by Terry Spear
Neacal shook his head, looking weary and tired. "I feared the power would go to Elrick's head."
"It did."
Her brother stared out at the loch below for several moments.
"Will you stay and become the chief?" she asked quietly.
He turned his turbulent gaze upon her. "I was never meant to be chief."
"I ken with a certainty you will make a far better one than Elrick."
"I will do what is best for the clan. 'Tis what Da would ask of me, and I can do no less."
At his words of self-sacrifice, her heart squeezed and ached. How could her two brothers be so different? "Da would be so proud of you, Neacal. You're a good man, and I pray you will find peace and happiness."
He gave a brief humorless laugh and glanced away. "Not in this life, Maili. But my happiness is of no import. Like I said, I'll do what is best for the clan." He appeared resigned to his fate… and miserable.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Nay. Knowing I have your approval is enough. If you're going to marry the MacKenzie man, you'll be leaving us, aye?"
"'Tis true. Not that I wish to leave you or my clan," she said, sadness weighing upon her. "I will come to visit often."
He nodded, looking troubled. "Near half the men of the clan are dead at the MacKenzies' hand. I'll have to hire guards. And 'tis obvious our defenses require shoring up if the MacKenzie's overtook the castle so easily."
"They're highly trained warriors. And if you're going to blame anyone for this disaster, blame Elrick."
He nodded again. "He made a bad choice and then underestimated them."
A knock sounded at the door.
Maili opened it and found Shamus standing just outside with his younger brother Fraser. Entering, Shamus took her hand and kissed the back. Warmth and affection spread through her. She introduced her brother to the MacKenzies and held her breath until Neacal offered his hand and they shook.
"We wish to speak to your brother alone for a few moments," Shamus said.
Her face heated when she realized Shamus planned to ask for her hand in marriage.
***
Her eyes wide, Maili sent Shamus a wee grin, nodded and exited the room. He adored her blushes and enchanting smiles.
He eyed the man across from him, about his own size, lean and muscular. He looked as if he'd been training intensely. Though the man's eyes were the same color as his sister's, the expression in them was completely different. The man possessed a feral, unpredictable quality that put him on edge. Fraser had insisted on accompanying Shamus since he was not yet fully recovered.
"I'm sorry for what happened between our clans," Shamus said, hoping Maili's wild-eyed brother would not throw a dirk at him.
"And I'm sorry Elrick took you hostage."
"I want you to know, I love Lady Maili and I want to ask for your permission to marry her."
Neacal eyed him critically. "Very well. 'Tis what she wishes. I hope this marriage will forge an alliance between our clans so we'll have no more violence between us."
Shamus nodded. "I'm certain my brother Cyrus, the chief, will be glad to hear this."
***
Maili had never been happier than when she married Shamus the following week in her family's wee chapel beside the castle. The light from a multitude of candles pierced the gloaming and reflected off the stained glass windows. Tears of joy blurred her vision as Shamus vowed to cherish and honor her through this life and into the next. After she repeated her vows, they were pronounced man and wife. Shamus smiled, leaned down and gave her a kiss filled with love and devotion.
They ran through the rain to the great hall where a grand wedding feast awaited them.
Though Shamus' brothers had teased him mercilessly with plenty of gibes about being a married man and, in effect, still a prisoner, he smiled, ignored them and fed her bites of venison, bread and cheese from their shared trencher. She had never known such bliss was possible.
A traveling band of minstrels had arrived on a galley the day before and were now entertaining them from an elevated platform in the far corner of the great hall. When a new ballad began, the hauntingly beautiful female voice floating through the air caught Maili's attention. Except for the singer's voice, a hush fell over the large room. Everyone paused to listen and search out the owner. But in the dimness of the corner, 'twas impossible to make out many details of the lass.
"Saints," Neacal hissed softly, sitting beside Maili.
She glanced at him to find him transfixed, a look of awe on his face such as she'd never before seen.
It seemed everyone held their breaths until the song ended. After a great applause resounded to the rafters, the musicians launched into a lively instrumental gig and everyone resumed eating and talking.
Around midnight, when their clansmen were busy drinking and dancing, Maili and Shamus slipped away from the céilidh. Once in her decorated, candlelit bedchamber, Shamus said, "We should've returned to the standing stones for our wedding night."
She snickered. "Are you mad? The rain is pouring down out there."
He grinned. "Aye, mad for you." He slid his arms around her waist, drew her to him and kissed her. She was indeed thankful he was near fully recovered and gaining more strength each day.
When he stripped the clothing from her body, she was glad for the cozy fire in the hearth. Moments later, they were both naked beneath the bedcovers, her body tight against his.
She sighed and pulled him closer. "This is far better than the hard ground."
"Aye." He placed cherishing kisses over her face and down her neck, then lifted up to look into her eyes. "I love you, Maili, and I'm so happy I found you. The galley wreck, beatings, injuries and imprisonment were worth it."
Tears burning her eyes, she shook her head, unable to comprehend all he'd endured. "I'm sorry you went through all that pain. But I'm glad you found me here. No one could ever make me as happy as you do." And truly, she had never been as happy as she was at this moment. "In my heart, I married you that night at the standing stones."
"Aye, I should've realized the same thing, but you are far wiser than I am, my wee fairy lass."
He gave her a soul-deep kiss and she could think no more. Her full attention was on the love that wrapped them in a warm embrace and the hot, delectable sensations he showered upon her.
Epilogue
The sky was clear blue the next morn when the MacKenzies, including Shamus, Maili and her maid, Anora, boarded galleys to head north to Teasairg Castle. Though Maili was sad to leave her brother and her clan, she was excited to find a new home with Shamus.
After embracing Neacal, she said, "I truly do hope you will be content here, brother."
"I'll do my best." His stormy gaze searched hers. "But more importantly, I hope you'll be happy with your new husband and the MacKenzies."
"I'm certain I will. Shamus is a good man."
Neacal nodded. "Send word to me if he becomes otherwise," he said dryly.
She let a small grin slip out. "I don't think that will happen."
Moments later, she bid her brother and her clan farewell and the MacKenzie warriors shoved the eight galleys into the loch. Maili had always enjoyed riding in a galley and loved it even more with Shamus at her side.
A fair wind pushed them north at a great pace, and by sunset they were sailing up a beautiful loch. Sunlight played through the mist and clouds as the galleys glided smoothly through the water.
"This is Loch Alsh," Shamus said. "And there is your new home, Teasairg Castle." He pointed at a tall gray structure in the far distance she could barely make out.
As they drew nearer, she could see that the castle, surrounded by high walls, sat upon a small island.
"'Tis lovely," she said.
"You are the one who is lovely." He slipped his hand into her hair and kissed her lips.
"Control yourself, man," Fraser said behind them. "Only a few more minutes and the honeymoon can begin."
>
"The honeymoon has already begun," Shamus retorted.
The men around them laughed.
Grinning, Maili covered her burning face with her hands. But in truth, her blood heated when she realized how much she looked forward to joining Shamus in his bed this night.
"I believe I'll hold you captive in my bedchamber for a month or two," Shamus whispered into her ear.
"I shall be your willing prisoner."
###
More to Come:
The Highland Adventure Series
Available now:
My Fierce Highlander (Alasdair and Gwyneth)
My Wild Highlander (Lachlan and Angelique)
My Brave Highlander (Dirk and Isobel)
My Daring Highlander (Keegan and Seona)
My Notorious Highlander (Torrin and Jessie)
My Rebel Highlander (Rebbie and Calla)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to Terry, Dana, Vanessa, Judy, Tammy, Willa and Eliza.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vonda Sinclair is an Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author whose favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. Her books have won an EPIC Award, a National Readers' Choice Award, and first place in the historical division of the Winter Rose Award for Excellence in Published Romantic Fiction. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story. Please visit her website to learn more.
http://www.vondasinclair.com
TO OUR READERS
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read about our hot Highland heroes and heroines. Are you ready for more?—Terry, Eliza, Willa, Victoria, and Vonda