“Why are you here, Irene?” Izzy asked, unable to hide the unease in her voice.
Irene looked up at her, the cherubic smile fading into a more solemn expression. “I’ve come to give ye a choice, lass,” she said. Her voice was soft, like a whispering wind through the tall grass of a meadow. “Ye made a choice to come here, to take the harder, darker path. To see through the masks others wear to the reality underneath. That takes courage, lass. A courage not many possess. The question now is this: did ye find what ye were looking for when ye looked beneath those masks? Do ye wish to stay on the path ye have chosen? Or do ye wish to retrace yer steps and return home?”
Izzy blinked, surprised that Irene would ask her the question she’d been struggling with herself. She thought about her tedious bank job, the small apartment filled with half-finished projects and abandoned dreams, the relationships that never seemed to last. And then she thought about Magnus.
Magnus with his warm eyes and warmer smile. A man who believed in magic and wonder, and taught her to see it too. A man who had taught her that she was not the ordinary, nondescript woman she had always thought herself to be, but one who was brave and courageous. One who deserved to be loved the way Magnus loved her.
It had taken coming here, to this place and time, so far away from the safety and security she’d always believed she needed, in order for her to realize that. Shelikedthe person she was in this place. She liked the person Magnus’s love had turned her into. She wanted to remain that person.
And suddenly there was only one decision she could make.
“I’m staying,” she said to Irene MacAskill. “This is my home now. Magnus is my home.”
Irene broke into a wide smile and her eyes shone with pleasure. “I’m mighty glad to hear ye say that, my dear.”
A profound relief washed through Izzy, and with it, a sense of peace. She sensed that everything was turning out how it was meant to. Except, perhaps, one thing. One thing more would make everything complete.
“Irene,” Izzy said, cocking her head as she regarded the tiny old woman. “I have a favor to ask of you.”
Irene examined her with a curious expression, her eyes shining with the wisdom of years and countless journeys. She clasped her hands together and nodded, encouraging Izzy to continue.
“Will you...” Izzy started, hesitating for just the briefest moment before pushing forward. “Willyouperform the ceremony for Magnus and me?”
The silence that followed was as soft and gentle as the morning breeze that rustled through the leaves overhead. Irene’s surprise was evident in her wide eyes and slightly parted lips. But then she smiled, and it was like watching a sunrise.
“My dear lass,” she said softly, reaching out to gently grasp Izzy’s hand in her own weathered ones. “There would be no greater honor.”
Izzy let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Irene had started all this. It only felt right that Irene should finish it.Noweverything was in place.
With a soft hum, the elderly woman began to walk off in the direction of Dun Saith. Baxter hopped off the wall with an agile leap and trotted after his mistress, tail held high.
“Well, lass?” Irene called over her shoulder. “What are ye waiting for! We’ve got a wedding to attend to!”
Izzy followed, Snaffles bounding along beside her, and soon caught up with Irene. Together, they returned to Dun Saith.
Magnus was waiting for her. As she and Irene entered Dun Saith’s broad courtyard, there he was. His dark hair was tousled by the wind, his ocean-blue eyes alight with anticipation as he watched their approach. He wore a simple white shirt and brown trews, but to Izzy, he had never looked more handsome.
Magnus’s eyes widened when he spotted Irene MacAskill at Izzy’s side. A flicker of unease passed across his face and he opened his mouth as though to speak but no words came out. He looked from Izzy to Irene and back again.
“Dinna look so worried, my boy,” Irene said, reaching up and patting his shoulder. “This is a happy day isnae it? Today is yer wedding day!”
“Today?” Magnus floundered. “It’s tomorrow—”
“No time like the present!” Irene cut in. “And I should know!”
Magnus blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden turn of events. His eyes flickered to Izzy, seeking reassurance. She merely smiled at him and nodded, her hand reaching out to find his. His fingers curled around hers in a gentle squeeze, a silent promise that he was ready,even if he was surprised.
The news spread like wildfire through Dun Saith. The daily activities came to a halt as people started preparing to bring the wedding forward by a day. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation—not least because Irene MacAskill of all people was conducting the ceremony and she was something of a legend among the Order of the Osprey.
Women ran hither and thither, their arms laden with flowers. Men rushed about, moving tables and benches into the courtyard under Irene’s watchful gaze. The children darted about like small sprites, their laughter ringing through the air as they played tag among the bustling adults.
And then it was time.
Izzy stood at the entrance to the courtyard, Emeric by her side. Her heart felt too big for her chest as she looked at the scene before her.
The courtyard had been transformed. The stone walls were draped with garlands of ivy intertwined with early spring flowers, their gentle fragrance wafting through the air. The benches were lined up neatly, creating an aisle that led up to a dais covered in thick green moss and crowned by an archway woven with branches and blossoms.
The courtyard was filled with members of the Order of the Osprey, including Magnus’s sword-brothers. She spotted Kai, Magnus’s commander, standing tall and proud by the dais, his white-blond hair catching the sunlight. His eyes met hers across the distance and he gave her a solemn nod. Beside him stood Oskar, his dark eyes twinkling. Conall was there too, his strong arms crossed over his broad chest, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watched the proceedings.
