Sisters Three (Completed)

22. Brenna (2/2)

As a smattering of applause filled the room, Morna and the aunts the loudest by far, Robbin turned to Brenna and leaned forward to complete the ceremony with the sealing kiss. His height made it a bit awkward, and she had to stand on her toes before their lips met. The oils slickened the kiss, the bitterness exploding on her tongue. She barely had time to even register the feeling before he pulled back and the priest intoned the brief, final prayer.

As soon as the 'amen' was past the priest's lips, Robert spun and raised his hands.

"May I invited all those who troubled themselves to attend this... joyous wedding, to a dinner in honor of the new husband and wife?"

This earned a much stronger round of applause.

"Please, follow me to the dining hall," Robert said, playing the charismatic host quite well. He clapped Afton on the back and they both went down the room to lead the stream of guests to the food.

As people filed from the room, Brenna stood awkwardly by Robbin's side. Morna stepped over to talk to the aunts, leaving the newlyweds alone at the head of the room. Robbin rubbed his eyes and slumped against the priest's vacant podium. Brenna watched him silently. Her anger had burned brightly during the ceremony, but suddenly it now abandoned her. Her insides were left cold and hollow, her heart and mind scurrying to find an emotion to feel.

Despite his drunkenness, Robbin did look disarmingly handsome. His green tunic was superbly tailored and gave a golden glow to his hair. He'd not shaved, but somehow this deviation from the fashion only served to make him look mysterious and strong, not unkempt. Even the ale had done its part to somehow improve his appearance by reddening his cheeks and lending a youthful tilt to his features.

Just as Brenna's mind tentatively took a step toward the hazy thought that maybe, if she could tame him a little, he might become that fairy tale dream, he tried to push away from the podium and ended up tripping on his own feet and making a dive for the floor.

Brenna jumped into action, lunging forward and catching him around the waist before he could hit the ground. He twisted to one side, pulling Brenna nearly to her knees, while he laughed quietly. Morna looked up at the noise, her eyes widening at the sight.

"Brenna! Are you all right? Let me help," she said, making toward them.

Brenna put a smile on and shook her head. "No, no! We're fine. I'll just let him have a sit down before we go to the dinner." Then, when she saw the knowing look pass between her aunts, "But you all go ahead. We needn't be the cause of grumbling stomachs."

"We can wait," Morna said uncertainly, as Brenna helped Robbin to one of the closest chairs. He sat with a heavy flop.

"Really, go on ahead. It's not as if it's inappropriate if we're alone. We are husband and wife now, you know."

Morna twisted her mouth to one side, but then she glanced at Brenna's arm still circled supportively around Robbin's waist. A flush rose to her cheeks and she took a step back.

"All right, if that's what you want. Aunt Nora, Aunt Perta, we're going to the dinner now." She directed the last bit over her shoulder to the aunts who were whispering amongst themselves.

"Finally," Aunt Nora mumbled.

They rose and started for the door. As they passed by, Morna gave Brenna a steady look.

"Don't be too long. I think Robert will want to toast the new couple."

Brenna nearly snorted. "I doubt that."

"Then Afton will," Morna replied, so sure that Brenna blinked at the authority in her voice. "So don't dally too long."

With that, they were gone and Brenna was completely alone with Robbin for the first time since he proposed.

"What a beautiful dress," Robbin slurred, leaning forward and fingering the bit of lace around her neckline. "You know, you remind me of someone I used to know very well." He burst out laughing and she scowled at him.

Refusing to become sidetracked by some tart of a noblewoman, Brenna grabbed Robbins' chin and forced him to look at her.

"Where were you?" she demanded.

Robbin sighed heavily, rolling his eyes. She jerked his chin back so his focus was once again on her.

"I sat in humiliation for hours, not knowing if you'd come at all, so I think I am owed an explanation," she said. He stubbornly stared at her. "Robbin."

The sound of his name seemed to loosen his tongue, though his eyes once again averted from hers.

"I went to a pub with my friends."

"And spent all day there? You obviously meant to be here on time, judging from your clothes, but something there changed your mind? An old 'acquaintance' perhaps?" she snapped.

"No," Robbin said. "It was just my friends and me. No one else."

Brenna laughed shortly. "So, you think so little of your pact with me that you lost track of time and didn't notice that an entire morning passed you by? Well, Robbin, I'll have you know that you still need my cooperation in order to get any troops from the Ittal barons."

Robbin slumped a little lower in his seat. "I always knew what time it was."

Heat scorched Brenna's face. "You ba-"

"It wasn't about you."

Brenna scoffed.

"I didn't want to face my father."

This carried the weight of truth. His voice quieted and he ducked his head low to his chest. This was not his usual brazen arrogance.

When he spoke again his voice was firmer, but still subdued.

"In order to do something that might finally earn my father's admiration, I must first do something that will deepen his already fathomless disappointment in me."

"Marrying me," Brenna filled in. Robbin nodded.

Brenna let her arm retreat from holding him up, and instead placed her hand on his knee. She didn't forgive him for leaving her waiting, but she knew how crushing Robert's disapproval could be. She could imagine how much worse it would be to be his son, whose very birth had been a calamitous disaster in Robert's life.

"I wasn't thinking about how it might look," he said. "I didn't intend to wound you."

Brenna ducked her head to catch his lowered eyes. "We have a chance here to start fresh. I think we can make our lives easier for each other if we decide to work together," she said. "I don't ask for love, but partnership. Joined, I'm certain we can raise an army to help place you brother on the throne. Your father will see an illegitimate son can win a war better than his heir could, and that his pauper daughter-in-law is not something for him to shame his son with."

Robbins' eyes searched her face with an intensity that jolted her heart.

"All right," he said. "Together."

He offered his hand and Brenna took it.

"Good," she said. "Because I have something to tell you."

He rose an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh?"

"I talked to my aunts this morning, and they told me that they were able to contact the barons of Ittal. They've willing to meet with you to discuss terms."

"You had that one hidden away all this time? You're a crafty one." He chuckled, rubbing the stubble along his jaw and shaking his head. "Well, let us go tell my father the good news and see how shocked we can get the generals with this bit of unforeseen fortune."

With a grin, Brenna linked her arm through Robbins and they made their way to the dining hall to face the roomful of people that made the mistake of underestimating them.