Page 100 of Taming the Eagle

“Really?” Kahina grew wide-eyed at this news. “Who is she?”

“How did he meet her?” Fenella added, also curious to hear more.

Justin’s gaze twinkled at their nosiness. “I don’t know … but he’s done well for himself. He apprenticed to a carpenter after leaving us, and now runs his own business.”

Fenella’s smile widened at this news; she was relieved to know Aedan was well. They’d all wondered what had happened to him over the past few years. After he’d been given his freedom, the Brigante had decided to leave Vindolanda. His decision hadn’t surprised Fenella. She’d thought he might return to his people though, but it appeared he had not.

The pounding of hoofbeats made her look up then. Marcus had seen his wife and daughter, and ridden up to join them. Drawing up his horse, he swung down from the saddle and went to Kahina.

Fenella watched the family, noting how Marcus’s eyes shone when he gazed down at the face of his newborn daughter, and the tender way he stroked Kahina’s cheek before he scooped Ines into his arms.

“Have you been behaving yourself, Leo?” The rumble of her husband’s voice drew Fenella’s attention back to her own family.

Justin had dismounted and lowered himself down to his son’s level.

Leo clutched at him. “Yes, pater … I’m always good!”

Justin glanced up and caught Fenella’s eye. “Is that so?”

“He can be willful,” she admitted with another smile, “although, that’s not surprising … with the two of us as his parents.”

Justin laughed. Reaching out, he ruffled his son’s dark hair. Even at the age of three, it was clear Leo had inherited his father’s looks and his golden eyes.

Fenella watched her husband and son, her chest constricting with love for them both. After losing two babes during her marriage to Toutorix, she’d worried she’d never be able to carry one the full nine moons. When her womb had quickened with Leo, she’d feared another disappointment, but the pregnancy had been healthy. She hoped to bear Justin another child, but that hadn’t yet come to pass. Perhaps it never would. But it mattered not. The three of them were a family.

Justin and Leo were all she needed.

Scooping his son up, Justin rose to his feet.

Fenella went to him, nestling against his chest as he slung an arm around her shoulders. She then raised her face to him. “Welcome home, anima mea,” she murmured.

Aye, he was her soul, and she had no doubt she was his—for he told her so regularly.

Their gazes met once more, and then Justin lowered his head and kissed her. And, as it always did when they embraced, the rest of the world receded.

Fenella swayed into the kiss, breathing in the scent of his skin.

When they eventually broke apart, Justin’s sensual mouth curved. “So you did miss me, wife?”

Fenella smiled up at her husband. Gods, he was breathlessly arrogant. But there was so much more to Justinian Aquila: he was honorable, strong, and big-hearted.

And in a world of selfish, cruel men, he’d proved that good ones did exist.

Reaching up, Fenella stroked his cheek, rough with stubble. “Ialwaysmiss you when you’re gone,” she whispered.