Mhairi hugged her back, tight and fierce. "Thank ye."
"Right back at ye." Kenina pulled away, her eyes bright. "Now go. Yer husband is starin' at ye like he wants tae carry ye out over his shoulder."
Mhairi glanced across the hall and found Alpin watching her, his expression intense. When he caught her eye, he raised one eyebrow in silent question.
Ready?
She nodded.
They slipped out together while the celebration raged on, climbing the stairs to the chamber that was now theirs.
Inside, a fire burned in the hearth. Someone had scattered flower petals across the bed.
Alpin closed the door behind them and locked it.
"Come here," he said, his voice low.
Mhairi went to him.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, slow and deep. His fingers found the laces of her gown.
"I love ye," he whispered against her mouth. "God, Mhairi, I love ye so much."
"I love ye too." She pulled at his tunic. "Show me. Show me how much."
He did.
The next morning dawned bright and clear.
Mhairi woke slowly, aware of Alpin's arm around her waist, his chest pressed against her back. She turned in his embrace, finding him already awake, watching her with that soft expression he wore only for her.
"Good mornin', wife," he murmured, brushing a kiss against her forehead.
"Good mornin’, husband." The word still felt new on her tongue, sweet and strange and wonderful.
He pulled her closer, and she settled against him, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
Outside, she could hear the sounds of the castle waking, footsteps in the corridor, voices calling to one another, the distant clang of the smithy.
"What are ye thinkin' about?" Alpin asked, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her shoulder.
Mhairi hesitated, then decided on honesty. "Isobel. I'm worried about her."
His hand stilled for a moment, then resumed its gentle movement. "I ken, lass. We'll find her. I promise ye that."
He tilted her chin up so she was looking at him. "But fer now, let me worry about that. Ye've been through enough. Ye deserve a bit of peace."
"I have peace," she said quietly. "Here. With ye."
Something flickered in his eyes, surprise, perhaps, or gratitude.
He kissed her again, deeper this time, and she lost herself in it, in him, in the warmth and safety of his arms.
When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers. "I dinnae ken what I did tae deserve ye, Mhairi. But I thank God fer it every day."
"Ye saved me," she said simply. "Ye gave me a home. A family. A life I never thought I'd have."
"We saved each other." His thumb brushed across her cheekbone. "And this is just the beginnin', lass. We have a whole lifetime ahead of us."
