Conquering the Dark Axe (36 page)

Her answer to that was to mop them away with a
fistful of his tunic.  When she was done, Rourke gave her a teasing look
of annoyance. “I think you missed a spot.”

They laughed and she hugged him fiercely. “I do so
love you, Rourke. I love you. You have my heart.”

His beautiful face split with that big grin that
made her moist and he said softly, “And you have conquered mine, hellion.”

Before she ducked her head to meet his kiss, Alexa
gazed deeply into those emerald depths that knew her so well and thought how
lucky she was.

The Dark Axe.

The most feared.

Her husband.

Conquered.

EPILOGUE

‘Twas three months later when The Lord of
Westlan  came stomping into the castle covered head to toe in snow,
leaving tracks across the stone floor as he walked towards her where she was
seated in the room off the great hall.  Alexa watched him, her love
shining brightly in her eyes.

The conqueror of her heart and soul. 

He shook the white melting flakes from his long
hair, the lustrous golden leonine mane settled in waves around his thick
shoulders and he met her gaze with his emerald eyes shining back with what was
in hers.  He still took her breath away with that smile.

“Did you miss me, hellion?”

“You have been gone too long, Rourke.” Joyful tears
filled her eyes as she stood with her face upturned for his hot kiss. Although
he knew he’d never get used to her weepiness, he thought he understood it now.
He’d stopped teasing her about them long ago for as of late they came the more
her belly grew fat with their child. He captured her mouth gently.  The
heat ballooned between them within moments.

“I was only gone for three nights, Alexa.” he teased
and gave her an incredulous look but his warm smile heated her
bones.   He knew what she was worried about.  Ever since his
capture, she did not wish him out of her sight for too long and Rourke had found
he enjoyed her over protective nature.  God he loved her to no end! 
Never had he believed he would have been so blessed all those many moons ago
when he’d first crossed her threshold.  They had made it through and their
love the stronger for it.

 “I love you.” He told her, his voice thick and
husky.

He pulled her tight against him and kissed her
again. She sighed against his mouth.  Three days had been too long since
he’d felt her heat gripping him.  His loins twitched and he caressed her
cheek.  “Think you I should fetch my squire or do you wish to help me
remove these wet clothes?”

Alexa grinned, happy his thoughts were on the same
as she, replied breathlessly, “Nay. But run along I have to grab my treat for
the night. A fresh batch of sweet wafers I was saving to share with you in
greeting.” She pulled away from him when he reached to draw her back to his
side. She laughed as he called after her.

“Feisty hellion.”

She called over her shoulder, “And you love this
feisty hellion.”

“Aye that I do. That I do.”

Alexa turned at the door, her tone serious and
impaled him with a meaningful look. And Rourke held his breath.

“As I do you. I love you, Rourke, always.”

His heart burst with the joy as it always did at her
words and he watched her till he could see her no more before he took the wide
stone steps two at a time.  The Norman castle had been built and their
things moved into it a month after it had been completed.

Goran now occupied the manor.  Scouts had
produced no sight or news of Raven. His body had still not yet been
found.  He and Darc Renald had agreed to keep their search open for his
brother. Rourke prayed he’d catch the bastard first, but until that day, he’d
not let his vengeance and hatred ruin or interfere with the life he shared with
Alexa. He’d learned that and stuck to the vow from his time in that dungeon and
the lives lost there. Raven’s time would come. But until then…Life would go on.

Rourke unfastened his chausses and unbuckled his
mail tunic and kicked off his boots in anticipation of his wife’s arrival to
their chamber.

She was swollen with their child and he had to slow
down for fear he’d hurt her in his excitement. He hoped she bore him a son, but
if she did not, he would enjoy making a second child, a third, a fourth…He
would love a daughter no less. Rourke’s heart swelled at the image of a little
girl of their love.

A big smile spread on his face when he heard her
soft voice out in the hall, speaking sweetly to a passing guard no doubt.
Warmth ballooned in his chest. Barnett had been conquered and so had he

He was completely naked by the time the chamber door
opened and closed, drawing his gaze there. 

Alexa’s breath hitched in her throat. After all this
time the man could still cause her to blush. She shook with desire at the sight
of his nakedness and her hand went to her hip. In an admonishing tone, she said
as she neared the other side of the bed where she set the wrap of wafers. 
“I tell you, Rourke. You have no shame.”

He sauntered over to her and started to undress her.
“And why should I have any more than you possess.”

 “Hmm,” Alexa feigned coy a moment. Then her
hands quickly rushed over his as she said almost breathless. “Why indeed? You
move too slowly. Just rip it, Rourke!” she ordered.

Rourke’s deep chuckle tore out of his chest as he tore
her gown from her down the middle. She was on him before he tore the rest from
her shoulders, her round belly pressing against his thickness. He groaned, and
picked her up and lay back with her on the bed.

“No shame whatsoever. Not one single bone in your
wanton body.” He teased and then said no more as she pulled him down so she
could kiss him deeply.

THE
END

COMING SOON
:

The
final Book in the Northern Knights series
> Darc’s
 story: 
A beastly knight is forced to protect a widow and her son.