The crowd streamed out of the church, Callum and Kerry last to leave as tradition dictated. They made their way hand in hand to the gate where a sprig of heather had been placed on a slab of wood on the ground. Callum lifted the heather into the air, showing it to the crowd before attaching it to Kerry’s dress with a silver pin. With that done the crowd cheered and as they did so he leaned forward, kissing his wife for the very first time.
The feast came next. Everyone in the local villages had provided something and the tables sagged with the weight of it all. There was no space to move in the great hall, everyone talking and laughing, indulging in what might be the last large meal before the winter. Rumor was it that snow was coming and soon all would be hunkered down to ride out the cold months.
The thought of winter was far from anyone’s thoughts while they ate, cheering the happy couple who sat together on the dais, surrounded by wellwishers.
“Are you happy?” Callum asked, seeing Kerry examining the ring on her finger. “Not having second thoughts?”
“I couldn’t be happier,” she replied. “This is where I was always supposed to be. I know that now. What about you? Wouldn’t you rather have married Nessa?”
“I would rather have wed a sheep than her.”
“So you’re calling me a sheep?”
“No, that’s not what I…” He smiled. “You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” She winked and blew him a kiss as a horn echoed around the room.
The talking died down as Alan stood up, his tankard held high in the air. “I wish to read you a poem.”
Callum frowned. His father had never shown any interest in poetry.
“It was told to me by my father on my wedding day and today I hand it to my son who may one day pass it to his.” He cleared his throat, his voice becoming quieter.
“Our land we bought with blood violent spilt,
Many have died to stitch the MacCleod quilt,
We remember them now and shall never forget,
All they’ve done for our clan and yet,
Today we look beyond all that is gone and past,
To the future of these two and may their love last,
Until the end of time when the last star doth fall,
So please raise a glass in cheer one and all.”
An earsplitting roar went up around the room and Alan turned to Callum. “To my son and his wife, may they grant me a grandson to add one more panel to the MacCleod quilt.”
“I have something to say.”
The room fell quiet. At the furthest table a figure was rising. It was Moira. She had not been seen since Orm’s funeral and was still wearing the clothes of mourning. In her arms she held a tiny sleeping baby.
She looked straight at Callum as she continued. “If Orm were here today he would have something to say but I must say it on his behalf.” She paused, a tear rolling down her cheek. “May God bless your marriage as He once blessed mine.” She sat down again without another word, rocking the baby slowly from side to side.
The feast continued long into the night. Outside snow began to silently fall, coating the castle and the land beyond in a blanket of white. The thick flakes hissed when they landed on the torches that illuminated the courtyard.
Eventually the door to the great hall opened and Callum emerged with his new bride. Behind them the abbot walked slowly, muttering his prayers. The door was pulled closed once more to keep the heat in as the three of them walked up the stairs to the bedchamber. The noise died away as they climbed. Kerry paused at an arrow slit to look outside at the falling snow. “It’s beautiful,” she said.
“Aye,” Callum replied, kissing her cheek, “though nowhere near as beautiful as you.”
Epilogue
Kerry knelt before the small altar in the bedroom. Beside her Callum was muttering a prayer. The abbot stood behind them both.
The day had passed by in a blur. This was the first moment of quiet she’d had to contemplate everything that had happened. She was married. With this final prayer the elaborate wedding ceremony was completed and the abbot would bless their bed before leaving the two of them alone.
They were married. So much had happened since she had first met Callum that she found it hard to believe it had really happened. Part of her thought it might be the cruelest of dreams, that she would wake up back home and all of this would vanish.
She pinched herself discreetly. Nothing happened except her arm hurt. The abbot tapped her on the shoulder. Callum had finished.
The two of them stood up, the abbot smiling as he bowed to the altar before turning to them.
“Forgiveness is a true virtue,” he said. “That you could forgive Edward for what he did to you is astonishing.”
“I forgave him for me, not for him. I will never let him have power over me again.”
“You’re a better person than me,” Callum said. “I still can’t believe he tried to kill you.”
“He remembers nothing of that,” the abbot replied. “He spends his time in the infirmary hearing tales of the MacCleods who are a source of great wonder to him.”
“His memory has not returned then?”
The abbot shook his head. “He believes he has always lived at the abbey. He knows only that he cannot walk and never will again.”
“What does he do at the abbey?”
“He has been writing a saga. I bring you a copy he made himself.”
He handed over a pile of parchment bound inside leather. Kerry opened it and looked at the title. The Saga of Callum MacCleod.
“Edward wrote this?” she said, flicking through the pages. “I can hardly believe it.”
“He is working on the second volume as we speak.”
“I am glad the fall didn’t kill him,” she said to Callum. “Or I would never have read this book nor known anything about you.” She meant it too. She wanted Edward out of her life but she wasn’t sure she would have been able to handle having his death on her conscience.
She had been as surprised as anyone to find out Edward had awoken with no memory of the future or her. He thought he’d been born in the middle ages and accepted his lot at the abbey without argument. By all accounts he was a different person to the man who had tried to attack her in the tower, convinced he’d lived in the highlands all his life. He even had a Scottish accent.
“I will leave you with one piece of advice,” the abbot said, pressing the couple’s hands together. “Your bond is the strongest I have ever seen between two people. I hope you can create a bond as strong with the other clans of the highlands in defense of our lands. A good night to you both.”
He turned without another word, heading out of the door and closing it behind him.
Kerry sank into a chair, exhaling heavily. “Alone at last.”
“Aye,” Callum replied. “So we are.” He put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly while looking into the fire. “How does it feel to be married?”
“It feels right.”
He lifted her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her. “I love you Kerry MacCleod.”
“I love you Callum MacCleod.” Together they moved over to the bed and he began to undo the knot tying the shoulder of her dress. “One thing you need to know,” she added, slapping his hand away.
“What’s that?”
“Tonight you don’t get to say we must wait until we’re married to do this.”
Her dress was thrown to the floor a moment later followed by Callum’s tartan soon after.
The candles burned lower until they spluttered and went out leaving the room in darkness. The fire turned to embers, the temperature dropping rapidly.
In the bed, behind the heavy curtains, Callum and Kerry wore nothing at all and yet they remained as warm as it was possible to be.
The End
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Held by the Highlander (Highlander’s Time – Book 1)
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br /> The middle ages were a long time ago. And just around the corner.
When Beth Dagless is thrown back through time to medieval Scotland, all she wants is to find a way home. But when she's captured by a handsome highlander straight out of the history books, she realizes going home might not be as simple as she thought.
Andrew MacIntye is a laird under siege. With rival clans massing against him, the last thing he needs is for some strange woman to appear out of nowhere, talking nonsense about traveling through time. But not only can she prove she's from the future, she's making him feel something he's never felt before, overwhelming desire.
He knows the best way to keep her safe is to get her back to her own time but how can he do that when being apart from her is agony? Little does he know that the answer to his dilemma may lie in the same magic that brought the two of them together, a magic that has one final move to make in this spellbinding game of hearts and souls.
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Highlander's Voyage (Medieval Highlander Trilogy - Book 1)
A modern woman thrust into the past. A medieval highlander on the run. Why has fate brought these two together?
Carol didn't want to travel through time to twelfth century Scotland. When she found the dirt encrusted ring lying in a recently plowed field, all she wanted was to see if it would fit her finger. But one touch and she's thrown into the past. She'll do whatever it takes to get home again but the enormous highland warrior who found her refuses to let her go. Stuck together, their mutual attraction grows until Carol realizes if she doesn't shake off her desire for her captor, she may never get back to her own time.
Angus MacClean is not looking for a beautiful stranger. He's headed south to seek revenge against the cruel English lord who massacred half his clan when he stumbles upon Carol. His men fear sorcery but only one thing frightens Angus, how she makes him feel. If he's to succeed in his mission he must let her go but the longer they spend together, the harder that becomes. As the climactic showdown with the English approaches he must make a choice. Ignore his feelings for his captive and send her home or keep her by his side and fight not just for his clan but also for true love.
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Highlander's Revenge (Medieval Highlander Trilogy - Book 2)
She's a damaged woman trapped in the past. He's a medieval highlander who's never known love. Until it lands in his lap.
When Fiona Carrington travels through time to 13th century Scotland she's no idea how to get home. All she knows is first she'll need to find a way out of the heavy chains wrapped around her body.
Kirk MacClean is trapped in a dungeon with no way out. When a mysterious woman appears out of nowhere he makes her a deal. He'll help her get back home if she helps him escape.
Working together, they might be able to win their freedom. But can they ignore their mutual attraction long enough to outrun the dark forces that threaten to destroy them both?
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Highlander's Battle (Medieval Highlander Trilogy - Book 3)
True love is waiting for her back in twelfth century Scotland. If only she can find it.
When she was twelve, Alice met a boy she fell in love with. Then he vanished as if he'd never existed. Ten years later she finds a portrait of him in a museum dedicated to highland history. But how can the boy in the centuries old painting be the same boy she once met? Reaching out to touch the past she suddenly finds herself in the middle ages and in the middle of a clan war. In the distance is someone she recognizes. Someone very special.
Ramsey MacClean never expected to see Alice again. All his efforts have been focused on getting his lairdship back from the cruel usurper who snatched it from him. The last thing he needs is a distraction. But when a beautiful woman appears from nowhere his willpower starts to crumble. What's worse is it's the one woman he always swore to protect. Now he must choose between his clan and his desire. He knows he must let Alice go and concentrate on saving his people but the magic that brought her back has one final spell to cast, a spell that might just change the entire future of the highlands.
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Also by the Same Author
Medieval Highlander Trilogy
Highlander’s Voyage (Book 1)
Highlander’s Revenge (Book 2)
Highlander’s Battle (Book 3)
Highlander’s Time Series
Held by the Highlander (Book 1)
Janet’s Tale (Book 1.5)
Promised to the Highlander (Book 2)
Promised to the Highlander: A Scottish Time Travel Romance Page 13