Authors: S. E. Smith
One Year Later
Rune stood in front of the mirror getting ready for the huge Christmas party they were throwing. Their guests would be arriving shortly. So much had changed over the past year. She looked down at the huge diamond ring that glittered on her finger.
Sergei and Dimitri had insisted that they marry immediately. They’d had a small wedding with just close friends before having a larger one for the world. To the world, she was legally married to Sergei but to everyone who knew them, she was married to both men.
Rune’s eyes widened when Dimitri reached into his pocket and pulled out a dark sapphire and diamond necklace that matched the dark blue of her evening gown. With her hair swept up, it left her pale throat bare. She watched as he hooked the clasp.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, fingering the delicate necklace. “You know, I don’t need anything else.”
“We know that you do not want anything else but it gives us pleasure to be able to give you something,” Sergei said as he nodded to Dimitri. “You have given both of us something that we have always wanted but always thought would be nothing more than a wish.”
Rune’s eyes softened as she found herself pinned between the two men. Well, pinned as close as Sergei could get to her with her stomach rounded. She gave him a rueful smile as she laid her hand over it.
“Is he moving again?” Sergei asked in a husky voice.
Rune laughed. “He always moves when you two get close to me. I swear he thinks it is play time,” she chuckled.
A knock on the door drew their attention. Dimitri reached around her and rubbed the small foot that was pressing outward. He chuckled as their son rolled and Rune’s face turned to resignation.
“On the bladder?” He teased as he kissed her neck.
“You laugh now but don’t forget you two promised to get up during the night and bring him to me when he is born,” she said. “Privy!” She muttered before hurrying off to the bathroom.
Sergei opened the door and saw one of the servants standing in the doorway. He spoke quietly before he turned to look as Rune came back into the room straightening her gown. He held out his hand to her as she came forward.
“Are the guests arriving?” She asked as she waddled toward him.
“Yes,” Dimitri held the door open.
They walked down the long corridor to the entry hall. Their guests were just arriving. Sergei and Dimitri stood on each side of Rune as they greeted their guests before she began to droop.
Simone came to her rescue, leading Rune into one of the main ballrooms and insisting that she rest for a bit. Both women had become best friends over the past year. Simone had burst into tears and thrown her arms around Rune the first time she saw her after learning that she was alive.
They sat talking quietly until Rune’s attention was caught by the figure of a slender girl as she glanced around before slipping into one of the side rooms. There was something familiar about her. A moment later, a tall furious male glanced around before his eyes narrowed on the door the girl had disappeared through.
“Who is that?” Rune asked Simone.
“That is Sheik Nasser Al-Rashid,” Simone said. “He doesn’t look very happy.”
“Who is the girl that he is looking for?” Rune asked.
She turned to look back at the door to the small sitting room where the girl had escaped into. There was another door leading out of it. Rune decided if she had someone who looked that angry looking for her she would probably use it the first chance she got.
“I think Petre said her name was Dalla something or other. I can remember her last name. I think it started with a ‘B’,” Simone replied.
Rune’s eyes widened before a slow grin curved her lips. Her eyes glowed with speculation. Dalla was an unusual name and the girl reminded her of her older sister. Her eyes swept through the room stopping on Sergei and Dimitri who were walking toward her. If it was possible for her to return, who was to say it wasn’t possible for her sisters to also return.
“Rune, are you alright?” Dimitri asked as he reached her.
“I’ve never felt better,” she replied as her hand rubbed the swell of her stomach. “I think our family might be growing.”
To be continued:
Challenging
Dalla
Susan Smith has always been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her evenings and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. An affirmed “geek,” she spends her days working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy. Fans can reach her at
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Additional Books:
Abducting Abby
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)
Capturing Cara
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)
Tracking Trisha
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)
Ambushing Ariel
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)
For the Love of Tia
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4.1)
Cornering Carmen
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)
Paul’s Pursuit
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)
Choosing Riley
(Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)
Ha’ven’s Song
(Curizan Warrior: Book 1)
Lily’s Cowboys
(Heaven Sent: Book 1)
Touching Rune
(Heaven Sent: Book 2)
Indiana Wild
(Spirit Pass: Book 1)
River’s Run
(Lords of Kassis: Book 1)
Star’s Storm
(Lords of Kassis: Book 2)
Jo
’s Journey
(Lords of Kassis: Book 3)
Rescuing Mattie
(Lords of Kassis: Book 3.1)
Tink’s Neverland
(Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)
Hannah’s Warrior
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)
Tansy’s Titan
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)
Cosmos’ Promise
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)
Gracie’s Touch
(Zion Warriors: Book 1
)