by Mia Pride
Her uncles gave her strong-armed hugs and winks as her aunts and mama beamed at her with wide smiles.
Eoin, Treasa, and Leannan were standing next to her mama but she still saw no sign of Alastar. He had to be here. He had made it clear she was required to attend tonight. “Where is Alastar?” she asked loudly over the many voices.
Eoin shrugged nonchalantly but hid a smirk behind his mug of mead. Treasa smiled mischievously. “I saw him a while ago. He must be here.”
“Why do you ask? He is not your husband anymore, Lin,” her brother added.
His words irritated her. “Mayhap not, but I can still inquire about the location of my child’s father, can I not?” she said with an eye roll.
He nodded and stifled a laugh. “Of course.”
“How are you feeling, mo leanbh?” her mother asked as she rubbed Aislin’s belly. “Your child is growing strong and healthy.”
“Aye, he kicks often these days. Mama… where is Alastar? He demanded I be here tonight.”
There was a flicker in her mother’s eyes and she pretended to look around for him. “He is here. I saw him just before you arrived.”
Just then, a loud bang that sounded like metal on wood broke through the boisterous crowd, causing everyone to go silent. Aislin spun to follow the sound and found Alastar, dressed in the old faded blue tunic she had sewn up with new green thread and a pair of beige trousers that clung to his muscular legs. His sword in hand, he lifted and dropped the tip three more times on the wooden table he stood upon, commanding the attention of the startled crowd.
Aislin looked over her shoulder and saw smug smiles on her entire family’s faces. They did not seem shocked at all to find him atop a table with a sword in hand. Turning around again, she drew her brows together in confusion. What in the world was he doing? He looked hilarious in that old tunic.
“Attention all men, women, and children of Ráth Mór!” he bellowed, and everyone remained fixed on him, eager to listen. “I need your help. You see, I have been a foolish man.”
Aislin stepped forward, drawn to him like a moth to a candle, wondering what he was up to. “From the moment I stepped foot upon your soil, I have been a fool for one lass. She has captivated me and made my mind a mess of uncontrollable thoughts, many of which I cannot share publicly,” he waggled his brows. Aislin groaned and rubbed her forehead with her hand, while many others hooted and whistled at his inference.
“But ‘tis more than that. She made me wish for things I never thought I wanted or needed. A bonny wee wife to come home to every night. A gaggle of wee children to play with, teach, and love. And above all, she made me wish for a love that could withstand any struggle… even my own foolish mistakes.”
Aislin licked her lips and stared breathlessly up at Alastar. His dark blond hair shone in the light of the tallow candles and he looked so handsome standing in front of their entire tuath, even if she was still unsure what he was trying to say.
“Aislin Mac Murray,” he said, his eyes landing on her standing in front of the table. Her heart sped up as he said her name. That was his surname, not hers, but she knew what he was doing. He was claiming her still as his wife, even though she had walked away from their handfast. “I ask you to join me, please.”
He did not command; he asked… and that made all the difference to Aislin. She disliked being the center of everyone’s attention immensely, but after all she had put him through, she could not say nay to his simple request. Tucking a few wild wisps of hair behind her ear, she stepped up to the low-lying table and put out a hand so he could help her up. The crowd began to hoot and holler again as he grabbed her waist and pulled her close. He was silent for a moment as he stared into her eyes and she struggled to catch her breath when she recognized the pure love shining back in his gaze.
He continued to speak loudly enough for all to hear, but his words were directed at her as he looked down upon her face, one hand moving to her abdomen. “Aislin. You have given me everything I never knew I wanted. When you are with me, I feel a sense of completeness and fulfillment I have never known before. When you walk away from me, I feel a void so deep that I cannot even breathe. You gave me a child, one I already love beyond measure. I want many more children with you. Ten.”
She choked and tried to step out of his grip, but he held her firmly. “Ten? Are you mad?” she croaked and the entire tuath laughed as if she were jesting.
“Aye. I am mad, Lin. Mad about you. Only you. I mean what I say. I know I was a foolish lad my entire life, treating women as if they were only there for my pleasure, never allowing my affections to go deeper. But with you, there has never been a doubt. If you question that, you can ask your poor brother, who had to suffer my daily longing for you. You have always driven me mad.”
Eoin groaned from down below and shouted, “’Tis the disgusting truth. ‘Tis why I forced him to marry you… before I had to gut him!”
More laughter filled the air, but Alastar stood serious, gazing at her. “I was not forced. I wanted to marry you more than I had wanted anything else in my entire life. That was the happiest day of my life, but I ruined it all with my ignorance and foolish ways. While I cannot promise I will never be a fool again someday, I can promise to always be a loyal fool. My heart is fully yours, and ‘tis in your hands. The day I lost you was the day I died inside. I am not afraid to say that in front of everyone I know. I am nothing without you, Lin. Nothing.”
Before she could even speak or process all that he had said, the crowd began to whisper, and she swore she heard a few gasps and sobs as he took her hands in his and got down on both knees in front of her, just as he had done earlier that day in his home. Once again, his head rested on her stomach and in that moment, her well-controlled emotions broke through the barrier, and her throat tightened as tears trailed down her cheeks. Curse Alastar for always knowing how to make her sob like a wee babe, especially in front of everyone she knew.
In that moment, however, nobody else mattered. It was only her and this man who, time and time again, she had tried to walk away from, tried to deny her need for, her love for. But he was resolute in his desire to have her and now she cried for the love she had tossed aside, the many days and nights of despair they had both endured, and for the nights he healed alone in his bed without her tender care and company. She did not deserve this man. She had failed repeatedly. “I am the fool, not you,” she whispered down to him, so only he could hear, as he continued to hold his cheek against the rise of their child.
Looking up at her with tracks of tears running down his cheeks, his breath shuddered. “You were Aislin Mac Cecht when I met you. For one beautiful moment in time, you were Aislin Mac Murray, but I lost the right to call you wife when I betrayed your trust with my foolish mistakes. I have struggled to prove to you that ‘tis only you I love, and only you I will ever love. All I want is another chance at forever. Another chance to spend every day showing you my love and devotion. Another chance to call you my wife.”
With pure honesty in his eyes, he sighed. “I wagered I could make you wed with me in one moon’s time. It was arrogant, and I regretted it as soon as the words left my mouth. Truth is, I meant to have you, wager or nay. I am sorry I betrayed your faith in me. I have one more wager for you, and then I swear upon my soul I will never make a wager again. Please, Lin. I am on bended knee, wagering you to take a chance on me once more, begging you to be my wife again.”
The entire room was silent except for the sniffles of a few weeping women. One of them, she realized, was herself. She sniffed and swallowed as she looked down at Alastar on his knees. He looked blurry through her watery eyes, but she could see him well enough to decipher the utter fear that she would reject his love once again.
Never. She had suffered. He had suffered. Their suffering ended now.
Nodding her head, she smiled and wiped the wetness from her cheeks. “Aye, Alastar. I will be your wife again, but only on one condition,” she added holding up a finger. He held
his breath and she could see he feared what she would say. “The next time we say our vows, ‘twill be forever. I want nay handfast with you Alastar Mac Murray. I want forever, or nothing.”
He laughed and stood up, wrapping her in his arms and swinging her around. Her arms came up around his neck while her green dress fluttered about her ankles. The crowd cheered, clapped, hooted, whistled, and several bawdy joked were thrown their way. “Forever it is, my dearest Lin,” he murmured against her lips before planting a hard, claiming kiss on her mouth. She held on for dear life, not caring that they made a public display of themselves.
Without warning, his hands came behind her knees and swept her up into his arms, somehow without even breaking the kiss. “Take me home,” she whispered to him. “Our home.”
“Anything for my wife,” he smiled and stepped off the table without acknowledging the crowd.
“I am not your wife yet. You must marry me, first,” she added with a grin, feeling lighter than she had in so long. Her heart could beat again, her lungs could breathe once more, and the constant gnawing in her gut was suddenly gone.
“’Tis easily remedied, mo chroí.” He carried her out of the hall, everyone moving aside to give them space. His grip on her did not relent as he carried her through town, into his home, and dropped her on their bed with a flourish.
“Words are easily spoken. ‘Tis time I show you how much I truly love you,” he murmured before pulling his faded tunic over his head and tossing it behind him.
“Do not throw that tunic in the fire, as well, Alastar,” she chided playfully while her eyes took in all of him as he quickly disrobed. He was a beautiful man to gaze upon, and all hers.
“Never. Tis my very favorite tunic of all time. The woman I love made it for me.” And then his body came down on top of her as their lips connected, silencing all words for the rest of the night.
***
The house was filled with the women in her family. Her mother and aunties Una and Gwynneth fluttered about like nervous bees pinning yellow roses into her hair. Leannan, Treasa, and Alyson helped pin Elwynna’s hair with beautiful white roses. Even Clarice had come to help both brides prepare for what was sure to be a surprising day for Alastar.
It had only been three days since he declared his love for her in the hall and they had yet to discuss exactly which day they would wed.
Later that night, Àdhamh had asked Elwynna to marry him with all due haste and she had gladly accepted. His need for a swift union was partly to keep her safe and protected from her father ever trying to claim her back. With a husband of her own, he could not dare to steal her away. Still, much of Àdhamh’s haste was very obviously due to his desperate love for Elwynna and a desire to call her his wife.
It had not taken long for Elwynna to begin her plotting, and Aislin was delighted by her devious plan. They would have a double wedding, only Alastar would not be privy to that detail. He was told by Aislin that once Àdhamh and Elwynna had their ceremony, they could begin to plan their own. Yet, Elwynna insisted adamantly that she wished to share her day, especially since it would be the greatest gift she could offer to Alastar and Aislin. Though Aislin had wanted to argue that Elwynna deserved her own special day, she could not help but love the idea of having a surprise of her own for her husband. Aye, he had shocked her with his public love declaration and proposal, but it was her turn to show her commitment to him.
“Alastar will be so surprised!” Alyson said as she circled Elwynna, making sure every perfect blonde curl was in place.
“This was a very smart plan, Lin,” her Aunt Gwynneth said as she tucked another yellow rose into her hair. “And my yellow dress looks beautiful on you!”
Aislin looked down at the soft yellow dress she had been given by her aunt. It was truly beautiful as it clung to her breasts and rounded belly, then flared down her legs with a slight train in the back. The cut was slightly too low to conceal her enormous bosom, but her aunt had not been with child when she wore it for her own wedding to Aislin’s uncle Liam.
“My thanks for allowing me to use your dress on such short notice, Auntie Gwynn. I do love it, and know Alastar will love it, as well. As for the plan, truly it was all Elwynna’s idea. She is full of grand schemes, it seems,” Aislin smirked with a wink for Elwynna. And she really was. She had come up with every detail of this wedding within a matter of days and somehow managed to keep their plan a secret from Alastar. Àdhamh knew of the plan, and was more than willing to share his day Alastar.
“I only hope he is wearing something other than that hideous tunic he always insists on wearing,” Aislin groaned.
“I think ‘tis entirely romantic how much he loves your horrible sewing skills,” Leannan said as she rubbed her own swollen belly.
“It never ceases to amaze me how our lassies are always with child at the same time,” Gwynneth said to Una and Ceara. Indeed, all four of them had large protruding bellies, but none larger than Leannan, who was nearing the end of her term.
“Aye. Bring on the grandbabes!” Ceara shouted with waving arms as she grabbed Aislin with both hands on her cheeks and smacked her on the lips. “We need to catch up, mo leanbh,” she whispered conspiratorially into Aislin’s ear. “Gwynn has four already and another three on the way. I will have the two between Treasa and Eoin, but ‘tis not enough. If you give Alastar his ten, we shall win!”
Aislin snorted and rolled her eyes. “You shall not compete with Auntie Gwynn using my womb, Mama.”
A knock on the door made all the women go silent as Maggie slipped her head in with a shy smile. Her blonde curls bounced around her heart-shaped face as she came inside and shared hugs with all the lassies. “’Tis time,” she nodded. “Àdhamh is in place with the druid and the entire tuath has come to witness. Tuathal and your brother have made sure Alastar is near the front. He will also be with Freyne, Brennain, and Flynn, so he will not suspect a thing.”
Aislin could not help but notice that Maggie’s alabaster cheeks turned pink at the mention of her cousin Flynn. Both were overly shy. She had a feeling they were interested in one another, but wondered if either one of them would ever make the first move.
“Are you lassies ready?” her mama said.
“Aye,” Elwynna replied, suddenly going serious. “I must say before we leave, that it means the world to me to be surrounded by so many kind and accepting women. And Queen Leannan, for you and King Tuathal to accept me so openly, and even offer to walk me down to Àdhamh, is more than I could have ever asked for. My thanks.”
“You are deserving of this and so much more, Elwynna. You have had a rough life but that is the past. Your future awaits you,” Leannan said as she put her hand out to Elwynna and all the women made their slow journey to the ceremony site.
***
“How odd for the entire tuath to come out for a small last-minute ceremony,” Alastar said as he looked around at the crowd. Hundreds of villagers circled the center of town and a druid in white robes with a short brown beard stood up front with Àdhamh and Tuathal. He was in the very front of the crowd with Aislin’s male kin and noticed immediately that she and her female relatives were not in attendance. Although Aislin had stayed behind to help Elwynna prepare for her wedding, he had not thought all the women in her family would also need to attend her, as well.
Eoin smirked at him and shrugged. “I suppose everyone loves watching two people in love say their vows. The weather is nice, plus Tuathal has promised everyone loads of food and ale afterward.”
“Ah, now I understand why everyone is here,” Alastar said with a laugh and a nod. “Still, tis taking Aislin an awfully long time to help Elwynna. I have not seen her all blasted day!”
“You will see her soon. I am certain of it,” Flynn said nonchalantly.
The sun was high and only a few clouds hovered overhead. It was the perfect day for a wedding, and suddenly Alastar was filled with excitement, wondering when he could finally marry Aislin and have her all to himself. She promi
sed him that if he would just wait for Elwynna and Àdhamh to have their hasty wedding, they could then plan their own. He did not need to plan a cursed thing. If she stood by his side and said her vows to him, he would be a happy man. He would marry her right this very moment if he could, but this was not his day, and he had to stop selfishly thinking of his own desires.
“They approach!” A woman said from the rear and hundreds of eyes turned to the back. The sun was blazing from that direction and Alastar had to shield his eyes with his hand to see. He saw Elwynna first, her golden hair sparkling in the sunlight with what looked like white roses pinned into her hair. She wore a flowing soft blue dress and looked beautiful for her wedding day, but Alastar’s gaze floated past her as he searched for Aislin. Surely, she should have come back before Elwynna walked out.
The crowd murmured endearments to Elwynna as she walked past them, and he was certain he had never seen the lass smile as widely as she was now. Alastar was pleased to see she had finally found love with the right lad. Àdhamh was a good, strong man and he would take good care of his dear companion. Even if it was not his wedding, Alastar was glad to be here to watch them share their love with the large crowd of villagers.
As she approached him, Elwynna paused momentarily to stop in front of him and grab his hand, a sincere smile on her lovely face. “I wish you and Aislin so much happiness,” she whispered and looked at him with a cocked brow. How very strange of her to be well-wishing him at her own wedding.
“My thanks, Elwynna, and I am certain you will be happy with Àdhamh.” With that, she blushed and nodded before walking past him and toward her intended husband, who stood beaming next to the druid and Tuathal.
Queen Leannan trailed behind Elwynna, and the three sisters of Danu walked slowly a few yards behind her with bright smiles on their identical faces, followed by Alyson and Treasa. Where was Aislin? His heart began to pound as fear clenched at his gut. Had something happened to her? Was she all alone in his home while everyone else was here? Was she having pains caused by their babe? Just as fear seized control of his mind and he prepared to bolt, her mother stopped next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, just before nodding to Tuathal and the druid.