Page 58 of Highlander of Steel
“I cannae help it, when I see soldiers everywhere,” she replied quietly.
It seemed that this was going to be a bleak wedding; no one was able to enjoy themselves or think of a happy future with such a dark shadow looming over them.
The priest cleared his throat. “May I begin?”
“Aye,” Killian uttered, stealing one last look out the door, his ears pricked for any disturbance. When he saw nothing and heard nothing, he gave a nod. “Ye can start.”
Between the threat of an attack and Ailis’s striking beauty, Killian barely remembered that he was supposed to speak as the priest rattled through a greeting and then the vows.
Apparently, even the man of God didn’t think the heavens would protect him if he lingered too long in this risky chapel, so close to the border river.
But Killiandidrepeat his vows, his gaze never leaving Ailis’s face as the priest weaved an embroidered length of cloth around the couple’s hands. An old tradition that they hadn’t forgotten in this part of the Highlands, even if those further south might have called it a heathen’s act.
Ailis recited her vows in turn, her voice so distant that Killian wished everyone would leave so he could explain himself.
“It’s me honor to pronounce ye man and wife,” the priest said quickly. “To the new Laird and Lady MacNairn.”
The small congregation echoed the words, rising from their seats with the eagerness of those who wanted to be anywhere else. Indeed, they barely allowed Killian and Ailis to walk ahead of them and out of the chapel, following closely behind.
“Have ye heard any news of me family?” Ailis asked as the group dispersed, hastening back to Castle MacNairn on an assortment of carts.
Killian peered down at her and gently placed his fingertips on her lips. “Ye shouldnae speak of bad things on yer weddin’ day. Just for today, let us pretend there’s nothin’ on that side of the river.”
“But—”
He wrapped his arm around her, regardless of her rule. “Must I kiss ye silent?”
She narrowed her eyes at him, but it wasn’t a true glare, a faint spark entering her green gaze. “I’m the Lady of Clan MacNairn now. It’s me duty to ken what’s happenin’ in me lands and with me clan.” A smile tried to curve her lips. “Whether it’s me weddin’ day or nae.”
“I willnae warn ye again,” he said.
“Have the soldiers spotted any movement on the other side?” she asked anyway, the spark in her eyes brightening.
Killian held her a little bit tighter. “That’s it. Ye leave me nay choice but to break yer rule.”
“Which rule might that be?” she replied in an almostsultry voice.
He dipped his head and kissed her, a few of the eagerly departing guests turning at the sight as if they hadn’t expected it. Perhaps they, too, thought this was all just for show, an outlandish scheme to put an end to the war for good.
A few murmurs of appreciation rippled through the onlookers, and a few smiles appeared on the faces of the nearest guards, a hint of hope hanging in the air like the first day of spring.
Ailis didn’t kiss him back as she had done before. Her lips barely brushed his, chaste in their press. A sure sign that all wasn’t forgiven, but, as it was their wedding, it couldn’t pass without a kiss to seal it.
Either that, or she meant what she said. That she wouldnae be near me before the weddin’ or after.
Killian kissed her again, just in case it was the last time… whether by her command or her father’s next move.
23
Is a weddin’ feast usually so glum?
Having never been to one before, Ailis couldn’t tell if this was unusual or if all wedding festivities had a funereal air to them. She supposed it must depend on the couple.
“I said that gown would suit ye far better than it ever would me,” Paisley said, flopping down into the empty chair beside her.
Killian had been there throughout the somber speeches, made by people she didn’t know, who had mostly rambled on about his father, but he had wandered off a while ago and had yet to return.
Despite herself, Ailis kept searching the Great Hall for him, but he was nowhere to be seen.
