“We missed you, didn’t we, Conan?” he said to the puppy. “We were afraid you weren’t coming back.”
“I’m happy to see you, too,” Fiona said, clasping them both tightly. “I didn’t want to leave two of my favorite people.”
“I can’t say that I am unhappy you are back,” Tanith added her hug to the rest. “I am sorry, though, that you did not find what you sought.”
Even Cyrnan had joined the group, looking totally fit and smiling, his eyes clear and alert. Kellach’s parents were there as well as numerous servants and laborers. Kellach still sat atop his horse, watching their welcomes.
“We did not find anything, though we searched a large area, and now,” he paused dramatically, “we have a wedding to plan.” With that, he turned and led the animals away.
Fiona stood, her mouth hanging open. This was the first mention of their bargain he had made since they day they made it. Tanith squealed and clapped her hands, obviously excited by the turn of events. Siran laughed as well and everyone appeared pleased.
Collecting herself, Fiona turned to the happy group. “I don’t know what to say, but I guess we have a wedding to plan.” But for the disappointments of the trip, this would have been a wonderful moment.
After the horses had been stabled and fed, Kellach returned to the house, apprehensive about the reception he would get from Fiona.
She was busily unpacking and paused when he entered. “That was quite an announcement you made.”
He was unable to gauge her reaction to his declaration by the tone of her voice.
“You might have at least given me some time to get used to the idea before you told everyone.”
Kellach stiffened. “The bargain was made. I carried out my end of the bargain and, now it’s your turn.”
“I wasn’t trying to avoid my end of the deal, I just would have liked a little more time.” She turned away, continuing with the unpacking.
“Can I ask you something?” When he didn’t reply, she continued, “I grew up with the idea of having a fancy wedding, with all the attendants and music and dancing, and flower girls—the works. How is a wedding celebrated here?”
The tension left him. “With music and dancing and lots of wine and food.”
“Do you mind if I plan my wedding based on the customs I am used to?”
“It makes no matter to me,” he replied. “The end result is still the same.”
She laughed. “I wonder how you will look wearing a tuxedo.”
“Tuxedo? What is a tuxedo, and why do I need to wear such a thing?”
“Never mind. I doubt we could find someone who sells them anyway. But just to be sure, you will let me plan it the way I want it, right?”
“Whatever you decide, I will do. It makes no difference to me.”
Oh, yes it will! By the time I get through with you, you just might regret this whole thing.
“Oh, and by the way. I will be returning to my own bed. Where I come from, the bride doesn’t sleep with the groom until their wedding night.”
“We have already slept together, so that is unnecessary.”
“It’s necessary to me. I am sleeping in my own bed until our wedding night.”
Scowling, he brushed a hand through his hair. “Then you best make the wedding soon. I do not plan to sleep alone for long.”
“Oh, and another thing, the groom usually gives his prospective bride an engagement ring. I would like to have one as soon as possible and then when we are married, we have matching gold bands as well.”
Kellach dipped his head. “Your customs are very different. What does this engagement ring look like?”
“Oh, lots of gold, and usually some sort of gemstone…diamonds preferably.”
“I do not know what this diamond is,” he sounded miserable.
Fiona turned away, hiding her smile. “And we will need to invite all your friends and family, and the night before we get married, we will have to have a rehearsal dinner with all the wedding party in attendance. I will also need to make a new dress, a long white dress for the ceremony. I don’t know,” she tapped her lips. “Can anyone here make a layered cake of some sort?”
Kellach shook his head as if clearing his mind, “Your customs take much into account. I do not know if we can do all this on such short notice.”
“You will just have to do the best you can,” she teased him. “I need to run down and check on Xio Li, Mei Mei and the baby. I won’t be gone long.”
With a hundred things whirling around in his brain, Kellach began to doubt his rash behavior in announcing the wedding.
This was not as he had planned. To his mind, a short period to prepare and a quick joining ceremony were all that was required. Fiona, on the other hand, seemed set on causing havoc in his well-ordered life and the fact that she was adamant about returning to her own bed did not sit well with him. It did not appear he had much choice in the matter, she was fulfilling the terms of their bargain and he had to accept.
Thirty
Fiona made her way down to the hut occupied by Xio Li and Mei Mei. Xio Li greeted her excitedly and offered her tea. Disturbingly, Mei Mei and the baby were missing.
“Where is Mei Mei and the baby?”
Xio Li hung her head. “They gone. Chen take them away. He have to leave to hide from Voadicia’s soldiers and want Mei Mei to come. He go to land in east. He make good living there and can care for Mei Mei and baby good, but no room for Xio Li.”
Tears formed in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Fiona’s heart went out to her. Mei Mei and the baby were all she had and the loss must have devastated her.
“Well, I am sorry that they had to leave, but I am grateful you could stay. I don’t know what I would do without you,” she consoled Xio Li.
The girl’s face brightened. “Not want to leave this home,” she said. “Only good home Xio Li ever have. Worry for Mei Mei though.”
“Well, Chen is a good man and I am sure they will be fine. I don’t think he will let anything happen to either one of them.” Fiona said a silent prayer that she was right.
Saying goodnight to Xio Li, she hurried back. It had been a very long day and sleeping in a real bed would be wonderful. Kellach had already retired by the time she returned and only grumpily acknowledged her when she came in. She grinned, wondering how long the ruse would work before he exploded.
“You have twelve days,” she heard him say.
“What?”
He turned over. “You have twelve days until the wedding and not a second more.” With that, he turned back over and went to sleep.
We shall see!
Thirty-One
The storm Kellach feared so hit the very next morning. Icy winds blew from the north, whipping sand from the desert and lasting for two days. They were safe from the storm’s force within the settlement, but Fiona was thankful they had made it back safely. It would have been another matter had they been caught in the open.
These people loved weddings and Fiona received more than her fair share of offers to help with food, sewing a gown and other planning. Kellach presented her with a length of white silk, not forgetting her mention of the wedding dress. Tanith offered to help with the sewing and the dress was in the making. Women from all walks of life offered food and wine and their services. It had all the makings for a joyous celebration. The long-awaited marriage of Kellach was in itself a wondrous event.
Kellach resumed daily training of the soldiers along with his other normal activities, but Fiona’s time was taken up planning the wedding. On one busy morning, Engai and Ceara appeared, carrying a small packet. Ceara shyly handed the packet to Fiona. Brimming with curiosity, she opened it. Inside were two lengths of cloth, beautifully hand embroidered.
“We were working on inserts for the dress Ceara would wear when she is wed,” Engai explained, “but Ceara thought that she would like you to have them.”
Ceara nodded, her eyes wide. “I have time to make more but you have no one
to help you.”
Fiona’s heart filled. How fortunate Engai was to have such a child. She envied her. Maybe some day!
“Are you sure you want to give these up?”
“I want you to have them,” Ceara nodded. “They will look beautiful on you.”
“Then I’ll tell you what, we will use them on my dress and after I am done wearing it, we will put the dress away and you can wear it when you’re wed. Where I come from, brides do that all the time. You can help me with the design and sewing, and then it will be our dress.”
Ceara’s eyes widened even more. “I will work every day on it.” Engai’s face was a lesson in pure love and pride, and deservedly so. Ceara was a child to make any woman proud.
Four days after their return, Kellach came home somewhat later than normal. He always returned at close to the same time each day so his tardiness was noticeable. He seemed edgy and nervous and cleared his throat a number of times. Finally, exasperated with his behavior and having other things to do, she asked him what he needed.
Awkwardly, Kellach responded., “I do not need anything. I have something for you.” Reaching into a pocket, he pulled out a small package. When she opened it up, she found a gold ring. The setting was exquisite and surrounded a white jade gemstone.
“I could not find this diamond of which you speak. Jade is highly valued and I thought the white would do well.”
Do well indeed, she thought, it was beautiful by any standard. Kellach took the ring and slid it on her finger. How he had found her ring size she would never know, but the ring fit as if made for her. It touched her so much that he had not forgotten or ignored what she had said and had gone to such trouble to do what she asked.
“It’s perfect,” she said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“I am having matching gold rings made for each of us to exchange as you requested. The jeweler will have them done in two days’ time.”
Things were coming together, but time was growing very short. Fiona’s dress was almost completed. It was a lovely thing—the tunic fit closely and fell almost to her knees, with an underskirt draping below that. The neckline was scooped and showed her shoulders to great advantage and the hand embroidered inserts Ceara had given her were sewn on the elbow-length sleeves. A silken veil would drape from a small circlet around her brow.
Siran had offered to walk her to Kellach and she had accepted, grateful for the support. Although not customary in their ceremonies, Fiona had enlisted Tanith as her matron of honor, Ceara as the flower girl and Machar as the ring bearer. The only thing missing now were her parents. The thought of them not attending really saddened her. Mom would have been so proud and so busy making plans and helping. But in any event, it was as close to a modern wedding as she could make it, with variations of course.
Kellach was getting more restless each day, his eyes burned whenever they encountered Fiona and he had to exert an iron will not to drag her to his bed. He was restless at night as well, tossing and turning and even punching down his pillow in his frustration. Fiona remained serene, smiling and laughing and busily putting the final touches to the wedding plans.
The morning of their wedding dawned, cold but clear. The wedding was to take place in his hall and everything had been moved to allow space. Fiona had spent the night at Tanith’s home, another one of her silly customs, and he eagerly awaited the start of the ceremony. Why he was not allowed to see her on their joining day was a mystery to him. It was not like he didn’t know what she looked like. He had forgotten how empty his home was without her, even the little cur would have been some company, but he had faithfully followed Fiona out the door. Even the dog had deserted him. Siran had offered to take him to a drinking place last night, but Kellach wanted to be in his best form for this day. Fiona would have no regrets for choosing him.
He made a quick trip to the bathhouse and then back home. Women were running this way and that by now, preparing for the ceremony. He was barely able to grab his clothes before they threw him back out the door. He wrapped a drape around his shoulders and strode to Tanith’s, but was denied entrance, again being told he was not to see the bride before the ceremony. He did not think he would like Fiona’s people. They had too many strange and outlandish traditions. By now cold and out of sorts, he was able to gain entrance at his parents’ home. Nuala fixed him breakfast and commiserated with him about his troubles. Fiona had a lot to make up for after this day!
Kellach dressed, eager to have the day over and Fiona to himself again. His bed had seemed cold and empty without her warmth, kept awake most nights as he strained to hear her, his imagination going wild. He had grown too accustomed to her softness in such a short time and would never willingly relinquish that again.
Nuala and Baroc were dressed and ready to proceed with him. Rodan of the High Council would be officiating at the joining and they left to return to Kellach’s house to greet Rodan as well as the other visitors. Kellach entered the door and stopped as amazement overcame him. His abode had been transformed in the short time he was away. Cloth drapes had been hung from the ceiling, providing a covered walkway down the middle. An altar graced the end of the walk. People were crammed in every corner and more stood outside hoping to glimpse the happy couple. A bard strummed a Ruan, soft melodies echoing throughout the hall. It was a scene fit for royalty. A tightness grew in his chest. What if Fiona changed her mind? He should not have made the bargain with her, he should have just told her what was in his heart—that he loved her and wanted her, not that she was the end result of some ridiculous bargain. Sweat formed on his brow and, annoyed, he imagined all in the hall as disappearing into thin air. The crowd was suffocating and he could barely hear for the noise.
Rodan took his place at the altar and the hall was suddenly silenced but for the soft strumming of the bard. Kellach stepped to the altar and turned as Machar and Ceara started down the aisle. Behind them walked Tanith, resplendent in a dark blue gown, her pregnancy very evident but beautiful nonetheless. They stopped at the altar and all waited.
Kellach realized he was holding his breath and let it out slowly, barely able to contain his nerves. The music changed somewhat, to a tune unfamiliar to him. Siran stepped through the door, Fiona on his arm. Kellach stared in astonishment. She was more beautiful than any he had ever seen, and as she walked towards him, the tightness in his chest eased and, in the blink of an eye, gone were the doubts that had plagued him for days.
All that remained was the dream that was Fiona. His gift of the length of silk molded itself to her body, cleverly sewn so that it accentuated every curve. But it was her face that arrested him. Her lips smiled beguilingly, and her eyes enthralled him with their gentleness. Had speech been required at this moment, he would not have been able to comply.
Fiona carefully watched Kellach as she started down the aisle. Her first steps faltered, but the closer she came, the steadier her steps. Kellach stood so very tall and handsome, commanding all by his mere presence. When they reached the altar, Siran moved her hand to Kellach’s arm and they faced each other. The joining words were said, the gold rings exchanged and it was done. Kellach, as she instructed, bent and sealed the ceremony with a kiss, his lips moving hungrily. Cheers erupted from the well-wishers as the kiss ended. She was his wife, for however long they had.
Kellach reached down and picked her up, carrying her through the crowd to the tables set up in the courtyard. Musicians struck up a lively tune and servants rushed to serve the food. Though it was late fall, the temperature was perfect. Wine flowed freely and the tables groaned from the weight of the feast. No one would go away hungry on this day. Kellach found many reasons to kiss her repeatedly; sometimes for no reason, other than she was his to kiss. Strange how he had never considered joining with a woman for love, only the children she would bear him. Such was not the case with Fiona, even if she never bore him children, he would not care.
The crowd parted as Alstrom strode through the courtyard. Regrettably, Voadicia w
as at his side. Briga trailed behind, sadly out of place. They stopped in front of the table where Kellach and Fiona were seated. Smiling, Alstrom added his best wishes to the newly wedded couple. His demeanor was gracious and warm, and Kellach glimpsed a flicker of the man he once was. Briga stepped forward and added her blessings as well, presenting them with a gift of a hand-embroidered wall hanging. Voadicia merely stood there, a sour look on her face, clearly displeased with the proceedings. In truth, Kellach would rather she had stayed away. Her presence fostered a blight on the festivities.
“Walk with me, Kellach,” Alstrom commanded, “whilst I make my greetings.”
Kellach stood, his eyes on Fiona. “If you will excuse me, little wife, I will return shortly.” For Voadicia’s benefit, he leaned down and kissed Fiona long and hard, eliciting gasps of delight from everyone, except Voadicia.
Alstrom and Kellach strolled through the crowd, nodding and smiling and stopping to visit with all. Voadicia turned her attention to Fiona. “Well, little one,” she remarked scornfully, “it appears you have done well for yourself. I would not have thought Kellach would stoop so low.”
The barb stung, as she had intended. Fiona sat up straighter, unwilling to allow this viper to ruin her day.
“I do not think Kellach has stooped so low for anyone,” she snapped, “present company excepted.”
Voadicia’s eyes narrowed, her lips tightened. “So the little cat has claws,” she said loudly, to no one in particular. “Too bad that is all she has. Everyone knows Kellach only wed her to give her status in the clan. For myself, I would want more than that.”
Fiona’s chin lifted, her fury blazed “If Kellach wed me for my clan status, and I am reasonably sure that is not the case, I am content. At least he thought to give me something worth having.”
Snickers erupted and Voadicia’s gaze swept the crowd, looking for the offenders.
She turned back to Fiona, her face made ugly by her contempt. “Do not mock me, little wife of Kellach. You would not like the consequences.”
10 Timeless Heroes; A Time Travel Romance Boxed Set Page 20