The Temperate Warrior Read online

  “A boy,” Mara said, tears filling her eyes. “My nephew. You did it, Æsa. You birthed a son.”

  Gustaf swiveled his head toward the priest. “Did you marry us?”

  The monk smiled. “You are husband and wife in God’s eyes. What God has joined, let no man tear asunder—and God help them if they do.”

  Gustaf wrapped his arms around Æsa’s spent body and buried his face in her neck. “I love you, wife. I love you. Do you hear me?”

  Æsa mumbled, but had no energy to say more.

  “Do you want to hold your son, Gustaf?” Mara asked, wrapping the wailing child in clean linens.

  He looked up from his haven in Æsa’s nape and glanced at the infant with apprehension. “Hold him?”

  Mara carried the child to him and helped fold Gustaf’s arms in a cradle. She transferred the bundle into his embrace, praising him as he gentled the newborn in a slow rock. The babe settled down and snuggled into place.

  “See,” Mara commended. “He knows who his father is already.”

  “You think so?”

  “He feels safe enough to sleep.” Mara ran her fingertips over his delicate forehead and returned to her place between Æsa’s legs to tend the afterbirth. “You can leave now, Father.”

  “Bless you, child.” The priest scurried out the door, desperate to forget the indecent position in which he’d seen Æsa.

  Gustaf made the mistake of looking over at Mara. The copious amount of blood, flesh, and membranes she extracted from his wife unsettled his stomach. The vivid red stain of blood on the linens and Æsa’s thighs pulled on his heartstrings.

  Mara regarded his disconcerting reaction. “’Tis all right, Gustaf. Æsa feels no pain. I will have her cleaned up shortly.”

  Trusting in Mara, he forced his gaze to remain on the little one in his arms. From the tufts of reddish-blond hair on his son’s head to the button nose above his full lips, he’d never seen such a beautiful sight. He glanced at Æsa only to find her staring at him, smiling.

  “What shall we name him?” Æsa asked.

  He laid their son next to her on the boxbed and drew his family together in his arms. “I think we should name him after your father.”

  “My father…” she thought. “What made you decide that?”

  “Sighvatr is a good name. A noble name.”

  Æsa tested it on her lips. “Sighvatr, son of Gustaf, son of Rælik. It sounds perfect.”

  Gustaf’s eyes flashed wider and he sat up. “I nigh forgot about the gift Ulfr and Ketill gave to us.” He searched through the room for the package, rummaging through their many belongings the men had brought off the longship. “I thought I saw Jørgen bring it in, but where did he put it? Ah, here ‘tis.”

  He untied the crisscrossing of leather straps and pulled out a thick cloak of deep brown bear fur. “Just as I suspected,” Gustaf crooned, holding it for her to see. “Ulfr finished tanning the hide of the bear I slayed—as a gift. A wedding gift from me to you. What do you think?”

  Æsa ran her hand down the soft sable fur. “’Tis beautiful. I will wear it with pride for ‘twas my brave warrior husband who took down this monstrous beast.”

  As Gustaf unfolded the cloak and spread it over his wife and child, another cloak of smaller size fell out. “Look at this, Æsa,” he said, picking it up. “A tiny version of yours. Sighvatr has his own cloak, too.” He draped the cloak over his son and took in this blessed moment.

  His son was born. His Æsa was now his beloved wife. And his future had the potential to afford him a long life of peace and happiness. Perhaps, being temperate would suit him after all.

  Holding his family in the swathe of his mighty arms, he closed his eyes and savored the quiet reflections of this blessed moment. He finally sat content in a place he could call home—a home where all the descendants of Rælik could for ever more live in peace.

  THE END

  ABOUT RENEE VINCENT

  Renee Vincent writes award-winning historical and contemporary adult romance. From the daunting, charismatic Vikings, to the charming, brazen Alpha male heroes of modern day, you’ll be whisked away to a world filled with fast-paced adventure, unforgettable romance, and undying love.

  Visit her website at www.reneevincent.com

  Also by Renee Vincent:

  The Emerald Isle Trilogy:

  Ræliksen

  Mac Liam

  The Fall of Rain

  Silent Partner

  If you enjoyed Renee Vincent’s The Temperate Warrior,

  you might also enjoy these historical romance authors

  published by Turquoise Morning Press:

  Suzanne Barrett, author of Sierra Bride

  Mae McCulloch, author of Leashing the Moon

  Sheryl Brennan, author of Celtic Sacrifice

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  About the Author

  Coupon!

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  ABOUT RENEE VINCENT