If they didn’t, she’d want a divorce at the end of four years.
The idea weighed on his heart. He’d work hard to make her happy, to show her all that could be between them. That’s all he could do. That and pray to the Twins that one day They’d bless them.
The carriage stopped before the monolithic cathedral dedicated to Dracor. At least as large as the royal palace itself, the alabaster stone shone in the fading light, and the structure pulsed with the power of the divine. Even at this hour, heavily armored Knights of Valor, paladins, and priests walked with purpose among the stone pillars and towering Dragon Oaks as they carried out Dracor’s will.
Sapphire shook herself from her thoughts and glanced up at him. “Why are we here?”
“This is where I live. Figured you’d rather spend our first night together here, and I’ll kick Lord Bartley out of your house tomorrow.”
“I hadn’t thought this far ahead. I suppose I assumed we’d go back to my home, but you’re right. Lord Bartley is there.” She tightened her hold on Matthias’s arms, though her voice stayed steady as she stared at the massive cathedral.
“You’re safe here,” he promised as he held her close. “If you close your eyes, you can sense Dracor’s light.”
Sapphire stared a moment longer. “We haven’t eaten yet, and I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”
Sir Matthias lifted her fingers to his lips. “I’ll send a page to your house and have Mary send over whatever you need. I can also fix us something for supper.”
“That’s right, you can cook. You made the best bread I’ve ever tasted.”
“Bread’s easy. Blueberry cobbler, that takes a lot more skill. My mother makes the best there is, and she taught me a few things.”
Sapphire let out a breath and nodded.
Matthias kissed her palm, and while her expression was serene, her chilled hands belied her fear. “The beginning of anything is the hardest, but we have all the time we need to settle into this.”
She sucked in a breath, straightened her spine, and lifted her chin.
Sir Matthias grinned, though it hurt that she needed such determination to face being his wife. He handed her down from the carriage, and sliding an arm around her, led her into the cathedral. Matthias guided her through the main part of the church, down the winding passages that housed offices and other official things, and through the barracks.
Young men and a smattering of women filled the halls, all who snapped smartly to attention and saluted Sir Matthias as he and his wife passed.
He smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with them, then continued to a series of rooms reserved for officers.
While stares bored into him, no one asked about Sapphire, and he was thankful for that. He wanted to protect her as much as possible, even if it felt like a dagger twisting in his chest that she didn’t really want to be married to him. They may be husband and wife under the law, but that didn’t mean she loved him.
He didn’t know what it meant, and that only intensified the ache.
Instead of a joyful homecoming with his new bride, Sir Matthias steadied his hands as he opened a door that looked the same as all the others and ushered Sapphire inside.
His room was more than adequate for his needs, with a bed tucked in one corner, a wardrobe in the other, and a desk between them. A small fireplace warmed the room, and a thick carpet padded the stone floor. A tapestry his mother had woven softened the heavy grey walls and added rich color.
It was home, and he felt a sense of welcome as he entered.
He could only imagine how it appeared to a lady as grand as Sapphire. He’d spent a great deal of time in the homes of high-ranking lords and ladies, dukes and duchesses, even the royal family. His room was humble in comparison, but filled with love and warmth.
Tracing his fingertip along the edge of the quilt his mother had made him brought a smile to his lips despite the awkward circumstances. No, he wouldn’t trade what he had for all the riches in Tamryn.
Sapphire turned in a circle. “Are you allowed to have a young lady here?”
“I am if she’s my wife.” Matthias smiled. “There are larger quarters for families, but I didn’t give the church a lot of notice.”
Color crept across her cheeks. “I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m glad you married me. I’ll finally be able to remove Lord Bartley and the servants he and my grandfather installed after my father died from my home.”
“Make a list, and I’ll get it sorted in the morning.” Matthias kept his tone easy as disappointment warred with yearning, but he would at least try to make things work between them. “You can have our remaining staff find people to fill the vacated roles while we’re visiting my family.”
Sapphire paused, her hesitation saying more than her words. “When do you plan to go see them?”
“I should send a letter to my mother tonight, but at this point, I’ll tell her our news in person. She’ll want to meet you, and so will the rest of my family.”
“You come from a large family, if I remember correctly. Seven brothers.”
Matthias grinned. “You remembered.”
“I always had sympathy for your mother.”
“I have quite a few nieces and nephews, too, and that doesn’t take into account aunts, uncles and cousins.”
“How many of you are there?” A frown touched her brow as she studied the rug.
“Never counted them all, but it’s always crazy when I go home for a visit.”
“I’ll need a fortnight to learn all of their names and-”
“They won’t expect you to know them all yet. Things are different where I’m from. Most of the people there are good people, but a lot less formal than Aerius.” Matthias touched her shoulder as he tried to reassure her. “They’re going to love you.”
Her breathing came faster as she clasped her hands in front of herself but wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I wish I had as much confidence as you did.”
“Things have been rushed and hectic, and the ride out there will do us both good. I figure we’ll head over to your house first thing in the morning, get you packed, and get rid of your unwanted house guest. Once that’s done, we can start the trip down to see them.”
“Tomorrow?” She gulped. “Already?”
He thumbed over her knuckles. “I want to tell them before we announce it at the Valerian ball.”
She focused on her clasped hands. “I hadn’t considered that, but you’re right. They should know before we announce it.”
He slid an arm around her, and Sapphire stiffened.
Her response stung, and Sir Matthias dropped his arm to his side. He reminded himself again why she married him versus why he’d agreed.
“You must be hungry. Want to come with me to get something to eat, or should I bring something back here?”
She glanced around the room and let out her breath. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get some rest. Sounds like tomorrow will also be a long day.”
He squeezed her hand as he buried his disappointment. She didn’t love him. Wasn’t interested in him, and a few words before Thalia’s flame hadn’t changed that.
Unrequited love was even worse than in the stories. He’d been a fool to agree to her proposal, but it was too late to change his mind.