"The man who made it once lived in a large town, but he'd moved away to live a quiet life. My father had heard of him and decided we should seek him out. It took us several days, but when we finally found him, and he heard what we wanted, he presented this. He'd made if for a very important person who never showed up."
"But it must have been very expensive."
"I don't know how my father paid for it, but when we left the merchant was very happy."
"And then you had to take it to the priest in the mountains?"
"It was a frightening journey, but now," he said softly, his eyes locking hers, "it is time to place it where it belongs, around the neck of the woman I love, the woman I will spend my nights with, the woman who will bear my children, and the woman who will sink into my arms when both happy and sad."
Stepping behind her, he settled it around her neck, closed the clasp, then turned her around.
"You take my breath away," he murmured, and lifting her up, he carried her to their bed, and laid her gently on the soft fur.
Serenity was overcome. As he'd locked the choker, and the gold band had rested against her skin, smooth and cool, a wave of emotion had flooded her heart, and for a moment she thought she might faint, but he'd swept her up, and now lying beside him, though she was hungry for his cock, all she wanted was to be in his arms.
As if reading her thoughts, he wordlessly cradled her until she moved her hand down his body and wrapped her fingers around his thick shaft. Softly groaning, he began kissing her and roaming his hands over her body. Their lovemaking was languid and warm. There was no sense of urgency, or worry of time passing, and when he allowed them to surrender to their mutual moments, the euphoric orgasms left them in blissful peace.
"You were right," she whispered, coming out of the sublime drifting nap.
"I usually am," he replied, shifting to stare down at her with a wry grin.
"You don't even know what I was going to say."
"You look so beautiful," he murmured, his expression suddenly changing, "and that choker…it was made for you. I'm sure of it. Somehow the angels knew we would meet and be together."
"Do you think the angels can see into the future like that?"
"I do now," he said, kissing her softly. "What was it you were going to say? How was I right?"
"You said that when you placed the Choker of Belonging around my neck, it would be a moment between us that will live in our hearts forever."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It after he had dressed her, run a comb through her long hair, and positioned a garland of flowers over her head, that she suddenly remembered the knife in the pouch.
"This is from the family," she said presenting it to him. "It was Simeon's idea, and my father made it."
Reaching into the leather sack, he pulled out the carved handle, then stared, bewildered, wondering what use it could be.
"Hold it out," she instructed, not sure from where the blade would spring. "Now push that bit."
Touching his thumb to the small button of wood, the knife shot out, startling him and almost making him jump.
"Serenity, this is remarkable!"
After admiring the glistening blade, he slid it back into the handle and tried it again, then shook his head in wonder as the knife popped out.
"You say Simeon and your father created this secret weapon?"
"They did, but you're not allowed to tell anyone. Simeon is always worried about people finding out how clever he is."
"He is more than just clever, and with Simeon creating weapons like this, your father crafting them, and more importantly, with you at my side, I am convinced the Bathus tribe will one day lead a mighty Kingdom."
"You really think so?"
"I don't think so, I know it. I can feel it. I will bring the might, your brother and father the weaponry, but your part, your part will be the most important of all."
She could feel her pulse tick up, and her heart begin to burn against her chest.
"What do you mean? How could that possibly be true?"
"Father said you were a special little girl. You have grown into a special woman. You are brave beyond measure, but I can see now, why you were blessed with your name. You will bring courageous calm to our future realm. You asked me if the angels could see into the future. The union of your gifted family to my tribe tells me they can. They have brought us together for a powerful purpose. One day you will be sitting on a throne. One day, you will be a Queen."
"You may become a great King," she said softly, "but to me, Killian, you will always be the man I love with all my heart. You will always be my barbarian Master."
THE END
A Word From Maggie
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
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About the Author
Award-winning and best-selling author Maggie Carpenter has published over fifty romance novels, and is the recipient of a number Spanking Romance Reviews awards spanning a variety of genres. Her readers describe her work as,
romantic, funny, suspenseful, beyond a five-star read, exciting romance with a ton of surprises.
Her work includes a best-selling twelve-book contemporary cowboy series, Cowboys After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2ihCNtp), a warrior fantasy trilogy, Warriors After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2iE0cDa) contemporary love stories, and several Victorian romances. His Willful Bride was a #1 best-seller for several weeks and a BookBub Feature Deal. She is best known for her smart, witty, strong-willed women who bring unexpected challenge, mystery and humor into the lives of passionate, dominant men.
Maggie has a history in show-business both in front of and behind the camera, but moved from Los Angeles to live in the Pacific Northwest to pursue her writing. She is an equine enthusiast who rides every day, and writes until the wee hours of the morning when her eyes close only because they must.
Her Barbarian Master Page 15