Page 64 of Cadell the Dragon

But hear it he would, it seemed.

“The request has been accepted. Siaspar ap Morgan, Cadell ap Llywelyn, you are both to be knighted before the month is out.”

The hall erupted in congratulations.

“To Sir Cadell and Sir Siaspar,” someone shouted, before being imitated by dozens of voices.

The two brothers looked at one another for a heartbeat, then as one, instead of giving each other the embrace they would have had they been alone, they each turned to the woman by their side and lifted her into their arms.

“Sir Cadell,” Johanna murmured in his ear, sounding breathless with joy. “I rather like the sound of that. But you will always be my dragon.”

“Always.”

A lively tune started, and everyone gathered in the middle of the hall, ready for dancing. From that moment on, the bride and groom barely knew a moment’s peace.

After much revelry, it was finally time to retire to their bedchamber for the most private—and enjoyable—part of the proceedings.

The wedding night.

The joy of having become a knight that day was nothing compared to the joy of having become Johanna’s husband. The honor bestowed upon him by a king he wasn’t even sure he respected barely registered when he already felt blessed beyond words to have won the heart of the woman who had stolen his.

That night, in his wife’s arms, Cadell’s pleasure reached unsuspected heights. He could not get enough of her, and she of him. They tasted each other’s skin, whispered passionate endearments, and discovered untold delights.

Dawn was already breaking when Johanna fell to her back and finally begged for mercy.

“In my immense generosity, I will grant you that respite,” he told her, his mouth at her ear. “But be warned, I shall resume my assaults on the morrow.”

“My, Sir Cadell.” She giggled despite her fatigue. “That is spoken like a true, chivalrous knight.”

“A true, insatiable knight. I’m afraid I cannot get enough of my wife.”

“You’ve waited for her long enough, I daresay. And she has no intention of denying you once she’s had some sleep.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

He left the bed to get the piece of linen and bowl of water he’d asked be brought up in preparation for this moment. When he rubbed the wet cloth over her inner thighs, Johanna sighed, the sound impossibly arousing.

“Are you trying to make me reconsider my request?” she asked on a languid sigh.

Cadell snorted, because at any other time he might have broken the agreed truce. But he knew he had been relentless and she was exhausted, so he did his best to keep his touch light and efficient rather than sensual. “I am only trying to make you more comfortable before you fall asleep.”

“Thank you. That feels wonderful.”

After giving himself a quick wash, he settled back into the bed and drew Johanna against his flank.

“Mm,” she mumbled, nestling against him. “This is perfect. I’ll never tire of falling asleep with you by my side.”

He tightened his hold around her, knowing why this mattered so much to her.

“Me neither,” he said, placing a kiss on her soft, fragrant hair. “I will never abandon you. You are more important to me than anyone and anything in the world.”

“Spring is finally here,” Cadwgan told Johanna, lifting his head to the skies with satisfaction. “It has been long in coming this year.”

“Yes,” Johanna agreed, though in truth, she had barely noticed the grim weather in the last few months. She had been too happy, too busy getting to know her new husband to worry about anything else.

But on this beautiful April day, she could not help but see that new life was indeed blooming everywhere. Giddy with excitement, desperate to share the joy she felt, she went to find Cadell, who was still in bed. He had come back the night before from a few days spent at Castell y Ddraig and fallen asleep as soon as he’d washed the dust from the ride from his exhausted body. She had missed him dreadfully and would have liked to spend some time with him, but she hadn’t had the heart to wake him up, leaving him to enjoy the sleep he clearly needed.

But it was now midmorning and she couldn’t wait another moment. Feeling happier than she had ever felt, she sat on their bed and watched him sleep. Her husband truly was a dazzlingly handsome man—and he was naked, as always when he slept. A short beard was covering his jaw, testimony to the busy week he’d spent at his brother’s home. He might have let that beard grow purposefully, as he knew how much she had liked it the last time he had worn it. But how could she not? It made him appear more manly than ever.