Alaunus thrust into her one last time, his golden and green gaze so bright it nearly glowed. “You are mine. Forever,” he said. The words were a vow, as though his will alone would keep them bound for eternity.
“As you are mine,” Aveta replied, breathless from the climax that still rocked her body.
They lay together, their bodies quivering in tandem as they recovered from the wild abandon that had gripped them. Aveta nuzzled Alaunus’ heaving chest, trailing kisses across his collarbone to his throat.
Alaunus rolled over, bringing her body with him so that she sprawled over his chest, but he did not release her. He cuddled her closer, stroking her hair gently.
“Why did you not tell me you are with child?” he asked softly.
Aveta lifted her head from where her cheek rested over his heart. “How did you know?”
His hand pressed low on her abdomen, where their babe rested in her womb. “I felt her.”
Aveta studied him closely, noting that his hazel eyes were no longer bright and shining as they had been moments before. “You felt her?” she asked. “You know it is a girl child?”
His gaze lengthened, as though he were looking into a far off place. Or deep within himself. “I do not know how, but, yes, I felt her.”
“You have been touched by the gods,” she explained, lifting a hand to his cheek. “Just as I have.”
He focused on her visage once again. “The gods?” he scoffed. “Perhaps if they were real.”
She shook her head vehemently. “Do not speak so. You have been given a gift. We both have. And we will share that gift with our child.”
“Youare my gift,” he replied, cupping her cheek as she was holding his. “If the gods have created you, then I shall gladly believe they exist.”
She smiled down at him, pleased that he would not deny the god and goddess. Incurring their displeasure would be a grave mistake.
“We shall marry as soon as we are able,” he stated. “Within the next two days.”
The smile faded from Aveta’s face. “What?”
“You are with child. My child. We will marry so that you and the babe will have the protection of my name and my house.”
A chill stole over Aveta’s skin, another premonition of terrible things to come. She felt the same whisper of peril when talking to Rhiannon earlier. “What of your betrothed?” she asked, her voice barely audible.
“Betrothed?”
“I saw Rhiannon in the village this afternoon when I left the house of Drust and Branwen. She explained that your father and hers had come to an agreement for your marriage.”
“My father, and hers, will have to deal with their disappointment. Despite my repeated refusals to entertain a marriage with Rhiannon, he has taken it upon himself to arrange it anyway. He will have to undo those arrangements.” A small grin tugged at one corner of Alaunus’ lips. “Though the promise of a granddaughter will likely sweeten the sting.”
Aveta sat up in the center of her meager bed. “And what of Rhiannon’s pain? When we spoke this afternoon, she seemed quite eager to become your wife.”
Alaunus rose up on his elbows, his expression shocked. “You would prefer I abandon you for a marriage to her?” he asked baldly.
Aveta shook her head, her long golden hair drifting around her torso like a gilded cloak. “No, but it would be difficult for everyone if you announce your intention to marry me before you have had a chance to speak to your father and hers.”
“What are you saying?” he queried, his eyes narrowing.
“All I ask is that you speak with your father, and Rhiannon’s, tomorrow. We can announce our betrothal at a later time.”
“No,” Alaunus stated harshly. “I will not allow my father’s stubbornness and your hesitancy to delay this marriage, Aveta. You are with child, living miles from the village. You need my protection.”
His words pricked her pride. “Need your protection?” she asked. “I have lived here,alone, for years without the benefit of your protection, Fin.” He jerked at her use of his pet name. “I doubt a week or two will change my ability to care for myself.”
Alaunus straightened, grasping her arms tightly. “Do not scorn me, Aveta. Do you doubt that my father will decree you marry me once I tell him you carry my babe?”
Anger and fear fueled her rebellious words. “Oh, yes, I doubt that. What I do not doubt is that Caderyn will arrive on my doorstep with a tincture to rid me of the child, at your father’s behest. If I do not take it willingly, there will likely be men to help him force it down my throat!”
