Epilogue
Musselburgh, Scotland
When the time had come, it had come swiftly, and there had been no possibility of delay.
Margery Joan de Ashby had made her arrival into the world with a lusty wail, startling her father, who’d come bursting into the birthing chamber, convinced that something was amiss, and bringing her mother to happy, laughing tears with the thought that this little, squirming miracle possessed the voice of an angel, no matter how loud.
It had been the culmination of a series of miracles, Alissende had thought, beginning with their escape from England. The happiest of miracles, in the form of a child who was part of her and Damien together.
“Shall I take her for a while, chérie? Michael is eager to see what she looks like when she is not crying.” Lady Blanche said, at Alissende’s nod, lifting the warm bundle from her daughter’s arms.
“Aye, Mère; she has eaten—again,” Alissende said, leaning back on her bolster with a relieved sigh.
“She should be peaceful for another hour or so, at least,” she added, smiling.
“But if she begins to fuss, bring her back to me, for I never tire of looking into her tiny face, even if she is howling in demand.”
Smiling, too, Lady Blanche started to leave the room, but she looked back over her shoulder at the last moment to say, “Ah, I almost forgot. You should know that your husband has just returned home.”
Alissende made a sound of bemused exasperation at the idea that her mother could have kept such news from her for even an instant, but before she could say aught, Damien swept into the room, looking windblown, and so very, very handsome; Alissende’s eyes welled with love for him, and she reached out as he came to her side and pulled her into his warm embrace.
“Ah, how I have missed you, my Alissende,” he murmured into her hair, pressing soft kisses along her brow and temple before taking her mouth in a hungry kiss. “How fared you and our sweet babe while I was away this time?”
“It was for only three days, Damien,” Alissende said, laughing. “You talk as if it has been several months.”
“It felt like years.”
His expression made her smile again, and she tugged him closer, inviting him to stretch out beside her on the bed. He slid into the position easily, tucking her against him, and she sighed in perfect contentment. She could almost go to sleep. But before she did, she needed to ask about his trip.
“Did you learn any news of Alex, then, in Edinburgh?” Tipping her head up, she met his gaze, basking in the love there, even as she added, “Were you able to confirm that he is in Scotland, even?”
Damien shook his head, leaning back on the pillow himself, now, with a sigh.
“Knowing my brother, he could be anywhere, doing just about anything. The ghosts of the past torment him too much, still, for him to rest anywhere for long, I think. And as for the Templar treasure he took with him when he left…”
His voice trailed off, and he shook his head again. “I can only pray that he will protect it rather than sell it.”
“You think he would exchange something so valuable as that for money?” she asked.
“I cannot say. Reverence has never been his strongest point. But Alex has surprised me before. Perhaps he will find peace and make his way back home to us. God willing, it will be so, though I will keep searching for him in the meantime.”
Silently, Alissende nodded; then she closed her eyes and snuggled into her husband once more. Her husband. It still felt so wonderful to think that and know it was true. Damien was her husband in truth, and naught in this world could change it.
“I love you, Alissende,” Damien said, his lips close to her hair. “I need you to know that.”
“And I you, Damien. I will be grateful for every moment we are granted together, every day for the rest of my life.”
“Nay, lady, even longer than that,” he murmured, and she heard the smile in his voice, even as she began to drift off to sleep.
“How long, then?” she managed to whisper.
The beat of his strong heart was steady beneath her ear, and though her eyes were closed and slumber was swiftly overtaking her, she smiled too, when he answered at last.
“Forever, Alissende…forever.”