Page 88 of Love Me Forever
“For always and always,” he whispered in her ear.
“Always does exist, does it not?” she asked anxiously. “Nothing can rob us of this happiness, can it?”
“Nothing, I will not allow it.” He was adamant. “You and I are meant to be together. We will be husband and wife in a few short days. There is nothing that will stop us from wedding. Nothing.”
Brianna shivered. “I pray it is so.”
“It is so, worry not,” he said with a gentle squeeze.
“Now sleep and rest, for there is much for you to do before our wedding day.”
She moved as close as she could against him and attempted to still her fears. Rational or not, they haunted her, and she could not ignore them. And she silently prayed that all would be well.
CHAPTER24
Gray skies greeted her on her wedding day, but it seemed as if the sun shined brightly in and around the keep. Everyone was busy, each in their own way preparing for the wedding.
A grand feast was to be held in the great hall, and all were invited. There would be eating, drinking, and merriment, for everyone was happy for Brianna and Royce.
Moira and Anne insisted that Brianna rest before the ceremony and celebration, but she was not tired. She felt full of life, and she felt happier than she had been in a very long time.
She did, however, feel that she needed time alone, and she had slipped on her fur-lined wool cloak, pulled up the hood, and sneaked out of the keep. She walked the narrow, barely detectable path to the stream that ran not far from the keep. It was a path she and her brother had traveled when either were troubled and in need of solitary time or time together, just the two of them. It was the place where Ian had informed her of their parents’ passing and where he had told her that Arran’s escape had been successful. She came here now to lay her past to rest.
A snap of a branch caught her attention, and she did not need to turn and see who had followed her. “I expected you.”
Ian walked up behind his sister and slipped his hand into hers. “I could always tell when you needed to come here.”
They strolled along near the stream.
“This is what you want?” Ian asked.
She had expected the question from him. He wanted to make certain that she was certain. She laughed. “I must admit that a few days ago I probably would not have been able to answer you, for I simply had no answer. My heart knew what I wanted, but my emotions ruled, and I could make sense of nothing.”
“Not so now?”
She smiled. “Now I know for certain what my heart has attempted to convince me of. I love Royce and all my fears and doubts will not change my feelings for him. So, my answer is aye, I wish very much to wed Royce.”
“He is a good man and I feel he will treat you well.”
“I feel the same.”
“Then why did you come here?”
She squeezed his hand. ‘To let go of the past.”
“Do you wish to be alone?”
She shook her head. “Nay, it is not necessary. We have shared much together, and it is good that you are here with me now.”
The winter wind whispered a soft melody as they continued walking.
“Do you believe that love is blind?” Brianna asked.
Ian laughed. “It is we who are blind. Love seems to know exactly what it is doing, and I believe it cautions us when necessary; we, however, do not listen.”
“I think you are right. Looking back on when I first met Arran, there were signs of his selfishness that I chose to ignore. I made an unwise choice.”
“Now you make a wise choice.”
