The Dark Crusader by Jackie Ivie

The Dark Crusader by Jackie Ivie

Author:Jackie Ivie [Ivie, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jackie Ivie, LLC
Published: 2021-06-29T18:30:00+00:00


Chapter Nineteen

He’d never done anything as gut-wrenchingly difficult.

The fact that he’d gone through it unscathed was not only staggering, it was too unbelievable to consider. He couldn’t describe the sensation pumping through him. Despite denial, it was too exquisite. It grew with every beat of his heart, every continued second of his existence...and each time his new wife’s fingers trembled in his.

Wife?

Oh. Dear Lord.

The thought actually made his knees wobble. He disguised it with a large step, and then had to adjust again to her small ones. Her arm wasn’t atop his forearm as they walked the hall, surrounded by Ramhurst Honor Guardsmen. He hadn’t offered his arm. He’d held out his hand. And he’d closed his fingers about hers – trapping her, the moment she’d touched him. It hadn’t been optional.

She wasn’t getting a chance to escape him.

If he pondered it, he had a few comparisons to this sensation. One, in particular, occurred to him. His near-drowning in Loch Grantham had been close. His father had given him orders not to try to swim the loch. To the fourteen-year-old Rhoenne, that was akin to a challenge. It had been a gray morn. Heavy with rain. The water icy. The waves topped with white caps. Rhoenne had sunk beneath the water more than once, the last time without a hint of energy left to fight. He’d actually given his final words to God. Sent the prayer on a winged thought. And if he hadn’t touched shore with his toes, he might never have been found. No one would have known what happened to him. He still recalled the triumphant taste of air as he’d lurched out of the water. Collapsed onto shore. Sucked in breath. And fought tears.

Come to think of it, that wasn’t even close to how he felt right now.

Handing responsibility for Cassandra to another had taken every ounce of courage he possessed. His innards had ached all day at the prospect. He’d prepared in the tower with his men, surrounded, yet alone. He’d ignored any fare that was brought. Drink as well. He’d bathed in cold water, shaved by feel, and dressed without speaking to anyone. He’d had to draw on every ounce of his hard-hearted reputation. Hide behind the ‘Dark One’ façade. And when the moment arrived, it felt like he’d been ripping his own heart out.

He hadn’t known until the interruption by her grandmother that he’d fail. He couldn’t do it. He wasn’t letting Cassandra out of his sight for fear he’d never see her again. Who would protect her then? That was why he’d pressed her to his back in the audience room, and the reason he held her hand now.

Cassandra thought he hated her?

He was terrified of what he did feel. Literally.

Terrified.

“Ah! Here they come!”

Signor Pietro blurted the words. He was the first official to spot them. He stood beside an open door, flanked by guards. Rhoenne sent a quick glance about the hall. There were a lot more soldiers than had been in the audience room.



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