Cassian (The Immortal Highland Centurions #2) - Jayne Castel Page 0,83

be my wife?” He heard the doubt in his own voice. “I can’t give you children, but I will cherish you.” He paused then, before favoring her with a wicked smile. “Unless of course we do manage to break the curse … and if that happens I’ll give you a brood of bairns, if that’s what you wish for.”

The smile was a brave front, for he worried that after what he’d put Aila through, she wouldn’t want to bind herself to him. Would she want a man who couldn’t give her a family? Lilla had insisted it didn’t matter, but Cassian had always suspected she’d been disappointed.

However, the look on Aila’s face made the tightness in his chest ease. Tears ran freely down her cheeks and glittered off her long eyelashes. “Gladly,” she breathed.

Swallowing hard, as the urge to weep swept over him, Cassian pulled Aila against him, kissing her tenderly. When they broke apart, his own vision was blurred.

“Of course, that smooth bastard, Maximus, has shown me up, once again,” he said huskily.

Aila choked a laugh. “And why’s that?”

“He asked your father’s permission before he proposed.”

Aila gave a soft laugh. “Worry not, Da isn’t an ogre.”

Her words spurred Cassian into action. He released Aila, rolled off the bed, and reached for his clothing.

“Where are ye going?” Aila asked, sitting up and pushing her hair off her face.

The sight of her there, naked, hair mussed from their loving, made him want to return to the bed. But Cassian ignored his aching shaft and pulled on his braies. He then reached for his lèine. “I’m off to seek out Donnan,” he replied with a grin. “I’ll not let Maximus Cato best me.”

XXXVI

BLESSED

THE CLANGING OF bells echoed across Dunnottar as a man and woman descended the steps of the chapel. The waiting crowd cheered, children rushing forward to throw rose petals over the happy couple.

Her arm linked through Cassian’s, Aila was smiling so broadly that her face was starting to ache. She wore her prettiest lilac kirtle and had woven daisies through her hair. Next to her, Cassian had donned his best lèine and braies, with the De Keith sash proudly displayed across his chest.

Aila was breathless with joy. She didn’t know such happiness was possible—that love could make one feel both weak and strong at the same time. For the first time, she understood why Cassian had been so reluctant to risk his heart again. Giving yourself up to love was braver than she’d thought.

She squeezed Cassian’s arm tightly, tears prickling the backs of her eyes as emotion overwhelmed her.

Glancing down at Aila, Cassian smiled. His gaze was soft as it lingered upon her. “All is well, my love?”

Vision swimming, Aila nodded before smiling back at him.

Aila’s parents, Heather, Maximus, Draco, Lady Elizabeth, and Lady Gavina all formed part of the crowd beneath them. William Wallace was there too. A wide smile split his bearded face; it appeared the Wallace loved a good wedding.

Aila’s gaze swept the crowd. She caught Lady Gavina’s eye before grinning at her. Dressed in ‘mourning black’, her mistress smiled back.

The night before, as Aila helped her mistress get ready for bed, she’d confided in Gavina about the riddle. However, Aila hadn’t recited it to her. Truthfully, she couldn’t remember half of the words. Gavina had assured her that she and Elizabeth would never speak a word of what they’d discovered to anyone. “But I hope for all yer sakes that ye manage to break the curse,” Gavina had concluded.

Favoring the Lady of Dunnottar with a grateful smile, Aila had reached out and covered Gavina’s hands with her own. “Aye, so do I … but no matter what happens, I want to be Cassian’s wife.”

Gavina had answered her smile with a gentle one of her own. “I used to think ye and Heather were so different,” she noted with a shake of her head. “But I see ye are both of the same mettle.”

The Lady of Dunnottar hosted a banquet in honor of Cassian and Aila’s wedding. Platters of roast mutton and venison, and tureens of boar stew—accompanied by braised kale, mashed turnip, and an assortment of breads—lined the long tables inside the hall. Servants had sprinkled rose petals everywhere, their scent blending with the rich aroma of the food.

Seated at the head of the table at Cassian’s side—for Gavina had given up her place for this special day—Aila let her gaze roam around the busy hall. The rumble of happy voices and the strains of a