Mairi blinked, realizing that tears sat in her eyes. Blushing and weeping; what had love done to her? Love. Aye, that was the squeeze she felt in her chest as she waited for Alec to respond.
He drew her in to him, his hand going to her hair to fix her flower crown. His fingers trailed down through her waves to her shoulder, and his sensuous mouth softened. “Ye swore.”
She nodded. “I can’t imagine leaving here.” She swallowed. “Leaving ye. Even if we are on Kisimul.”
“Curses are made of fear and discontent,” he said, using her words. He shook his head. “I will give ye the freedom to leave, though know wherever ye go, I will follow. When I thought I’d lost ye, I knew…I knew for certain that I love ye, Mairi.”
Mairi blinked against the tears swimming in her vision and stepped closer into his arms. “I love ye, too, Alec MacNeil. I’m not going anywhere.”
Alec cupped her cheeks and lowered his mouth to hers as she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck. Their lips met urgently and completely, a continual oath to each other, sealing it with something stronger than words. The sun beat down, the fresh breeze blowing as God and all creation witnessed Mairi and Alec’s union. Sealed completely with a kiss that was given and taken with absolute love.
“Ho there,” came Kenneth’s voice, making Alec slowly break the kiss. But his gaze remained connected to Mairi.
“Shall we make it official then?” Ian called.
Alec turned, pulling Mairi into his side. Lips still damp with their oath, Mairi stared out at the procession coming up onto the knoll. “Oh my,” she breathed. A mass of people walked toward them, Weylyn and Cinnia, running in front with Daisy. Kenneth slapped Alec on the back.
“I take it she said aye,” Ian said, working his still-bound leg under him, his arm propped on a crutch. He smiled at Mairi.
“I did,” she said. “But…?” Her arm went out to the people trudging up the hill. Her family in the lead, but followed by Barra villagers, several ladies around Millie. One of the women shrieked as Millie’s dogs flew past her to run up the hill with Daisy, Ares, and Alec’s wolfhounds.
“They’ve come to see their chief wed,” Ian said.
Kenneth looked out toward the large group. “Your priest from Mull came and has agreed to save our souls until another cleric can be found for Barra. He can bless ye and bless the ground as well.”
“The ground?” Mairi asked, looking down at the grass where the daisies waved up at her.
Alec pulled her around to face him. “We are building, but not on Kisimul. This hill is where our home will be.”
“But Kisimul?” she asked.
“We will rebuild, but we will not live there. If Weylyn or Cinnia wish to return when they leave home, they can, but they will have the choice. Otherwise, Kisimul will be used for official functions and as a refuge if Barra is in danger.”
Mairi looked out at the bay, remembering the view in the dark with stars overhead. “This meadow is our special place,” she whispered and looked to Alec.
“Aye, lass.” He bent close to her ear. “Where I will love ye under the stars.” His words sent a sensual shiver down through Mairi, and she turned to kiss him again.
Someone cleared his throat. “I believe there are some oaths to take before the kiss.” Father Kenan smiled, his bushy brows raised, and Mairi released her hold on Alec. By then the group of over a hundred people had made it up, filling their grassy hill. Children chased butterflies and dragonflies amongst the flowers. Dogs chased the children, making them laugh and tumble. And people clustered around, smiling and shushing one another.
It was the most beautiful of days, and Mairi tipped her face to the blue sky. With Father Kenan’s words, they repeated their oaths for the crowd, and before the clergy could suggest it, Alec pulled her back into his arms.
“Ye are no longer the lone Wolf of Kisimul Castle,” Mairi said, smiling into his face.
“And ye are no longer its captive,” he said. “Ye are Mairi MacNeil, and I love ye.”
“Come here,” she said, tugging him down. “I love ye, too.”
As their lips met, a cheer rose through the crowd, but Mairi lost herself in the power wrapping around her, protecting her and freeing her at the same time. The power of love.
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Acknowledgments
Thank you, Braden, for all your loving support. Without you, I could not be the woman I am. You believed in me when I started writing, lifted me up when I faltered, literally carried me when I was too weak to walk, held me when I shook and hurt, and celebrated with me every time I won with a positive doctor’s appointment. You are a fabulous father, an honorable man, and a brawny and powerful Highlander, who is always up for “loving me under the stars.” I love you for always.
…
As at the end of each of my books, I please ask that you, my awesome readers, remind yourselves of the whispered symptoms of ovarian cancer. I am now a six-year survivor, one of the lucky ones. Please don’t rely on luck. If you experience any of these symptoms, consistently for three weeks or more, go see your GYN.
Bloating
Eating less and feeling full faster
Abdominal pain
Trouble with your bladder
Other symptoms may include: indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, fatigue, and menstrual irregularities.
About the Author
Heather McCollum is an award-winning historical romance writer. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood of 2009 Golden Heart finalists.
The ancient magic and lush beauty of Great Britain entrances Ms. McCollum’s heart and imagination every time she visits. The country’s history and landscape have been a backdrop for her writing ever since her first journey across the pond.
When she is not creating vibrant characters and magical adventures on the page, she is roaring her own battle cry in the war against ovarian cancer. Ms. McCollum recently slayed the cancer beast and resides with her very own Highland hero, rescued golden retriever, and three kids in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast. For more information about Ms. McCollum, please visit www.HeatherMcCollum.com.
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Discover the Highland Isles series…
The Beast of Aros Castle
The Rogue of Islay Isle
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Highland Heart
Captured Heart
Tangled Hearts
Untamed Hearts
Crimson Heart
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The Wolf of Kisimul Castle (Highland Isles) Page 21