Love Remembers by Wendi Zwaduk

Author:Wendi Zwaduk [Zwaduk, Wendi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-03-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Two hours and a bath later, Aspasia stood with Marellus in the woman’s quarters of the house. The plain mud walls offered little comfort. Even the sweet scent of the lilies failed to calm her jittery nerves. Marellus clasped her wrinkled hands and nodded to the mirror, from over Aspasia’s shoulder. Tears shone in her dark eyes. “You will make Gregorius a beautiful pallake.”

Aspasia stared at her reflection, disbelieving her own image. Oil slickened her skin like dew. A thin diadem festooned her flowing hair. She blinked. Kohl rimmed her eyes and pink tinged her cheeks. The azure gown hugged below her breasts, making her chest seem larger, more bountiful. She clutched her stomach to quell the butterflies.

“You outshine Aphrodite.” Darius kissed her cheek. “Will you don the veil?”

“No,” Marellus said and squeezed Aspasia’s upper arms. “Gregorius insisted against it.”

“He is a wise man.” Darius smiled and a twinkle sparkled in his eyes. “And now I shall escort you to the courtyard.” He took Aspasia’s hand and led her from the room with sure steps. “You are a lucky woman. Many have desired to bind themselves to Gregorius, but he only has eyes for you and I am glad.”

She smiled. Fear and thrill coursed through her body. Admitting her desire for Gregorius evaded her, no matter how much she ached to tell him. Yes, she was about to marry him, but for Goddess sakes, what if he grew bored with her and cast her aside? What if he chose to take another lover?

A shiver slid up her spine. Visius could show up at any time to spoil the ceremony and tear her fantasy to shreds. She gulped air to fortify her nerves. Despite her fear, she gave into her joy. No need to worry about something yet to happen, if it happened at all.

As she entered the courtyard, Gregorius surged to her side. “My love.” He kissed her knuckles and smoothed his thumb over the ring finger of her left hand. “To marry you properly, we need a dowry and a contract with an elder in your family. Since Darius is the oldest member of my family and can speak for what he believes to be your father’s wishes, he deemed your love as a worthy dowry.” In his right hand, he produced a gold ring, set with a blood red stone. “This belonged to my mother and symbolised the love between her and Father. I want you to wear it as a symbol of my devotion to you.” He slid the jewellery on her finger as Marellus and her guard, Claudius, looked on. “Once you agree to be my bride, we are married. Will you be my partner for life, my love?”

She stole a glance at Marellus, who gave her a tearful grin. Aspasia redirected her gaze to Gregorius and the fire crackling in his eyes. “Yes.”

“So kiss her.” Claudius snorted. “You love her, show it.”

Gregorius wrapped both arms around her and nipped her bottom lip. “I love you,” he said between kisses.

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