Page 126 of A Thief to Die For

To the amusement of the crowd, Little John empties his pockets, pulling out sticks, rocks and a dead beetle that he tells everyone is named Todd. He hands Todd to Samuel, which sets the crowd tittering. Levi’s laughing so hard he looks like he’s choking. Finally, with a flourish, Little John reveals the two rings in the palm of his hand.

Marian stares, amazed. ‘Where did those come from?’

We’d agreed to finish our exchange of necklaces, but she’s already wearing the one I gave her, along with her own. I squeeze her hand. ‘Let’s just say I came back to Notting prepared.’

I slide the ring on to her finger and speak my vows to her a second time, proud and thankful that despite all that happened with Agatha, they remain unbroken. To Agatha, the words ‘I do’ were an acceptance of a forced marriage. But in Brother Thomas’s hut, I vowed to protect Marian and give her my heart, and I’ve loved her beyond anything I thought possible ever since.

Marian takes off the necklace she wanted to give me and places it around my neck. I can’t take my eyes off her as she finally speaks her vows to me. Emotion chokes her voice on the last line, and she repeats herself, saying it again, louder. ‘All the days of my life.’

I immediately kiss her, and the crowd erupts in applause.

Marian smiles against my lips.

But then it’s like I’ve been dropped into a vat of deep, cold water. Pressure builds in my head. Expands in my ears. My ribs feel too small to contain my lungs – and that’s just the start of it as all hellfire breaks loose.

Everything is so much. Too much – light and sound. I have the oddest sensation of being wrung out. But then, it all recedes like an exhaled breath. Tingles climb like a vine through my body, leaving little wakes of euphoria. The spell binding me snaps, and I pull back from our kiss. ‘Ryland?’

His eyes are wide. Disbelieving. There’s no doubt he felt that too.

‘Was that the …’

Connection?

My hand slaps to cover my mouth, because even though I didn’t finish my sentence, I’m pretty sure I also did … in his head.

Ryland’s shock breaks like a dam, and then he’s laughing. He pulls me to him and boldly kisses me again. ‘Yes, love. That’s exactly what it is.’

How strange to physically feel someone’s love for you. My chest is swollen with it. There also seems to be a piece of Ryland taking up residence there now; I don’t know how else to describe it. This constant tether between us leaves me so aware of him. His happiness is light and fizzy and tastes sweet on my tongue.

‘Umm … aren’t you guys supposed to walk back down the aisle now?’ asks Little John. ‘Everyone’s waiting.’

Ryland speaks to Brother Thomas. ‘Go ahead and start the party.’ His surprised eyes are consuming and full of anticipation as he turns back to me. ‘We’re going to be a bit distracted. For a while.’ A long while he says in my head.

I gasp. I remember him explaining that if we think something, we can send the memory of that thought to each other. A way to communicate without words. But he’s doing it seemingly without even trying.

‘I now pronounce you husband and wife!’ Brother Thomas calls. Everyone cheers again.

Ryland kisses the back of my knuckles, then raises my hand into the air.

I smile and laugh, all the while overwhelmed and struggling to think. There’s too much feeling going on. New sensations, like the deep headiness of Ryland’s joy. New ways to communicate.

How in the world are we supposed to celebrate with all of this going on inside us?

I realise I did it again – spoke into his head using the memory of my thoughts, and it is as easy as asking the question out loud. ‘Did you get that?’ I ask him.

He nods.

That’s just the beginning of what we can do. Ryland’s voice is clear in my head. His smile turns devilish, and yet I sense his pride at me – at us – for figuring out this part of the connection so quickly. We walk down the aisle of clapping people, and I do my best not to look stunned.

Or eager to escape so we can be alone.

Ryland stops not far from where the musicians are playing a celebratory song and pulls me to him, arms wrapping around my waist.

‘We’re going to dance?’ I ask.

‘It’d be rude to leave right now, wouldn’t it?’ He pulls back to check my face. ‘But just say the word.’

He’s so close to stealing me away. I feel it. ‘No, you’re right. Let’s dance while everyone enjoys the food and music. That should give us a moment to get our bearings.’