Epilogue
EPILOGUE
NINE MONTHS LATER
“ M agnus, you have to let me get up now, or we will miss the wedding,” Agnes gasped when her husband’s big, warm hand landed over her naked breast.
He’d just rolled off her sated body but apparently, he was ready for more. It did not surprise her. Not only was the man insatiable, but he was also generous, and he liked nothing more than to use his mouth on her while she was recovering from his lovemaking. Usually she loved it but today they had to get ready, or they would not reach the village in time.
Magnus groaned. “Bloody Sven. Always finding new ways to upset me. Getting married of all things, and on the day I want nothing more than to spend time in bed with my wife before getting up.”
Agnes let out a pearly laugh. “Now, be fair. He would have been hard pressed to choose a day when you didn’t want to do that. It’s what you seem to want to do most days.” She should know, she who benefitted from it.
“Mm. Yes, I said. Bloody Sven.” He gave her breast a squeeze, not in the least chastened. “Why did he have to get married at all is what I want to know. I’m not sure if I should pity the poor woman who agreed to have him or question her sanity.”
“Ella seems perfectly lovely,” Agnes said with a smile. “This marriage will be the making of him, I think.”
A snort was all she got in answer, but in truth, the relationship between the two brothers had improved immensely since she and Magnus had gotten married. Her husband seemed to have found a new, inner strength that allowed him to withstand his brother’s attacks with more patience. And now that he was getting married also, Sven might put a stop to his petty teasing. Agnes dearly hoped so, for it always hurt her to see Magnus in pain.
The hand at her breast became more insistent and Agnes could feel herself yielding to the silent demand.
“Please, Magnus. I’m trying to be sensible and do the right thing,” she pleaded. She had always found it hard to resist his entreaties and her body had already started to melt. Soon it would be too late. She would be the one pouncing on him. “I know you don’t want to miss the wedding, really.”
“You’re right, as always.” He sighed and drew her on top of him. The ease with which he moved her about never failed to arouse her. In his arms she never wished to be taller or anything other than what she was. They were just perfect together. “At least give me one last kiss before we go, wife.”
The “last” kiss was as scorching as a prelude to wild lovemaking would have been, and left Agnes sightly breathless.
“I will prepare something to eat while you get the cart ready,” she offered, before she could let herself be swayed.
“Yes. That will be for the best.”
After a one last tap on her naked buttocks, Magnus jumped to his feet.
Cursing Sven under her breath for getting married today of all days, when she wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with her husband, Agnes hastily got dressed. Then she gathered some cheese, a few nuts and a loaf of bread in a square of cloth, grabbed a wineskin filled with ale, and joined her husband by the stable.
Moments later they were on their way. Draped in a thick wolf’s pelt that made his shoulders appear twice as wide as usual, Magnus was magnificent. She already knew she would enjoy removing it when she dragged him to whatever quiet corner she could find to finish what they had started this morning.
“I might be tempted to stop by the cave, you know, when we make our way back from the wedding,” he told her with a wink as they entered the forest.
Had he read her mind? Probably, as she wouldn’t be surprised if the desire she felt for him was etched all over her face. But the cave was the worst idea he had ever had. Despite the heat in her body, Agnes shivered.
“The one with the bats? Forgive me, but I’m not tempted.”
Magnus threw her a scorching look. “I have fond memories of that day, you know.”
She did know it. He often alluded to what she had done to him that day. “If that’s what you want, I can do that anytime, anywhere. Just, please, let’s not go in that cave.”
“Anytime, anywhere? I will hold you to that promise, dear wife.”
She smiled and placed a hand over his strong thigh, high enough to make him tense up in anticipation. No, Agnes was definitely not shy anymore. The little flame she’d been had become a scorching brazier, burning bright and strong.
“I hope so, my wild Norseman.”