A Gathering of Knights (The Northern Knights) (3 page)

‘Nay.’

Another jab to his ribs and Darc slid his hand between them as her knee came up. He cupped her kneecap and gently brought her leg up over his thigh. She blew out a hot breath and he felt her body jerk against his. A mistake.

He shouldn’t have tried to help. He’d made things worse. He was ready to burst as he throbbed and pulsed in his need for her. He eased her center away from him a little. This time her grunt was louder. He opened his mouth to ask if mayhap her gown was bothering her when she spoke first.

‘His bride is a sweet woman.’ Caroline said and Darc sighed with relief to hear some of the tension gone from her tone. He prayed she did not move again.

‘Aye, she is.’ He said and released the tight breath he’d been holding.

She snuggled closer and placed her hand on his stomach right above his navel. Darc closed his eyes and rested his chin on the top of her head as he sucked in a breath. ‘Are you well?’

A grunt and a bump of her warm thigh against his and his erection jumped. One word came from below his chin, muffled.  ‘Aye.’

After a moment of listening to her steady breaths, Darc called her name. No response. He cradled her closer and hoped Audri slept long so his wife could sleep.

Something woke Caroline and she moved to sit up but her arm was trapped under her husband’s thick one. She watched him sleep, listening to his and their daughter’s soft snores. Audri rivaled her father’s light ones. Caroline could not help but smile as she slid her arm free and left the bed to peek down into the crib close to their bed. She gently caressed the soft black downy curls on their daughter’s head. Audri moved and smacked her lips.

Back in bed Caroline laid her hand over Darc’s bare chest, her fingers curling in the sparse hairs covering it. He moved and she let out a whoosh of air when his arm drew her tightly against his side once again. She covered his hand with her own where it lay at her waist and closed her eyes.

Earlier, she’d been barely able to keep her eyes open, let alone move. And had been annoyed that he’d failed to attempt to caress her outside of hugging her to his side. She had felt his swollen manhood nudge her thigh, yet he’d done nothing but sigh as if he was bothered by it. She was more angry with herself than she was at him. If she’d let on how exhausted she was, he would have exploded, no doubt shouted loud enough to wake Audri. So she had bit her tongue with the hopes he would initiate the love making she so desired. But he hadn’t.

She would tell him about the midwife’s words on the morrow. She would have more energy then, she was sure of it. Caroline smiled and slipped back into a deep sleep.

Desire smelled good on him.

Alexa paused long enough to inhale Rourke’s masculine scent and took comfort in his strong embrace for a beat before she reluctantly shoved out of his arms, ignoring his exaggerated grunt of disappointment. She said sternly, ‘Our rutting must wait till after the feast. You promised, Rourke.’

‘I promised no such thing, wife,’ Rourke snorted and made to grab at her again. Alexa squealed and slipped under his heavily muscled bicep and sat down at the oak vanity across the ample spaced tower room they’d been given. Taking up the strip of leather next to her on the table top, Rourke gave in and planted a light kiss against her brow as he asked, ‘Will you be so kind to do this then?’

Alexa stood and tied his leonine mane securely with the strip. She let her fingers linger on the sides of his thick neck. A mistake for he turned and wrapped his arms around her once more.

‘Husband.’ She said as his lips trailed hot kisses down her neck. His moan came muffled against her heated skin. Alexa turned in his arms and rested her head back against his broad chest with a heavy sigh. ‘You must finish dressing lest you find the groom has vanished.’

That got his attention. He stiffened and released her, stepping back and made a quick grab for his lightly colored tunic spread out on the bed with a grunt. Alexa helped him, continuing. ‘Besides, Lisbeth will be awake soon and Margaret is just one door over.’

They had brought along their own little crib for their daughter. Margaret had travelled with them to keep an eye on Lisbeth while they attended the festivities for the coming days and Goran’s wedding.

Satisfied with how he looked, Rourke spread his arms for a final look of appreciation from his wife. She smoothed her hands down over his broad shoulders.

 ‘The things you do for Goran.’

‘Aye and he appreciates all of it even if his curses from last night said different.’

Alexa laughed with him.

‘See you in a bit, hellion.’

‘Aye’ Alexa pressed her lips to his and smacked him on his tight backside when he turned to exit the chamber.

Rourke stood beside his man and longtime friend to give support and to make sure his second did not tuck tail and beg off for another delay. Never had Rourke seen his man sweat so much. He could not help but chortle himself when he saw Aric and Darc doing such an awful job of containing their infectious grins.

For all his know-it-all on the wooing of women and grief he’d given them, it was now Goran’s turn to turn green. His steadfast vow to never marry had been broken down over the past year by a spirited young woman.

Goran, red-faced and eyes wide, looked ready to bolt for the nearest exit, but then in the next he looked thunder struck. Rourke followed the others and turned to see the cause. His bride, their wives had turned the maiden into a stunning princess.

Goran was dressed in his finest tunic and hose and looked striking with his dark hair swept back from his broad forehead. Despite the heavy perspiration on his brow, Caroline could clearly see the glowing love he held for Lady Emily in his face.

Lady Danielle commented in a hushed voice next to her. ‘He looks ready to faint.’

On her other side, Alexa responded. ‘He will survive. He looks better now than he did days ago. ’Tis a wonder we did not have to bind him to the horse for he looked for every trick, every opening he could to gallop off on our way here. Naught did much to calm him save for the sound of Emily’s sweet voice, even if he did not realize it.’

The rain Caroline had worried about came after the beautiful ceremony, but it did not dampen the spirits and gaiety indoors. The feast was splendid. Entertainment, dancing, singing and more for the newly wedded couple warmed the gatherers more than the heat from the fires blazing in the hearths. And Goran could not tear himself from his bride’s side for too long.

Later, all Caroline’s planning fell apart when she sat on the edge of the bed. Bone-weary she thought to close her eyes a moment before Darc came to their chamber. She had lingered as long as the other wives till the bride and groom had bid good eventide to all.

She had taken the cue to rush up to their chamber and immerse herself in the nice tepid bath Laur had ordered for her. Quickly she’d scrubbed her flesh till it glowed and rushed through the bathing and appreciated Laur’s assistance. After Caroline had finished Audri’s feeding, she had hoped to surprise Darc in bed. Just a moment, a few quick seconds to rest her eyes and she’d be refreshed. Just a few moments.

Darc enjoyed the evening and the company of his friends immensely but his eyes had followed his wife’s tired form all night. When she’d risen and left the room after Goran and Emily, he excused himself from the others as quickly as he could.

He was worried. She’d refused his assistance over the weeks following their daughter’s birth and he had watched in frustration her brave front cracking under her weariness. God’s Thunder! He would put an end to this madness tonight. She was a strong woman, had been through a lot and could withstand much but he needed her to rest. Darc bade all a good eve. He would see them at dawn for the morning hunt.

Darc pulled the blanket up over his naked wife’s form. She’d not stayed awake long enough to remove the towel. He cradled her naked body and his heart swelled with concern. What her eyes had promised all week could wait. .

He’d known the exhaustion would catch up to her stubborn hide sooner or later.

Not once did she wake or move as he settled her in his embrace. He kissed the dark circles under each eye. He drew the blanket up but not before taking in the beautiful sight of her perfectly formed body. Her soft belly, the paunch that he loved, red-marked and stretched from childbirth drew a sigh of pride from him. His hands covered her warm belly.  He loved the scars this woman carried. She never looked more beautiful to him.  Her battle wounds showed what she had gone through to bring their child into the world.

Darc kissed her lightly on her lips and smiled when her lips twitched and turned up into a smile. He wondered what she dreamt about. He turned his head to listen to their daughter’s breathing. He had all he desired and when the day came when he was called away again, he was not worried.

He pulled the coverlet up over his wife curves and rested his chin above the top of her head as he whispered hotly in her ear. ‘I love you.’

A mist lingered over the marshes near the river but the sky was a powder blue with not one dark cloud in the distance. The grounds were still wet, but Darc and his friends still had broken their fast with bread, fruits and cheese in the woods. The hunt had been successful and Rourke gutted the kill into several chunks, giving the servants standing by to carry back the choicest meats back to the castle. Another day of open roasting pits, games and more to celebrate the bride and groom.

Darc talked with his friends as their horses walked back toward the castle. He would miss them all when their visit ended. The camaraderie among them he enjoyed and knew they would continue to do so until they were old and barely able to lift their swords.

When he had left for the hunt before dawn broke through, sweet Audri had been sleeping as soundly as his wife. Cal and Kelbie had greeted him and wished him a good hunt when he’d came below stairs.

Now, looking toward the great doors he could see the others greeting their waiting wives. An odd sensation filled Darc’s chest when Caroline stepped out.

The well-trained Gray slowed as they drew nearer and came to a stop a few feet from her. Darc reached down, caught her raised arm and pulled her up onto the saddle across his lap. He muffled her breathless yelp of surprise with a passionate kiss.

When he released her, he pressed his lips against the sensitive skin beneath her earlobe. She leaned back, her honey-colored eyes, the dark circles gone were sparkling and wet as she gazed up at him. Her fingertips caressed his short beard before she cupped his cheek.

Caroline’s heart bloomed with added warmth from Darc’s wide smile as he tried to calm his rapid breaths. ‘I will hold you to that later tonight, husband.’ She vowed with a wink.

“Aye. I shall make sure you keep your promise to me, demoiselle. My heart is bursting with the love I feel for you.”

“As is mine for you, Darc. Have I told you of late how much I love to be kissed so breathless.”

“May my kisses always leave you thus.”

“Aye.” Caroline told him with her heart aglow in her eyes and a beaming smile upon her lips as she pulled him down to meet her lips again.

About the Author:

Amber Dane resides in the Northeast with her family and loves to pen historical medieval romance and romantic suspense. Visit her at her website/blog:

http://dain54.wordpress.com/about/

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