Ash's Place

Chapter 14

Xander's POV

Ashlee is nervous. She says she is fine, but I can tell she is nervous. I squeezed her hand slightly, trying to comfort her. She looks up at me and briefly gives me a smile before looking over her shoulder at our booted shadow. Her hand relaxes as she makes brief eye contact with him, and the tiny action annoys me. He is just her guard, so why does she seem so much more comfortable with him than me?

So, in a bout of what I acknowledge as pure jealousy, I stop walking, quickly pulling her into my embrace. I bend my head down to give her a kiss and she melts into me, kissing me back with equal passion. I shoot Sir West a glare as I continue kiss my wife and he instantly looks away, but I still catch the faint flush that creeps up his neck.

Ashlee pulls away and looks at me in confusion, "What was that for?"

I smile and nudge her to start walking again, "Just to help the nerves. We are almost there."

"I'm not nervous," she retorts. I cock an eyebrow at her, and she sighs, "Fine. I am a little nervous. Mostly because I am going to meet your family."

"Don't worry about them; they will love you. I do."

She pauses in her step, and I squeeze my eyes shut. I wasn't supposed to say that. I told myself I wouldn't say or imply those three little words until she said them first. And I just blurted it out.

"You do?" she whispers.

No point in denying her now, "I do."

She leans against my arm and looks up at me from under her lashes, "Well, husband, I love you too."

I feel my face heat up at the way she says my new title and I can't help the smile that forms on my face. She is just so perfect, and I feel extremely lucky that she agreed to marry me. I just wish...

"We're here," she whispers.

"I will go ahead and inform them of your arrival so they can announce you," Sir West says from behind us.

There is a brief moment of silence and Ashlee shifts her weight in anticipation.

"Now introducing the guests of honor, Lady Locklynn and her husband, Lord Canmore."

Her name will always come before mine since her claim to the throne is by blood and mine is just through my marriage to her. I don't think I mind too much though. She is a force to be reckoned with and I am happy to sit back and allow her to explore that side of herself.

From the limited conversations we have had about her family, I know she has never been allowed to be her genuine self around them so if she feels comfortable enough to drop all the formalities with me, I will gladly support her in doing so. Plus, she is ridiculously beautiful so that doesn't hurt either.

I watch as she straightens her posture and pastes a soft smile on her face. She takes a deep breath and without looking to me for guidance, she drops my hand and starts walking to the doors. I fall into step beside her and as the doors open, we are met with excited cheers and chatters. Ashlee holds a commanding hand up and the crowd falls silent.

"Thank you all for gathering here to celebrate our marriage. I am excited to share our joy with you today. While we wait for the King and Queen to join us, please continue to mingle and help yourself to the refreshments."

And with that she turns to me, and I offer her my arm. Her hand nestles into the crook of my elbow, and we slowly make our way toward the dais. She softly greets her people as we pass by. The magic thrumming in the room is almost too overwhelming for me but it doesn't seem to bother Ashlee at all. She must be used to the intensity of magic that occurs when so many witches are gathered in one place.