Page 39 of Ena’s Surrender

“I love you too, Ena.” His eyes filled with tears and he looked away. “I don’t deserve your love, but I can’t help wanting it. I spied on Scotland for months before we met. I can scarcely allow myself to think what that must have resulted in. I never want to do it again.”

“Ye spied on Scotland when ye dinna know better.” Ena ran her finger over the bumps of the knuckles on his hand. “And ye stopped as soon as ye realized we werena all that bad.” She winked. “Renault, ye’ve done things in yer past ye’re ashamed of. We all have. But ye learned who we were, ye kept our secrets, and ye’ve saved us. That is honorable.”

“Honorable?” Renault scoffed.

“Aye.” Ena squeezed his hand with emphasis. “Ye are a man of honor.”

He looked away. “Your home had to be burned down. My boyhood friend is helping us and took my bloody gambeson and a ruined sark of yours to the English Middle March Warden, claiming to have killed us. Bran has sought permission to relocate us all near Hermitage Castle to ensure our safety. But we’re free, Ena. They won’t look for us there, especially since they think we’re dead.”

“Then we’ll be safe,” Ena said with relief. Doubt, however, nibbled at the back of her mind as she recalled why Bran stayed away from the Scottish Middle March Warden. She only hoped he hadn’t had to make a deal with Kerr to save them.

She closed her eyes, clearing her thoughts. Bran would never work with that man. He’d already vowed not to. Her fears were unfounded.

With the dismissal of such bleak musings, a new realization dawned on her—a future, her future. Marriage, a home with Renault. Mayhap even children.

“You’re crying.” Renault gently stroked her cheek, swiping at a tear.

She opened her eyes. “Ye gave me a future to look forward to.” Her cheeks went hot as she realized how foolish her words must have sounded. “I was too afraid to even hope for one for so long,” she stammered by way of explanation.

Renault gave a sound between a laugh and a sob and returned his attention to her. “I felt the same way, Ena. Before you.”

“I want to marry ye, Renault,” she replied. “I want to have a life with ye.”

He stroked a hand down her cheek. The sensation of his callused fingers tenderly stroking her once more soothed the ache in her soul. She sighed wistfully and reveled in the feel of him.

“I will be here to help you through your recovery, and when you’re fully healed, then we can be wed.” His mouth closed over hers briefly in an affectionate kiss that touched her soul. “I love you, Ena.”

She only hoped her recovery would go faster than Efric had suggested. Two months to wait to wed seemed far, far too long. Still, she gave in to the kiss and whispered against Renault’s lips, “And I love ye.”

Indeed, her recovery did take two months. But Renault kept them from feeling endless. He was by her side, helping her heal from the first time she sat up to her initial steps after bedrest.

More than that, he and Bran worked together to build new waddle and daub homes near the protection of Hermitage Castle. Additionally, Bran reassured her that no deal with Kerr was struck to allow their relocation. He’d also informed her that the costly door had been removed from their cottage before it was burned and was already being built into the new home.

And while the men built the new homes, Efric and Afrid helped Ena make plans for a small, intimate wedding.

The morning of Renault’s marriage to Ena dawned with a stunning sunrise that streaked the sky with shades of pink and violet and orange—a promise for the happiness that stretched ahead of them. Renault had taken his time dressing with care before making his way to the small kirk at the center of the village.

People nodded to him in greeting as he passed. They had loathed him when he’d first arrived, but Bran and Drake’s support had helped people come to accept his presence. Apparently, his care of Ena had encouraged even more trust. At least per Efric.

Not that he’d done it for them. It had all been for Ena, who had shown unflinching bravery and fortitude every day of her recovery.

He stopped in front of the kirk’s doors and pushed them inward. They swung closed behind him as he took in the sweet decorations of spring flowers dotting the pews as golden light streamed in from the open windows. The members of the congregation turned in his direction. He recognized the healers, Drake and his mother and three sisters, as well as several other villagers who knew Ena and Renault well.

The doors were pushed open behind him a minute later and Ena entered. All at once, everything faded from his view as his bride-to-be made her way down the aisle toward him.

Her hair was unbound and fell in soft waves down her back. The blue gown she wore accentuated the healthy rosy hue of her cheeks and lips. She kept her brown eyes locked on him as she made her way toward him without so much as a limp.

She had worked with tireless resolve to walk normally again, practicing again and again despite the painful stretch at her healing wound. It took days of fortitude, but she was driven and after a sennight, all the discomfort had subsided, and she was able to walk once more without aid.

His chest puffed with pride. She was fierce and determined and strong beyond measure. And she was to be his wife.

Together, they stood before the priest and swore vows that tied them together forever. When it was done and the priest had declared them united in marriage, Renault cupped Ena’s face in his hands and kissed her chastely, sealing their love for all to see. The celebration afterward was held at the village center and all were invited to join in the revelry.

The best part to Renault, however, was when it was all over and he and Ena made their way to the hut Bran had helped him build during Ena’s recovery.

“Are you nervous?” Renault asked.

“To see the house?” She lifted a brow. “Did ye no’ build it correctly?”