by Jaye Shields
She leapt into his arms and sobbed when his hands held her tight. The warmth of his body spread across her chest and her heart pounded with excitement. She was too happy to question reality. Instead, she soaked up the warmth of his tight embrace like a drug. His skin carried the scent of the forest, which wrapped around her as they hugged in the dark clearing. Could she really be so lucky? Would she really have happiness after such a nightmare?
She trembled. “I’m sorry I accused you of all those things. I know you weren’t responsible for my family’s grief.”
“Never apologize. I have done many things in my life that has meant death for other families. It was my nature but no longer. Now you have not the God of War but a man who wants to fight for you and your family, so that grief never comes to you again. I love you.”
She burst into tears. “And I, you.” She searched his eyes, framing his face with her trembling fingers. “You are here to stay?”
Ares loosened his hold only enough to gaze into her eyes for a moment. “Sweet, Eirana. I have returned to you, and I will never leave.” He took her chin in his hand softly and guided her lips to his. Instead of waiting for the slow kiss, she pressed her lips against his and took with all the need she had for him.
He was her love, her soul mate.
Her lips melted against his as she explored his mouth with her tongue. He groaned in response and wrapped his arms around her even tighter. Camilla’s soft giggle made Eirana halt the kiss. Ares caught her bottom lip gently between his teeth and refused to let go. This time it was her turn to laugh. Ares finally released her and they turned toward Camilla who stood by Drustan’s side.
Camilla immediately ran into their arms. After Ares wrapped them both in a hug, he stood before Eirana and clasped both her hands within his own. “Eirana, before your brother and sweet Camilla…” He knelt on the leaf-covered ground and gazed up at her with adoration plain on his face. Eirana leaned into him, unable to stand. Her heart stopped when he pulled her hands against his chest, feeling the place where his heart lived inside. “I ask you to allow me to take you back to your homeland, and marry you there. Please let me protect you and our growing family. Let me love you for the rest of our lives.”
A tear slid down her cheek. Eirana had her happy ending after all. She knelt down before Ares and kissed him through her tears. Finally, she let go and simply held his face in her hands so they were only a feather’s width apart. “I love you. I love you more than all that I’ve ever known to be beautiful, or joyful. You are my everything, and I can’t live without you.”
Ares smiled and placed a hand on Eirana’s belly. “It will be some time still,” he glanced at Camilla. “How do you feel about having a brother?”
Eirana gasped. “How can you—“
“Okay, I suppose it could be a sister.” He winked and the grin he directed at her would have been enough to bring her to her knees if she wasn’t already. She’d been so in love with Ares during her times of sadness and loss. What happiness awaited her now that death and violence no longer surrounded them? The joy overwhelmed her.
“You mean…” Drustan spoke up with a questioning, concerned tone.
Ares hadn’t stopped grinning. “Just say that I have it upon a good source that our family will be plus one in a little more than eight months.”
“How can you know?” Eirana smiled at the possibility.
He kissed her nose gently and met her gaze with unquestionable love. “Just trust me.”
“I trust you.”
Man or God, Eirana didn’t care. Taking Ares’ hand, she joined him in the back of the carriage and let Drustan drive the next segment west toward the land of the Gauls. Yet no matter how long it took to return to her homeland, she was content nestled deep within her love’s arms with Camilla by her side.
She was already home.
The End
About the Author
Jaye Shields is a professional jet-setter and a gypsy at heart. Born in Seattle, she moved to San Francisco for college where she studied archaeology and obtained a degree in Anthropology. She now resides in Shakespeare town, Oregon where she’s surrounded by her fellow thespians and coffee addicts. She’s in a committed love affair with her readers and loves to hear from them. www.JayeShields.com
Also By Jaye Shields
Confessions of a Sex Demon
Claiming of a Sex Demon
Addictions of a Sex Demon
Secrets of the Fog
Secrets of the Sky
Secrets of the Jaguar