Twelvetide: Twelve Nights of Highland Magic
Page 8
He shuffled his weight from one foot to the other, tempted to go find her and drag her to the altar. Lachlan Og grasped his upper arm. “Easy lad, she will be here.”
If she changed her mind, he’d become a ghost forevermore.
Catherine entered the chapel with Durrell a few steps behind. She stood next to her husband; the priest walked to the altar, genuflected, and faced him, the man’s expression inscrutable.
Whispered words and an occasional cough came from those in attendance.
Where was Ashley? What was taking her so long?
Just when he’d had about enough of waiting, she entered the chapel with more grace than a queen. She glided the distance between them and stopped in front of him. She wore the same gold gown as their first night at the castle. Sable hair piled atop her head. He couldn’t wait to remove the gown from her luscious body. Loosen her hair to drape around her shoulders; drape over his chest when they made love as man and wife.
A low growl escaped his throat, and her radiant smile pierced his now beating heart. He’d spend the rest of his mortal life thanking Ashley for bringing him back from the brink of death. For saving his soul.
Their gazes locked in unity. He hoped the love he held within his heart for her revealed itself within his eyes.
Durrell directed them to stand together facing him. He joined their hands and bade them kneel. Lachlan Og and Catherine stepped forward to lend support and as witnesses to their union before God.
Cael squeezed Ashley’s fingers—a reminder he stood beside her now and always.
They repeated their vows as Durrell instructed. When the priest named them husband and wife, Cael assisted Ashley to stand. With his hands on her shoulders, he twisted her to face him.
“We are good and wed now, Ashley.” He placed a palm on each of her cheeks and lowered his head. He was wound too tight to be gentle. His kiss was hard and demanding. She responded in kind. Those in attendance roared with approval.
When the kiss ended, her cheeks flamed rosy red.
He stepped back. “Wife.”
She smiled boldly. “Husband.”
They left the chapel arm in arm and, with a jounce to their steps, crossed the passageway to the council chamber where their union would be celebrated during the Twelfth Night feast.
Much later, after midnight passed and Twelvetide ended, and they were exhausted from lovemaking, Cael held the woman of his heart in a tender embrace.
Ashley stroked his lips with hers. A kiss filled with promise.
“You have gained my soul-deep love, Caelan Innes.” Ashley’s gaze searched his.
“And you have saved my soul, Ashley Dumont Innes.” He squeezed her thigh—the sensitive place above her knee. “I will love you for a lifetime of Highland nights filled with magic.”
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Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1509 with Just Beyond the Garden Gate. Click here to get your copy.
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Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1511 with Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon. Click here to get your copy.
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Journey from the Scottish Highlands of 1511 to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with Just in Time for a Highland Christmas. Click here to get your copy.
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Click here to get your copy.
Future Works:
Time Travel Fantasy Romance
Just Within a Highland Mist
A Highland Gardens Novella
Just His Fae Kiss
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Paranormal Romance
Raven’s Revenge
A Crimson Storm Novel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dawn Marie Hamilton dares you to dream. She is a 2013 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist who pens Scottish-inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. Some of her tales are rife with mischief-making faeries, brownies, and other fae creatures. More tormented souls—shape shifters, vampires, and maybe a zombie or two—stalk across the pages of other stories. When not writing, she’s cooking, gardening, or paddling the local creeks with her husband.
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