Emerald's Rogue (Part 2)

Chapter Three

As the clock struck one the doors to the chapel opened and Emerald and Sarah both walked in being escorted by Alexander and Jacob, the two older men beaming with pride. Though Sarah was not Jacob’s daughter he felt great pride for her. Her father had passed away a few months after agreeing to the betrothal.

Sarah wore a pale green gown with a sheer over-dress of palest yellow. Gold combs with tiny emeralds and diamonds held her hair back. She held a bouquet of wild flowers that Michael had quickly picked and had sent to her.

He smiled at her with great love and devotion and she returned it.

Emerald was dressed in the palest lavender silk with the sheer over-dress and the tiny lavender rosebuds that were just under the bust line. She was developed too, earlier than either of her sisters and fuller despite her young age. Her hair was pulled back at the sides of her face with ribbon bound braids then joined at the back of her head with a few more tiny rosebuds.

Rogue noticed that her shoes were dyed to match the dress and had a rosebud on the toe of each. She didn’t want the rosebuds thinking herself too old for such silly things but her mother had insisted.

She couldn’t help but notice that he was dressed in dark lavender, which made his dark features stand out more. His leather boots that were black went to the middle of his powerful thighs. His family crest blazed brightly in silver over his chest.

She realized that the powerful gryphon and graceful rose was to be her symbol as well as her family’s proud unicorn and lilies.

The older men stopped just in front of the alter as the priest stepped forward.

"Do you give these women to be betrothed to these men?" he asked.

"We do." Jacob and Alex stated then kissed the girl’s cheeks before giving their hands to the young men.

Sarah and Michael were lost in each other and Emerald and Rogue both concentrated on the priest.

"Family and friends today we are here to take the first step into a union that will last forever." Emerald blanched at the word forever. It was a long time to live without love and romance and passion.

He droned on a bit then finally turned to the two couples.

"Rogue and Michael, do you take these ladies to be your betrothed, to protect them, care for them and treat them as wives until the day they are so made so?"

"We do." The chimed together. The priest handed them each a ring.

"Place this ring on the third finger of her right hand." They did so. Emerald looked down and saw the vast difference between her hand and Rogue’s. They were as different as night and day. Sarah only saw Michael’s eyes and he only saw hers.

"Emerald and Sarah, do you promise to obey, cherish and care for these men until the day you are truly married."

"We do." They said, only Emerald wasn’t as enthusiastic as Sarah was.

The priest said a prayer over the couples then told them they may kiss their betrothed. Michael kissed Sarah with a deep and gentle passion, while Rogue placed a chaste kiss upon Emerald’s lips. She thought it was no different than kissing one of her brother’s.

She had no problem with it but saw Jacob glare at his son. She didn’t mind the quick and simple kiss. She had hoped for it. She had hoped he would kiss her cheek.