The Bastard (Darling #2) [complete]

Chapter Thirty-One

S I N C E  T H A T C H E R and Dane had returned back to the castle after the excursion and the death of their very beloved father and king - sarcasm heavily intended - Thatcher had hardly left Louelle's bedside. When they were on their voyage returning home (after the rebels had begun to retreat), Dane informed Thatcher of Louelle's conscious state.

Thatcher vowed to never leave her side again.

He didn't tell her much in regards to how the king died - he only told her that the king was gone and would no longer be an issue for them going forward. She had already undergone too much stress in the past days. He didn't wish to cause her anymore, especially because she was to rest - under direct orders from the doctor.

He needed her to be better by his coronation, which was to happen on the day after their supposed-to-be wedding day.

Their wedding was not yet rescheduled, and the crowned prince - soon to be king, he had to correct himself - was too afraid to ask her of when it could be. "Afraid" wasn't necessarily the correct word to use... He was only nervous. They were rushing the wedding because it was the day he was to wed another woman, and she was with child. It was the right thing to do.

With the arrangement finally being over because of the found (and burned to ashes) contract, and the fact of King James being deceased, there wasn't any need for them to rush into a wedding just yet. Of course, Thatcher would need to have heirs in order to continue his line of succession, but he didn't wish to force it on his beloved Louelle so soon.

She had just gotten beaten nearly to death by his father, losing their unborn child because of it. He was aware that his new duties would be to create more heirs, but forcing her to be his bride and consummating their marriage was not an important task at that moment.

All he cared for was that she would get better: her mind, body, and soul. Thatcher knew that it would take time for all of her to heal.

He'd patiently wait for her forever, if he had to.

It had been two days since he had attacked his father, and two days since Dane had saved him and taken the king's life. That meant it had been two days since he hadn't left Louelle's side, unless he had to bathe. For the past two days, he had ordered everyone not to bother him. He wanted to spend every living moment with the lady he loved. He almost lost her - again - and she almost lost him when King James nearly pierced his heart in that forest.

He was grateful they were able to have more time together. Without the threat of his father haunting them around the castle, he knew they potentially had forever.

Thatcher was going to cherish every moment like it was his last.

As he laid on the bed beside her, reminiscing on their childhood, giggling like children, a firm knock was placed on the door.

Thatcher kissed Louelle's hand as he called out, "Please enter!"

He wished he didn't, because it was Dane who walked in. He walked in like he was a dog with its tail in between its legs. He looked nervous as he rubbed his clammy hands together.