{"id":363,"date":"2019-05-18T09:02:37","date_gmt":"2019-05-18T09:02:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mariahstone.com\/?page_id=363"},"modified":"2023-06-22T23:11:25","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T23:11:25","slug":"tmot-bonus-epilogue","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mariahstone.com\/de\/tmot-bonus-epilogue\/","title":{"rendered":"Viking’s Bride – Bonus Epilogue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although the epilogue in the book is the big wedding with hundreds of guests, here you have a chance to experience an intimate morning with the small family: just Hakon, Mia, and Ulf. I love this scene as it\u2019s so cozy and intimate, and I wanted to share it with you because throughout the book there were scenes with Mia and Hakon, just the two of them, while Mia was pregnant. But this scene is a unique opportunity to see the couple with their baby son, in their small bubble of happiness. The happiness they truly deserve.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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VIKING’S BRIDE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Time Travel Romance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Called by a Viking Series<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a9 Mariah Stone. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BONUS EPILOGUE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lomdalen, Norway, June 21st, 876 AD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon woke to a round, silky hip under his arm. He brushed his arm along the curve, up to the very top, and then steep down towards her waist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was not a skald, but he wanted to recite poetry about Mia\u2019s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sighed, still sleepy, but kicked her behind back, nestling it right where he wanted it most. Against his erection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not a bad way to start the wedding day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before he had met Mia, he never thought he would look forward to his wedding day, or feel truly happy about it. So happy that he felt as if his very being was filled with mead from Valhalla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He tightened his arm around Mia\u2019s waist and pulled her against him. She moaned appreciatively and circled her sweet behind against him, sending waves of hot pleasure where her body touched him. A low growl escaped his throat, and Ulf began chuckling in his crib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helheim, son, not now!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia and Hakon froze, hoping their son would settle, but Ulf continued chuckling until he finally decided he was awake and hungry\u2014announcing it to all of Midgard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia turned to Hakon and kissed him lightly, then smiled. \u201cAh well. It was a nice try. Maybe we can pick this up later?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon pulled her closer. \u201cAny time you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ulf must have heard them and began complaining; seemingly annoyed that even though they were clearly awake, he was still far away from them in his crib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia beamed at Hakon and made a move to get Ulf, but Hakon did not let her slip away. \u201cStay. I shall bring him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh. Thank you, my brave Viking warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He planted a kiss on her lips and stood up into the darkness of the cool, morning air. Ulf caught sight of his father coming and calmed down, making a sweet, \u201cAy!\u201d sound. He had only recently begun making the excited greeting sound, and it melted Hakon\u2019s heart. No matter how tired he was, no matter how much he wanted Mia, he always felt that jolt of love when he heard the boy and saw his sweet smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHappy and healthy, son,\u201d Hakon said as he leaned over the crib that Mia had requested the carpenter make based on the ones from her time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ulf was on his stomach, pressing against the mattress with his arms, and watching Hakon with a bright smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAy!\u201d he squealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon picked him up. His small but sturdy body was warm, still soft from sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you hungry?\u201d Hakon said as he took his son to his woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAy!\u201d Ulf exclaimed as he saw Mia and stretched his little arms out to her with the biggest smile on his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ulf almost jumped out of Hakon\u2019s arms as his father settled in bed, and his mother was within his reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia took him, and the boy began tugging at her night shift for his breakfast. Mia removed a breast, and his son began his feast. Hakon would never admit it out loud to her\u2014or to anyone\u2014but he loved seeing Mia breastfeed. She was never as much the goddess of love, life, and spring as in those moments when she was cradling his son and nourishing him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ulf looked just like her. He had her strawberry-blond hair and her dark-green eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, strangely, he also had something of Hakon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On his left temple, he had a birthmark. Not as big as Hakon\u2019s, just the size of Hakon\u2019s thumbnail, in the form of a heart. Neither Mia nor Dan had anything like that. Only Hakon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day Ulf was born, and they saw the birthmark, Hakon had watched the people of his village like a hawk for any signs of the same attitude they had had towards him. But it seemed that ever since Hakon\u2019s mark was considered a blessing, so was his son\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had named him Ulf, after his father. It was Mia who first suggested it. In the beginning, the name made him cringe. The memory of the resentment he had felt towards his father his whole life still bit at him, at first, but the forgiveness he had found soothed everything. The name became what he had intended it to be: an heirloom, strength, and love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It signified a father\u2019s pride in his son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there was any sign of curse in that birthmark, Hakon was ready to fight every god or witch who had put it there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it was not a curse. It was a blessing, just like his, and Ulf had a great life in front of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon shifted close to Mia and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to him, inhaling the sweet, flowery scent of her hair. She leaned against him, and he watched as Ulf gazed into Mia\u2019s eyes, something he always did as he suckled, the connection with his mother strong and special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s too late to cancel anything,\u201d Mia said. \u201cBut are you going to be okay today? Hosting a wedding for five hundred people, for a week?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A year ago, he had not wanted to celebrate the wedding with Arinborg<\/em>. Hakon squeezed her shoulder. \u201cYes,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you are by my side, I can host a wedding and invite Odin and Freyja.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia smiled. \u201cWell, if you see them today, let me know. I\u2019d like a word or two about\u2026something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon raised his brows. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia blushed and lowered her gaze. \u201cFreyja is the goddess of fertility, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon froze. \u201cYes. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia cradled Ulf closer to her and shifted, still avoiding Hakon\u2019s eyes. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to say anything. Let\u2019s drop it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon\u2019s body chilled. \u201cNo. Now, you must tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia sighed and met his gaze, her eyes shining even in the semidarkness of the bedchamber. \u201cIt\u2019s too early to tell if it\u2019s going to stick or not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She silenced and bit her lip, nervousness rolling off of her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it, woman?\u201d Hakon growled. He would have yelled, but he did not want to frighten Ulf. \u201cAre you sick?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She chuckled. \u201cNo, silly, I\u2019m not sick. I\u2019m pregnant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon could not move even a finger, it was as if Thor had driven him into the ground with Mj\u00f6lnir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia continued, \u201cSo if you see Freyja, I\u2019d like a word, just in case. I really want another child. With you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon\u2019s ears rung. It would be his child. Of course, Ulf was his, too, and he loved him like his own. But this one would be of his flesh and of his blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could not wish for a better wedding present,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia found his hand and squeezed; Hakon\u2019s stupor disappeared, replaced by small, pleasant lightning bolts going through his veins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still quite early,\u201d she said. \u201cJust two months, but I have all the symptoms I had with Ulf\u2019s pregnancy. I didn\u2019t want to tell you for another month. I don\u2019t want you to get your hopes up, it\u2019s still possible it won\u2019t stick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon sat upright. \u201cYou wanted to keep this from me for another moon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. You do not keep things like this from me. Ever. Good or bad, we face them together. Agreed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia smiled and kissed him on the cheek. \u201cAgreed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know it will stick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ulf unlatched and tugged at Mia\u2019s other breast. He was a big, hungry boy. Mia turned him, offered the other breast, and he happily continued his meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon\u2019s whole body filled with more love than he ever imagined he could feel. He was like a ship at full sail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust a year ago, my whole reason for existing was revenge,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd now, it is you, Ulf, and the new babe. Tomorrow will be one year since I married you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia rolled her eyes in mock outrage. \u201cYou didn\u2019t marry me, technically. You thought you were marrying Arinborg. That\u2019s why we are getting married properly today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon laughed. \u201cYes. I did. But no matter what you called yourself, I was marrying you<\/em>. I did not know it then, but I was smitten the very moment I saw you by the rune rock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia tangled her fingers with Hakon\u2019s. \u201cYou were?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He squeezed her hand back. \u201cI was yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou thought you were marrying a princess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon\u2019s whole body filled with lightness, and he felt as if he could fly. \u201cI thank all the gods you are not a princess. But never in my life could I imagine I would be marrying a time traveler. I am truly blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia laughed softly. \u201cDo you think I ever thought I\u2019d be marrying a Viking? I wasn\u2019t ready for marriage, not with anyone. Not before you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon brushed Ulf\u2019s head, and the boy closed his eyes. \u201cNeither was I. This is the only marriage I can be happy in. A marriage to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I, to you,\u201d she said. \u201cI came to you through hundreds of years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He scooped her in his arms, with Ulf, and kissed her. And as their lips molded together, completeness washed through him like pure sunlight after a storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakon withdrew a little and whispered, \u201cThere may be hundreds of years separating our births, but there are not enough years in Midgard for a lifetime of being married to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Buy the book<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Copyright \u00a9 2019 by Mariah Stone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Although the epilogue in the book is the big wedding with hundreds of guests, here you have a chance to experience an … <\/p>\n

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