Page 10 of The Dark Prince
ISADORA
Iwas cold.
We rode for hours until the sun began to set. I was horribly sore and tight, even after giving up and resting against the Dark Prince—Tyr’sbroad chest most of the trip. For the first few hours I was entertained by all the wonderful scenarios my brain came up with—how the Dark Prince had whisked me off my feet away to his castle, and how we’d have a happily ever after. Until my mind went the other way, and my head filled with visions of me alone in a cold castle, cast away like a forgotten doll.
It was exhausting, and eventually I must have fallen asleep, because I jarred awake as the horse’s smooth gait turned rougher and more unpredictable.
Everything was dark, so I didn’t know where we were until a few dim lights appeared, revealing a small, modest cottage with an attached chapel.
Oh.
“My mother was married here,” Tyr began haltingly, almost apologetically. I jerked at hearing his voice, after he’d gone all day without speaking to me after telling me his name.
“I thought it appropriate,” he continued. “We keep to the old ways at my castle, so you will not find a church there.”
One of Tyr’s men banged on the front door until a rotund older man stumbled out to meet us, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and holding a lantern aloft.
“I know you said you’d be late, but this is quite ridiculous,” the small man complained. “Why don’t you let the lady rest for the evening, and we can proceed in the morning?”
I gripped onto the horn of the saddle again as the Dark—Tyrgracefully dismounted the horse and stood over the aged monk.
“Now,” he demanded. “Thenshe can rest. I will have no one saying I did not do this the proper way.”
I bristled at being spoken about like I wasn’t present. “She is right here, and you may ask her if her preference is truly what you desire.” Admittedly, I was not as polite as I could have been, as cold, hungry, sore and tired as I was.
Tyr shot a glance at me, and again I wished I could see his expression. In the darkness, I only saw two golden eyes glowing at me. He leaned in close and wrapped his massive hands around my waist. With incredible ease, he picked me up off the horse and set me down on the ground.
“And what does my lady want?” he asked darkly.
Why was my mouth going dry?
“We may wed here, as you say. But I am hungry and thirsty. And tired. May we rest here for the night?”
His eyes narrowed. “You are not getting out of this. Delaying it won’t help.”
My own ire sparked, my temper frayed at the edges as my belly growled with hunger. “I never said I was delaying. I’mhungry.I’m cold. Feed me, my lord.”
I felt a bit like Roselle, but he was the one being ridiculous. What was the point of a wedding in the dark of night? Surely a few hours until morning wouldn’t make much difference.
“We will wed tonight,” he stubbornly insisted before he compromised. “Then you may have your meal and rest.”
One glare at the monk ensured he didn’t mutter a word of protest.
I sighed. For whatever reason, he was dead set on doing this here and now.
“Fine.”
Without another word, he took my small hand in his much larger one, and we followed the monk to the side chapel with only his dim lantern to light the way. Maddeus followed behind us, as did another man. The rest stayed with the horses.
The path was uneven and full of stones, and my slippers were woefully inadequate for footwear. I hissed in pain as I stubbed my toe, hopping on one foot to keep up with Tyr’s long strides.
“Wait a moment,” I begged, pulling on his hand.
He turned back, eyes furious. “You aren’t getting out—” He shut up immediately at seeing blood soaking through my slipper. “I should have made sure someone properly outfitted you before rushing off.”
I opened my mouth to say something smart, but his eyes swam with honest regret. I looked away.
Without a word, he scooped me up in his arms and kept going down the cobblestone path. I had no choice but to hold on to his neck. He was delightfully warm, and I automatically curled further into his chest, my frozen fingers seeking the heat of his skin. I didn’t care about being forward as I nestled my cheek against his neck—I just needed to get warm.
