Lancelot shot Bastien an inquisitive look, his deep voice filled with mirth. “Could you spare Max for a couple days? He’s come with you to my castle each summer for nearly ten years now. He knows everyone—he could introduce Gaston and Quentin to my stable hands. My knights. And my horses.”
Bastien eyed Max, who waited with bated breath for his lord’s approval. With a hearty slap on the lad’s shoulder, Bastien agreed. “These three have become inseparable during the Yuletide Joust. I’m sure Max will enjoy showing the younger boys aroundla Joyeuse Garde. Yes, I give my consent.”
While the boys grinned from ear to ear, King Guillemin took a gulp of mulled wine and sat back in his informal throne. “TanteBéatrice, you and your attendant must ride in the royal carriage with Ezhvin and me. We’ll accompany Prince Kaherdin and Princess Gargeolaine’s private coach. And travel alongside the Lady Viviane’s carriage—transporting the trio of gifted healers.” A grateful smile crinkled his bearded cheeks. Eyes twinkling with paternal pride, he chortled, “I know my adventurous daughter will prefer to ride her horseMarivéealongside her husband-to-be. We’ll depart the day after tomorrow. And arrive at the Crystal Castle with plenty of time to prepare for the Winter Solstice wedding.” He reached across the table and squeezed his smiling daughter’s hand.
“And now, my guests, I’m sure you would like to rest after today’s tumultuous events. Tonight, we celebrate Gabrielle and Bastien’s upcoming wedding—and today’s victory over Ugolin le Clou—with the Yuletide Feast. Lancelot, Esclados, Prince Kaherdin—please invite your knights to join us this evening in the Great Hall. Until then, everyone… I bid you all good day.”
As the guests rose from the table and left the royal solar, King Guillemin said to Gabrielle and Bastien, “I’d like the two of you to remain here with me for a few moments. I have something to show you.” He inclined his head to Ezhvin, who bowed at the waist and slipped from the room, returning a few minutes later with a small, intricately carved wooden box, which he placed on the table before the king.
“Twenty-five years ago, I married your beautiful mother, Mélisende.” His eyes aglow with nostalgic love, Gabrielle’s father took hold of her hand and kissed it softly as his gentle eyes held her gaze. “I know you don’t remember her, for she died when you were just three years old. But she made me promise that on your wedding day, you would wear this.” He opened theécrinand displayed a gold ring with a large, round, faceted emerald encircled by a halo of sparkling diamonds. “This was her wedding ring. And now,chérie…it is yours.”
Awestruck, Gabrielle reverently took the ring out of the tiny box and placed it on the third finger of her left hand. In the slanted golden rays of the setting sun, the deep green emerald blazed with verdant fire in a corona of brilliant white ice. “It’s breathtaking! Oh, Papa, I shall treasure it always.” She gently removed the ring and placed it back in the small wooden box carved with roses. Tears filled her eyes as her heart filled with joy.
The king placed a black velvet pouch on the table in front of Bastien. “This is for you.”
Bastien glanced at Gabrielle in stunned surprise. He opened the pouch and withdrew a gold band adorned with a large emerald centered between two smaller diamonds. “That ring was my wedding band when I married Gabrielle’s mother. I’d like you to have it as you marry my beloved daughter.”
Bastien tried to slide the ring on his finger, but the fit was too tight for his enormous warrior hand.
“The goldsmith will adjust it before we depart for the Crystal Castle.” King Guillemin motioned for the royal jeweler, who now stood beside Ezhvin near the marble topped walnut sideboard.
At the king’s summons, the goldsmith measured Bastien’s hand and announced with a humble bow, “With Your Majesty’s permission, I shall take the ring now. I’ll enlarge it and return the wedding band to Ezhvin tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thank you, Archambault.” King Guillemin nodded his approval.
Bastien placed the ring back in the black velvet pouch, pulled the drawstrings tight, and handed it to the jeweler, who bowed at the waist and backed out of the room.
“Well, you two certainly have much to celebrate. I shall retire now to my chambers for a soothing foot massage and the curative tart cherry tonic prescribed by my gifted healers. I’m eternally grateful for the relief of pain from my gout.” King Guillemin allowed Ezhvin to help him rise to his feet. Placing a kiss on Gabrielle’s smiling cheek, the king shook Bastien’s hand and exited the sun-streaked splendor of the luminous royal solar.
Gabrielle opened the jewelry box again to admire the sparkling emerald gem. “I’ll wear my mother’s wedding ring.” Tears of joy brimming in her grateful eyes, she beamed at Bastien. “My Yuletide wish has come true. I shall be a winter solstice bride. And marry the man I love.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned forward, and planted her warm lips on his smiling ones. Closing the jewelry box and clutching it tightly, she rose to her feet and took Bastien’s hand. “Come, my champion…” she whispered softly as she led him out of the solar. “Let’s celebrate your triumph in the Yuletide Joust.”
Grinning from ear to ear, Bastien followed Gabrielle down the quiet hall.
Through the golden oak door of her private chambers.
And into her luxurious, rose-scented bed.
Chapter 15
A Wondrous Winter Solstice
Two days later, aftercelebrating the royal betrothal of Princess Gabrielle to Sir Bastien de Landuc with a sumptuous Yuletide Feast, followed by the solemn memorial service and burial of the fallen knights who had sacrificed their lives to defend Finistère, King Guillemin and his royal entourage headed east across Bretagne to the Forest of Brocéliande.
To theChâteau de Comper.
The glorious Crystal Castle.
In the royal carriage protected by the intrepid knights of Finistère, Gabrielle’s father rode with his chamberlain Ezhvin, his aunt Béatrice, and her lady-in-waiting, Marcelle. Prince Kaherdin and Princess Gargeolaine traveled in their own coach with an escort of royal knights of Armorique, and the third landau carried Viviane, Ghislaine, and Laudine—the trio of priestesses who had cured the king.
Bastien’s father Esclados had departed the previous day, shortly after the memorial service. He and Gaspard, along with their knights, returned the Ardennes and Friesian horses used in the Yuletide Joust home to the magnificent stables ofle Château de Landuc.
The cold, salty air whipped her long red hair and nipped her stinging cheeks as Gabrielle rode her beloved horse Marivée through the dense woods beside Bastien.How exhilarating to ride through the forest again. And revel in the freedom to marry the man I love.Her heart overflowing with gratitude and joy, Gabrielle inhaled the crisp evergreen scent of pine and beamed at Bastien.
In the midst of a clearing in the forest where four shimmering lakes converged in the distance, Gabrielle spotted a white limestone castle gleaming in the afternoon sun, its glistening walls glittering like thousands of faceted gemstones.
Le Château de Cristal.
