The Bewitching Twin(96)
“Mother would be proud that her first grandchild was born on this land,” Rogan said, his arms around his wife’s waist, her head resting back against his chest.
“She was a loving and unselfish woman,” Tarr said.
“That she was,” Rogan agreed.
Aliss was pleased by the exchange for it signified a truce of sorts and the willingness of them both to eventually settle their differences.
“Then it is only fitting that you provide her with her first grandson on the Isle of Non,” Tarr said, touching his daughter’s wrinkled face. “After all, Elizabeth will need someone to protect her.”
“If she’s anything like her mother that won’t be necessary,” Raynor said, chuckling, and so did everyone else except Fiona. She glared at him.
Anna peeked her head in the door. “I don’t wish to interrupt, but there are many who would like to see the first babe born on the Isle of Non, if that is all right?”
“Your choice, Fiona,” Aliss said.
“Tarr and I would be honored.”
For the next couple of hours, villagers streamed in and out of the cottage, each one leaving a small token for the babe and for what her birth meant to them all, a new life.
It was well into the evening when Aliss settled mother, father, and babe for the night and took her leave.
She had sent Rogan home an hour ago under protest. He had wanted to wait for her, but she needed time with her thoughts. The walk to the keep would give her that time.
Her mind flooded with memories of the last few months and she allowed them to roll by, dismissing each one. It was easier to do that knowing the whole truth. Everything made much more sense, and she needed to finally let go of her doubts and fears. She now had all the facts. The decision was hers.
Actually, her abduction had proven beneficial to her. It had allowed her to discover her own strength, separate from that of her sister.
Aliss smiled. Giann had been right. She had been given a gift and she would treasure it forever. Now all that was left was to tell her husband how she felt.
She entered their bedchamber and immediately drifted into her husband’s arms. Aliss rested her head to his chest, grateful to hear the steady beating of his heart and to know his heart beat with love for her.
“Everyone is fine?”
“Yes.”
You must be tired,” he said.
“No,” she said, lifting her head and taking his hand to lead him to the bed. She nudged him to sit down. “I have something I must say.”
He reached out and rested his hands on her hips. “I am listening.”
Where should she start? It ought to be easy, and yet standing in front of him now, staring down at his handsome face, his wicked smile and heated eyes, she didn’t want to do anything but make love with him.
She shook her head.
“What is wrong?”
“You distract me.”
“How do I do that?” he asked innocently, while his hands urged her forward between his legs.
“Just like that,” she said, and squirmed away from him, holding out her hand when he stood so that he would not approach her. “I need to say this.”
“All right, you have my attention. I promise not to distract you.”
She appreciated that he folded his arms across his chest. She’d be safe from his touch, at least until she finished, and then she intended to run into his arms and never leave.
“We have been through much together—”
“And have survived it all.”
She laughed softly. “You stole my words.”
“We think alike.”
“I have come to realize that.”
His dark eyes focused intently on her and she was covered with gooseflesh. Lord, but the man could stir her passion.
He waited, and she could see in the depths of his green eyes that he knew what she wanted to say to him. She knew that he wanted to hear it, had patiently waited to hear it, and had been sure that he would hear it.
He had been right.
It had taken her far too long to get to this moment, to forgive him and to let down her defenses and simply love him. All that he had done had been for love. Love for a mother he had hardly known and love for a woman he had never expected to find love with.
He drifted over to her.
“Our bargain is no longer necessary,” she admitted, her heartbeat rising and her breath catching.
“Why is that?”
“You proved that you love me.”
“You know that for sure now?” Rogan asked. “You have not a doubt? I don’t want you to have a single doubt.”
“Not a smidgen of doubt. You’ve made certain of it. Besides, my sister agrees and pointed out just how much you love me.”
His brow wrinkled. “Fiona did that?”