Chapter 16
Westmatch, at Wolveston Hali
Eleanor stared at her reflection in the polished bronze mirror, still half dazed by the ornate bridal gown draped around her
She had expected to spend her life bound to a crippled man, mourning a marriage of title and duty Rut fate, it seemed, had decided to toy with her once again
The very day she arrived at Wolveston Hall, Lord Edmund awakened.
At the time, she had simply been standing beside his bed, looking down at a man who had slumbered for years His features were striking-strong brows, a sculpted nose, lashes casting shadows over his pallid skin: He looked more like a statue than a man, still and solemn, carved from marble
She sighed quietly to herself, thinking what a waste it was. Had he not been lost to sleep, he would have been devastatingly handsome
And then – his fingers moved.
Startled, she stumbled back as his eyes fluttered open, dark and sharp, locking with hers
In that breathless instant, her voice quaked “S Someone! He’s awake!”
What followed was chaos- a blur of shouting, footfalls, and weeping joy. Physicians flooded in, servants and elders of House Wolveston crammed into the chamber, all scrambling to confirm the impossible
Eleanor stood rooted in a corner, watching the man who should’ve remained asleep gradually
return to the world.
Once it was certain that Lord Edmund had awakened, his mother, Lady Wolveston clasped
Eleanor’s hand tightly, tears streaming down her face with a tremulous smile
“You’re a blessing upon this house, child. A blessing sent by the heavens!”
Later, Edmund asked to see her
She entered the chamber with her heart pounding, certain he meant to annul the marriage
agreement
Alter all House Viremont had always been beneath the Wolvestons She had never understood why the match had been accepted in the first place Now that he had awoken, surely he would refuse her
But before she could speak, he asked, “Do you know why House Wolveston agreed to this auton Lady Eleanor
She shook her head
“It wasn’t your father we promised,” Edmund said softly, every word clear and unhurried: “It was
the House Litendale
Her toother’s family
“Your mother and mine were dearest companions in their youth,” he continued, watching the tremble in her lashes “They swore, should either bear children, they would join our houses by
blood
A lump rose in her throat
“After your mother passed, word reached us of how the Viremonts treated you “Edmund set up slowly. “The Litendales longed to take you in, but the Viremonts refused. So when your father proposed a match, they saw their chance to free you from that household.
His eyes were steady. “Whether I slept or woke, I was always meant to marry you Never your sister
Only you.
He paused, then smiled faintly, “I’ve been asleep too long. I’ll need time to learn the keep again. and my strength will return slowly. But I’m not without capability. I’ll see to it you are protected. That you want for nothing. You may spend gold as you please, go wherever you wish
His voice softened. “We may not love each other-not yet. But we can be kind. We can grow toward
something more. Will you… give it a chance?”
In that moment, as if compelled by something unseen, Eleanor nodded,
A loud click broke her reverie-the door creaked open behind her
She turned, startled to find Edmund already standing just behind her
He wore a crimson velvet surcoat trimmed with gold thread, the fabric failing gracefully over his broad shoulders and slender frame. The rich hue and intricate embroidery lent him an air of
solemn majesty as though he were born for this moment
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck Warm breath danced across her skin,
making her shiver
“So shy he teased with a low chuckle “Whatever shall we do tonight, my lady?”
“Who a shy?” she blurted, cheeks flaming You just started me that’s all ‘se lived through
worse, you know
“Oh
He quirked a brow, his tone playful as if they were already a pair long wedded. “Then my
Deanor is a wartiot indeed
Her heart gave a painful lurch
What happened to taking it slow? Weren’t they meant to be courteous strangers first? So why did he
look at her like she was his world?
She tried to shift the topic. “Why are you here? Hasn’t the ceremony yer to begin??
* worried you’d be nervous.” He took her hand, threading his fingers through her “So I thought
we’d walk together 1l be right here.
His hand was warm, dry, grounding.
As they stood at the edge of the great hall, Eleanor felt a strange detachment settle over her
She had dreamed of this day countless times-of walking the aisle in brocade and gold, crowned in
jewels
But in every dream, she was walking toward Roland.
A sting bloomed in her chest. She drew in a deep breath and forced his name from her mind
Are you ready?” Edmund whispered.
She nodded, offering him a soft smile
The heralds sang their blessings. The guests turned as one, their eyes shining with joy. Eleanor
clung to Edmund’s hand on instinct
“Do not fear,” he murmured. “I’m here.”
Chests whispered among themselves
“What a striking couple
“They say she woke the heir from his long sleep
A lucky stat, this bride. A true blessing to the House Wolveston
From the moment she arrived in Westmarth everyone had treated her with uncommon warmth
No contempt op not a single cruel word
And now, not ose guest dayed speak of House Viremont
She knew
it was Edmund’s doing
Gratitude swelled within her chest
They knelt before the altar
The priest began to recite the sacred rites, his voice echoing beneath the vaulted ceiling
Eleanor clasped her hands, her breath trembling as the final blessing approached
just as the priest raised his arms for the final blessing, the great hall doors slammed open
A tall figure stood against the light, silhouetted by the storm outside.
“I forbid it
The voice, raw and strained.
Eleanor froze. Slowly, she turned
Roland stood in the doorway, his hair in disarray, damp curls plastered to his brow. His chest heaved as though he’d run all the way from Crownspire
Eleanor..” His voice cracked. “Don’t marry him.”
