I kissed her. “The memories of the pain fade when I’m with ye, love,” I murmured against her skin. “’Twas worth whatever hardship I needed to endure to have ye here in my arms.”
Sighing, Lillian pressed herself forward. “I love you, Kragorn.”
“Good.”
Another kiss.
“Because I love ye, Mate.”
EPILOGUE
Five yearslater
Lillian
I was exhausted,but my heart was full of joy—a frequent state of being these days—as I closed the door to the main room of the cottage, where our sons were settling into sleep, and backed into the little additional bedroom we’d built along the back wall.
“Did they obey your commands?” Kragon’s arms snaked around my middle and his lips brushed my temple. “I cannae imagine how they have any energy left.”
Chuckling, I tipped my head to one side so he could kiss the delightful spot beneath my ear.
“IwishI could command them to sleep. ‘Twould be far easier handling the twins, at least. Your sons are hellions.”
“Mysons?” His indignant tone matched the way he turned me in his arms so he could glare down at me. “As if they didnae get any of that sass from their mother?”
I giggled at his incredulous expression and poked him in the side until he loosened his hold.
“Dagnor got into Nan’s sweetened elderberry syrup today—you know, the one she drizzled over the snowballs yesterday for the bairns?” I slipped out of his arms and reached up to untie my braids. “And he shared it with all the lads. We had to take them to the hot springs to clean up.”
“Sounds exhausting,” he rumbled, stepping up behind me to help, so I could focus on my bodice ties. “After yer family leaves tomorrow, I’ll take ye to the hot springs to relax a bit.”
Knowing well and good what kind ofrelaxingKragorn had in mind, I sighed happily.
“Aye, I’d like that.”
This midwinter marked the fifth year since I’d crossed into the orcs’ world, and the fourth year of our new family tradition. Each Hogmanay, we met with my sisters at either Bladesedge or Bloodfire, and the celebrations nearly rivaled the Midwinter’s Feast. My clan had come to enjoy the years Sorcha, Roxanna, and their Mates joined us here as a chance to host powerful allies. This year, even the Stormseeker and his new Mate attended!
But mostly, ‘twas a chance for the bairns to play with cousins and friends. Our eldest, Dagnor, was likely conceived our first night together. The twins came a yearand a half later, and the three of them were a force to be reckoned with. Kragorn still wanted a daughter, and I’ll admit that after cuddling with Effie’s youngest on this visit, I would like that too.
My friends and family here at Bloodfire Village always enjoyed the festivities as well. My sisters had become friends with Isadora, Verna, Maya and Avaleen, and we all cherished the time we got to spend together…even if ‘twas a little chaotic with all the kitlings.
Maya and Vartok had recently welcomed a strapping lad—their first—and Vartok was still proudly marching about, displaying his son as if wee Gartaak was the first baby to have ever been born. Maya’s sister Avaleen had twin lads who were a little younger than ours, and of course Ella ruled over all the younger bairns. Isadora and Verna each had two sons, and the lads were close enough to be considered cousins. From the way Isadora was glowing lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was expecting again.
Aye, we always had a wonderful time together, and my heart was full of so much love.
Here in Bloodfire Village, I’d found a place to belong with close friends…and I’d been lucky enough to maintain a closeness with my sisters and cousin. Father had not returned to the orcs’ world, but Sorcha occasionally visited him, so we passed news back and forth through her.
And soon my clan would begin preparations for the planting season and the new year.
I sighed again and leaned into my Mate’s arms as he lifted my gown over my head. His lips dropped to my shoulder and I hummed happily.
Even five years—and three children—later, Kragorn’s touch fired my blood.
“The hot springs sound nice,” I murmured, turning in his hold to reach for his belt. “But surely there’s something I could do here and now to relax?”
His chest rumbled as his hands skimmed my skin, and I worked to release his kilt.
“Aye, my wee human? Ye want to put me to work pleasing ye already?”
