Alec’s face and neck turned a deep red.
James stepped toward Alec, a half head taller, and pressed the tip of his sword to Alec’s chest. Behind us, the hiss of dozens of swords being unsheathed cut the silence, but Alec barked, “Hold!” to his men. He had to know he was good and stuck in a web of his own making, woven from his greed, his lies, and his cruelty.
I stood right behind James, but his free arm reached back to me, his hand still locked with mine, and he squeezed my hand before speaking to Alec. “Ye fabricated a betrothal to claim Renfrewshire. Ye have everything to lose, and ye do nae have anything to gain by opening yer mouth. Collect yer horses from the stables and leave now,” James said, “or we can battle.”
I saw the moment Alec realized he had no choice but to comply. His jaw clenched, his nostrils flared, and then, without another word, he signaled to his men to follow him. They filed away toward the stables. As the road fell quiet, I relaxed against James. The Ross warriors sheathed their swords as one, and Munro inclined his head to me. “Murieall says to tell ye she has missed ye greatly, and can nae wait to see ye and watch ye wed this clot-heid here.”
My eyes widened as I looked at James, and he winked back. “If ye’ll have me,” he said.
If I’d have him? I was still afraid of loving him and losing him, but I was now more afraid of never having the precious years I could with him, though I did hope my curse would break when I fulfilled the final requirement. “I’ll have ye,” I assured him, and a roar of approval went up from the Ross warriors, making me laugh and James grin.
Munro raised his hands, and his warriors fell silent. “We make camp here tonight,” he called. “At first light, we ride for home.”
As the men began to dismount and move toward the trees at the road’s edge, James looked to Munro. “I appreciate what ye said about the stronghold, but it is nae necessary.”
“I ken it’s nae necessary, James. Ye are family. Ye have earned it. Ye will become a branch of the clan and make us stronger.” My heart swelled for James as he and Munro locked forearms. Then Munro said to me, “I’ve heard a great many stories from Murieall about the mischief ye lasses got into as young lasses, and I look forward to hearing more stories and possibly learning a secret or two about Murieall I’ve nae discovered in our many years of marriage.”
“I’m certain I can recall a tale or two later,” I assured him.
“I look forward to it,” he replied. “I should go help the men make camp.”
“There are at least a dozen empty bedchambers,” I said. “I insist ye take one and give the rest to yer men.”
“Thank ye, I’ll reserve one for James, since the two of ye are nae wed yet,” he said, laughing, then turned to walk toward the Ross warriors.
When he was gone, James and I faced each other, and he cupped my face. “Do ye wish me to sleep in a different chamber tonight? I will. I understand the impropriety of—”
I pressed a finger to James’s lips. “I wish ye to sleep with me,” I assured him.
A wide grin tugged at his lips as he caught my finger and kissed it. His touch sent a thrill down my spine. “The servants may whisper,” he said, kissing the tip of my finger again, making my skin tingle.
I shrugged. “I care naught. I will be leaving here with ye for yer new stronghold after we are wed,” I said, hardly believing the words I’d just uttered.
James twined his hands around my waist and tugged me close, claiming my lips in the tenderest of kisses. When he pulled away, he said, “What is mine is yer, and if ye wish us to split our time between strongholds, I’m happy to oblige.”
Now was the time to tell him the last thing I needed to do and my hope of breaking the curse. “I need to tell ye something,” I said, pressing my palm to his heart, steady under my fingers. “I had Princess Mary send a missive to my sister, Millicent, calling her to me. I hope she will come, but if she does nae, I will go to her with ye by my side, if ye will accompany me.”
“Ah, Katreine, if ye still do nae understand, I would follow ye to the ends of the world. I love ye,” he said, kissing me. “Ye are my heart. My soul. And ye will be my wife for all the days of my life.”
Happy tears filled my eyes. “I want all the days I can have with ye, but if I can help it, I’d rather I do nae have to go on without ye for the gods only ken how many endless years after. When I went to see Morgana, it was to discover if she would break my curse.” I told him quickly of all Morgana had said to me. “Se ye see,” I finished, “I do nae need or want Renfrewshire, but I do need the chance to hopefully break my curse.”
He hugged me tightly to him and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I need only ye, Katreine. Ye’re the greatest treasureI could have hoped for. More valuable than land, a title, or a thousand warriors.”
I looked up at him, and he cupped my face. “Together, we will make a home and family,” he said.
“Together,” I agreed, and we sealed our bargain for the future with a kiss of promise for all the days ahead.
Epilogue
A fortnight later, I walked down a torchlit path to the chapel, where James awaited us to wed. The time between the messenger’s arrival with news that I was safe from the king and today had been busy. I’d bequeathed Renfrewshire to Millicent, watched Millicent wed, and today I would finally be united in marriage with James and reunited with Freya, Murieall, and Elena.
As I turned onto the twisting stone path, Gillie walked silently beside me, in place of where my mama or Mara would have been if either of them were still alive. My chest tightened at that thought, but I was grateful and so very glad to have Gillie here.
A burst of laughter erupted in the silence, and as we turned the next corner, the chapel came into view. I gasped, and a grin tugged at the corners of my lips as my eyes filled with tears. There, at the closed chapel door, stood my three best friends, changed by time but not so much that I did not recognize them. They had not yet seen me, and I stopped. Gillie, no doubt sensing my emotions, paused beside me.
She leaned toward me and whispered, “James thought ye might want a moment with them before ye came into the chapel.”
James.His name evoked images of our bodies entwined last night, sweaty and moving in a rhythm of passion and desire that even now made my core ache with longing for more. If I were not yet with child, I would be shocked. We could not get enough of each other, and I blushed standing there, thinking of it and of the bairn I hoped we had conceived. I refused to think of a time when I might not have James or our children. I feared I was stillcursed. I saw no signs of aging, though admittedly it had not been long. Still, I had thought Morgana would give me a sign when she broke my curse. I had done what Morgana had said, and now I simply had to accept what was and be happy for the time I had with those I loved, not fret about the time I might not have them anymore.
