"i love you, lass. there is not a single part of my heart or soul that you do not own."

"i'm glad of that, caelen mcdonald, for i am a possessive woman and i'll not be content with anything less than the whole of you."

he grinned and lowered his mouth to kiss her again. "you are a greedy lass. i like it."

epilogue

caelen quietly let himself into his chamber, his newborn son nestled in his arms. a few feet away, rionna slept, exhausted from the birth.

carefully, so as not to awaken her, he lay the babe next to her and stood looking down on the most precious things in his life.

the celebration was still ongoing below. his brothers and their wives had traveled to mcdonald keep for the birth, and caelen had gone down to present his son to his clan.

he could go back down and leave rionna to rest, but he found himself going to his desk and taking out his scrolls, quill, and inkwell.

as he'd told rionna, he wasn't an eloquent man and could oft express himself better in writing than he could aloud. today was such a day, for his heart was so full he could never hope to fully put into speech all that he felt.

he opened the scroll and hastily scrawled the year and the day, for this was an important entry. the day that marked the birth of his son.

but 'twas his wife he found himself thinking on as he sat writing by the light of a candle. every once in awhile he looked up and smiled a contented smile as he watched his wife and child sleep.

when he'd finished the last of his entry, he scattered sand to dry the ink and then looked one last time at all he'd written.

today will long be a day that lasts in my memory. i was sore afraid as rionna struggled to bring forth life from her womb, but i needn't have worried, for my warrior princess was as fierce as ever. and indeed she presented me a fine, squalling son, with a satisfied smile upon her face. she informs me that my son will bear my green eyes and dark hair because she commands it. i'll not gainsay her, for 'tis widely known that i cannot deny her anything.

she rests now and i cannot help but stare and marvel at the miracle she represents. i'll never forget the day i first saw her and how she fascinated me with her mannish attire, the sword she wielded with the skill of a warrior, and the challenge in her beautiful eyes. she's spoken before of a time when part of my heart was withheld from her because it belonged to another, but from the moment i laid eyes on her, i belonged solely to her.

ah, lass, i think i have always loved you, for 'tis the truth i cannot ever remember a time i didn't.