Page 57 of Knight of Havoc
“I have waited long enough,” he purred into her ear. He took hold of her gown and raised it up over her head. Her undergarments followed until she was as naked as he was. He laid her down and they sank into the feather mattress.
“I waited an entire lifetime to find you,” she murmured, taking hold of one of his dark brown locks of hair and twirling it between her fingertips.
He stroked her tresses until he cupped her cheek. “As did I for you, dearest wife. In case I did not tell you this today, I love you.”
Her heart soared at his words. “As I love you, although you may have to prove it to me to ensure I do not forget.”
A low laugh rumbled in his chest. “Nowthatis a command I will gladly obey.”
And obey he did, far into the afternoon hour and for many years to come. She had found the one man who made hercomplete and they had a lifetime before them to look forward to. Blackmore would thrive under Reynard’s command and if they were so blessed, children would follow to carry on their name.
Aye… Elysande was more than content to have Reynard Norwood as her husband. She no longer had to worry how she might defend her home, not with one of the empress’s finest knights as Blackmore’s protector. She had found her true home in Reynard’s arms. She was indeed blessed.
Epilogue
Blackmore Castle, England
Summer, 1146
Reynard paced hissolar with worry. It had been hours since Elysande had begun having pains to announce the birth of their second child. His brothers had attempted to distract him with food and wine but everything they tried to feed him was tasteless. How could he eat or drink when the moans of the torture Elysande was enduring could be heard echoing down the hallways? He swore he would never touch her again so she would not have to be put in such pain.
Wymar slammed his cup upon the table before him. “For God’s sake, brother, sit,” he demanded whilst raking his hand through his light brown hair.
Theobald nodded. “Aye. You are making me dizzy watching you pace back and forth. Your wife might still be in labor for hours so you might as well enjoy a cup of wine and make merry. You are, after all, about to become a father again.”
Reynard growled an oath in frustration. “I do not know how the two of you have been able to remain so calm,” he grumbled. “Can you not listen to what I am putting my wife through?”
The two men gave each other a knowing look before Wymar spoke first. “I recall being in the same state, more so with the first child.”
“Aye,” Theobald chimed in, “but this is your second so you should have already been prepared for what awaited you. Soon your daughter will have a sibling to torture as he or she grows.”
Wymar laughed. “Aye! Much like I had the pleasure of making both your lives miserable when we were children.”
“Sod off, both of you, or you will drive me mad,” Reynard cursed, reaching for his wine and finally taking a sip.
Wymar raised his cup to salute the two men. “To my brothers and the women who make our lives all the better.”
Theobald raised his chalice. “I shall drink to that!”
Reynard returned the salute and took another drink, but his cup rattled upon the table when the door was thrust open and Olive poked her head in with a smile.
“Is she…” Reynard began praying he had not lost his wife in the birthing process.
“Well and waiting for you, milord,” the girl said with a bright smile.
That was all Reynard had to hear as he ran from the solar to reach his bedchamber down the passageway. The door was already ajar and inside Wymar’s wife, Ceridwen, was wrapping a child in clean linen. Theobald’s wife, Ingrid, was holding the hand of Reynard’s oldest child who was sucking her thumb.
When the girl saw him standing at the door, she wobbled over on unsteady legs and held up her hands for him to lift her. “Up,” she demanded.
Reynard smiled, knowing he could not deny Serena any more than he could deny her mother. He lifted the girl, and she patted his cheeks before he gave her a quick kiss on her own. “Go with your Aunt Ingrid, my sweet, and your papa will see you later.”
Ingrid came over and took Serena. “Congratulations on the birth of your child, Reynard,” she said with a smile.
“A boy or girl?” he asked.
“Aye,” she said laughing not answering him.
Ceridwen placed the child in Elysande’s waiting arms before also coming toward the door. She kissed his cheek. “We shall let your wife tell you of your child,” she answered before she shooed out the remaining servants and left them to their privacy.
