First, however, the Lady of the keep had to be wed, and Finley had watched her aunt take Leeth as her husband with tears in her eyes. The love between them was evident in every look they gave each other, and now that Erik was here, Finley understood those looks.
She understood what it meant to be in love.
The entire clan had turned out for the union of her and Erik, including his laird and wife, with their son in tow. Ferra had greeted Finley like a long-lost sister, and the two had grown close over the last few days.
Which was good considering they would be residing in the McGregor clan in a few days. Erik had repeatedly told Finley that she could stay home with her aunt, but she had told him that she had no qualms coming to live with him instead. He dearly loved his position, she knew that, and he was loved in his clan.
She could learn to be a warrior’s wife.
“May I cut in?”
Finley lifted her head from her husband’s shoulder to find Laird McGregor standing there, his grin broad.
“Nay,” Erik replied, pulling Finley back to him.
“Erik!” Finley laughed, untangling herself from her husband’s grasp. “Ye cannae dance with just me all night.”
“I will dance with ye, Erik,” Ferra called out, holding out her hand. “Though I will be a poor substitute.”
“Nay,” Erik replied, pressing his lips to Finley’s temple. “Dinnae believe a word he says.”
“’Tis the other way around,” Kaiden added as he grasped Finley’s waist and swung her into his arms. Finley grinned as she matched his step, grateful that they had a moment.
“I wish tae ask ye a favor,” she said as he swung her about the room.
“Anything,” the laird replied evenly. “Ye have made mah closest friend happy. Ye can have everything but the keep right now.”
She smiled. “I only want a place in yer warriors.” She had thought it over many times since agreeing to live amongst the McGregor clan. Warrior was in her blood, and just because she was married to one didn’t mean she wished to give up that part of her life.
To her surprise, Kaiden threw his head back and laughed. “Aye, lass. Ye can have that. I would be honored tae have ye in mah warriors.”
“Truly?” she asked.
He nodded. “I dinnae think that Erik is going tae like it as much as I am, but ye are fierce and I dinnae think ye will like being at the hut, cleaning.”
“Nay,” she said softly. When they started building their family, perhaps, but she wasn’t ready to have bairns, not yet. There was still so much she wished to do with her new husband, so much to learn. “I want tae be the one tae tell him.”
Kaiden grinned. “Aye, lass, ye should be. And I would like tae be a bug in that room when ye do.”
It wasn’t long before Erik claimed her again, and Kaiden pressed his lips to her hand. “Welcome tae the clan, lass.”
“Bugger off,” Erik growled, though there was a smile on his face. He turned toward her, his eyes shining with the love that he told her about often. Finley didn’t think she would ever grow tired of hearing it on his lips. “’Tis time for us tae retire, love.”
Finley’s skin heated at the thought. “Aye.”
He proffered his arm, and they made their way through the crowd of people until they had reached the stairs. “Hurry,” he urged, nearly pulling her up the stairs. “I dinnae want anyone tae see us.”
Finley didn’t either. It likely would be quite embarrassing to be carried to their marriage bed.
They made it to their chamber unscathed, and Erik opened the door, allowing Finley to walk in first. “I dinnae want ye tae be nervous,” he said, closing the door behind them.
“I’m not nervous,” she breathed, remembering the stolen kisses and touches they had shared over the last month. This time, they would be consummating their marriage, and she was more than ready to do so.
His grin was wicked as he pulled his ceremonial tunic over his head, and she started on her laces at her bodice, her fingers trembling with excitement. Erik took over, and Finley’s breath caught as his hand grazed her bare skin just above her breast.
“Lovely,” he breathed, pressing a kiss on the mound. “I cannae wait tae see it all.”
Soon her dress fell away, and Finley stood there in the shift that had been made for this, a sheer garment that her aunt had given her the night before.
