Isolde's Wish (19 page)

They shared a grin when suddenly the door opened.

Isolde flew at it and shoved through the barrier of her father, who laughed at her and stood aside.

“Don’t sit with him too long, Daughter. A knight needs his rest.”

She whirled to stare at the stunning blond man in the plush bed. Sadler leaned against several pillows, grinning. A new blade lay at his side, the hilt engraved with the Weligbyr crest.

“Father,” she cried, throwing herself into his arms. “Thank ye. Thank ye. A million times.” She kissed his old weathered face over and over again until he laughed. At last, he put her away from him.

“I couldn’t have my daughter wedding a stableman. And for saving yer life, he earned his title,” Adlard said with a smile and nod for Sadler.

Sadler bowed his head.

And then the door was closing behind the king, and Isolde was flying into Sadler’s arms, exclaiming and kissing and crying. “Is it true? Ye asked for my hand?”

“I did,” Sadler said in his deep, rough way. “I cannot live without ye, Isolde. Will ye honor me by becoming my wife?”

She stared into his eyes, which were shining with excitement and love. Gently he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her lips. “I will,” she replied.

As he drew her face to his again, his chest rumbled with laughter. Their mouths met with the intensity of their first kiss stolen on the shores of the loch. Suddenly he gripped her shoulders and yanked her across his knees. She protested that she’d do him more injury, but into her ear, he said, “My cock is uninjured. In fact, after warring with yer father for yer hand, I’m experiencing a bit of battle hardness.”

She patted down the coverlet until she discovered the stony length of his shaft. In a minute, she had torn away her clothing and tumbled into his arms.

“When will we marry?” she asked between gulping kisses.

He smiled and placed a palm against her lower belly. When he answered, his eyes danced. “Before a babe comes.”

Isolde began their gentle lovemaking, aware that a fresh chapter had unfolded in their lives. Not only was Sadler a free man without an army of zeppelgongers pursuing him, he had been knighted and betrothed within five minutes’ time.

And she had cut loose the doting knight who guarded her and the painful memories surrounding her mother and Millvale, leaving her the freedom to love the one man who held her heart.

As she moved against him, their eyes connected. They shared a smile, and he whispered, “Is there anything I can give ye in return for all ye’ve given me?”

She leaned her forehead into his and stared into his shimmering eyes—the only emeralds she’d ever really needed. “There is one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I wish for us to serve boar at our wedding feast.”

Loose Id Titles by Em Petrova

Isolde’s Wish

Em Petrova

Since a young age, Em has been lured by the world of paranormal and romance. She penned her first novel at the age of twelve, and after gaining an arts degree, has returned to her literary roots. She loves to dig deep into the souls of her unique characters and uncover their secret desires when she doesn’t have her nose in a great new read.

Find out more about Em Petrova at http://www.empetrova.com.