Emerald Prince (60 page)

Authors: Brit Darby

Although O’Conner recovered from his second wife’s attempt to poison him, it was never to his old form and fitness. He bore the markings of a life of war, his dark hair fully gray, his face aged from a hardscrabble life. His wish to make amends with Liam softened his heart, and he opened it to Liam and Alianor. He seemed content knowing his reign and all he had achieved would fall to capable hands.

A month after she left for Normandy, word came to Wolf Haven via Queen Isabella’s Irish confessor she had safely delivered a little princess, Joan. And Edie, who had asked and was granted Alianor’s leave to join Isabella’s retinue, was in charge of the Queen’s wardrobe, and a royal seamstress besides.

Goliath stirred on Alianor’s arm, his head cocked to the side as he studied her. “Sorry, old friend, I did not mean to ignore you. My mind wanders with memories.”

He chirped at the sound of her voice and blinked his large, golden eyes as she stroked his head affectionately. There was a cry in the sky and they both looked up. High above them St. Brigid’s bird sailed, the golden falcon swooping down in a flurry of speed, as if showing off.

Goliath puffed his feathers in response and his gaze followed her every move. Alianor smiled at his interest. “It’s the falcon who lives in this great stone tower, Goliath. Her name is Brigid, after the saint. She is beautiful, yes?”

As if he understood her words he let out a screech, as if telling the female bird he admired her fine form. Walter’s words drifted across Alianor’s mind and she recalled the last bittersweet moments before his death. She could almost hear him calling her
sweet sparrow
, and the ache of her loss returned as if it were but yesterday.

Alianor closed her eyes and saw his dear face, lined with age, but full of kindness and affection.
You deserve love
he had said, so simply and matter-of-fact in his desire to see her happy.

I want you to know love, my dear. You deserve nothing less
.

Again, the falcon’s cry sounded and tears filled her eyes. Slowly, she undid Goliath’s jesses and bewit, and pulled them off, the bell tinkling as she tossed it all aside. “I hear Brigid has never taken a mate, Goliath. So go, and make her your own.”

Goliath took flight, calling to the female who still circled above. “Be happy,” Alianor choked out, the tears flowing down her cheeks. As Walter had given his blessing to her to find love, so she gave Goliath her own. The two great birds darted and spun across the sky, coming together to brush wingtips and grasp talons, parting again in a whirl of golden light.

“
Sailchuach liath
,” Liam said softly as he came up behind her. “’Twas a beautiful thing to do. How I love you for it.”

Alianor turned and smiled at her husband through her tears. The sight of him still stirred her to warmth as it had from the first time she laid eyes on him. Biorra trailed behind him and Turrean loped at his side. She cast an adoring gaze over them all. But it was the spitting image of Liam he carried in his arms who brought the biggest smile to her lips. She reached out for their son, Faolán, named in honor of her brother, whose memory was forever in her heart.

Faolán’s cry of joy echoed those of the two birds above and he waved a chubby hand about in glee. The toddler’s cheek dimpled. Liam laughed and the dimple in his own cheek appeared. Alianor reached up and touched it lovingly. Never again would she have to still the urge to do so, for Liam was hers forever.

“Do you think Goliath and Brigid will be as happy as we are?” she said.

Liam’s emerald gaze locked with hers. “Aye. ’Twas a selfless thing to set Goliath free, for I know how much you love him.” He kissed her forehead.

“Someone once blessed me with the same kindness, so how could I not pass it on?”

“Well,” Liam’s eyes twinkled, “if you wish to play matchmaker, milady, mayhap you should find Turrean a mate as well. We must not ignore our beautiful lady hound here.”

Alianor laughed, and Faolán squealed in delight as well. Turrean moved closer, sat back on her haunches and barked in reply. Alianor spied the dog’s softly-rounded belly.

“Oh, I think she may have a secret love already, Liam.” She looked at Turrean and saw a sparkle in the depths of her golden-brown eyes. “But, it seems, our Turrean is not revealing her secrets. And I, for one, shall not tell them either.”

Turrean responded with another bark of approval.

“So it seems,” Liam said, “we each have found our heart’s desire. Have we not?”

As Niall and Ione strolled up hand-in-hand to join them, Alianor nodded and smiled. “Aye, we have indeed.”

THE END

About Brit Darby

Brit Darby is the historical romance writing team of two authors, Patricia McAllister and Fela Dawson Scott. Unique storylines combined with historical drama and sensuous romance are the hallmarks of this writing duo.

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