by Barb Hendee
Looking out over the camp, she called out, “Bandits… if you know what is good for you, flee. . . now.”
She knew exactly what was happening here and who they were. She was giving everyone a chance at an outcome with no more bloodshed. No one needed to be told twice.
Jan’s father reached down to help Rico, who struggled up, limping but able to walk on three legs. Rosario was on his feet next.
Everyone in a black hood began vanishing into the trees.
Jan felt someone grab his hand and pull him. Julianna led the way as they ran.
He believed that Gisele would be safe as the widowed lady of Braeden Manor with her own loyal guards. But he looked back one last time before the trees blocked his view, and he thought he saw one guard carefully assisting her down off the log.
Once he and Julianna were well inside the trees and alone, she slowed and pulled off her hood.
He could see the outline of her narrow face in the darkness, and he was still trying to take in the past few moments since the first Äntes soldier had been shot. Not only was Julianna here… but his father and Rosario and Rico.
Grasping Julianna, he held her in front of himself.
“You came after me,” he breathed.
“Of course we came after you.”
“You killed Braeden.”
“He was going to kill you.”
Jan didn’t know what to say to that and blurted out, “Do you still want to marry me?”
“What do you think?”
She was suddenly in his arms, holding him tightly, with her face pressed into his neck.
“Jan,” she whispered.
· · · · ·
Six days later, Julianna stood facing Jan with a purple silk ribbon binding their wrists together. As vassal of the fiefdoms, Zupan Cadell conducted the ceremony himself.
“Do you, Julianna, swear to care for Jan, to protect his heart, to cleave only to him no matter what comes, all the days of your life?”
“I swear,” she promised.
“Do you, Jan, swear to care for Julianna, to protect her heart, to cleave only to her no matter what comes, all the days of your life?”
All humor and charm was absent from Jan’s face as leaned closer to her. “I swear.”
For an instant, with that utterly serious expression, he looked so much like Rico that it startled her. Then he smiled and was himself again. She smiled back.
“On this autumn day,” Cadell called out to everyone behind them, “I pronounce them husband and wife.”
Julianna turned to see the small crowd gathered under the canvas stretched between the two wagons. Among the guests were Nadja, Doreena, Rosario, Rico, and Belle. Rico’s arm was in a sling, as the wound he’d taken had been deep and required a great deal of stitching, but she thought he would heal.
As Jan turned beside her, his face glowed. A first cheer went up, growing in volume, and Julianna’s gaze turned to the tables set up with wildflowers. But all of the twelve small bells that had been placed there as well were already gone.
Julianna grasped Jan’s hand as the cheers grew louder among the gathering, along with their ringing of the bells… no longer silent.
Other Works
About “Pending” Works:
This indicator within brackets is only used for works confirmed for release within six months following the release of this text. Where a more specific schedule has been set, this is usually mentioned instead.
The Noble Dead Saga
by Barb & J.C. Hendee
Series/Phase 1
Dhampir
Thief of Lives
Sister of the Dead
Traitor to the Blood
Rebel Fay
Child of a Dead God
Series/Phase 2
In Shade and Shadow
Through Stone and Sea
Of Truth and Beasts
Series/Phase 3
Between Their Worlds
The Dog in the Dark
A Wind in the Night [1/2014]
[…and more to come.]
Tales from the world of
the Noble Dead Saga
by Barb and/or J.C. Hendee
“Homeward”
The Game Piece
The Feral Path
The Sapphire
The Keepers
The Reluctant Guardian
Captives
Claws
The Sleeping Curse
Silent Bells
“Bones of the Earth”
Karras the Kitten
Karras the Cat
“Tales of Misbelief”
The Forgotten Lord
“Sagecraft”
Puppy Love
The Mist-Torn Witches Series
by Barb Hendee
The Mist-Torn Witches
Witches in Red [5/2014]
The Vampire Memories Series
by Barb Hendee
Blood Memories
Hunting Memories
Memories of Envy
In Memories We Fear
Ghosts of Memories
[complete]