She swallowed hard, blinking away the tangle of thoughts trying to rise to the surface, and repeated her half of the vows, her wrist still pressed tight to Keegan’s.
“I give unto thee me blood as a symbol of me devotion,” Willow’s eyes burned slightly, but where she touched Keegan, she felt grounded to the earth, “to offering up whatever is necessary toprotect ye. I shall be a shield for yer back as ye are for mine. As a light to the eye, as bread to the famished, as bliss to the heart, may ye always be with me ‘til death comes to part us. Ye are of me blood from this day forward, Keegan Baird Colin Aragain.”
It was impossible to remember what she had said after the vows were over, and even the lengthy nuptial mass seemed to hurry by, rambled off phrases in Latin before a kiss was laid on her cheek by the clergyman.
“To the castle!” Someone shouted out, and the space around them erupted into cheers that continued until they reached the castle.
Pipers and dancing were merrily proceeding with abandon through the courtyard and into the Great Hall, and the ale flowed as though fed by a river. Keegan scooped Willow up into his arms to carry her over the threshold, avoiding that nasty bit of bad luck should she try, and then set her down with an easy smile. The feast set out for the guests was enormous, and Willow could hardly imagine the time and effort it took the kitchens to assemble it all.
“To the health of the bride and groom!” Rodrick shouted, and everyone raised their cups while he—Keegan’s chosen best man—drank down to the toast at the bottom of his glass.
She appreciated the borrowed French custom, and Willow sipped on her wine, feeling it warm her blood as she swallowed.
Willow was spinning. It was like she floated on air, a part of the celebrations but somehow outside them as well. It all happened with such speed, even as she knew time had not suddenly decided to move faster. The music swelled as everyone drank to the newly married couple, and she was quickly swept off to the middle of the room with Keegan to lead the room in a joyous reel.
As she took her place in front of him, curtseying low before reaching for his hands, Willow noticed the tense expression on Keegan’s face.
“Are ye well? Ye look a terrible shade of green.” Willow’s brows pinched together as she smiled nervously.
“I am nae one for dancing, I will admit.” His brow was furrowed so severely, and Willow couldn’t contain the soft laugh as she watched him concentrate so fiercely. “I only hope to be done with all this as soon as tradition with allow.”
Willow rolled her lips between her teeth as she fought against the grin. “Ye will do quite fine, Keegan. Ye only need to relax a hair. It’s like ye’ve got a board stuck down the back of yer pants.”
He glared at her, his jaw working as he fought back his own smile at her joke. “That’s quite enough out of ye. I willnae have me bride makin' me the subject of her jokes on me own weddin' day.”
They whirled around the space gently, if a little clumsily, and Willow did everything she could to fight back the laugh. But itwas no use. A broad smile stretched over her face as she watched Keegan perform the dance with her, his expression dour as someone who’d stepped in a chamber pot.
Her laughter rang out around them, unwilling to be held back, and Keegan glanced in her direction. As his eyes met hers, the grouchy look he wore faded into nothing. Everything about his face softened, and Keegan returned her smile, letting out his own boisterous chuckle.
Willow’s breath caught in her chest as she met Keegan in the center of the room once more, finishing their reel and bowing happily to each other. He had always been a handsome man, but to see Keegan smiling so openly, to witness up close how he finally let go and allowed himself to enjoy the hilarity of the moment, was enough to send her reeling in an entirely different way.
He is so…What is this, Keegan? There is something beyond the convenience. That smile…
Lightness filled her to the brim, and Willow was spinning through the open area that had been created for dancing like she was made of nothing more than air and joy. It was beyond unconventional how they’d come together, and still, Willow couldn’t help but feel that perhaps this marriage could turn out to be what she’d always wanted.
She wouldn’t deny that the passion between her and Keegan was blazing hot, enough to brand her very soul, but there was more to it. She admired who he was in the face of the world aroundhim, and his dedication to protecting her, protecting his family, was nothing if not commendable.
“Och,” Keegan sighed, “well, now. I’m sure ye’ll be quite glad to ken that’s over, and ye can entertain me best man. Though I’ll be honest, I daenae ken if he’s much more of a dancer than I am.”
Willow grinned with a head shake, just smiling back at her new husband. “I shall do me best…me laird.”
It was the first time she’d recognized him asherlaird and not the laird of some other clan. For now, Willow was a Brahanne.
Rodrick was quick to come over and bow to her, taking his place and the next in line to receive a dance as he was both the best man and the next highest-ranking member of the clan with Damon out scouting. He smiled at her as Willow curtsied back, and there was a clear apology behind his eyes even if he’d yet to speak.
Taking her hand for the dance, Rodrick started them around the room. Willow was surprised to see that he was, in fact, a much better dancer than his brother, and she laughed when she looked back at Keegan to see him glaring.
“And what has crawled up me laird’s arse to make him so sour? He’s just been wed. He should be living in the clouds, floating on happiness.”
Rodrick sounded as jovial as ever, his jesting and energetic countenance on full display, and Willow chuckled.
“He has seen what a braw dancer ye are, and I’m afraid he’s a wee bit jealous.”
Laughing, Rodrick made it a point to spin Willow around in a dramatic flourish. “That wouldnae be the case if he’d taken up Melissa’s requests as many times as I have.”
Almost out of breath, Willow allowed Damon to wind her around, an expert at the steps, and she grinned at Melissa as they passed her.
“Och, so I have his sister to thank then. I shall remember that.”