Page 82 of Viking's Royal Marriage Bargain

‘I did what I could,’ Svanna said modestly. ‘You know how she is.’

‘You are the only one she’ll listen to in these matters.’

Svanna laughed. Maer was giving her far too much credit. ‘Our mother had it all in hand. The women here adore her.’

‘Isn’t it funny how it all turned out? We three all found the loves of our lives, even if it took some of us time to realise it.’ Maer nodded towards where their mother stood with Sigmund receiving congratulations.

‘But all is right with the world now.’ Svanna paused, thinking how they’d received word from Tara before they’d left that somehow Turgeis and his remaining brother had managed to meet with what was being called a fatal accident. Svanna wasn’t tempted to enquire too closely about the details. ‘I was sorry to hear about Tippi. She lived far longer than anyone could have hoped for. Hopefully, one day, I will get Birdie a dog like her. A companion for all the seasons of her life.’

‘Then I hope you will take this little one as a small token of my gratitude.’ Maer signalled to her husband, who was standing chatting to the swineherd. ‘Time, darling.’

‘Time for what?’ Svanna asked.

Maer accepted a large basket from her husband. The basket emitted a few yips and made a scratching sound.

‘I knew when Tippi’s great-granddaughter had a litter of puppies that one of them had to be destined for a special person.’

Svanna gingerly lifted the cover. A little black nose touched her hand. ‘A puppy? She looks like Tippi. Maer, I could not have asked for a kinder present.’

‘A little girl puppy. Hopefully for you and your little girl. I know how much joy and comfort Tippi brought to you.’ Maer smiled. ‘I thought you could use a familiar face as a belated wedding present.’

Svanna took the puppy from the basket. The puppy licked her face. She was instantly transported back to that day when her world had fallen apart and her only comfort was a small dog nuzzling her palm, promising all would be well. Now, another small dog had entered it, asking for no more than a little love and affection.

‘What do you have there, Svanna?’ Rand asked, slipping an arm about her waist while Maer and her husband went off to greet old friends. ‘That puppy seems to be a lively thing.’

Tippi lunged out and licked his fingers.

‘Maer’s private gift to celebrate our marriage. Tippi the Younger.’

‘She is perfect. She will be the right sort of companion for our daughter to go exploring with.’

‘I love how you sayour daughter. Birdie truly has become the daughter of my heart.’

‘You are her Mor Svanna, the lady who saved her and became her real mother, like she wished on the moon for.’

‘Birdie and her notions,’ Svanna said, laughing.

‘And she is very excited. Apparently, the saga of the usurper King of Agthir will be sung tonight and she will get to hear how her mother saved everyone’s life.’

‘You know that story has been altered.’

‘But you saved lives, including mine. Why allow the truth to get in the way of a good story?’

‘Why, indeed?’

Rand gestured towards where Birdie was excitedly speaking with Sigmund. ‘Now shall we go and show her the newest member of our family?’

Tippi the Younger gave another excited yip and Svanna knew she had the family that she’d always longed for.

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