin stretched his lips. “Manhood has not changed you. Still defiant.”

  “Why have you come to Acquitaine?”

  “To see my son.”

  Damien stared at him for a long moment. It hadn’t been enough to send his boys off on a slaving ship. “Here I am.” His father’s gaze swept him. When his stare shifted to Aurora, shivers of apprehension and distrust trembled across Damien’s shoulders. He could withstand the disdain of his father, but he wanted Aurora to experience none of it.

  “You did well for yourself.”

  Damien would not comment. He promised himself he would reveal nothing about his life, about the torture he went through when his father sold he and Gawyn, about the long years of abuse under Roke, or about his life now. His father was a stranger to him and he wanted him to stay that way.

  “A knight. Future lord of Acquitaine.”

  Damien narrowed his eyes. He noticed that the old man was not sick. He was not coughing. The inkling of suspicion tugged at the back of his mind. All of it was a game.

  “A beautiful woman.”

  Damien stiffened. He wanted to protect Aurora from this man. He didn’t want him to even say her name, much less look at her.

  “Even Gawyn is well taken care of.”

  Damien grit his teeth. This was not a father coming to visit his sons. This was not a father wanting to be part of his sons’ lives. This was not a father begging forgiveness. He knew why he had come. People didn’t change. But Aurora needed to hear it. Damien wanted her to hear his father’s greed. He wanted her to understand the man would never change. “What do you want?”

  His father chuckled.

  Shivers of memories raced through his mind. The mocking chortle brought back images he had buried deep in the darkness. Hiding in the corner as his father drank and chortled. Standing up to him to defend Gawyn from a beating. Their father leaving, laughing that same cold laugh as he walked away from the slaver ship with a bag of gold. “How much?”

  Aurora swiveled her gaze to him, her lips parted in a silent gasp.

  He squeezed her hand, both in comfort and in warning.

  “You think you know me so well,” his father snarled. “You think you can buy me off. I am your family. I am your father. You owe me more than that, boy.”

  Damien looked down at his father. For the first time in his life, he realized how lucky he was. He did owe him much. If it weren’t for his father being the selfish lout he was and selling his sons, Damien would never have met Aurora. His life would have been horrible. He would have been trapped in the darkness. He might even have been dead by his father’s own fists. He nodded. “You are right. I do owe you more than that.”

  Aurora glanced at him again.

  When he looked into her large eyes, his heart ached. Every moment of his life had led to her. Every beat of his heart. He nodded. “I will make sure you are given exactly what you deserve.”

  Damien stood just outside of the borders of Acquitaine, Gawyn on a horse behind him. The moon was high in the sky. The leaves in the tall trees blew and rustled in a small breeze just off the road behind his father.

  Tobias looked around suspiciously.

  Did he expect that Damien was going to have him killed?

  Tobias finally looked at Damien. “Get it over with.”

  Some people changed, Damien thought. But not his father. He had come for coin. And he expected death. It was what he deserved. In his other life, Damien wouldn’t have hesitated to shove a dagger into his stomach. But he was a different man now. He had changed.

  Gawyn moved his horse closer to Damien. He handed him a sack.

  Tobias scowled, watching the movement.

  Damien held the bag in his hand for a moment, weighing it. A wealthy amount. Surely more than his father received when he sold them to the slaver. Damien shoved the bag at him, the coins inside clinking. “This is more than you deserve.”

  Tobias seized the sack with two hands, his lips curling in joy.

  “Leave,” Damien commanded. “And never come back. If I find you within Acquitaine borders again, I will kill you.”

  Tobias glanced at Gawyn and then back at Damien. His lip curled in a sneer and he turned his back on them and began to walk down the road. He held the bag of gold clutched before him, the glow of the moon washing over his crooked shoulders.

  Damien thought of another time that his father had walked away from him and Gawyn holding a bag of gold. He remembered the shock at the time. He remembered how Gawyn had called out after their father as they were led aboard the slave ship.

  Now, there was silence. Now, there was nothing at all…

  Cherished Protector of Her Heart - Laurel O'Donnell

  Chapter Nine

  Aurora stood inside the keep before the large double doors leading to the inner courtyard. Her blue dress, sewn for her wedding, shimmered slightly as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She glanced over her shoulder at Jennifer who stood just behind her to attend her. Tears of happiness filled her cousin’s eyes. Aurora flapped a hand at her. “Stop it,” she ordered light heartedly. “You’re going to make me cry!”

  Jennifer hugged Aurora tightly. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Aurora pressed a kiss to Jennifer's cheek and once again turned to the doors.

  Gawyn held out his arm. “M’lady.”

  Aurora looked at his arm for a moment, wishing it could have been her father who had given her away. But she knew he was with her in spirit. Her hand closed over the sapphire pendant he had given her long ago. She hooked her hand through Gawyn’s arm, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Are you nervous?” Gawyn wondered.

  She considered his words. “No,” she finally admitted.

  As the doors opened, she silently gasped and realized that she was, indeed, nervous. Not because she was about to become Damien's wife, but because of all the attention.

  People of all ranks, peasant, knight and noble filled the courtyard. Guards watched from the walkways at the top of the castle walls.

  Aurora had never seen such a gathering. A sea of people.

  Gawyn set his hand over Aurora’s arm for reassurance. “You look lovely,” he whispered. “They all think so, too.”

  Aurora glanced at him. Her eyebrows rose in surprise and she leaned close to him to murmur, “I see Damien talked you into wearing the velvet jupon.”

  “He bribed me,” Gawyn admitted. “I am now the proud owner of a war horse.”

  Aurora smiled. “You should have held out for a new sword, too.”

  As they started into the inner ward, the peasants and villagers bowed and curtseyed as they passed.

  There could not have been a more beautiful or perfect day for the wedding. The sun shone brightly in the sky, not a cloud visible. Birds chirped from the rooftops and rafters.

  Aurora looked toward the church, searching for Damien. But there were just too many people. She couldn’t see the church doors yet.

  Gawyn escorted her along a path lined with roses. Finally, they turned a corner. Aurora spotted Damien waiting just before the church. Her breath caught in her throat. He was dressed in white. From his boots, to his leggings, to his jupon. His dark hair hung about his shoulders, in stark contrast to his glowing apparel. She realized with a start that she had never seen him dressed in anything other than black. Her heart quickened as a smile spread over his lips. She almost
stumbled on the first step, but Gawyn held her tightly. She reached out to Damien.

  Damien stepped down the first step and took her hand, his warm one enveloping hers.

  Aurora stared into his eyes. His dark orbs were full of happiness and love. He stared at her with joy and tenderness. She smiled back at him.

  He helped her up the final two stairs to where the bishop stood. He was a tall and imposing figure. Aurora had met him long ago when her father had visited England. He nodded to her.

  She and Damien stood before him, hand in hand.

  The bishop looked at the gathered crowd. “Does anyone know of any reason why this couple should not be married, speak now or forever hold their peace.”

  Aurora glanced at Damien to find him looking at Gawyn. For a moment, tension seeped into her body. She glanced at Gawyn over her shoulder.

  Gawyn smiled and shook his head.

  “Very well,” the bishop said, drawing Aurora’s attention. “Damien, wilt thou have this woman for thy wedded wife, wilt thou love her and honor her, keep her and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and forsaking all others on account of her, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

  Damien’s look scorched Aurora. He nodded. “I will.”

  “Aurora, wilt thou have this man for thy wedded husband, wilt thou love him and honor him, keep him and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all others on account of him, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

  Aurora squeezed Damien's hand. “I will.”

  Damien looked at the bishop who nodded. He then looked at Aurora. “I, Damien, take thee Aurora as my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it. And thereto I plight thee my troth.” He kissed her hands.

  “I, Aurora, take thee Damien as my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it. And thereto I plight thee my troth.”

  “The rings,” the bishop called softly.

  Gawyn stepped forward, digging inside his pocket until he came up with two rings. He glanced at them and then handed one to Aurora and one to Damien.

  Aurora took the ring and slid it onto Damien’s finger.

  Damien took Aurora’s hand into his and slid the ring onto her finger. She glanced down at it and her mouth dropped slightly. It was a golden band etched with a red rose. It looked like her mother’s ring, but different. There was a heart on the bottom of the rose. She lifted her gaze.

  “You will always have my heart,” he whispered.

  Tears filled her eyes and she launched herself into his arms, squeezing him tightly.

  He barely caught her and had to take a step back in his surprise. His low rumble of laughter shook her body.

  She pulled back to look him in the eyes. His wonderful black eyes.

  "I love you," Damien said softly with tenderness.

  Tears rose in her eyes to blur her vision. Those cursed tears, wavering his handsome image.

  He dipped his head to press his lips against hers.

  “You may kiss…” the bishop began, but he stopped and sighed. “You’re doing a fine job.”

  Laughter came from those close enough to hear.

  When they separated, Aurora had only a moment to compose herself. Her insides shook with joy. She couldn’t quite erase the smile that she wore on her lips. Together, she and Damien, hand in hand, turned to their guests.

  “I present the Lord and Lady of Acquitaine,” the bishop announced.

  --- The End ---

  About Laurel O'Donnell

  Laurel O'Donnell

  Critically acclaimed novelist Laurel O’Donnell sold her first book, The Angel and the Prince, to Kensington after being a Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart finalist. She has gone on to win many more awards including the Holt Medallion Award for A Knight of Honor and the International Digital Award for Angel’s Assassin.

  Born in Chicago, Illinois, Laurel began writing in junior high school when she carried a pen and paper around wherever she went. In college, she took fiction writing classes to further her skill. Her love of the medieval time period led her to work at King Richard’s Faire in Wisconsin where she learned stage combat and sword fighting. The Faire fed her insatiable appetite for the medieval era.

  Laurel has many books yet to write and hopes you will join her on her journey to bring the medieval era to life!

  Please visit Laurel at her website www.laurel-odonnell.com for the latest information about upcoming releases, contests, and to contact her.

  More Books by Laurel O'Donnell

  Medieval Romance Novels

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  The Angel and the Prince

  In this exciting medieval romance, the French lady knight known as the Angel of Death wages a battle of wills and desires against her dreaded enemy -- the English warrior known as the Prince of Darkness. #1 Best Seller in Medieval Romance!

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  Champion of the Heart

  Fox Mercer watches in horror as his father’s knighthood, lands and nobility are all torn from him. Banished into disgrace, Fox waits for the moment to strike to avenge his family’s honor. And that moment arises when a tournament is announced --- a battle of champions wherein the winner gets to claim a very lovely prize…

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  A Knight of Honor

  Taylor Sullivan is a raven-haired hellion fleeing the flames that destroyed her family. She arms herself with a quick sword and a sharp tongue, hiring herself out as a mercenary, willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Slane Donovan is a knight of honor, sworn to uphold his oath and his word. He seeks the woman who wears the Sullivan ring, determined to bring her back to Castle Donovan. A fast paced medieval romance filled with action. Winner of the Holt Medallion Award for Best Medieval Novel.

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  The Lady and the Falconer

  With her father at war and her stepmother ruling the castle with disinterest, Lady Solace Farindale protects her people the best she can. When a neighboring lord lays siege to the castle, a threat on the lady’s life is discovered. She turns to a man she can’t resist, and puts her trust in a stranger who has captured her heart. Will she discover the secret this man holds before it is too late? Tormented by guilt and a tragic past, Logan Grey has gained access to the castle disguised as a falconer. With only revenge on his mind, he has no time for the feisty beauty who has caught his eye. In a twist of fate, and a deadly betrayal, Logan must risk his life for the lady who ignited a passion more perilous than war.

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  Midnight Shadow

  Disguised as the legendary hero known as the Midnight Shadow, Lady Bria Delaney swears to rid the land of Lord Terran Knowles’ cruel tyranny. She is stunned to encounter him in her father’s castle --- one of the many suitors vying for her hand. Captivated by his darkly intent gaze, Bria struggles to suppress her fierce attraction to the very enemy she has secretly promised to destroy. A Robin-Hood style medieval romance with a twist. #1 Best Seller in Medieval Romance!

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  My Noble Knight

  Layne Fletcher, the only girl in a family of three boys, has grown up learning to use a sword and joust, but she is not a knight. When her brother is found unconscious before an important tournament, Layne takes his place on the jousting field against Griffin Wolfe, the undefeated jousting champion. When Griffin is unhorsed by a slip of a woman who is not a knight, he demands retribution. #1 Best Seller in Medieval Romance!

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  Medieval Romance Novellas

  The Bride and the Brute

  Jayce Cullen has been fighting her fear of thunder and lightning ever since she was a child, but nothing could have prepared her for the fury of her new husband. Feeling de
ceived and betrayed into a loveless marriage, Lord Reese Harrington wants nothing to do with his new wife. Trapped in a marriage with no escape, the beautiful young bride must battle the demons of her husband's past and hope that she can weather the storm his brutish behavior unleashes. Available for FREE for a limited time! See the author’s website at www.laurel-odonnell.com for a full list of stores where this free ebook can be found. This free ebook also contains free previews of many of Laurel’s other medieval romance novels listed above.

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  Table of Contents

  Cherished Protector of Her Heart by Laurel O'Donnell About

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  About Laurel O'Donnell

  More Books by Laurel O'Donnell