Page 59 of To Win a Highlander’s Heart

“Me as well.”

She took his hands in hers. “I cannot quite believe that I am still alive to say this . . . Before I fell over the edge of the cliff, I realised I never said the words. I love you, Orrick MacLeod. With all my heart.”

Orrick pulled her into his arms. He tilted his head so that his gaze lingered on his bride-to-be. She sparkled with joy, and the sight made his chest unaccountably tight. “And I love you, my brave warrior.” He touched his lips to hers. His beloved. His heart.

As soon as supper was through, Rowena led those gathered out to the rear courtyard. She draped a warm cloak about Isolde’s shoulders and held her back with Orrick while the others passed through the rear door to the outside.

Clusters of candles had been set along the edge of the rear courtyard and the wall, bathing the area in a golden glow. With the stars overhead against a veil of black and the candles all around, the scene was more than breathtaking, it was magical.

Much to Orrick’s surprise, Reverend Vollar stood, waiting, near the crenellated wall. Orrick turned to Rowena. “How did you know that we wanted to marry tonight?”

Rowena smiled. “You are not as mysterious as you’d like to think, Brother.” She waved him outside while continuing to hold Isolde back.

Once Orrick stepped outside, Rowena offered Isolde a small bouquet of Lenten roses that were a light rose purple mixed with leathery evergreen foliage. “Winter roses?”

“They are not truly roses, yet they reminded Gwendolyn, Fiona, and me of you—a flower so strong it blooms in the winter.” Rowena smiled. “Are you ready to get married?”

Isolde’s heart caught. She’d never been more ready for anything in her life. She stepped outside and was greeted by her brother.

“I never thought I’d see this day,” John said with a smile.

Isolde never imagined she would see her brother smile like that again—at least not at her. “My only regret is that Mother and Father are not here.”

“They are here with us. I know they are. And they are so proud of the woman you’ve become.” John took her arm and held her steady as she made her way to Orrick.

The rest of the ceremony passed quickly. Bathed in light, she and Orrick stood together as the minister gave them his blessing. Wrapped in the glow of Orrick’s love, Isolde allowed him to slide a gold band on her finger. “This was my mother’s ring. She wants you to have it.” When he was done, he brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss atop the ring he had just given her. “I will try to be worthy of your love for the rest of my days.”

She sought out Orrick’s mother, who hovered near the front of those gathered. Isolde nodded her thanks, but just as she was about to look away, the woman’s translucent skin shifted from grey to a softer cream, almost as if the woman once again had flesh.

She wasn’t the only one who noticed as several gasps issued from those gathered. “Mother?” Orrick asked. “What is happening to you?”

I do not know. She stared down at her hands, turning them over and back again.

Callum came forward, trying to lift one of those hands. It was still vaporous even though it looked more solid than it ever had before. “Haven’t you noticed?” Callum said, looking at his siblings. “Every time one of her children finds contentment, our mother grows more and more human-like?”

Alastair’s brows came together. “Is that why you are here? To see us all settled and happy?”

I do not know why I remain with all of you, but we are not here to talk about me. We are here to join Orrick and Isolde as husband and wife.

Silence settled over those gathered and all eyes shifted back to Isolde and Orrick. As Reverend Vollar pronounced them husband and wife, Orrick held nothing back. He kissed her firmly, telling her more clearly than words how fervently he loved her. Isolde kissed him back, and when finally he broke the kiss, she whispered against his lips, “Do not think that now that we are man and wife I will let you win any future battles just to spare your manly pride.”

“I have already won the only battle I ever wanted to, and that was convincing you to be my wife.”

Isolde grinned at him. “There will be other battles.”

He laughed out loud, holding her close. “I’m counting on it.”

Wrapped in Orrick’s love, she looked up at the night sky, feeling as if the moon and the stars overhead twinkled just for the two of them and the bright future they would share.

Epilogue

Four months later

Behind the thick grey stone walls of Dunshee Castle near the village of Halistra, Isolde MacLeod stood in the large training area that she and Orrick had built since they’d come to their new home. Her students stood on one side of the open area while Orrick’s stood on the other.

Isolde looked out over her students and smiled. Since news had leaked out amongst the clans of a female warrior who had defeated the English, women of all ages had come to Dunshee, seeking her out, asking her to train them in the ways of battle.

It was a dream come true. No longer was she an oddity amongst her people, she was someone her people looked up to and tried to emulate. Amongst her students today were Emlyn and Brea.