Challenge accepted.
He let his gaze drift over her once more and imagined the ways he would remind her of this day. The ways he would coax and press and test the fire she guarded so carefully.
The priest cleared his throat at that moment, bringing him back to the present.
The ceremony began, and in a matter of time, vows were exchanged. When Logan bent to kiss her, he did so with restraint. Applause erupted around them, followed by cheers and laughter.
Logan straightened and looked out over his people. His bride stood at his side.
His.
The word settled deep, heavier than he had expected.
Pride filled his chest in a way that was unfamiliar and unguarded. He had claimed her before witnesses.
Wait. Hehadclaimed her.
She was now his.And he had never been known to be careless with what was his.
The cheers soon carried into the Great Hall and grew into music and drums. The wedding celebration was underway, and Logan could see in Emma’s eyes just how fascinated she was by it.
The torches fixed at the corners of the hall threw warm light over the stone walls, and the long tables were laden with delicious food.
Logan stood with Emma at his side and watched the dancers take to the floor. She watched them the way a sailor would watch a current, alert and delighted at once. He watched her watch them.
She leaned closer so she could be heard over the bagpipes. “Is this always how it is?”
“Aye,” he replied. “Ye are watching a Highland celebration unfold.”
Her face was bright with curiosity, and it made her look younger.
“I am satisfied,” she said. “The dances alone would have done it. England is stiff. This feels freer.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Come, we must dance as well.” She reached out her hand.
He looked down at it and then back at her, his eyes narrowed.
“I do not remembernot dancing with your wifebeing one of your rules, Logan.”
Logan exhaled. “Nay, ‘tis nae that. ‘Tis just…”
Music filled the space between them for half a minute.
“It is just what?”
Logan straightened, resting a hand on the hilt of his dagger. “I daenae dance.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Do not or cannot?”
“I am nae answering that.”
Emma blinked. “So the latter, then.”
“I willnae be confirming that as well.”
She suppressed a smile and tucked her hands behind her back as the music filled the space between them again. Logan resisted the urge to do the same because at that moment, she looked like the purest being to land on earth.
