12
Aaron's chest tightened as the bells rang throughout the kirk. The moment the large oak doors opened, his breath hitched. It was as if heaven itself had opened for him and sent him a celestial being to wed. Izzy's dress hugged the curves of her body and looked as if it were made of the clouds in the sky.
"Well now,seems to me, the Good Lord is smilin' on ye," the priest said with a nudge of his elbow. Aaron's heart raced as Izzy stepped through the barren aisle. It pained him to see the place empty; how he wished he would have been able to give her the wedding she deserved. But on such short timing, there was no way he would be able to get the invitations out in time.
"Ye look amazin',"Aaron said the moment Izzy met him at the altar. He swallowed hard as he scanned the dress. For a moment, he had expected Izzy to have made some alterations to the fabric, but to his surprise, she wore it just as his mother had. Pride swelled in him, and for the first time since he had crossed paths with Izzy, he was certain she was the right woman for him.She flashed him a weary smile as the scent of heather from her bouquet filled the room.
"Thank you,"she answered in hushed tones as Aaron helped her kneel before the altar to start the ceremony.
"Ye dinnae change the dress,"he observed as they both turned to face the priest.
"It was too pretty to change,"Izzy whispered as she slipped her hand into his.
"Me maither would have lovedto hear ye say that," he answered back. Izzy glanced over her shoulder and let out a heavy sigh.
"And willI be meeting any of your family? I must say, I wasn't expecting an empty kirk."
"That willnae be possible,"Aaron answered as he stiffened a bit. "The only family I have left is me sister, Chloe, and I believe ye've already met her."
There wasa flash of sorrow that danced through Izzy's eyes that nearly broke Aaron's heart. He rolled his shoulders back, trying to ignore her eyes on him. If it weren't for the priest clearing his throat, Aaron was certain Izzy would have continued to stare at him until he gave a further explanation.
"Are ye ready to begin?Or did ye want me to wait for the second comin'?" the priest asked.
"Where is everyone?"Izzy asked as her attention shifted to the empty pews of the kirk. Aaron rolled his shoulders back, ignoring the priest's urgency to continue. "I had thought there would be at least some people here."
"It was short notice,"Aaron stated as if that could be enough of a reason. Izzy arched her eyebrow and glared at him, clearing expecting further explanation. "They'll be at the castle for the feast. But daenae think it'll be a grand affair. This union wasnae planned."
"Areyou saying you didn't have this all in mind the moment you got the decree?" Izzy challenged as the priest cleared his throat to reclaim the focus of why they were all there. Despite the cheekiness in the man's glare, Aaron couldn't begrudge him. After all, it was his interruption that got Aaron off the hook for the moment.
"By all means,"Aaron said with a nod of his head.
Aaron could barely drawa single breath as the priest spoke the sacred words. His heart was like a wild drum beating against his ribs. The great hall of the kirk with its empty pews and high ceiling felt strangely small.
As the priestdroned on in Latin, Aaron couldn't pay any attention to a single word the man was saying. The only thing on Aaron's mind was Izzy. He had hoped she at least didn't find hima fiend for going through with the wedding. After all, it wasn't like they had any choice in the matter. When the King wanted something, the King got it, and who were they to tell the royals no?
With his handstrembling slightly at his sides, he tried to appear stoic and reserved. The last thing he wanted was to give Izzy the impression this wasn't what he wanted. Especially since he was certain there would be no other that would ever agree to such a union.
Glancing at Izzy,he met her gaze as he slipped a ring over her finger. Her breath hitched as Aaron took his dirk and made the cut below her wrist. It was a simple nick, but it meant so much.
"Ye'reblood of me blood and bone of me bone," Aaron announced, his voice booming through the empty kirk.
"It iswith great joy and gladness that I now present ye as husband and wife."
Aaron stood like a conquering hero,filling the threshold of the Great Hall. Goblets were raised as they entered the room. He moved with purpose to their table that had been lain with wreaths of heather and wildflowers. Despite the scowls of some of the council members, Aaron couldn't be prouder of his choice. It felt as if the heavens had poured down on him the greatest gift he could ever receive.
"To the Laird and Lady McNeil,"a voice called from the crowd. Anyone who hadn't been standing jumped to their feet and lifted their glass to the sky. Aaron scanned the faces of those around him.
To seeChloe beaming from ear to ear only added to his confidence that he had made the right decision. But as much as he wanted to take credit for getting his wife to marry him, the truth was, the marriage was a sham.
She didn't lovehim any more than she did when she first arrived. It was a harsh reality that Aaron was willing to accept. He'd make her life as easy as he could, but he knew the sooner she was with child, the safer she'd be.
"Mayyer home be blessed with bairns beyond count and years of happiness beyond measure," Caiden shouted as his continued his toast to the couple. Aaron's body tensed as his ears picked up the ire and malice that laced Caiden's tone.
Caiden wasa vile businessman Aaron despised having to work with. If it wasn't for the use of Caiden's lands, the grain supply wouldn't be enough for the clan during winter. It was an advantage Caiden often flaunted before Aaron. But it was the fact that Caiden brought along his daughter, Melina to the celebration that drove a wedge of frustration through Aaron's slice of joy. "Is everything all right?" Izzy asked as the crowd cheered.
"Aye,"he answered in a hushed, icy tone. He had hoped he could keep the emotions out of his voice, but as he eyed Caiden, he flexed his jaw.
"So,why don't I believe you?" Izzy asked; her tender voice was like a balm to his frazzled nerves.
