She introduced Luna as her beloved friend when her dog plunked down next to Caith. She told them Caith was her familiar, then went on to explain the wall. Why she thought it was there. How she felt about Raghnall. Most of all, though, she told them how she felt about Declán and what he had done for her.
In turn, what he was doing for them and how that meant everything.
“To that end...” she said in finishing, praying she had gone about this the right way as she looked at him with her heart in her eyes and then at his people,theirpeople with just as much emotion. “I have agreed to marry King Declán this very night and fight the enemy with everything in me not just for vengeance,” her gaze drifted back to Declán, “but for the love of your king.” Everything faded away. Dwindled down to just the two of them. “Because Idolove you.” Her voice dropped to a whisper without her realizing when she repeated, “And Iseeyou.”
At that moment, she knew, without a doubt, she had said that to him countless times before. Would say it countless more times if given half the chance. And it was the oddest, most welcome feeling she’d ever had. Odd because technically, she had only met him days ago beneath an oak tree with nearly a thousand years between them.
Welcome because shedidlove him, and it was an amazing sensation.
Better than her best adventure.
A feeling, certain knowledge, she wanted to get to the bottom of. Understand better. Figure out when it all started between them.
She was barely aware of the silence that fell after her words. Hardly aware of the silence erupting into cheers when he leaned over and kissed her. Then kissed her again and again.
“You do have a way of losing yourselves in each other, don’t you?”Madison said into their minds.“While I hate to interrupt a good time, you might want to pause to smile and say thanks to your suddenly very happy and hopeful kingdom.”
They smiled against each other’s lips before they turned to the cheering crowd. Women wiped away tears. Men nodded in approval. Warriors held their weapons in the air and roared their willingness to fight.
“This is good, right?”she said into Declán’s mind.
“Very good, mo chroí.”He kept her close as they smiled and made their way into the crowd.“How else could it be when you offered them everything in your heart?”
They didn’t speak much after that but gave their undivided attention to Declán’s people as the morning wore on. There was much to do, from talking battle strategy to welcoming more and more behind the castle gates. Something that seemed eerily familiar to her even though she had never lived it but undoubtedly foresaw it.
“Of course, you foresaw it,” Madison said at one point as they helped direct people through the courtyard. “The homes within Declán’s curtain walls are numerous. Endless. It protects far more than most castles in this day and age.” She nodded at Riona. “And I guarantee that’s because of you. Because of whatever connection you made with him in your dreams...or otherwise.”
“So you think I traveled back in time when I was little to visit him like you did with Cian?”
“I do.” Madison eyed the monstrous castle. “If you didn’t, then kudos for making such a mighty impression while sleeping.”
The more Riona walked the grounds beyond the castle and eyed the building’s sturdy, stalwart bones, the more beauty she saw in it. How had she thought it unattractive? Ugly if she were to be honest?
As morning turned into afternoon, then dusk, she spent time visiting families in thatch-roofed huts where young children played with things like marbles and spinning tops, and older children helped their mothers tend to their home. While chores seemed varied, more often than not, girls weaved, and boys chopped wood.
She met smiths, carpenters, butchers, fishmongers, and even the occasional stone mason. Peasants worked to herd animals into designated areas as nobles oversaw until Declán gave them a sense of direction and purpose as well.
Aware of her love of cooking and baking, Declán joined Riona briefly in the kitchens and introduced her to the cooks. Made sure all were prepared for the monumental task of feeding so many, which they clearly were. Everything was well organized and running smoothly.
The air smelled of a variety of things, from fresh bread to cooked meat. Jugs of cottled milk were lined up as eggs were either cooked on hot stones with butter or boiled. Fish stews seasoned with vegetables and herbs bubbled over fires. Barrels of oats and barley lined the walls. Endless bowls held onions, celery, carrots, parsnips, peas and beans, garlic, mushrooms, wild leeks, sorrel, nettles, and watercress.
There was so much more to see. So much to learn once this was all over. In fact, queen or not, she imagined she would be down here visiting often because as much as Declán’s cooks did a wonderful job, she wanted to cook for him as well. Learn what he liked and disliked. See if he enjoyed what she created.
“’Twas quite the day, was it not?” Eisibél asked her later that evening when she joined her and Madison in her chambers. It seemed her status made it necessary for her to assist the bride, and Riona was fine with that as long as it didn’t include her mother.
“Did ye enjoy getting to know the castle and its people better?” Eisibél continued as Madison helped put the finishing touches on Riona’s hair. “’Twas quite busy.”
“It was, and I did, thank you,” Riona replied. She had been worried the Irishwoman might take issue with her marrying Declán, but she seemed all right. Happy for Declán even, which told her the obvious love Eisibél felt for him truly was of a platonic nature. She smiled and nodded at the woman before focusing on her own attire yet again.
Should she really be wearing her druidess gown on such a night?
“You should be wearing it this night above all,” Madison assured, squeezing her hand when a knock came at the door. “It’s of your calling. A reminder of everything you are. What you’ve shared. What you have been and will become.” Her sister cupped her cheeks, kissed her forehead, and met her eyes. “This dress is what your people need to see tonight as you start out on an adventure far greater than any you’ve been on before.”
Madison had never been more right because everything seemed different when they answered that knock. When she saw Declán looking more handsome than ever. His clothing was similar to what he had on earlier, only now he wore a simple silver metal crown when he held his arm out to her.
When he escorted her into a new life, however brief it may end up being.
Rather than light a fire outside and draw unnecessary attention, especially from a possibly possessed dragon, the only fire that burned was on the sizable hearth in the great hall. Their ceremony in front of it felt like a dream. Not loud and wild but soft and gentle, easing her into a promise to Declán.
