Page 167 of Ironling
With their visit almost over and their business complete, it was time to celebrate one last time.
Siggy had spared no expense or effort, her stone table laden with a honey-glazed turkey, a mountain of roasted root vegetables, sauces and creams, sweet breads, and rich stuffings. Aislinn had endeavored to be a good guest and tried everything put in front of her. A few textures didn’t agree with her, but on the whole, she was pleasantly surprised to find that orcish food was delicious.
Leaning over, Siggy captured Aislinn with a brawny arm, hugging her to her side. “Ach, don’t leave me tomorrow, niece! I can’t bear it!”
“We’ll plan another visit for next year,” Aislinn promised. This had been a grand adventure, sore backside or not, and she could hardly wait for another journey outside the Darrowlands.
“And you’re always welcome to visit Dundúran,” added Hakon.
The twins jumped up in their seats, excited at the idea of traveling there again. They’d made fast friends with the Brádaigh siblings and had a grand time running about the castle.
“Keeley said we can visit the horses this time!” said Ingrid.
“And we’ll get to see Auntie Aislinn’s bridge!” said Sigrid.
Aislinn glowed with pride from the crook of Siggy’s arm. The bridge was nearly complete, and she had to pinch herself every time she saw it. Witnessing her vision come to life, seeing all thehard work the guilders poured into it…the sight nearly brought her to tears every time she beheld it. Aislinn looked forward to officially opening it for use before the autumn harvests began.
“Some of the children have taken to jumping off the top and floating downriver to the other bridge,” she reported. It’d scared her at first, but it looked like a refreshing relief from the summer heat.
She looked up when she realized Siggy, Halstern, and Viggo had gone completely silent, their eyes widening.
The twins shrieked in excitement, bouncing out of their seats.
“I want to jump off Auntie Aislinn’s bridge!” they sang as they ran round the table.
Halstern groaned as Siggy and Viggo chased the girls around the table, trying to get them back in their seats.
Aislinn blushed, realizing the trouble she’d made. A hand took hers, and she looked up to share Hakon’s wide grin.
When the twins began clambering up furniture to practice their jumps, all three parents rushing after them with flailing arms, Hakon threw his head back and laughed.
Aislinn tried to apologize through her laughter, but she doubted anyone heard.
Dinner descended into madness, as it often did, and Aislinn loved it.
She loved even more when her husband pulled her into his lap and wrapped her up in his arms.
He shook with laughter, his eyes watering as he craned his neck to watch the twins’ antics. Wülf and some of his siblings joined the fray, barking and prancing.
“I think the neighbors will be happy to be rid of us,” Aislinn whispered to him.
“No doubt,” he chuckled. Turning his face to hers, he stole a quick kiss, which made the twins squeal in delight. “To be honest, I’ll be happy to have you to myself again soon.”
“Well, yourself and twenty knights itching to get home.”
Drawing the longer hair at the crown of his head off his forehead, Aislinn smiled fondly at her mate. Fates, he was a handsome man. None of this would have been possible without him, and Aislinn couldn’t imagine her life any other way now.
She didn’t know how she’d survived before. Well, she did, but life was no longer about just coping or surviving. Life was for living, and she did it alongside her mate.
Touching her forehead to his so no little impressionable ears heard, Aislinn whispered, “Although, perhaps my big strong mate might want to steal me away in the old way? For a day or two?”
That got her a purr, his pupils dilating as his gaze turned hungry. His hand slid to her backside under the table and squeezed.
“Orek’s told me about a cave, perfect for stealing away with a mate.”
Aislinn kissed him, tasting his smile, her heart far too full for her chest.
“I can’t wait.”
