Page 53 of Highlander's Unchained Heart
It wasn’t until after Arran had removed himself and gathered her against him, their bodies glowing with sweat, that Ainslee allowed herself to believe this was her life. This was her new dawn, the way she would wake until they were old and grey. This was the man she wanted for all time, the man who would make her happy and give her many bairns in the future.
This was what she had longed for, what she had dreamed about while she had been in her little hut, not realizing what she had been missing out on.
“Wot is it?” Arran asked in her ear, his breath stirring the hairs along her neck.
“I’m just happy,” she sighed, snuggling deeper into his embrace.
The next morning, Ainslee walked alongside Arran as they entered the great hall, her heart light for the first time in a long while.
“Ainslee!” Morea called out before wrapping her into her arms. “Oh, mah dear girl. Ye gave us quite the fright.”
“I know,” she answered, returning her embrace. “And I am sorry.”
Morea pulled back, a smile on her face. “’Tis no worry, mah dear. I am just happy that ye are home where ye belong.”
“That she is,” Arran responded, wrapping his arm around Ainslee’s waist. Ainslee looked up at her husband and gave him a fond smile. Last night, it had been something she could not put into words. They had shared their love for each other until they moved as one heart and one soul.
If there was any thought that the laird didn’t love his lady, those thoughts were wiped away just by seeing how he gazed upon her at this moment.
“We have business tae attend tae,” Malcolm said, striding up to the couple. “’Tis the prisoner.”
Ainslee’s smile faded. Her brother. They had brought her brother here.
“There is nothing tae discuss,” Arran was saying, his arm tightening around her waist. “The clan will decide.”
“That’s not all,” Malcolm replied, gazing at Ainslee. “Without yer brother, the clan doesnae have a leader. Ye are their rightful leader, Sister.”
Her? Ainslee’s eyes flew to her husband’s, and he nodded. “Ye are a laird in yer own right, lass. Yer brother gave up his laird title when he agreed tae the duel.”
Ainslee bit her lip. She never wished to rule any clan, especially not now. Her life, her time with Arran, was all that she wished to have now. This was her home, her clan, not that of the clan she knew very little of any longer.
“I dinnae know wot tae do.”
“Ye dinnae have tae decide now,” Morea spoke up, glaring at her sons. “There is plenty of time tae decide wot needs tae happen.”
“Agreed,” Arran said, pressing his lips to her temple. “I will send warriors tae guard the keep until the time comes.”
Ainslee nodded, but the weight was still there. She would have to make a decision regarding the clan’s future, whether it meant she would become their leader or someone else.
“Now then,” Morea called out, clapping her hands and getting the attention of the family that had gathered, “’tis time tae celebrate!”
Arran chuckled and pulled Ainslee over to the table ladened with food, pulling out the chair next to his. “Mah lady.”
Ainslee gave him a cheeky grin as she took her seat, unbelieving that this was now her family. Not only had she gained a husband, but also a family that she would love as well, and a clan that would prosper well into the future.
All her life, she had thought that she could not feel happiness any longer. When her parents died, Ainslee had fell into despair, searching for the things that were no longer within reach. Trials and tribulations had transpired, and though she had gone through great loss, Ainslee knew now that it had brought her to this moment.
It had brought her to Arran.
“A toast,” Arran called out, lifting his tankard. “Tae mah wife and the happiness that she has brought tae mah life.”
Malcolm rolled his eyes and the entire table laughed in response.
Arran turned toward Ainslee, nodding. “Tae the lass that will always have mah heart.”
She lifted her tankard as well. “And tae the Scot that stole mine.”
A chorus of ayes broke out but Ainslee kept her eyes on his as she took a long sip, watching as he did the same. She hoped they would have so many more times like this, full of happiness and love.
A great deal of love.
