The Duke's Bed Warmer

Spring brought life back to Ravenmoor. The biting cold of winter had finally given way to the scent of damp earth and blooming jasmine. Inside the castle, the corridors buzzed with activity.

Servants hurried past carrying baskets of flowers. Every corner of Ravenmoor was humming with the wedding preparation. The wedding was only seven days away.

Alina stood on a small platform in her room while Marguerite crouched at her feet, her mouth full of pins. Cecily was also there, adjusting the long train of her gown.

"If you move an inch, I’ll pin this to your skin," Marguerite mumbled, assessing the hem.

Alina laughed and glanced at her reflection.

"You’ve been adjusting the same hem for ten minutes, Marguerite."

"Because perfection takes time."

Alina rolled her eyes.

She herself had sewn her wedding dress. It shimmered on her body like liquid fire. Red silk flowed from her shoulders to the floor. Golden embroidery climbed across the bodice and sleeves, catching the sunlight whenever she moved.

"It’s dangerous," Cecily said, stepping back to admire the dress and the woman in it. "I didn’t think a dress could look like a weapon, but you’ve done it."

Marguerite spat the pins into her palm and stood up, brushing off her skirts. She put her hands on her hips, looking Alina up and down with a mischievous grin.

"His Grace isn’t going to survive this. When you walk down the aisle, he’ll forget every vow he’s supposed to say."

"Good," Alina said with a playful smile on her lips. "I spent a month on this dress. It deserves appreciation."

"Oh, he’ll definitely appreciate it," Marguerite teased. "Right before he tears it off."

Cecily burst into laughter, covering her mouth. Alina’s eyes glistened with tears. Seeing Cecily laugh so freely felt better than any wedding gift. She was proud of what she had become and what she had done.

By evening, the atmosphere in the castle changed. Wedding preparations faded into the background as guests arrived for a different event.

It was Cecily’s book launch. The gathering was small compared to a royal celebration but it carried a different kind of importance.

Alina sat before her vanity, smoothing the bodice of her blue dress. She leaned closer to the mirror and carefully applied berry coloured lipstick.

The door swung open behind her and Austin stepped inside. Instead of walking over to her, he stood by the door. Alina saw his reflection in the mirror, staring at her.

Then slowly, he walked over and stood behind her chair.

"You’re staring again," Alina smiled.

"I didn’t know there was a limit," he said and rested his hands on her bare shoulders. "Are you ready?"

Alina nodded.

"But why do you look nervous?" Alina asked, looking at him through the mirror.

"I’m thinking about Cecily," he sighed. "She wrote down about everything she survived. I can’t imagine how brave she is to share her open wounds with the world."

"She is much more strong and brave than you think."

"Indeed," Austin replied. "But she wouldn’t have found the strength to write a single word if you hadn’t encouraged her."

"Adrian deserves some credit as well," Alina said. "He was the one who gave her the idea and then helped her with editing."

Austin’s expression changed instantly.

"Adrian spent a lot of time in the library working with Cecily," Austin said. "I haven’t decided if I should reward him for helping her find her voice, or break his jaw for the way he looks at her."

Alina laughed softly.

"Please don’t ruin Cecily’s night with a brawl. Besides, he treats her with nothing but respect."

"And that is why he is still alive," Austin murmured.

Alina shook her head and stood up. She turned and put her hands on his coat.

"Let Adrian keep his life for tonight," Alina said softly. "This evening is about the book. Come on let’s go. The guests must be already arriving."

"They can wait," he murmured. "I’ve spent all day listening to lords argue about grain shipments and land taxes. I needed a moment to remind myself of what I’m really looking forward to."

"And what is that?"

"You," he answered. "In exactly seven days, we’ll be married. And once that happens, I’ll lock the doors to this room and not let us out for a month."

Alina laughed softly.

"The castle will fall apart without us."

"Let it be," he murmured.

He tightened his grip on her waist and lifted her slightly, pulling her closer. Then he leaned down and kissed her. Alina gasped, her hands sliding up his coat to grip his shoulders. Austin’s hand moved up her spine, his fingers tangling in the hair at her nape as he tilted her head back to deepen the kiss.

His other hand stayed at her waist, holding her steady. His thumb brushed along her jawline, possessively and tenderly simultaneously, as he deliberately ruined the lipstick she had applied earlier.

Alina melted into him, her fingers tightening on his shoulders as she kissed him back with the same hunger. The room around them faded away.

When they finally broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers like always. They both were breathing heavily.

He looked down at her swollen, smudged lips and smiled in satisfaction. He brushed his thumb lightly over her lower lip, smearing the lipstick a bit more.

"Now," Austin whispered. "You look ready."

The library had been transformed completely. Rows of velvet-cushioned chairs faced a small wooden podium. The library was filled with local scholars, and a few nobles.

Alina entered with Austin and saw Cecily standing near the front row, clutching a copy of her book to her chest. She looked nervous. Alina took a step towards her, but Austin gently squeezed her arm, holding her back.

"Wait," he murmured. "Look."

Adrian walked over to Cecily and whispered something in her ear. When he finished, Cecily took a deep breath and smiled. The nervousness on her face was gone. She nodded, stepped away from him and walked up to the podium.

Cecily stood at the podium, holding the book tightly in her hands.

"For five years, everyone thought I died in the fire. And honestly, they were right. The girl I was did not survive the ashes," she began.

"My brother locked me in the east wing to protect me from whoever tried to burn me alive, and I let him."

She let out a small humourless laugh.

"I let him do it because I was scared. I believed my scars made me a monster. I thought that if I stepped out of the shadows, the world would pity me. So, I became a ghost in my own home."

She paused, taking a deep breath.

"Then one day, I realized that the fire took many things from me, but it didn’t take me. My scars are not the proof that I was broken. They are proof that I survived."

She looked around the room, meeting everyone’s gaze.

"This book is for everyone who has ever been told to stay quiet or stay hidden," her voice softened. "I just want to tell you...you deserve to be seen. You deserve to be heard. And most importantly...you deserve to live, not just survive."

The library remained silent for a while after Cecily finished speaking. Then slowly, Adrian stood up and began to clap. The sound echoed through the library.

Marguerite rose immediately after him. Then another person and then another. Within seconds, everyone was on their feet, the applause filling the room.

Tears brimmed in Alina’s eyes. She couldn’t be more proud of her. Alina turned towards Austin. He stood perfectly still, looking at Cecily with wet eyes. He looked proud and happy.

Without looking away from Cecily, he reached for Alina’s hand and held it tightly.

"She spent five years hiding from the world," Alina whispered. "And now the world is standing for her."

Austin swallowed hard.

"She deserved this years ago," he said softly. "I just wish it hadn’t taken so long."