My Rebellious Heart

by Samantha James

  I love you. Her confession washed through him, inside and out, with a force that threatened to bring him to his knees. Yet his heart was so full he thought it might burst. She had cast aside her pride and it was time he cast his aside, for indeed, pride had been their biggest enemy.

  He swept her in his arms and carried her to the bed. There he raised up on an elbow, his look hotly possessive yet oddly tender. He dragged her hand to the roughness of his cheek.

  "I never thought to love a woman the way I love you," he said unevenly. "But I feel it more with every breath I take, every beat of my heart. Princess, I had nothing when I was a child. When possessions came to be mine, I thought I was rich. Indeed, it was all that was important to me! But I know now that it all means nothing, the land, the power, the glory for love is all a heart really needs."

  The tears flowed anew. He loved her. He loved her'. With immeasurable tenderness, Thorne kissed away her tears until they were replaced with the brilliant radiance of love. And love her he did, until the breath left both their bodies, until they were weak and satisfied and utterly fulfilled.

  He woke a while later to find her standing near the window, wrapped in a sheet. Her expression was wistful yet her lips were curved upward as she stared out at the misty green hills of Wales. He pulled her close, whispering gently against her temple. "What are you thinking?"

  She dropped her head against his shoulder. "Something King Edward told me just before he left."

  A pleasantly rough fingertip traced her smile. "And what might that be, princess?"

  "He said ... that England and Wales were far stronger together than apart. Thorne, I hope— pray!—that he is right."

  "So do I, sweet. You and I have wasted far too much tune battling each other, and ourselves, too. I think the same could be said of England and Wales." He paused. "Wales will endure," he said quietly. "As England will endure ... as we will endure."

  He lowered his mouth to hers for a long, leisurely kiss, then rested his forehead against hers. "I've been thinking," he said softly. "I know how much you loved Merwen, princess. If you'd like, we could rebuild."

  Shana could hardly speak for the tightness in her throat—to think that he would do that for her! But she hesitated only an instant, laying her fingers on the tender curve of his lips with a shake of her head.

  "We must look to the future, Thorne, not the past." She smiled mistily. "We already have Weston, and Langley. And I—I'd like to go home to Weston for Christmas, if you don't mind."

  It had taken her a long time to realize it, but Merwen was no longer her home. She snuggled close against Thorne's chest. Home was ... him unto her and her unto him ... Home was right here in his arms!

  For she and Thorne were no longer two hearts divided against each other ... but one. One body and soul.

  One heart.