"Marry you? T-tonight?" Her wide black eyes seemed endlessly deep with wonder, and a hint of disbelief. "How can you know me enough to make me your wife after an acquaintance of mere hours?"

"Think about it, 'Beta. Had we never met, neither of us would be alive tonight. I had no wish to be alive before I found you - nor did you before that fateful meeting on the cliffs. How is it so difficult, then, to believe that we belong together?"

"Is that what you really believe?"

"It is," I told her, and it was true. I did believe it. I still do. "We have no one to answer to, 'Beta. We can do this if we wish it. I'm the prince, I do as I please. And you have no family to object."

She looked up at me, smiling in a watery way that made my throat go tight. "I do believe I love you, prin meu. Yes. No matter how I end up choosing to spend my time with you, I will marry you."

I gathered her into my arms, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around and around, and then I lowered her slowly as our lips met, and mated. I do believe that night was the happiest I had ever known until that point. Certainly there have been none better since.

Together we raced back to the village that spread out in the shadow of the castle on high, and to the home of the priest. We woke him from his sleep, stood in his doorway as he gazed at us, wondering what we were about.

"What's this?" he asked. And then his gaze took focus and his eyes went wide. "Your highness! I had been told you were dead!"

"The castle servants are bumbling fools, I'm afraid. I was laid out in my father's chapel, awaiting your visit - which I'm sure was impending," I added with a meaningful crook of my brow.

"Naturally, my liege! I had only thought it best to wait for daylight."

Ah, so the superstitious gossip had instigated fear of me even in a man of God. It didn't matter. I should have been angry, but I was too happy then to let his ignorance cause me any concern.

"I was suffering from little more than a blow to the head, which left me in a deep stupor for a matter of hours. I'm fine now, as you can see."

"Yes, yes. Do come inside. I've a warm fire, bread and wine if you wish."

"We have only one wish this night, Father," I told him, turning to gaze into my beloved's eyes. "To be wed."

We had followed him inside his small cottage, and he stood now with the plank door still open.

"Tonight?"

"Indeed. Within the hour if you can manage it."

"But...but there's been no betrothal. No reading of the -"

"Nor will there be," I said, my voice lowering slightly.

The priest stared from me to Elisabeta, and then he frowned. "This child is still in mourning for her family."

"We will be wed this very night, unless you wish to find yourself in the castle dungeon before dawn," I told him.

I felt my 'Beta go stiff beside me, felt her gaze turn to one of disapproval as her hand tightened on my arm.