Page 134 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Gordon smiled. “Apparently, I do many things now.”

She laughed and placed her hand in his.

Gordon drew her gently into his arms, one hand settling at her waist while the other held hers. The musicians changed the tune, and the people around them shifted aside to make room.

He moved carefully, and Ailis followed. For several steps, everything went perfectly.

Then Gordon missed a step.

Ailis stared at him; he looked down at his feet, then back at her.

She burst into laughter. “I thought ye said ye could dance.”

“I said, apparently, I do many things. I daenae claim I do them well.”

Her laughter grew brighter. Gordon found himself laughing too.

The sound felt strange coming from him yet not unpleasant.

Ailis’ eyes shone as she looked up at him. “Ye are happy.”

He stopped for half a heartbeat. The music continued around them. People moved and laughed, the lanterns flickered overhead, but Gordon heard only her.

“Aye,” he said. There was no hesitation this time. “I am.”

Her expression softened. “Truly?”

He brushed his thumb over her knuckles. “Truly.”

He had never thought happiness would feel like this.

It was not some great triumph in battle or wealth or power. It was the feeling of her hand in his and her laughter against his chest. It was the knowledge that when he woke tomorrow, she would still be there. She would still be his wife.

She will still be me heart and me home.

Her head rested against his chest again, and he finally understood that this was not the end of their story. It was the beginning.

And for the first time in his life, Gordon was not afraid of what came next.

He was looking forward to it.

EPILOGUE

Later that night, when the last of the music had faded and the castle had finally begun to settle, Gordon led Ailis through the quiet corridors toward their chambers.

The silence felt almost strange after the celebration’s warmth and noise. A few lanterns still burned along the walls, their light trembling across the stone, while somewhere below, the faint murmur of servants clearing away the remains of the feast reached them.

Ailis walked beside him, her fingers resting lightly in his.

Neither of them seemed particularly interested in speaking. There were other matters on his mind. He had spent weeks longing for her, and now that she was his, every part of him burned from the feverish heat of his desires.

When they entered the chamber, he let her walk to their bedding then he closed the door and turned to look at her.

Ailis turned toward him.

For a moment, neither moved.

Her cheeks were still pink from dancing, and loose strands of hair had escaped the pins that had held them in place throughout the evening. She felt a familiar tightening in her chest as Gordon approached slowly and reached for the clasp of her wedding cloak.