Isabella opened her eyes to a new day, finding her husband curled around her. His naked skin pressed warm to her own, and a now-familiar fluttering began in her belly. She couldn't recall a morning when she’d woken so content and fulfilled. She now had strength, skill, and her mate.
Edward must have woken as well because he stirred behind her. She rolled with a smile to look upon his handsome face.
“Good morn, husband.”
Emerald eyes flashed open, a grin tugging the edges of his lips. “I like the sound of that.”
She snuggled closer to his chest and threw her leg over both of his. “I can’t believe it finally happened.”
“If it was all a dream, we’re about to be in serious trouble.”
She traced her forefinger around his pecs. “Can you believe I actually thought of begging you to have an affair?”
His face registered shock at her confession. “I would have been executed.”
“I wouldn’t have gone through with it,” she promised him. “I couldn't put you in such danger, but I desperately wanted you to be mine in any way possible.”
He kissed her, softly at first, and then with growing insistence. “I would have been sorely tempted, but keeping my head on my shoulders would have won. Although, I did worry you’d behead me yourself when I kissed you.”
“Never,” she whispered. "You affirmed for me what I wanted to be true."
Edward caressed her arms, moving to cup her breasts and roll her nipples between his fingers. She moaned and writhed under his touch, seeking to please him, too. When she reached what she sought, he ceased all movements. She would have sworn his eyes rolled back in his head as she tentatively stroked the steel length of his cock. She knew she succeeded when he exhaled sharply and pulled her closer to him for a bruising kiss.
He slipped one hand between them, searching for and finding the place he’d conquered the night before. Isabella cried out his name when he pushed two fingers inside her, smoothing them in and out as her wetness grew. She pressed her lips to every part of his body she could reach, all the while stroking him as he stroked her. She felt as if she would explode at the seams the more he worked her over, and just as she shattered, he rolled on top of her and replaced his fingers with his cock.
Isabella couldn't contain the short screams he brought forth with his every movement. He held her gaze as he frantically pounded her into the mattress, and she gripped his waist between her thighs. She couldn't catch her breath; her release rolled through her until the moment he spilled his seed.
He lowered to her, breathing heavily and kissing her neck. “To think, we can do that as many times as we want for the rest of time.”
Isabella laughed. “Not to mention, we can only improve with each try.”
He flopped next to her, picking up her closest hand and squeezing. “It’s pretty wonderful already.”
They were silent as each caught their breath. Finally, Isabella faced him as her stomach growled. “We have to get up and eat.”
“Don’t move.”
She propped herself on her elbows to watch her naked man get up and slip on his trousers. He disappeared from her sight when he went to the attendant’s door, but she heard him speaking in low tones.
He came back to the bed and handed Isabella her tunic. “Peder and the other boys will be bringing the bathtub.”
She drew the shift over her head and remained in the bed while a handful of boys paraded in and out, dumping steaming buckets of water into the tub they brought.
“Is Peder our attendant now?” she asked when they’d all left.
“If he pleases you.”
“You please me, but it’s no longer your duty to serve me.”
He held out a hand. “I must disagree, princess.”
He helped her out of bed and grasped the hem of the tunic, pulling it off over her head. He led her to the tub and held her hand to steady her while she stepped in. She gasped at the heat but lowered herself slowly. It felt perfect on the parts that had recently been used.
“It will be my duty to serve you forever.”
She opened one eye when he moved behind her, but closed it back when he ran his hands down her hair. She felt water sluice over the back of her head, followed by him washing it. She hummed at how utterly perfect she felt. He kissed her temple and rinsed her hair, and she picked up the soap he’d left on the stool near the tub. She washed herself quickly, standing and accepting the drying cloth he held out for her. He settled in the tub while she dug out a simple day gown.
If married life was always to be this way, Isabella was far more blessed than she’d ever imagined.
When they were both dressed, Edward allowed Peder into the room with instructions on removing the bath and changing the bed linens. Isabella blushed scarlet at the thought of how they must look.
They arrived in the dining hall to find most had finished eating. She hadn't expected everyone to wait for them on a morning such as this, but she would have enjoyed seeing the faces of her family. She and Edward found Katrina and Garrett on the far side of the room.
“Brother,” Garrett said, standing to hug Edward.
“I’m happy for you.” Edward released Garrett and smiled at Katrina. “Sister.”
Katrina stood and circled the end of the table to hug Isabella and Edward. “I am so pleased with the bravery you both showed,” she said to the men. “I’d almost lost hope that anything would occur so I could ask Garrett to be my mate.”
“I agree,” Isabella responded, and she and Katrina sat down.
“Garrett.” Edward drew his brother to the side while the women spoke. “The tips you gave me for last night were quite perfect.”
Garrett grinned. “Aye, I would have to say so.”
“It is fortunate you overheard Eleazar and James speaking of it.”
They hugged again and joined their wives at the table. More food was brought, and they launched into a discussion on the lack of action the warriors had seen on their journey a few nights before.
“If you didn’t encounter The Forsaken on the other side of Winter Forest, why was your face covered in dirt and blood the night you returned?” Edward asked Isabella.
“I took a tree branch to the face when Storm-Heart’s horse spooked.” Katrina nodded with a wry smile. “We had to face the Wandering Nightmares and attempt to pass them time after time. The Purifier’s spells protected us, but Skull-Strike tried to incapacitate the creatures. It was futile; they’re mist-like without a corporeal body to injure or kill.”
“What do they do?” Garrett asked.
“They rob a person of all their senses.”
“Oh gods.”
Katrina nodded. “I would wager The Forsaken and the traitors hoped we would perish during our passage.”
“That’s entirely possible,” Isabella agreed.
“What will become of them?” Edward wanted to know.
Isabella shook her head. “To prove her loyalty, Didyme will have to execute Marcus. Alec and Chelsea will be taken care of by Esme.”
Edward took Isabella’s hand. “And if Didyme cannot behead her own mate?”
“Then she dies beside him.”
“That’s hideous.”
Katrina scowled at Garrett. “If she knew, she’s as guilty as he. If she’s innocent, she should loathe his actions of treachery.” She turned back to Isabella. “So we lose a sentinel, a mercenary, and two ensigns?”
“Edward killed Dead-Fist, leaving Death-Flayer and Rock-Bane. And, Chelsea, of course.” Isabella shrugged. “I think we can defeat The Forsaken, regardless. Their numbers are few.”
“Eleven, correct?”
“And we have nineteen warriors total, minus the three we’ve lost but counting Bone-Crusher and . . . what title did you give Garrett?”
“Doom-Hallow.”
Isabella nodded in acknowledgement. “However, only six sentinels remain to guard the keep.”
“Rumor has it The Forsaken have seven; the wives of a few of their warriors.”
“Perhaps we can train village women to defend the keep,” Isabella suggested. “We have lacked numbers in that regard for a time.”
“Being included in a conversation about the defense of the sword is overwhelming,” Garrett said.
“You will grow accustomed.”
They looked up as Rosalie came into the room and headed in their direction.
“Good morning, sister,” Isabella said.
Rosalie nodded at her with a glint in her eyes. “Did you sleep well?”
She blushed. “Oh, aye.”
Rosalie smirked. “Did you ride Edward like the stallion he is?”
Isabella’s jaw dropped and she was up in a flash, wrapping her arm around her sister’s throat. “I’ve had it with you!”
They tussled for several moments, neither woman having the upper hand. Rosalie escaped from Isabella’s hold, only to be caught by the hair. Just as Isabella was about to throw a punch, Edward grabbed her from behind and dragged her away.
He spoke in soothing tones. “There’s no need to fight, wife.”
“She deserves it!”
“It was meant in jest!”
Both were panting, red faced, and ready to go again.
“The answer, Rosalie, is that she did, indeed. However, perhaps you should save that type of jest for your own spouse.”
Roslie glared at them all before stalking off.
“Edward.”
He turned Isabella in his arms. “Aye, love?”
“Thank you for reminding me that I shouldn’t fight with my sister.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Of course.”
“But”—she placed her palm on his chest and pushed—“if you ever interrupt me during a fight again, I’ll drop you on your ass faster than you can blink.”
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