Beguiled (The Fairest Maidens #2) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,26

up my mind to go through with it. I shall do it for Ruby.”

“You don’t have to marry me to aid Ruby. Once I have returned to Scania, I shall help you whether we are married or not.”

But would he? What motivation would he have to help me then? Why would he after the treatment he’d received thus far on the island?

“This plan was not of my making. But now that it is set into motion, I will not oppose it.” Before he could say anything more to sway me, I retreated outside and strode toward the center fire pit and the waiting crowd.

Mikkel

I stood next to Pearl under the summer night sky, the stars and moon acting as witnesses to our marriage along with two dozen or more outcasts as well as Fowler and Gregor on the periphery of the gathering.

The irony of my circumstances didn’t escape me. Only a week earlier, these people had taunted me and tried to kill me as I’d run through the gauntlet, and now they were smiling and wishing me well as I married Pearl.

The priest cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to the ceremony.

“I will,” I said.

Titters and guffaws erupted around us.

“I was blessing the ring, my lord.” The priest held out a ring amidst the shreds of linen covering his palm. With bandages around his face, hands, and feet, his leprosy was covered, and yet the disease had eaten enough of his flesh that he’d been forced from his monastery and had found sanctuary here on the island.

“The ring.” I stared at the simple gold band someone had donated for the occasion.

“It goes on her finger, my lord,” the priest said amidst more laughter from the onlookers.

I reached for the band. Once I placed it on Pearl’s finger, I’d seal my fate. My mind had been racing ever since Pearl had agreed to marry me. Was there some way I could salvage the situation?

At least she was a princess whom my father and the Lagting had once briefly considered as a possible bride. That could work in my favor. And if I could gain their sympathy for Pearl and Ruby, that might help dispel their anger and disappointment.

At Irontooth’s sharp elbow to my ribs, I took the ring and at the same time lifted Pearl’s hand. Her fingers were cold beneath mine, and above her veil, her eyes had been frosty throughout the entire ceremony and the stating of our vows.

Though my frustration with her had given way to resignation, she was clearly still angry with me. I slid the ring down and repeated after the priest: “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

The priest made the sign of the cross. “Amen.”

A murmur of “amens” came from around us.

“I now pronounce that you are man and wife.” The priest smiled broadly.

I couldn’t make myself smile in return. Though I couldn’t see her mouth beneath her veil, Pearl’s severe expression told me she took no joy in our union either.

“Kiss her!” someone shouted at the periphery.

“Kiss yourself!” Pearl shouted back, which earned roaring laughter in response.

In the flickering firelight, her gaze snagged with mine for the first time since we’d stood together at the center of the camp. What was she thinking? That she’d made a big mistake? Because that’s what I was thinking.

The words I’d just uttered reverberated in my mind, the promise to worship her with my body and to endow her with my worldly goods. I could easily provide for her every need. But worship her with my body? Could I do that?

Her attention dropped to my mouth before it jumped away.

She wasn’t seriously considering their suggestion to kiss, was she? Though we hadn’t yet spoken of the nature of our marriage, I suspected she saw it as a business agreement and nothing more.

Moreover, kissing would involve lifting her veil. And that would likely be too embarrassing for her. Although I was curious about the nature of her blemish, I was also somewhat reluctant to witness it. What if it was hideous and changed my view of her for the worse? Perhaps I was better off remaining ignorant.

As the feasting began, thankfully no more was said about kissing. And when the music and dancing started, I stood to the side and watched, my emotions twisting and turning as