Epilogue
L iana sat at the table Darien had constructed for her and placed her leather pouch atop it. Though the first signs of spring had revealed themselves that day as Liana had worked with the gardener earlier, it was still quite cold. With the warmth of the fire nearby, she took a deep breath and began to quiet her mind, asking the question her body had dictated.
She knew the signs but wished to be certain before speaking to Darien.
Reaching into the pouch, Liana drew Berkana . With the promise of growth and new beginnings, the rune deeply associated with fertility and family, her heart skipped a beat. The next rune, Ingwaz , spoke of a potential lying just beneath the surface, waiting to emerge.
She needed no further confirmation.
Sitting back, Liana stared into the fire, her hand moving to her stomach. It was her maid who first suspected, commenting that the gown she fastened seemed tighter across her breasts. She and Darien would bring a child into a world that promised more peace than their country had seen in many years.
Their bedchamber door opened.
As her husband made his way toward her, Liana clutched the two runes in her hand, smiling.
“A reading?” he asked, standing behind her. Moving her hair to the side, Darien kissed Liana on the neck. Tilting her head to give him better access, she closed her eyes, the feel of his lips both comforting and stirring at once.
“Aye,” she said as he moved toward her cheek. Liana spun in her seat toward him. Without hesitation, Darien kissed her, his lips demanding she open for him. Liana did, their tongues tangling as his hand grasped the back of her head. If he continued, she would be divested of her gown before having the chance to tell him.
Pulling back, she stood from her chair.
“I would show you something,” she said, opening her hand between them.
He looked down at the two runes lying in her palm.
“ Berkana and Ingwaz ,” she said. “Together, they whisper a message of nurturing and bringing forth new life.” Liana looked up and met his eyes.
“New life?” Darien’s lips curled up into a smile. “Liana? You are with child?”
“I am.”
The joy on his face, the way his arms wrapped around her, as if Darien would never let go...she loved this man and could not imagine her life without him.
“A babe,” he murmured. “I am so filled with happiness, Liana.”
“As am I,” she said as Darien released her. “Though I will warn you, the Fletcher women are known to have more girls than boys. A new generation of women to foretell the future.”
“I will be overjoyed to have a daughter.”
“But Ellsworth needs an heir.”
“And will have one. I did not fight for Matilda to take the crown to deny my daughter her own rightful inheritance.”
The implications of his words were not lost on Liana. “You are a most unconventional man, husband.”
“As are you, wife,” he teased. “And your people love you for it.”
Incredibly, his words were true. They had decided, when announcing their betrothal, to also share Liana’s true nature. And while many asked for her to read the runes for them, none condemned her. The people of Crimson Hollow, of Ely, had embraced Liana as their countess. Though her mother had worried mightily, and all knew beyond their shores the threat of persecution was a real danger, here, she remained safe.
“Bringing back the Solstice Festival aided my cause,” she admitted.
“Perhaps. But they love you, as I do, for much more than that. You are an extraordinary woman, Liana. I am a lucky man to have the honor to call you my wife.”
Darien pulled her back into his arms, where she was content to remain.
“As am I, to call you husband.”
And together, they would face their future, bound by love and embraced by those who saw them as they truly were, which was the greatest gift either of them could be given.
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