Page 115 of A Bride for the Icy Highlander
Me clan is united with strong allies. Me bride is at me side.
The hall was abuzz with cheer and clamor. Kian kept a steady arm around Abigail as they moved through the throng of kin and guests, folk reaching for handshakes and words of blessing.
His wife’s smile lit up the entire hall—he could hardly believe she was officially his. Every man he passed gave him a nod of approval, as if saying they understood how lucky he was.
Marissa stepped into his path, her expression softer than he’d ever seen it. “May I have a word privately?” she said to him.
“Aye, ye may,” he said. Abigail nodded to him and wandered to a group of people.
“Kian,” Marissa said quietly, “I owe ye an apology. I was guarded when I first met ye, but now that I saw yer love for her… now I understand.”
Kian dipped his head respectfully, the weight of her words not lost on him. “Ye have every right to protect yer sister. But I swear on me life, Marissa, that I’ll keep her safe. Always.”
Her eyes glistened just a touch, but then she nodded once.
He turned, catching Abigail’s gaze. She was laughing as she spoke to a few clansmen, that rich, melodic sound that warmed him to his core.
He crossed toward her in quick strides and reached for her hand. “Dance with me, wife,” he murmured, his lips grazing her ear.
She flushed but let him pull her onto the dance floor, the music already shifting into a lively reel. He spun her around, his hand firm on her waist, her other hand clasped tight in his.
The world narrowed to just the feel of her against him, soft and strong, their steps in perfect sync. Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in close.
“Ye always stare at me like that, husband?” she teased, her breath fanning his neck.
“Aye,” he whispered. “Because I cannae believe ye’re mine.”
Their hips brushed, their laughter weaving into the music as they moved.
His hand slid down, and she smacked it playfully with a coy look that promised mischief later.
Around them, the guests cheered and clapped, but Kian barely noticed. He’d danced before, fought before, lived through winter and fire. But nothing had prepared him for the ache in his chest now, the pure joy of knowing he’d finally found home. Not in a castle or a clan, but in the woman in his arms.
Kian turned his head at the sound of the heavy oak doors creaking open.
A breathless messenger rushed in, his face flushed with urgency. The hall quieted as he called out, “Laird McKenna, carts arrived in the village, laden with salted fish, grain, and root vegetables.”
A gasp swept through the Great Hall, the guests seated at the tables lifting their heads in disbelief.
“Say that again, lad,” Kian commanded, his voice thick with emotion. “Fish and grain?”
The messenger nodded, wiping his brow. “Aye. Cart after cart, enough to fill the cellars twice over.”
Before Kian could speak further, Michael and Arthur rose from their seats. Both men lifted their goblets high, smiles stretching wide across their bright faces.
Michael spoke first. “We didnae come to celebrate empty-handed. As a wedding gift to Kian and our lovely Abigail, we sent word home.”
Arthur nodded. “Aye. We told our people to gather what they could—fish from the lochs, root vegetables, and sacks of barley and oats. It is high time that hunger was eradicated from the village. May this be the first of many years of abundance for yer clan.”
Murmurs of awe rippled through the crowd, but it was Abigail who moved first. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she crossedtoward the two men. Without a word, she threw her arms around them, whispering her thanks.
Kian followed, his chest swelling with pride and humility.
He grasped Michael’s hand firmly, then Arthur’s. “Ye did this for us?” he asked.
“For her.” Michael clapped a hand on his shoulder. “And for all of ye. There’s nay stronger bond than shared bread and common cause.”
Kian turned to face the crowd once more. “Let it be known that Clan McKenna walks forward with the strength of Clan Reid and McEwan at each side. Aye, we are bound by this marriage, but more so by what we choose to build together. To Clan McEwan and Reid!”
