The Archer (The Blood Realm Series Book 3)(126)

“Dubheasa…” Herne warned.

She waved a hand at him without taking her eyes from Marian. “Only words, Herne, only words.” She stared at Marian a moment longer, searching her eyes, weighing the truth of her claim. Finally she nodded. Then she turned to Robin. “And you, my son. Would you give your life for this woman?”

“I would,” Robin said immediately.

“No!” Marian whirled, a sudden and inexplicable fear seizing her, digging claws into her lungs until it hurt to breathe. “No, don’t talk of dying for me, not here in this place.” She cupped his face in her hands, cradled the jaw that was so familiar to her now. “I don’t want you to die, not because of me.”

“My dear girl, do not interrupt.” Dubheasa rapped her spear on the floor, the sound loud in the silent room. “I didn’t ask him if he would die for you. I asked him if he would give his life for you. A world of difference.”

Robin put his arms around her and pulled her close, careful to keep her on the opposite side of his body from his injuries. “I would,” he repeated, this time looking into Marian’s eyes when he said it.

“If you die, I will never forgive you,” Marian rasped. She clutched his shirt in her fists, wrinkling the cotton beyond hope.

Robin chuckled and leaned down to nuzzle her forehead. “I will try to be my usual accommodating self.”

“Excellent.” Dubheasa beamed and clapped her hands. “In that case, Robin Goodfellow, do you take this woman Marian LaFey to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“What?” Herne bellowed.

The creatures at the tables behind him erupted in a hiss of whispers that buzzed against Marian’s skin. Herne tensed. He didn’t look over his shoulder, but nevertheless managed to convey his displeasure. The room immediately quieted. Marian’s stomach turned. Did Herne have control over all his court like that? Or had he just summoned the most obedient here for her first night?

When he spoke again, his voice was low, full of warning and just the briefest hint of a growl. “Dubheasa—”

Dubheasa cut him off with a wave of her spear, the shining tip once again drawing the light, highlighting the deadly point. “You said I could have words with Marian.” Her dress and throne began to ripple, darkening, edges turning to black mist. It flowed forward, just an inch or so, like a pet asking permission to inspect a visitor. “I have done nothing beyond what I was given your blessing to do.”

“I gave no permission for a marriage.” There was a definite growl in Herne’s voice now, a predator’s only warning.

He’d dropped his head, angling his antlers toward Dubheasa’s spear, but Marian couldn’t be sure if that had been intentional or not. Her pulse throbbed against her skin, adrenaline trickling through her veins like a promise. She could practically smell the blood in the air. She blinked, realized what direction her thoughts had been going in, and pressed harder against Robin. Will’s words echoed back to her.#p#分页标题#e#

Robin curled an arm around her waist. He looked down at her and if she hadn’t known better, she would have sworn he was reading her mind, knew exactly what she was feeling. He bent down and kissed the top of her head.

“You’re going to be all the excitement I can handle, aren’t you?” he whispered into her hair.

Marian’s spirits lifted and she leaned her head against his chest. “You have no idea,” she murmured.

“You gave up that right a millennia ago,” Dubheasa snapped back. She stood from her throne with a flourish, sending a wave of tension rolling over the room as the people gathered there watched her face off against their king. “As I recall, it was part of why you left my court, why you created your own little domain here. You thought the politics of my kingdom were barbaric, that no monarch should have a say in the mating of her people. Well, you’ve made your bed. Now go lie in it while I finish speaking with Marian.”

Marian’s jaw dropped. Herne sucked in a breath, eyes sparking with real fury. He took a step forward.

“I do.”

Robin’s voice fell into the silence, drew the attention of the two monarchs. Herne bared his teeth and Dubheasa beamed. The words echoed in Marian’s head, growing louder and louder until they ate her world. The full realization of what was happening finally dawned on her, finally registered.

“And do you, Lady Marian, take this man Robin Goodfellow to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Dubheasa’s voice was gentle, a jarring change from the anger that had sharpened it a moment ago. Marian groped for Robin’s other hand, needing an anchor as her emotions swelled, threatened to toss her about like a rag doll. He took it in his, held both of their hands clasped together.