Page 107 of The Lyon and the Unicorn
“Aye, lass,” he said, and pleasure flared as he shifted inside her. “It’s time to take my wife home.”
“Home…”
He withdrew, and she shivered at the sense of loss before he pulled her into his arms.
“Aye, lass,” he said. “Home. Strathburn Castle is yer home as much as it’s mine.”
She took his hand and kissed it. “My home is with you, Murdo.”
His manhood twitched as if in eagerness at her words, and she lifted her eyebrows.
“Husband, are you ready for me again, so soon?”
“Aye,” he said, helping her to her feet. “I’m always ready for ye. Ready to worship ye, and to love ye. In securing yer hand, I’m the victor.”
“Then claim your prize.”
“With pleasure.”
She let out a shriek as he swooped her up into his arms and waded into the loch. Then he entered her once more, sending ripples across the water’s surface, and roared into the sky.
“I love ye, Clara McTavish!”
His voice echoed across the landscape, declaring his heart, unfettered by duty of convention. Her sea warrior, her unicorn.
Her soul mate.
Epilogue
“I, Murdo AlastairJames McTavish, affirm before the whole clan, and our guests, that I shall love, cherish, and honor ye, Clara McTavish, until I draw my last breath.”
Murdo stared into his wife’s eyes, and his heart soared as they mirrored his love.
“When the sun has grown cold and faded into nothingness and the mountain has crumbled into dust,” he added, “my soul will still love ye, for eternity.”
He took her hand, and they turned to face the guests, who burst into applause.
James appeared at his side, resplendent in the McTavish plaid, having just been anointed as laird.
“My clan!” he said. “Neighbors, friends, allies—today we forge ahead into a new life. A life of strength and honor. Where we honor each other, serve the land, and love as we were meant to love. And with my brother and his wife on my left-hand side, and my faithful ghillie on my right”—he gestured toward Duncan, who stood at the front of the crowd—“we’ll ensure that Clan McTavish remains strong and honorable forever.”
He raised his hand in salute. “To strength and honor!”
“Strength and honor!” the company cried in unison.
“And now, we celebrate,” he said. “Eat, drink, dance, love. And most of all…live.”
He clapped his hands, and a piper began to play, filling the great hall with a lively air. The guests cheered and the dancing began.
To one side, Murdo spotted his wife’s parents. He took her hand and led her toward them.
“Yer Grace,” he said, bowing to the duke, “and Duchess. I’m glad ye came.”
The duchess focused her sharp gaze on Murdo, and icy fingers caressed the back of his neck, to match the frost in her eyes.
“I confess a reluctance to visit here again,” she said. “I came to see whether my daughter’s being treated in the manner she deserves.”
Murdo’s cheeks warmed as he recalled the duchess’s last visit.
