Chapter 32

Idalia turned her attention towards Bran, running her fingers gently through his hair. He looked like all his strength had left him completely, leaving him looking half dead. He had managed to hold on the entire battle, and now it had ended, he had nothing left to give. Idalia hugged him tightly, ignoring his grimaces. Dunn and Andrew walked up to Bran to help him, while Tor sent for the horses and prepared the soldiers for exit.

"I'm so glad you are all right," Idalia said. "I was so worried when we couldn't find you in the castle."

"It's fine, I'm fine," Bran replied, smiling weakly. "I have tae admit, yer face was the last one I thought I would see here at August's camp. I was surprised tae see that ye came along for the rescue. Thank ye."

"You have nothing to thank me for, Bran," Idalia countered. "I'm sure you would have done the same for me a hundred times over. Besides, I really needed to come along to help them find the camp." Idalia looked over her shoulder at Andrew and Dunn, who were talking quietly behind them, then turned back to Bran and whispered. "I couldn't stop thinking about the time we had, and it would have driven me mad if I had stayed back home, not knowing if you were alive or not."

Bran raised a battered brow at Idalia. "Now the truth comes forth."

Idalia laughed and shrugged. Andrew cleared his throat from behind them, extending an arm towards Bran to help him up. Bran grabbed Andrew's arm and winced in pain, and Idalia rushed to his side, placing his other arm over her shoulder.

"Thank ye, Andrew," Bran said as he locked hands with his brother.

"Ye have nothing tae thank me for," Andrew responded. "It was Dunn and Tor who…"

"For taking care of' Idalia and keeping her safe," Bran added, cutting Andrew off. "I kenned I could count on ye."

Andrew smiled. "Well, now ye owe me a favor, and I expect I shall collect in due time."

Idalia heard the sound of horses and turned to see that Mahala had been brought along with the remaining soldiers. Idalia turned to Bran and saw his eyes shimmer with tears as he beheld his daughter. She stepped out of the way, not wanting to come between Bran and his child.

Mahala vaulted off the horse expertly and rushed for Bran, who held his arms wide open, tears running down his face. The girl jumped into his arms, and Bran picked her up off the ground, hugging her tightly. He sobbed loudly, and the scene filled Idalia with powerful emotions.

"Papa," Mahala said happily. "My papa."

"I'm here me bairn," Bran said, setting her down. He held her at arm's length, inspecting her from head to toe. Satisfied, he pulled her in for another hug. "It's been so long since I had ye in my arms, Mahala. I am never lettin' ye go again."

"I missed you so much, Papa," she said with tears in her eyes.

It was too much for Idalia, and tears filled her eyes unbidden. She remembered what Bran had told her about August limiting the access Bran had to Mahala. What sort of cruel monster kept a man away from his own child? Her heart ached for Bran, for all the time he had lost so far, but she was glad he finally had an opportunity to put that right. The bond between Bran and Mahala was strong, and it filled Idalia with joy to see them together again.

Idalia squeezed Bran's shoulder comfortingly and he turned to look up at her. The startled look on his face showed Idalia he had probably forgotten about her. She was certain the whole world had ceased to exist to Bran while he held Mahala in his arms. The resemblance between Bran and Mahala was so uncanny, Idalia found herself smiling as she watched the two of them.

"I need tae introduce ye tae someone," Bran said to Mahala as he nudged her forward towards Idalia.

"The angel who came to rescue me," Mahala said timidly, pointing at Idalia.

"Huh?" Bran asked with a perplexed look.

Idalia smiled. She guessed Mahala was referring to how she had been the one who had entered the tent to save her earlier.

"The angel," Mahala repeated. She turned and pointed at Andrew next. "The angel and uncle."

Bran laughed at that, a sweet sound in Idalia's ears, as he caught on to what Mahala was saying. "Aye. She's an angel, all right. One who saved my life in so many different ways."

Mahala looked at Idalia, then looked back at Bran. She turned back to Idalia, then walked towards her. She wrapped her arms around Idalia easily, smiling as she did so. Idalia returned the hug, feeling overwhelmed by the gesture. She could hear her heart beating loudly inside her chest and felt she was going to cry again. Bran walked up to them and enfolded them both in his arms.

Dunn cleared his throat from behind the trio. "I dinnae wish tae be a spoiler, but we have tae be on our way soon. While I dinnae think the Romani will return, I would rather we put some distance between us and them."

"Of course," Bran agreed. "There's just one more thing I need tae dae before we leave. I had nae gotten the chance tae have a proper council meeting tae let them ken of my intentions afore I was abducted."

Andrew and Dunn exchanged a look, both men smiling. "Nae need tae worry, brother. Idalia here already gave us the gist of it." Dunn laughed when he saw Bran's confused face.

Bran turned to Andrew, who winked at him conspiratorially. "I always kenned all those walks were going tae have an effect sooner or later."

Bran looked around at the faces in shock and saw Idalia blushing. "Wait a minute. Did ye both plan the whole thing tae make me jealous?"

Idalia shrugged and looked away pointedly. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Bran." Everyone laughed at her comment, and Idalia allowed herself to smile as well.

"Then there's only one thing left tae dae," Bran said, taking Idalia's hands in his. "In front of everyone here today, I'd like tae ask ye tae marry me, Idalia. Ye are the single, most wonderful woman I have ever met in my life. I cannae wait tae spend the remaining days of my life with ye, creating beautiful memories and adventures together. So, Idalia… will ye marry me?"

Idalia felt her heart pounding in her chest as she listened to Bran. After all this time, she couldn't believe it was finally happening. She couldn't help feeling like none of it was real and that at any moment someone would wake her up to the cold emptiness that was her life before Bran.

She looked into Bran's eyes and knew there was nothing more she wanted in life. There was no one else that she wanted. Nothing felt righter in the world.

"Yes," she said with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Yes, Bran. I will marry you."

Bran beamed like a little boy, and then pulled Idalia into a hug. He kissed her gently on the lips, and Idalia felt whole again. Mahala watched Bran and Idalia with wide eyes, and Andrew walked forward and picked her up.

"What does this mean?" Mahala asked Andrew innocently.

Andrew smiled at her kindly. "Well, what it means is that the angel lady is going tae become yer new mama."

Mahala whooped excitedly, causing an eruption of laughter from the gathering soldiers. Idalia fastened her arms around Bran's neck as she kissed him more deeply.

The world can wait a few seconds. Bran is all that matters right now…