Page 78 of Highlander’s Protector

“Yes,” he said. “I take you, Anna, and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”

The words of the vow went through his bones and settled in his marrow. She beamed and brightened, as beautiful as the landscape around her, the one and only for him, the lost part of his soul he’d been lucky enough to find.

“I now pronounce ye husband and wife,” said the priest.

David took a step to Anna, pulling her into his embrace and sealing his lips with hers. The crowd around them cheered, five hundred or so people. He’d stolen kisses throughout the week, pulling her behind a corner of the kitchen or into a dark alcove of the castle. But with this kiss, he claimed her in front of clan MacDonald and clan Mackenzie and the whole world.

His wife… His wife who tasted like a dive into a secret waterfall at night. Who smelled like the Highlands. Who felt like home.

When he pulled back from the kiss, she was breathless and flushed and bright-eyed. The crowd roared and cheered again, and Anna and he turned to face them. He locked eyes with his sister, who held little toddler Paul on her hip. Teary-eyed, she gave him a bright smile through the crowd. Angus stood by her side, a one-year-old girl in a carrying bag on his back. Catrìona and James were there, too, and Catrìona was round with their first child. Laomann and Mairead stood by their side as well as Iòna and other Mackenzie clansmen and women.

His family.

One week was short notice, but Aulay had been kind enough to send men with a few birlinns to Eilean Donan and pick up the important guests.

David and Anna were hugged and congratulated and blessed. Then the feast began. It was set in the great hall and outside, since the weather was good. The cooks made several bonfires in the bailey and roasted boars and let salmon stew boil. The whole week, the ale house had been brewing ale for the occasion, and now the servants carried pitchers and set them on the long tables arranged with benches outside.

A small platform had been constructed in the middle, where a band of musicians played lute, flute, and drums, and a singer sang a beautiful Gaelic ballad. It reminded him of Raghnall, and David wished that he could be here as well, but he knew Raghnall was happy in the future with Bryanna. David wished Dùghlas could be here, too, as well as the Cambels, who hadn’t been able to make it on time.

The bailey was full of laughter, talk, and music. Rogene and Angus with their kids and Catrìona and James with Seoc, their adoptive son, came to David and Anna. Rogene gave David a big hug, and he scooped her into his arms and held her for as long as he could without tearing up. She pulled back and cupped his face, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m so glad to see you. Congratulations, you two! Many, many happy years to you and as much happiness as comes your way!”

“If we’re half as happy as you and Angus,” David said, “we will be very happy, indeed.”

“Congratulations, man!” Angus engulfed him in a bone-crushing bear hug and clapped him on his back, then retreated. “’Tis a fine union with a fine woman and a good clan. I am proud of ye. I wish ye both much health, wealth, and happiness.”

Little Paul, who was now two years old, held up his little palm. “High-fai, Uncle Dafee!”

David grinned. “What? Who taught you to do a high five?”

Paul giggled. “Uncle James. High-fai!”

David sank to a crouch before his nephew and high-fived the little hand. The boy giggled proudly and held his hand up again. “High-fai!”

Laughter came from all around them as David kept high-fiving his nephew. Soon, the little boy got bored and ran to chase after a butterfly.

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” said James. “Paul, friend, watch out, police are coming! Wueee!” Paul squealed and sped up down the bailey in his uneven toddler run as James chased him, making the sounds of a police siren and drawing curious and confused stares from all the guests.

Rogene beamed and looked at Anna. “I’m so glad you’re my sister-in-law. I know you’re a special woman if David chose you.”

“Aye, ’tis me who’s lucky, Lady Rogene,” Anna said, making David’s heart warm and tighten. “I can only thank a certain faerie who brought us together.”

David, Rogene, Angus, and Catrìona all chuckled and exchanged meaningful looks. Rogene took David by the elbow. “Excuse me, everyone, I’d like a word with my brother, if that’s all right? I haven’t seen him for two years.”

As they walked away from the group and sat at an empty table, Rogene looked him over carefully, her gaze worried and motherly. She hadn’t aged much, just gathered more stature and confidence. She was the wife of a clan chief, sort of a queen of a small kingdom, and she acted accordingly. She was dressed in a clearly expensive brocaded dress with a belt embroidered in silver and gold threads. Her dark hair was done in a tasteful braid under a pleated linen torque with a chin band. David knew how respected and loved she was in the clan alongside Angus.

She took his hand in hers. “Why didn’t you write me? You promised.”

“I’m sorry. I should have. I was angry and upset with myself. And you know how hard it is for me to write.”

“I know. Still. I wish you’d made an effort.”

“I will, Rory. Aulay is allowing me to take part in the trade business, and I have some ideas to gain higher profits. I already talked to him about them, and he likes them.”

She chuckled and looked at him with admiration. “So you are really okay with staying here?” she asked as she laid her hand on his. “You’ve been so desperate to return. Your scholarship…your future…”

He looked at Anna across the green grass of the bailey, and as she caught his gaze, warmth spread through him. “I’ll be okay anywhere she is.” Anna gave him an intimate, secret smile. David leaned over to Rogene. “And she’s pregnant.”

Rogene widened her eyes. “She is? Congratulations! But you just got marri— Oh, you didn’t.”