“What would you call it?” Warden Tenn asked, raising his white eyebrows. “All that slamming and grunting and moaning. Wouldn’t be surprised if half the cupboard doors have come off their hinges by now…”
“Jesus Christ,” Tasha moaned. She looked as horrified by what he’d said as I felt. “Just…Go away! Go stand by the slicer!”
Warden Tenn actually did it, which was both surprising and somewhat relieving. I supposed if anyone was allowed to boss around a warden, it was his wife. But I couldn’t help but notice that, once he was in his little time-out spot, he took off his hat, his round, mouse-like ears perked up and aimed our way. He’d probably still be able to hear everything from over there.
“Sorry about that,” Tasha said with a grimace. “He likes to think he’s clever.”
“Don’t think it,” her husband called over, confirming my suspicions about him still being able to hear us. “I know it.”
Tasha rolled her eyes but otherwise ignored him, focussing entirely on us. “OK. So. I want to start off by saying there is absolutely nothing wrong with what you two were doing.”
“Good,” Rivven growled. Goosebumps rose beneath my jacket at his tone. Biting.Possessive.“Because that was the best blasted thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Oh.
I grabbed his hand in my right one and squeezed.
Tasha’s expression wobbled. I thought I saw the shine of tears in her eyes as she blinked rapidly.
“The only reason I’m even talking to you two about this at all is…well, you aren’t married yet. Not that you have to marry the first man you, er, well…you know,” Tasha said. “But if there’s already a serious connection forming here, I do think we should be honest with the others.”
“I want to be honest with them, too,” I said. “I don’t want to lead anybody on.”
I risked a glance at Rivven. He was staring straight ahead. Into the blinding sky, so close in colour to his own beautiful skin.
“I’ve already chosen.” I said firmly. “I’m going to marry Rivven.”
His gaze ripped to me so fast and hard it should have made a tearing noise.
“What?” The word was a whisper. His eyes were scalding white. I squeezed his hand again, then enveloped it with my other hand, too.
“I choose you, Rivven.”
I would have liked to stay there for a while. Just as we were. To soak in the way he looked right now, staring at me like I’d just pulled the sun from the sky and handed it to him.
But Warden Tenn called over, “Can I come back, now?” And then there were more voices. Xennet, Dorn, and Warden Hallum walking this way from the direction of the barn.
I kept Rivven’s hand in mine as they approached. Tasha glanced at me, as if offering to speak for us, but I shook my head.
“Hi, guys,” I said when the other three reached us. “I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. So I’m going to say this right now.” Rivven’s hand was shaking in mine. “I’ve chosen Rivven. I’m sorry if that disappoints anyone. But I’m very glad I got to meet you.”
Xennet let out a short sigh, then said, “Yes, well. We expected this.”
“You did?”
“You two spent the whole time at the pond either staring at each other or holding on to one another,” Dorn said. He snorted softly. “Don’t worry. We didn’t get our hopes up much after that.”
“I am sorry,” I repeated, biting my lip.
“Don’t be,” Xennet said, with a lot more kindness than someone that cute and chaotic should have been capable of. “I would like to have a wife who, if she had her pick of men to stare at, would choose to stare at me. I think, Shiloh, that you are marrying the right man.”
“Thank you, Xennet,” I said, fighting back a fresh batch of tears. “I think so, too.”
It was decidedthat Rivven and I would marry the next morning. This would give us both some time to rest and to prepare. Xennet and Dorn departed with Warden Hallum after the evening meal, promising to return again the next day with their “tuxedandies” for the ceremony. Apparently, they’d been present for Warden Tenn and Tasha’s wedding, and they were eager to attend another.
I helped Rivven in the kitchen as had become my custom, washing dishes while he dried. When all was finished, he hesitated, as if unsure where to go or what to do. It made my heart feel like it had cracked right down the middle.
“Come with me,” I murmured, taking his hand and tugging him towards the stairs. Silently, almost reverently, he followed me.
