Page 17 of To Wed a Witch
"Breathe, laird, or ye'll keel over on the spot," Dugald whispered beside him and nudged him in the ribs.
At Dugald's prompting, he inhaled deeply, realizing he had actually stopped breathing for several moments.
***
SÌNE'S BREATH CAUGHTin her throat when she saw Bhaltair at the altar staring at her with such intensity she thought she was going to burst into flames.Gone was the travel-worn warrior who had first appeared in her cottage.In his place stood a fierce warrior in his finest regalia.His dark brown hair had been neatly tied back, and he wore the Ferguson plaid.His black doublet was simple but well-made, and the crest badge at his shoulder caught the light from the candles.
But it was his expression that undid her completely.When their eyes met across the crowded chapel, the gentle warmth in his gaze was so convincing she almost believed the story his men had spread.For a moment, she could imagine they truly were lost lovers reuniting after a painful separation.
As she drew closer, she noticed the way his attention immediately went to Aidyn, who was already stretching out her arms toward him.A soft smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he gently reached for her.
Without hesitation, Sìne placed Aidyn in his arms.The child immediately settled against his chest, her small fist grabbing at the silver threads in his doublet.The congregation murmured appreciatively at the sight of father and daughter reunited.
The priest, Father Lennox, smiled benevolently at the family before him."We are gathered here to witness the wedding of Laird Bhaltair Ferguson and Lady Sìne MacKay..."he began.
***
NEAR THE BACK OF THEchapel, half-hidden behind a stone pillar, a figure in a non-descript plaid watched the proceedings with ill intent.Laird Bryce Sutherland had ridden hard from his own neighboring land when word reached him of the impending ceremony, hoping against hope that he might arrive in time to prevent it.Now, as he watched the wedding unfold, his jaw clenched with barely contained fury.Years of careful planning, years of spreading whispers about the MacKay witch, of ensuring no decent man would consider her as a bride so the MacKay would forfeit their land and wealth to the Sutherlands...all undone by this Ferguson intruder.He cursed under his breath and swore that he would ensure they all lived to regret it.
***
AS THE FORMAL WORDSbegan, Bhaltair shifted Aidyn to his left arm and extended his right hand to Sìne.Their fingers intertwined, and she was startled by the warmth of his palm and his firm grip.They listened intently as Father Lennox carried out the simple ceremony as they exchanged their vows.Bhaltair's voice rang out clear and strong across the chapel when he promised to cherish and protect Sìne as his wife and the mother of his children.Sìne's voice trembled slightly but was heard clearly as she in turn swore to stand beside Bhaltair as his wife and the mistress of his clan.They exchanged simple gold bands intricately crafted at Ferguson Keep.Bhaltair's was wider, with the Ferguson clan motto engraved around the band.Sìne's was more delicate, set with a small sapphire that had belonged to Bhaltair's mother.
What followed was a brief handfast ceremony where ceremonial ropes—silken cords in both the MacKay and Ferguson colors, braided together in an intricate pattern—were bound around their wrists as they vowed to bind their lives together in one accord.
Aidyn chose that moment to let out a delighted gurgle, reaching up to pat Bhaltair's cheek with her small hand.The congregation murmured approvingly.
"Look how natural he is with her."
"Ferguson's a lucky man to have his family whole at last."
Bhaltair's eyes met Sìne's over their daughter's head, and for a heartbeat, she saw something there that made her pulse quicken.His steady gaze was filled with warmth as if he was genuinely happy to wed her.
"Ye may kiss yer bride," Father Lennox announced with a broad smile.
Bhaltair did not hesitate.He leaned across and gently touched his lips to hers.It was meant to be a show for the crowd, Sìne knew that.But the kiss felt real in a way that made her heart race.Bhaltair closed his eyes and savored the sweetness for a moment.When they separated, he whispered against her lips, "Ye look bonnie, my dearest wife."
Sìne rasped in reply, "And ye look braw, my dearest husband."
Aidyn, tired of being ignored, squealed then and patted both their faces with her small hands.They both grinned at one another before the congregation erupted in cheers and applause.
"Laird and Lady Ferguson!"Father Lennox announced.Then he untied their wrists and handed the cords to Sìne.
As they walked back down the aisle together, Bhaltair's arm around her waist and Aidyn content in his other arm, Sìne caught fragments of conversation from the crowd:
"Waited all those years for her."
"True love conquers all."
But not everyone shared in the celebration.As the wedding party passed his hiding spot, Bryce Sutherland slipped quietly from the chapel, his face dark with rage.The MacKay land and fortune that should have been his was now secured for another generation.But perhaps, he thought grimly as he made his way to his waiting horse, there were other ways to claim what was rightfully his.After all, accidents happened even to newlyweds.
***
OUTSIDE IN THE COURTYARD, the celebration was already beginning.Tables groaned under the weight of food and drink, and the MacKay pipers struck up a lively tune.But Bhaltair drew Sìne aside, still carrying Aidyn, to a quieter corner near the stable walls.
"Well?"he asked, his voice low."How do ye feel, Lady Ferguson?"
"Like this is not real," she admitted."The way they looked at me in there...as if I were someone worthy of admiration instead of fear."
