“Good thing, indeed.”
Because only the beasts from the pit of hell could stop him from marrying Talia.
“McGhee,” Old McCormick said with a wide grin as he approached them. “I didnae ken ye had it in ye. Ye never seemed the romantic sort.”
“Well, one could be anything for the person one wants,” Darragh said, staring down at Talia with adoration.
“I will be damned. The great Darragh felled by the arrow of love. Trust me, this would make for a good legend. Ye will now be ken as Darragh the Lover instead of Darragh the Bold.”
“I daenae mind. It will make for a great legend. We have too many bloodthirsty ones, eh?”
“Agreed, Braither. Cheers to ye and yer lady. Romance looks good on ye. I envy yer courage to protect yer love.”
“I am sure ye will do the same when ye meet yer love.”
“I guess, but courage is easier on the battlefield. That is what we were trained for. Nobody bothers to teach our boys how to show their courage when navigating relationships with those they love,” Old McCormick said with a faraway look in his eyes, as if he was remembering something. A lover, perhaps.
Before Talia could ask, he brightened.
“Daenae let me dampen yer joy. Forgive me for rambling. I must away now.”
With that, he left shouting for his horse, as if he had not just been vulnerable before them.
But then, that was just how many men were. They did not feel comfortable being vulnerable in front of other people. And that made what Darragh had done even more endearing.
He was a warrior first and not a poet, but Talia could have sworn he became one when he had professed his love unashamedly and loudly, for everyone to hear.
Little by little, the Great Hall emptied as the guests bid them farewell.
Talia pleaded a headache and left. She needed to rest. Her head ached from the emotional whirlwind she had endured tonight. It was only worth it because it ended well.
Soon, it was just Darragh.
His mother approached him.
“I was right,” she said with a happy smile. “Ye definitely look good together, seeing as ye are dark-haired and she is red-haired.”
“Thank ye, Maither, for opening me eyes,” he said quietly. “I wouldnae have forgiven meself if I had lost her.”
“I would have tanned yer hide if ye did. Ye were about to deprive me of a daughter.”
“Well, ye should have tanned me hide sooner. I was foolish for a long time. I was about to make mistakes I would regret for the rest of me life.”
“I understand. Love is scary, but it is also gentle. I ken ye feared becoming like yer faither. I just want ye to ken that ye are ten times the man he was, and whatever ye do, ye can never become him. So, love yer woman without fear. Her love will protect ye, just like yer love will protect her.”
“That was a great speech, Maither. Ye are so wise.”
“I do have me moments. When I am nae meddling, I read, but there are also things ye only learn from experience.”
“Well, thank ye for imparting yer knowledge. Do ye ken how things went with Laird Alan?”
“Well, they settled amicably,” his mother said with a mischievous smile.
“Why do I feel like ye and Jenson are up to nay good?”
“Well, the situation is certainly interesting, but I assure ye it ended well.”
“How? How much did Jenson pay him?”
