For just a moment, there was no crowd, no clans, no arranged marriage.There was only Connor and Fiona, and the spark of something that might, given time and patience, grow into something beautiful.
When they broke apart, Fiona's cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright.Connor offered her his arm, and together they turned to face their people as the hall erupted in cheers and applause.
It seemed their marriage was off to a far better start than their betrothal had been.
***
Chapter 6
The wedding feast wasin full swing when Morna approached the high table, her weathered face creased with genuine pleasure.The elderly healer moved with surprising grace for her age, her staff tapping rhythmically against the stone floor as she made her way through the festive crowd.
"Connor, my boy," she said warmly, reaching up to pat his cheek as if he were still the wild lad she'd raised."And Fiona " She turned to study the new bride with eyes that seemed to see far more than most."Ye've done well for yerself, lad.This one has fire in her spirit.I can sense it."
Fiona blushed under the old woman's scrutiny but smiled genuinely."Thank ye, Morna.Connor has spoken of ye with great fondness."
"Has he now?"Morna's eyes twinkled with mischief."That's more than the stubborn ox usually manages."She leaned closer to Fiona, lowering her voice conspiratorially."If ye ever need anything, lass, or just want to escape the confines of this stone pile for a bit of peace, my cottage door is always open.Any of the guards can escort ye.They all ken the way well enough."
"That's very kind of ye," Fiona replied, touched by the offer of friendship from this woman who was clearly important to Connor.
Laird Ewan MacNeil appeared at their table, raising his cup high."To my brother and his bonny bride!"he declared, his voice carrying across the hall."May yer marriage be long, yer home happy, yer bairns many, and may yer bond grow stronger with each passing season.Slàinte mhath!"
The hall erupted in cheers and the clinking of cups, and Connor found himself oddly moved by his brother's sincere wishes.He glanced at Fiona, noting how the color rose in her cheeks at the mention of children, and felt something warm unfurl in his chest.
As the evening progressed, Connor discovered himself drawn to his new wife in ways he hadn't expected.When she smiled shyly at a compliment from one of the guests, he found himself wanting to see that expression again.When she reached for her cup, he was there to refill it before she could ask.He served her trencher himself, selecting the choicest pieces of meat and the freshest bread, ensuring she had everything she needed.
"Ye dinnae need to wait on me like a servant," Fiona murmured, though her eyes held gratitude rather than reproach.
"A husband should see to his wife's comfort," Connor replied, surprised by how natural the words felt.
Fiona's response was interrupted by a commotion near their table.A young serving lad, no more than ten years old, had been refilling cups when he stumbled slightly.The wooden goblet in his hands tilted, sending a stream of golden mead cascading down the front of Fiona's beautiful gown.
The boy's face went white with terror as he realized what he'd done.The hall fell silent for a moment, all eyes turning to see how the new bride would react to having her wedding dress ruined.
"Oh, my...I'm sorry!"the lad stammered, his voice breaking."I didn't mean to.I was just trying to—"
Fiona immediately rose from her chair and knelt down to the boy's level, her voice gentle and soothing."Shh, it's all right, sweeting.It was an accident, nothing more."
