Fire Raven (44 page)

Morgan smoothed the damp hair from Kat’s forehead, as if he read her thoughts. “Merry would want you to concentrate on bringing our child safely into the world,
Faeilean
. She is here with you in spirit, if not in flesh.”

“Aye,” Kat murmured. She felt her first true labor pain. Her eyes went wide. Morgan grabbed her hands and held them in his own. When Winnie appeared and tried to shoo him from the room, he wouldn’t leave.

“Men,” Winnie grumbled but briskly set about her business.

Less than eight hours later, just as dawn peeped above a glittering white Cader Idris on Christmas morn, their first child was born. Morgan stared in awe at the tiny human being Mrs. Carey swaddled and placed in his arms.

“Well, milord?” Winnie asked, beaming as if she had done all the work herself. “What shall we name the wee laddie?”

Morgan was still shaken by the miracle of birth. He could hardly respond for the emotion gripping his heart. He looked at his wife. “The decision is yours,
cariad
.”

Kat smiled tiredly, weary from her travail. “Owen, if it pleases you. Morgan and Rhys must serve as middle names, of course, and Tanner and O’Neill, to honor my parents.”

“God’s nightshirt!” Morgan glanced down at his son. “He’s surely too wee a mite to bear so many grand names.” He paused a moment to reflect. “Aye, I favor Owen Trelane well enough. ’Twill suffice for now.”

“Be thankful ’twas not twins after all, milord,” Kat mischievously said. “I chose Madoc for the second born. Mayhap next time?”

Morgan groaned in protest, as he settled the babe in Kat’s arms. Their son yawned and snuggled into his mother’s warmth, a tiny cheek pressed against her breast. The proud father realized something else. Morgan’s gaze had scoured the newest Trelane for sign of anything unusual from the moment Owen was born. He found nothing. Nothing at all.

“He’s perfect,” Morgan whispered, blinking back sudden moisture from his eyes.

“Of course,” Kat said, sounding sleepy and somewhat indignant.

Gazing upon his beloved wife and son, Morgan smiled.

###

Author’s Note

Dear Readers,

Once again, the myth and magic of the British Isles has captured my heart and kindled my imagination. I hope you were enchanted, too. Kat and Morgan’s story is the second book in my Raven series. It follows
Sea Raven,
the tale of Kat and Merry’s parents, Slade and Bryony.

Never fear, I didn’t abandon sweet Merry Tanner to such a dismal fate. In her story,
Snow Raven
, I invite you to travel with me deep into the wilds of Scotland. Anger and honor rule the mighty Wolf of Badanloch. When love in the form of a certain feisty redhead threatens to disarm a passionate Highland warrior, you’ll have a front-row seat for all the fireworks.

I also write under the name Brit Darby with author Fela Dawson Scott. If you love Celtic characters and settings, you’ll be enchanted by
Emerald Prince
, a medieval set in the day of the dastardly King John.
With Dragons She Walks
is a historical romantic fantasy peppered with Picts and Vikings aplenty. Please join me for blog and book updates at
www.britdarby.com

Best regards,

Patricia McAllister

p.s. I love hearing from readers. If you want advance notice of future releases, please drop me an email at
[email protected]
and ask to be added to my notification list. Rest assured your contact info stays private.

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