“You have no wish to go there again I should imagine, but for Levi, I know you would. Why don’t you ask the boy how he feels? He’s never lived there. You could appoint a steward. Even move several of your female kin there to run the place. Turn it into an orphanage… or burn it to the ground.”
“Then there is my father to consider. He must meet his heir.”
“Ever heard of a honeymoon? Though to be fair, the draughty dark Keep of Gloomenthrall would not be my first choice when it comes to destinations.”
“The Lair is a light and happy place. There are the woods to explore. And training and daily exercise would go a long way to strengthening Levi’s shortened leg. Between the insole and such a regime, it is very possible he might overcome his limp completely eventually.”
“I have no problem with us spending time at the Lair. According to Talac, the inhabitants there have the knack of putting together a very speedy wedding.”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“I’m not going to let you go, Perri Gloomenthrall. I meant what I said about us spending the rest of our lives together. And it’s only fair that in order to do that you make an honest man of me.”
“Honest.” Perri scoffed the word lightly, shaking her head. “Fine. We’ll visit Gloomenthrall, but stay at the Lair, and whilst we’re there, we’ll get married, happy?”
“Absolutely… only one thing.”
“Yes?” She huffed out a put upon sigh, he loved that sound.
“Your wedding attire… I might have sent a note to your friend, the dress designer, requesting he make you a suitable gown.”
“You what?”
“And he has already replied. It shall be a replica of wicked.” He nodded at the gown she was currently wearing. “But all in white. And I advised it should be ready by the end of the week. So, what do you say, sweet harridan, in three days’ time, you, me, and the boy, head for the Lair, introduce Levi to your father and wed the day after that?” Nerves had the audacity to buzz around Brandth’s stomach. He loved this woman, but she was complicated and could be stubborn as all hell. He could only pray that he’d played his cards correctly. Had pushed and cajoled just the right amount and that she loved him enough to cleave herself to him for the rest of their lives.
“Mama.” Levi turned, grabbing Perri’s hand, squeezing it hard. “I think that one is his.” The trio glanced down at the elaborate gilt carriage carrying a coffin draped with a rich blue sash of silk making its way past the royal balcony. Four white horses trotting in sequence pulling the load easily.
The crowd around them hushed momentarily, in respect. Perri pulling Levi in close, wrapping her arm around his shoulders, wanting to weep with joy that he allowed her such privileges. Their eyes glued to the spectacle below.
“Are you sure he’s in there?” Levi queried in a low whisper.
“Absolutely positive. I have the word of the Prince of the Realm himself.” She looked down as Levi shuddered in her hold. She had been half fearing this response. Finally, it was sinking in for her son… his father was dead. He might not have loved him. Might have spent his life scrapping and fighting to stay alive under his father negligence and casual cruelty… but Regal had been his father. Oh, no, the boy was practically shaking in her hold now, what should she do? He made a noise, muffled, it took her a moment to realise… Levi was laughing.
“Levi?”
He looked back up at her, his deep blue eyes brimming with amusement. “He did so love being the centre of attention, he would have adored this moment.”
Perri bit her lip to keep from laughing also, settling upon grinning and hugging her son to her chest, revelling in the feel of him. Glancing at Brandth, she found him grinning also, stepping in closer he wrapped his good arm around her shoulders, pulling the two of them a little closer to him. And suddenly it struck Perri that they were a family… and Gods willing, there might someday be even more children to welcome into their little group.
She would naturally be a strict and loving mother. Brandth would make a splendid father, easy going, affectionate, playful… and more than likely start teaching their babies to manipulate everyone around them from the cradle.
Levi struggled free from her hold, moving towards the stone railing so he might watch the carriage carrying his father’s coffin roll away in to the distance.
“What’s put that frown on your face?” Brandth kept his arm tight around Perri’s shoulders.
“You’re going to make a dreadful father.”
“I disagree, I’ll love our children wildly and defend them until my dying breadth.”
“And teach them to lie, skulk about, and use a hundred words to discombobulate those around them when five words would do.”
“Survival skills. They’ll conquer all the Realms with our guidance. Huh!”
“What has put that particular smug look on your face?”
“You’re talking about children… our children. You actually intend to wed me.”
“I said I would.”
