Chapter 26

A nna watched as Lily bustled about the room, tidying things that didn't need tidying. She always did this when she was nervous. It seemed living hundreds of years in the past hadn't ironed out her best friend's habit.

Catching her looking, Lily straightened. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? Have I got a stain on my dress? I have, haven't I? Oh God! I knew I shouldn't have had that glass of wine!" She spun around, trying to spot the offending stain on her skirts.

Anna laughed. "Relax will you? You haven't got anything on your dress. Aren't I supposed to be the nervous one? Anyone would think you're the one getting married."

Lily sighed and plopped herself down in a chair next to Anna. "I know. Sorry. I just don't want anything to go wrong."

Ever since Lily had arrived at Dun Achmore a week ago, she'd been taking her duties as maid of honor very seriously. Anna suspected it was her friend's way of trying to make up for not telling her the truth about time travel and the fact that she'd left to come live in the past.

Anna studied her friend. Lily looked the same. Same dark braid falling over her shoulder. Same bright eyes and easy smile. But there was something different about her that was difficult to spot unless you knew her as well as Anna did. She seemed more at ease somehow, as though she was comfortable in her own skin. Obviously being married to Oskar Galbraith and living in this time agreed with her.

Anna found that reassuring. In fact, Lily's presence was more than reassuring, it was like a balm. With Emeric and Lily by her side, she knew she could overcome anything that this time threw at her.

"You're doing it again," Lily said with a frown.

"Doing what?"

"Looking at me like I'm some sort of alien."

Anna laughed. "Sorry. It's just that I still can't believe you're really here. I came so far to find you."

Lily smiled and took Anna's hands in hers. "I'm really here. We are really here. That's what I can't believe. I can't believe you're here. My best friend. When we got Emeric's message asking us to come to Dun Achmore to see you, I thought either someone was having a joke on us or I'd taken a whack on the head. We came as soon as we could. I think we might have set a land-speed record crossing the Highlands." She squeezed Anna's hands. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you the truth, Anna. I wanted to. I really did."

Anna squeezed Lily's hands in return. "I know. You've already apologized a thousand times. I'm just glad you're here now. There's nobody I'd rather have beside me today."

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. Anna's eyes widened.

"Oh God! Is it time? It can't be? I'm not ready! "

Lily laughed and rose to her feet. "Anna, you've been ready for the last two hours. Now who's the nervous one?"

Lily pulled the door open to reveal Magnus standing in the doorway. Anna had met the rest of Emeric's sword-brothers when they'd arrived at Dun Achmore three days ago. Magnus was a huge bear of a man, so tall he filled the doorway. He cleared his throat and bowed.

"If ye are ready, ladies? I know a certain gentleman who is eager for ye to join him."

Anna swallowed thickly and stood. Her stomach churned and she didn't know if it was terror or excitement. This was it. It was really happening.

She walked over to Magnus and took his offered arm. Lily gave her a thumbs-up and took up her place behind her. And then they were off, sweeping through halls and passages that had been bedecked with ribbons and late summer flowers.

As they descended, she could hear whispers rustle through the crowd waiting in the great hall like wind through autumn leaves. At the bottom of the stairs, Aislinn and her uncle, both dressed in their finery, stood waiting.

Aislinn wore a dress of spun gold that shimmered in the light. Her hair was pinned up with delicate white flowers intertwined into it and a thin veil cascaded down her back. In her hands, she held a delicate bouquet of wildflowers that Anna had prepared for her. Aislinn looked every bit a highland beauty and more than that: she looked radiant, joyful .

As soon as Anna reached the bottom of the stairs, Aislinn broke away from her uncle and threw her arms around Anna. She was positively bobbing on her feet.

"It's happening!" she said breathlessly. "Isnae this just perfect? A double Mackintosh wedding! This will be talked about for generations!"

Anna found herself smiling, infected by Aislinn's enthusiasm. It had been Aislinn who had suggested the double wedding and though Anna had been reluctant to steal her limelight, as soon as the thought had entered Aislinn's head, there had been no stopping her.

Anna took a deep breath and met Aislinn's gaze. "Ready?"

The younger woman nodded. "Always."

"Then let's get this show on the road."

Anna lined up next to Aislinn before the doors to the great hall. Magnus stood to her right, whilst Laird Mackintosh flanked Aislinn. The maids of honor, Lily and Sarah, one of Brodie Murray's sisters, took their places behind.

Then the doors to the great hall were flung open and they swept inside. The hall was resplendent, the late afternoon sun streaming through the tall windows illuminating the faces of those who had gathered there—clanspeople, neighboring lairds, old friends, and newfound family. They rose from their seats as one, the hum of their eager anticipation echoing off the stone walls.

Anna's eyes were drawn to the two figures waiting at the front of the hall. Emeric looked resplendent in his traditional Mackintosh plaid, his belt cinched tight, displaying his muscular frame to its utmost. His deep eyes met hers, and a soft smile played on his lips. Beside him stood Brodie Murray, fiddling nervously with his plaid.

The room fell silent as Anna and Aislinn began their procession down the aisle. Eyes from every corner traced their path but Anna barely noticed them. As if in a trance, she focused only on Emeric standing at the end of the aisle waiting for her.

He watched her come, flanked by Oskar, his sword-brother and Lily's husband on the other side. Emeric's eyes shone with a simmering anticipation that made her stomach flutter. She felt out of breath as if she had run miles and yet she was only walking slowly towards him. Her hand on Magnus's arm trembled slightly but he patted it reassuringly.

As they reached the end of the aisle, Magnus gently let go of Anna's arm. Now, she was standing with Emeric—no barriers between them. He reached out and took her hand in his. The fingers that wrapped around her hand were warm and strong, sending a jolt of energy straight through her.

The ceremony passed in a blur for Anna. She repeated the vows in Gaelic, led by the elderly priest who had known Emeric since his childhood. Their hands were bound together with a strip of Emeric's tartan, symbolizing their unity and mutual support through life's trials.

"And do ye, Anna, take this man to be yer wedded husband?" The priest's voice echoed in the hushed hall.

"I do," she said, her voice strong and clear.

There was a pause as the priest looked at Emeric. "And do ye, Emeric, take this woman to be yer wedded wife? "

"I do," he replied, his voice resonating with certainty and conviction. A murmur of approval swept through the hall.

The priest repeated the words for Aislinn and Brodie. Aislinn spoke strongly and Brodie's voice wavered only a little.

The elderly priest smiled. "Then I am delighted to say, that ye are husbands and wives. Ye may kiss yer brides."

A cheer erupted from the crowd as Emeric pulled Anna into his arms and kissed her. She felt lost in him, like she was drowning in a sea of emotions she could hardly comprehend. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his plaid. The noise of the crowd faded away as if they were thousands of miles away.

As they parted from their kiss, Anna turned to see Aislinn and Brodie sharing their own sweet moment. Aislinn had her hands clasped on either side of Brodie's face, the bouquet of wildflowers forgotten at their feet. Their kiss was gentle and sweet, so strikingly intimate that Anna felt a flush rise to her cheeks. Brodie looked almost dazed as he pulled away, his eyes never leaving Aislinn's face.

"Let the feast begin!" boomed Laird Mackintosh's voice over the clamor, and more cheering ensued as servants rushed in, wheeling carts laden with food. Jugs of mead and ale were passed around, along with platters of venison, roasted potatoes, fresh fish from the loch, and sweet honey cakes.

Anna found herself seated beside Emeric at the high table, their chairs side by side and their hands still entwined beneath the long wooden table. Beside them, Aislinn and Brodie were deep in conversation .

Brodie suddenly leaned towards Emeric. "About the plans to drain the eastern marshes. I've taken another look and I think I know a way to refine the process."

Emeric raised his hand, cutting the younger man off. "Aye, I've no doubt ye have. But I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow, aye?"

Brodie blinked owlishly. "Well...er...aye, I suppose it can."

Anna shared a smile with Emeric. The new alliance with the Murrays was still a work in progress and she got the feeling it was going to keep them all on their toes. Things were changing in Clan Mackintosh and she hoped it would all be for the better. After a long discussion, she and Emeric had decided to keep his father's secret and not tell anyone the truth. Only hurt could come of it. Anna knew it was a heavy burden that Emeric had chosen to carry but she hoped it would be just a little lighter now she was around to help him carry it.

The MacDonalds were no longer a threat and were allies of a sort under the leadership of Duncan MacDonald. His father's plan to invade Murray territory had been revealed and the former laird had been taken to Edinburgh to await the king's judgment.

Of Lady Maria, there had been no sign. Emeric's sword-brothers had scoured the land for her but she had disappeared like smoke. That was just fine with Anna. If she never saw that woman again it would be too soon.

"What are ye thinking about, love?" Emeric asked.

Anna gave him a wide smile. "Oh, nothing important. How about some dancing? "

Emeric groaned. "What? Already? I'm not half drunk enough yet."

Anna snorted a laugh. "Do you remember at Lily and Oskar's wedding when I dragged you up onto the dancefloor?"

"How can I forget? A crazy twenty-first century woman trying to show me some dance moves. It was an eye-opening experience."

Anna scowled at him. "Crazy? I've told you before, I prefer the term ‘eccentric.'"

He laughed, a deep rumble that sent shivers of delight all the way to Anna's toes. She loved that sound. She loved everything about him. How strange that she had to travel so far to find what she was looking for.

"Would ye like more wine, my dear?" said a voice beside her.

"Why not?" Anna said, holding her goblet out for the servant. "Start as you mean to go on, eh?"

"That's the spirit, my dear."

The woman stepped forward to pour and Anna jerked in shock, slopping wine all over the table. This was no serving girl as Anna had expected. The woman was ancient, and short, and wore her gray hair in a tight bun.

"Irene?"

Irene MacAskill tutted. "Oh dear. Ye've made quite the mess, my dear. Still, at least ye didnae get any on yer dress."

Anna set down her goblet with a thump. She glanced around but nobody else seemed to have noticed Irene MacAskill's sudden appearance. In fact, none of them seemed to be moving. The entire room was frozen as though trapped in time.

"What...what is going on?" Anna stammered.

Irene put down her jug of wine and clasped her hands. "Just temporary," she said. "I wanted to talk to ye and all that clamor would only get in the way."

"Talk to me? About what? What are you doing here, Irene?"

The old woman pursed her lips. Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief. "My, aren't ye the impatient one? If ye give me the chance, I will explain."

Anna glanced at Emeric. He was frozen mid-laugh, his head thrown back in mirth. She swallowed. "All right. I'm listening."

"I told ye once that ye were to be given a choice, did I not? Ye made that choice and it led ye here."

"Yes, you tricked me."

The old woman's eyebrows shot up. "Tricked ye?"

"It was you, wasn't it? You who sent me that message with Lily's ‘address' on it. You who sent me off on that wild goose chase?"

"Is that what ye would call it? I would call it something else. I would call it finding yer destiny, lass. After all, didnae that ‘wild goose chase' lead ye here? To where and when ye are meant to be?"

Anna thought about that. Irene was right. Everything she'd been through, the strange journey that had taken her from her own time to this one, it all led to this moment. To Emeric, and the life she'd come to love here in the Highlands .

"Yes..." she admitted reluctantly. "It did lead me here, and I wouldn't change that for anything, but still... you could have asked me."

"Could I?" Irene's brows knitted together in a mock ponderous expression. "If I did that, if I told ye what would happen if ye stepped through that arch, then I would have influenced yer choice. I canna do that, lass. As ye have learned, my people are governed by rules."

"Fine," she said. "So why are you here now?"

Irene smiled again, her eyes twinkling with merriment. "To fulfill the final part of my bargain. To offer ye yer final choice although I suspect I know what yer answer will be. A new path lies before yer feet but yer choice still remains: stay on this new path or return to yer old."

Anna blinked. "What do you mean my old path? You mean...you mean I could go home?"

Irene nodded slowly.

Anna sat back in her chair. When she'd first realized she'd come back in time all she had wanted to do was go home. But slowly, that had changed. Now this place, this time, these people, felt more like home than all the countless places she'd lived in the twenty-first century. She felt a pang that she'd not be able to see her parents but they had made their choices and now she had to make hers.

"You're right," she said. "You do already know my choice. I'm staying."

Irene MacAskill reached out and patted her knee. "Aye. I thought that might be what ye'd say. In that case, all that's left for me to do is wish ye a long and happy life, my dear. Oh, and try not to spill any more wine." She lifted the jug and filled Anna's goblet. Then, with a wink, she turned and walked off.

Anna swiveled in her chair. "Irene, wait!"

But she was already gone.

"Well?" Emeric said suddenly.

The room had come alive again, whatever spell Irene had cast seemingly broken. She licked her lips. Had that really just happened?

"Er...what?" she said.

"Do ye still wish to dance?"

"Um. Actually, you know what? I think I could do with some air."

Emeric glanced at her, a concerned frown etching lines on his forehead. "Are ye alright, love?"

"Yes," Anna assured him, placing a reassuring hand over his where it rested on the table. She offered him a weak smile that she hoped he would buy. "I just... I need to clear my head."

Emeric shrugged amicably, setting aside his own goblet. "Sounds good to me. Outside then?" he said, extending a hand toward her.

Without another word, they left the boisterous festivity behind them and made their way out of the castle and along the path to the loch shore. It was early evening and the last of the swallows were skimming low over the water, catching insects. It was quiet, peaceful, with not another soul in sight. Just her and Emeric, and exactly what she needed.

They seated themselves on the springy grass of the loch shore. There was a stillness in the air, an intimate silence between them as they watched the still loch. From afar came the distant call of a curlew. Anna sucked in a breath, feeling a deep tranquility settle into her bones. The restlessness she'd felt all her life was gone. That sense of feeling out of place, like she was a round peg in a square hole, had vanished. Irene was right. She was finally where and when she was meant to be.

"That was a heartfelt sigh, lass," Emeric observed.

"Just...thinking."

"About what?"

"About how much I love it here," she said truthfully. "About how much I love you."

Emeric's face softened. "I'll never tire of hearing ye say that."

Anna found herself studying Emeric's profile in the dimming light. His eyes were calm as he turned to stare out into the shimmering waters of the loch, his strong jaw set determinedly as if he too had made a choice and was content with it.

She reached out, brushing her fingers over his cheek and he turned towards her, their faces mere inches apart. A spark passed between them as their eyes locked, a charge so palpable that it sent goosebumps prickling up her arms. Her heart raced as Emeric's hand came up to brush a stray strand from her face. His fingers trailed gently down her cheek, his eyes darkening with an emotion she recognized all too well.

Emeric leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. There was no gentleness in the touch. It was passionate and yearning, a kiss full of promises. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them .

Anna responded with equal fervor, tangling her fingers in his hair as she deepened the kiss. It was like a forest catching fire. Passion, need, desire—all these came racing to the surface. Everything else was suddenly inconsequential—the festivities in the castle, the loch and its quiet lapping waves, the sun beginning to set on the horizon—nothing seemed to matter except the feel of his lips against hers, the touch of his hands and the unspoken words passing between them.

She began tugging at his plaid, his shirt, suddenly desperate to feel his skin. His strong fingers found the ties of her dress and deftly pulled them free. The only sounds were their mingling breaths and the soft whisper of fabric as clothes were discarded, forgotten on the cool grass.

Emeric's calloused hands traced paths along Anna's body, reverent and inquiring. Each slow exploration caused her breath to hitch, her heart to race. She let her own fingers trail over the rough terrain of his chest, marveling at the strength she found there. His skin was warm under her touch, his heartbeat strong and steady beneath her palm. A soft groan tumbled from his lips as Anna's hands continued their exploration, her fingers touching, teasing, tormenting him.

In response, he kissed his way along her neck, his tongue tracing a fiery path that had her gasping for breath. They fell back onto the grass. She lost herself a little as he kissed her senseless, his hands skillfully making quick work of the remainder of her gown. All thoughts of Irene and time travel and choices seemed far away; there was only the here and now, and Emeric .

"Anna," he whispered against her skin, his voice barely audible above the hush of the evening. "I love ye... more than I have words to express."

"And I you," she whispered back. "Oh, Emeric, I want you. Right now."

A lazy smile danced on Emeric's lips as he kissed a path to her ear. "Then ye shall have me, lass."

With tender slowness, Emeric positioned himself above her. He stared into her eyes as he lowered his body atop hers. Then oh so slowly, he thrust his hips, guiding himself into her.

Anna gasped quietly as he filled her, arching her back and gripping his shoulders. This was what she wanted, needed. It felt...perfect. Emeric paused, holding himself perfectly still, allowing her to adjust to his considerable size. Once she had relaxed beneath him, he began to move. His rhythm was slow at first, tender and explorative, sending delicious tingles surging through her blood.

But slowly, Emeric's movements became more forceful, until he was driving into her with a passion that left her breathless. She met him stroke for stroke, fingers digging into the muscles of his back. His lips traveled across her skin, nipping at a sensitive spot on her neck that sent shocks of pleasure radiating through her.

Emeric groaned, his breath rasping in her ear. His rhythm quickened, the pleasure mounting as their bodies rocked together under the vast expanse of the sky. The tingles in her blood began to grow, catching alight until it felt like she was on fire. Starting where their bodies met, the heat spread, burning through her body in fiery ecstasy. Burning, burning, burning...

With a cry, she reached her peak, her body arching beneath him, clinging to him as wave after wave of pleasure burned through her. A moment later, Emeric tensed and groaned, his own climax hitting him with a force that made him shudder and jerk. He collapsed atop her, his breath ragged and uneven.

For a long moment, they lay there entwined. Anna screwed her eyes tight shut as the fire consumed her from her toes to the crown of her head and only slowly, slowly, cooled. Emeric's head was nestled against her neck, his warm breath tickling her skin as he murmured soothing words in Gaelic.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only minutes, Emeric rolled onto his back, taking Anna with him so she lay draped across him. He traced lazy circles on the bare skin of her back as she rested her chin on his chest.

Anna reached up and ran her fingers over his strong jawline. "Promise me we'll be like this always?"

He raised his eyebrow. "What, naked by the side of a loch?"

She scowled. "You know what I mean."

"Aye, lass. I do. And I promise. Always."

Always. She liked the sound of that.

She considered telling him about her strange meeting with Irene MacAskill but decided against it. There was plenty of time for that. After all, they had the rest of their lives now, didn't they?

"Do you think they're missing us yet?" she asked .

Emeric snorted. "Oh, I've no doubt. And if I know my sister, she'll come looking for us before too long."

"What?" Anna cried, grabbing her clothes and hastily pulling them on. "I do not want my sister-in-law catching us like this!"

Emeric gave a wicked laugh. "Oh, I dinna know. Maybe it would teach her to mind her own business a little."

"Not funny." Anna threw him his plaid and looked around. Thankfully, they still had the loch shore to themselves.

Emeric sighed. "Ah, the trials of married life. I'm already being ordered around."

"Yep. And you'd better get used to it."

He laughed, pulled on his plaid, and climbed to his feet. Anna watched, admiring his long limbs and broad chest and regretting it a little as they disappeared beneath the plaid. No matter. She'd get that plaid off again later.

Her husband held out her hand. "Ready?"

Anna curled her fingers through his and he pulled her to her feet. "Always."

Together they walked back to the keep whilst the stars started to come out behind them.

THE END