Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,36
excitement as she waited for her wedding ceremony to start. She was moments away from marrying Dexter in an intimate setting in her own home. The only thing that could make this more perfect would be if her family were there. She banished that thought since they’d be in attendance for her formal wedding in Axian.
A lute started playing a melodic tune. Reid assumed that was her cue, so she rounded the corner. Her father stood in the hallway dressed in his formal tunic with the Ellington family crest on the front.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, shocked.
“When I heard my baby was getting married, I rushed home.” He took hold of her upper arms, giving her a squeeze before kissing her forehead. “You look beautiful.” Tears filled his eyes.
“You rushed back just for me?”
“Of course.” He released her, then held out his arm. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” Although, if he’d asked that question a few weeks ago, she would have given a vastly different answer.
“I think Dexter is a good man, and you two are well suited for each other.”
She took her father’s arm, and they continued to the entrance of the great hall.
The table had been moved off to the side. Candles lined a path from where Reid stood to the other side of the room where the marriage binder waited, Dexter on his left. Leigh, Idina, Ackley, Gordon, and Harlan were all there, smiling encouragingly at Reid. One of her father’s soldiers stood in a corner, playing the lute.
Duke Ellington patted his daughter’s hand, and they walked down the candlelit aisle. Growing up, Reid had never envisioned how her wedding day would be—she’d never even given it a thought. In Axian, the almost-wedding ceremony had been more of a show for the people. However, as she moved toward Dexter, all she could think about was how perfect the candles, music, and having her friends there was. And Dexter—his eyes were alight with excitement as he waited for her, dressed in solid black. This ceremony was for them alone, which made it even more special. When she reached the marriage binder, Duke Ellington handed Reid over to Dexter.
His large hand took hers. “You look beautiful,” he whispered before they faced the binder.
The musician stopped playing, and the binder thanked everyone for coming. With a warm smile, he started talking about the importance of marriage and joining two families together to make a new one. “And, of course, part of creating that new family is procreation.”
Dexter had the nerve to squeeze Reid’s hand. She tried not to elbow him. After all, her father was only a few feet away from them.
“And now, we will begin the vows. Please face one another.”
Reid handed Idina her bouquet, then turned to Dexter, their hands joined. While she hadn’t known him that long, she couldn’t believe how much had changed between them. Reid recalled the first time they’d encountered one another in his parents’ bedchamber in Axian. She’d broken into the palace in an attempt to steal the box Eldon needed. Dexter had caught her, and they’d briefly fought before she’d been apprehended. Dexter had intimidated and scared her during that encounter. Then, at the beginning of their engagement, he’d wanted nothing to do with her. Now, everything was different. Everything had changed.
Once Reid got around Dexter’s rough exterior and saw the man underneath, her heart had started to fall for him. She admired the man he was, understanding his loyalty to his family, his people, and his kingdom. Marriage to him would be a true partnership. They would work side by side to not only make Marsden a better place, but to support one another as well.
“Prince Dexter Winston, do you take Lady Reid Ellington to be your wife?”
“I do.” His deep voice echoed in the room, confident and loud.
A surge of happiness swept through Reid at hearing Dexter say those words.
“Do you promise to be true to her, to love and respect her?”
“I do,” Dexter answered, his eyes focused on Reid, as if trying to convey the enormity of what he promised.
“And do you, Lady Reid Ellington, take Prince Dexter Winston to be your husband?”
“I do.” As the reality of what was happening hit her, she smiled. She was actually marrying the man before her.
“Do you promise to be true to him, to love and respect him?”
“I do.” While the uncertain road ahead would be difficult at times, she would honor her marriage vows every day of her life.