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Sandry ran through the gates of the rose garden, the site of their first kiss. Dragging him through by the hand, she laughed gleefully as they stumbled through to the rose covered gazebo.
"Sandry!" he exclaimed, surprised yet very pleased with her amorous nature. "What's the rush-" he was cut off as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.
Stepping back smugly, she grinned unrepentantly. "Sorry, but i missed that! Everyone knew at Discipline, so i could barely kiss you at all!"
"Aww. How sweet," he drawled teasingly. Sitting next to him on the bench, Sandry relaxed with a sigh.
"Sandry?" She turned her head to look at him inquiringly, for she had never heard that pleading tone in his confidant voice before. "Are you going to be married off by your uncle?"
"No!" Sandry nearly yelled. "He will not, even if he is parading every single idiotic male in front of me!" She crossed her arms, her blue eyes sparking from anger at her Uncle. "He will not, and i shall not obey."
Briar sighed with relief. "I'm sorry to upset you, but...i just needed to know. It's been keeping me awake at night sometimes, wondering if i could ever possibly have a chance to marry..." He blushed slightly.
Sandry flushed also, slightly shy at this serious thought. "I think you have more than a chance, plant boy," she teased shakily. "I don't want to marry anyone but you, ever!"
He was extraordinarily pleased. "Good." Drawing her small hand in his, Briar squeezed it gently. Just as he was leaning in to seal the moment with a kiss, a crashing through the bushes startled both of them out of their reverie.
"Sandry!" Vedris roared, his face turning a mottled purple. Niko ran behind him, a few paces back. He tried to draw the angry man back to the castle, but to no avail. "You get away from her, you thief!" Grabbing Briar by the arm, he hauled him off the bench and tried to knock him into the hedge.
"Uncle!" Sandry screamed, her face flushed with anger. Luckily, the street boy was nimble on his toes and landed upright. She ran to his side, away from her angry guardian.
Niko clutched at the Duke's sleeve. "Vedris, go back to the party."
He shook off the mage. "No, i shall deal with my niece and this miscreant." Turning back to the two, the Duke glared at Briar. "You. Never let me see you again with my niece, and keep yourself at a distance from me." Regarding Sandry, defiantly standing next to her love, he pointed to the hall. "In three days I am betrothing you to Pedrin er Baloi, and you shall marry him before you turn seventeen. Which means in three months or less, at his mountain fort in Nemorn."
"What?" she shrieked.
"My decision is final." With that, Vedris turned on his heel and walked crisply back to the great hall.
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