Page 79 of Mardon

“I do,” she whispered, feeling her body quivering beneath her black robe.

“And do you, Sister Emmaline, take the vow of obedience, agreeing to prayerful reflection and the laws of the church, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, giving all your love to God?”

She thought about Mardon and how she often disobeyed him on his own ship. Now, she regretted not listening to him and respecting him more. If she had the chance to do it over, she would honor and respect him. Even if he was a pirate, she knew deep down he had a good heart.

“I – I do,” she answered, folding her hands in prayer and closing her eyes. One more vow and she would be a nun for the rest of her life. This last vow was the one that was going to be the absolute hardest to take.

“And do you agree to take the vow of chastity?” the bishop asked her next. Her body stiffened and she felt tears come to her closed eyes. Never again would she be able to make love to a man. To Mardon. Her heart felt as if a blade were being driven into it and twisted. “Do you agree to never again marry or engage in romantic behavior or sexual acts, therefore remaining forever chaste, giving all your love to God?”

Never again marry. Remain chaste. Never again engage in romantic behavior or sexual acts. The words rang like a bell in her ears. Her life was over. Without Mardon in it, she supposed it didn’t matter because she would never want another man if she couldn’t have him.

She opened her mouth to answer. But before she could, she heard the door of the cathedral slam open behind her and the sound of running feet.

“Emmaline! Don’t do it. Stop. Please don’t take your vows,” she heard from behind her. She opened her eyes, jumping to her feet and spinning around to see Mardon in the cathedral, running up the aisle. His weapons hit his legs as he ran, making a clanking noise.

“You aren’t allowed in here, Pirates,” she heard the bishop growl. “No weapons in the church either. Get out, in the name of God! Leave these holy walls at once.” He nodded to several of the priests that were also attending the ceremony and they hurried down the aisle toward him with their arms outstretched. The nuns were in a semi-circle with the two newly initiated women, and ran to hide from Mardon.

Aaron ran in right behind Mardon with Tristan as well. She had to admit seeing three rugged pirates in a holy place was a little unnerving.

“Mardon? What are you doing here?” she asked, making her way toward him.

“Emmaline, I’m sorry,” he told her. “I was wrong. I never should have wanted you to leave.”

“What is going on here?” asked the bishop. “Somebody throw these men out.” The priests moved in closer.

“No one touches my grandsons or they will deal with me,” spat Nairnie, waddling down the aisle.

“Nairnie? You’re here, too?” asked Emmaline in surprise.

“Of course I am, lassie. Family needs to stick together.”

“Family?” she asked, feeling confused. “But I – I don’t have a family. Not anymore.”

“That’s not true, Emmaline.” Mardon took a step forward and was blocked by several of the priests.

“Please, let him through,” said Emmaline. “I need to talk to him before I take my last vow.”

“It’s too late,” said the bishop. “Sister Emmaline, return to me at once and let me bestow upon you the blessing of being a nun.”

“Not if I can help it,” said Mardon, getting down on one knee. “Emmaline, sweetheart. I know I did you wrong,” he started, getting a groan from Aaron.

“Hush,” Nairnie scolded Aaron. “Let him finish.”

“I have nothing to offer and I must be out of my mind to think that I, a pirate, would be lucky enough to have a lady, but . . . will you marry me?”

“What?” Emmaline blinked, not sure she’d heard him right. “B-but I thought you didn’t want me on the ship. That’s why I left.”

“I was confused, but I’m not anymore,” said Mardon, still down on one knee.

“That’s debatable,” mumbled Aaron from behind him. This time, he got an elbow in the ribs from Nairnie.

Gavina and Autumn ran in the door, hurrying to join them.

“What did we miss?” whispered Gavina.

“Nothin’ yet. Ye’re just in time,” said Nairnie. “Mardon just asked Emmaline to marry him.”

“What did she say?” asked Autumn.