Page 50 of Torin and His Oath (Torin and the Princess #2)

LEXI

A fter we made love again, I lay with my head on his chest, listening to his breaths, the steady thrum of his heartbeat against my cheek.

Dude nudged the door, trilling his head off, and entered the room. A moment later he jumped up on the bed, walked right up onto Torin, and began kneading on his chest beside my face.

Torin laughed and stroked Dude’s fur. “And what hae ye been up tae, cat?”

Dude meowed.

Torin nodded. “Aye, I agree. The bed is verra fine.”

Dude went to the bottom of the bed, near our feet, turned in a circle, and settled down to sleep.

My gaze went to my window and Torin followed my eyes.

I said, “I never close those curtains, I love seeing the sky at night.”

“Aye, tis comforting. It looks much like the night sky above Scotland, above Glume... above my home.”

“This is your home too. This is Laurel Ridge, built by my ancestors, or so I thought, my adopted ancestors — looking out this window was how I saw your storm the first time.”

“I am glad I crashed here.”

“Me too.”

He kissed the top of my hair.

It was the wee hours of the morning, outside was hushed and still. A scatter of stars shimmered above the black ring of trees.

Torin said, “Tis a good sign, there arna clouds — we will hae a good day on the morrow.”

I smiled softly. “I like it when you say we. We’re really married?”

“Aye, we are really married, Alexandria.”

“We’ve been up all night, this is a new day, our first full day as a married couple. But I don’t want to think about all of that, I’m enjoying just being in bed with you.”

“Aye. Tis a comfortable marital bed in a fine castle.”

His hand found mine under the blanket, and our fingers laced together. He drew my hand up and kissed the knuckles. I love ye, mo leannan.”

“I love you too, Torin.”

He said, “If ye wake and I am not here, daena be afraid, I hae gone out tae see tae yer guard.”

“I won’t be. Thank you.” I kissed his chest, his breathing slowed, and slowly we fell asleep.

The end.