“I meant it,” she said, looking up at Magnus. “I realized it with Snaffles when I thought he’d been killed. I realized it with you the moment I had to ride off with Emeric and leave you behind. I love both of you. You’re my man, and he’s my dog. I think you’ve always been. It just took me a while to realize it.”
Magnus felt the warmth of her words seep into his heart. He felt suddenly as if a destination he’d been searching for all his life had suddenly appeared ahead, as if heavy drapes had been pulled back and the sun had burst through.
I love both of you. You’re my man, and he’s my dog.
He extended a hand to her, which she took, allowing him to pull her back onto her feet.
“Isabelle,” he breathed, pulling her close. “I think I’ve loved ye my whole life. Every step I took, every fight I fought, was to bring me closer to ye.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Stay with me, Isabelle. Will ye marry me?”
Isabelle blinked, surprise lighting up her face. She looked down at their linked hands, then up into his eyes. The sight of her like this—flushed, wild-eyed and beautiful—filled him with an emotion so strong he thought he would burst.
“Marry you?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Magnus, I...”
Magnus held his breath, suddenly unsure. His entire world seemed to hang in the balance, waiting for her answer.
But then, she smiled—a slow, radiant smile that spread across her face and made her eyes shine brighter. It was a smile that said more than words ever could.
“Yes,” she said softly. “Yes, Magnus. I will marry you.”
The relief that washed over him was so great it nearly floored him. He laughed—a deep, joyous sound that echoed around the ravine.
He pulled her into a fierce embrace, holding her as if he could meld their bodies into one. He felt every curve of hers against his own hard lines and it was heaven and earth and everything in between.
Behind them, the villagers cheered and Snaffles gave an excited bark. Then, as if to seal his approval, the giant dog shook himself from head to tail, ears flapping and jowls wobbling.
Isabelle let out a cry of disgust and wiped a gobbet of slobber from the side of her face. She glared at the dog and planted her hands on her hips.
“Snaffles!”
Chapter 21
Izzy breathed deeply of the crisp, fresh air. Around her, the Highlands lay quiet and peaceful, basking in one of those rare days that come on the cusp between winter and spring, where the wind is still, the sun shines, and everything seems to whisper the promise of new life.
She whistled and Snaffles’ head popped up from behind a tussock of grass he’d been investigating. With an ‘uff’ of delight, he came bounding over and danced around like some overgrown puppy.
Izzy laughed. “You’re excited too, eh? Everyone else’s mood must have rubbed off on you.”
In truth, the mood of expectation and excitement in Dun Saith was one of the reasons she’d come out here today. She’d needed some space to clear her head, away from the frenetic preparations for tomorrow.
Tomorrow. Her wedding day.
