The Barbarian's Stolen Bride (Northmen Barbarians 1)

He brought the furs over us and settled next to me, pulling me close to his body and holding me tight.

It wasn’t long before I felt myself start to drift to sleep, this content, safe feeling consuming me. But before I let the darkness claim me and my body fully rested against Fen’s big, hard one, I heard his softly spoken words against my hair.

“As long as there is air in my lungs, blood in my veins, and strength in my bones, I’ll always put you above anyone and everything else.”

Epilogue One

Prima

The following season

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d left the kingdom and walked the meadows and the thick forest that surrounded Kaldir.

No, I remembered. It was before my father died. So long ago. So many seasons having gone by.

I reached out as I walked through the tall summer grass, my fingers brushing along the blades. The wind picked up, and my hair blew over my shoulder, lifting slightly off my back and tangling.

The creek ran parallel to me and made the most beautiful sound, the water trickling over the rocks, the tiny splashes no doubt able to touch my feet if I moved any closer.

Twigs snapped behind me, and I stopped, turning around and staring at who accompanied me. Instantly a smile formed along my lips as I looked at Fen.

My big, strong barbarian, who looked at me with this gentleness in his eyes, this softening on his face. I was the only one he gave that expression to, and I fell in love with him more each and every day because of it.

I held a few flowers in my hand that I had picked just moments before, beautiful yellow reinrose that reminded me of the sunrise in Kaldir.

I made my way over to him, and he enveloped me in his big, strong arms instantly, my head resting on his chest, my ear right over where his heart was. The steady, even beating of it lulled me, calmed me.

I felt the baby kick and laughed softly, pulling back and smiling up at my husband. He placed his hand on my stomach, gently rubbing the roundness, and I moved his hand over to where I felt the baby move just seconds before.

We stood there for a moment, our breathing easy, the sounds of the creek trickling and the water moving over the rocks breaking up the silence. And then our little one kicked again, right where my husband’s big, strong hand was placed.

He chuckled deeply in that sexy voice of his, the kind that let me feel the rumble all through my body. His expression softened even more.

“I’m so lucky,” he whispered.

It was amazing how much things changed in just a season’s time, how I’d gone from a lonely village girl to the queen of Kaldir. I was learning each and every day my duties and responsibilities, but it was easier than I’d thought. And that was because all I needed was compassion and understanding to know what everyone in my kingdom needed. Because I’d lived through it.

And I was proud to say that Kaldir was prospering better than ever.

“My heart,” he said and cupped either side of my face, leaning down and kissing me softly. “You are my everything.”

He rested his forehead against mine, and I felt all my love for him rise up, consuming me, suffocating me. But it was a good kind, the kind that took your sanity and let you know how special your life was.

And as I was wrapped in Fen’s arms once more, with the sun shining on us, the wind blowing in my hair, and the fact that I had everything I would ever need with this man, I knew things would be okay. I may have been a stolen bride, but in the end, I found my happily ever after.

Epilogue Two

Prima

Several months later

Our son was only a couple hours old, and I was already so in love with him that I couldn't even imagine my life before him.

“He’s beautiful, Fen,” I murmured and ran a finger down the bridge of our baby’s little nose.

“Like you,” he said, and I smiled up at him.

I was sore, unbelievably tired, but I’d never been happier. Food was spread out on the table in our bedchamber, a fresh fire had been started, and I’d cleaned up as much as possible. Now we were just resting in bed, me and my two boys.

Life was incredible, and I hadn’t thought I could be any happier. How wrong I’d been.

“Baby Bjorn,” I whispered, and he started fussing, which had both Fen and me laughing softly.

“Maybe he’s not a fan of the name.” The little cry that came through was loud and strong. “He’s got the lungs of a warrior.”

Fen leaned down and kissed him on the top of the head, and my heart melted at the sight of my big, strong protector of a husband showing so much love to our tiny newborn.