Authors: Amanda Ashley
The Captive (28 page)
She placed her hand over his mouth. “Hush. None of it was
your fault. Come, sit down now and let me look after your wounds.”
“They’re only superficial,” Falkon said. He sat down on the
edge of the bed, touched by her concern.
“They still need looking after,” Ashlynne declared, and
thanked the gods that Niklaus’ aim had not been true, and that Falkon’s
injuries were no worse than they were.
She summoned Kerolena and sent her for a medikit. Kerolena offered
to tend his wounds, but Ashlynne insisted on doing it herself, even though it
made her stomach queasy. There were tears in her eyes when she finished.
With a sigh, Falkon gathered her into his arms and held her
close. “There’s no need to cry, sweetheart. It’s all over.”
She snuggled against him, her hands restless as they moved
over his back and shoulders. She was free and he was here, and nothing else
mattered.
“Falkon…”
He knew what she wanted, as he had always known. The towel
he’d wrapped around her fell away, baring her to his gaze, to his touch, as he
lowered her to the bed, then stretched out beside her.
It had all been worth it, he mused, every humiliation, every
hour spent in the mine, every stoke of the lash. And when he felt his arms
around her, felt her breath against his cheek as she whispered that she loved
him, he knew he would willingly endure it all again.
He smiled down at her, feeling the sting of tears in his
eyes. “I love you, too, princess.”
“We’ll never be parted again,” she whispered, and cupping
his face in her hands, she kissed him with her whole heart and soul. And then
she looked at him, her eyes twinkling merrily. “And I love you, my prince.”
Ashlynne gazed down at her sleeping son, surely the most
beautiful sight she had ever seen. His hair was midnight black, his eyes were
blue, though Chaney had told her they would probably change color later. Her
son. What a miracle he was, and how she loved him! It was hard to believe he
was already a year old.
She looked up at Falkon who was standing on the other side
of the baby’s bed, her heart quickening when his gaze met hers. The last year
and a half had been the happiest of her life. She had sent the servants away,
and so far she hadn’t hired any to take their place. It was her house now, and
she wanted to be the one to take care of it. Though it was shamefully
extravagant, they had bought new furniture, rugs and drapes, so that the house
reflected their taste instead of Niklaus’. The house, which had once seemed so
cold, was home now.
Falkon had suggested sending for Darf and Chaney’s daughter,
but they hadn’t wanted to wait and they had left for Trellis the day after they
were freed from the mine. They had located their daughter and at Falkon’s
urging, Darf and Chaney had moved to Tierde. Chaney had been with Ashlynne when
her son was born.
Falkon had taken over the running of the mine. He refused to
use slaves; instead, he had hired a dozen men, torn down the huts, and built
housing for the workers and their families.
Best of all, she’d had the old-fashioned wedding she had
always dreamed of. Drade had been there, and Darf and Chaney.
There was peace in the galaxy at last. The Romarians had
been defeated and a new Confederation had been established.
Life, she thought, had never been better.
“Happy, princess?”
“You know I am.” She frowned at him. “Are you ever going to
stop calling me that?”
Falkon came around the bed to stand beside her. He grinned
as he put his arm around her shoulder and drew her close to his side. “No. It
suits you.” He kissed her cheek. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“Not since this morning.”
“I love you.” He drew her into his embrace and kissed her
again.
“And I love you,” she replied. “You’ve given me everything
I’ve ever wanted.”
“Have I?”
“Well, almost everything.”
“Tell me what you want, sweetheart, and it’s yours.”
“A daughter. I want a daughter.”
“It may take a little time, but I’ll do my best.”
Ashlynne smiled up at him as she took him by the hand and
led him into their bedroom.
And nine months later, she had everything she had ever
wanted
Amanda Ashley is one of those rare birds—a California
native. She’s lived in Southern California her whole life and loves it. She
married her high school sweetheart and they have three sons, all handsome
enough to be cover models!
Amanda never intended to be a published author. It just
happened. She has always loved to read, though. The Black Stallion books, Nancy
Drew, Mary Stewart. And then she discovered romance novels. One night when her
husband was at work, her kids were in bed and there was nothing on TV, she sat
down and started writing a book of her own. And she’s been writing ever since.
Amanda and her alter ego, Madeline Baker, have written over
seventy books, many of which have appeared on various bestseller lists,
including the New York Times list, the Waldenbooks Bestseller list, and the USA
Today list. Not bad for someone who started writing just for the fun of it.
Amanda welcomes comments from readers. You can find her
website and email addresses on her
author
bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
.
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Amanda
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Ellora’s Cave Publishing
The Captive
ISBN 9781419938337
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The Captive Copyright © 2014 Amanda Ashley
Cover design by Fiona Jayde Media
Cover photography by conrado
Electronic book publication December 2014
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