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“Ye are?” she gasped.

“Aye,” Moira nodded. “I’m angry tae because I didnae like the idea of ye rushing off like that, but I know why ye did this, and I respect yer choice.”

Maura nodded, relieved that at least someone understood what she had done. “I only wanted tae help the clan and better that I suffer a little than the rest of the clan suffer a lot. There cannae be a war, Ma. I cannae think tae let all these people die.”

“I know,” Moira said, reaching out to clutch Maura’s shoulder. “Sae, what is it like there? What dae ye make of yer betrothed?”

All the excitement and the rush of blood swam around Maura’s head and made her dizzy. She sank into a chair as the strength left her limbs, and she rested her head in her palm. “The land is nae as beautiful as this. The area is rocky, and the people are stern. The castle is dark and shadowy, and Kevan is…” She did not know how to finish the sentence. What did she make of her betrothed?

“Kevan is unsure of marriage,” she decided to say. And then she leaned forward. Her head dropped, and a choking sob burst out of her mouth. “I cannae lie tae ye, Ma. He’s more than undecided. He said that he didnae want tae marry me and that he cannae look at me without thinking of the dead man. It was only Wallace who made the wedding happen. I think it’s gaeing tae be a long life,” she said, dreading the future as it loomed ahead of her. This was not the way she pictured it at all.

Moira wore a veil of concern. “Give him time. He is still grieving. It may be that he changes.”

“He hates me, Ma. He hates me more than anything. All I…all I ever wanted was a husband tae love, but that’s nae gaeing tae happen. And I know that’s the price I hae tae pay for my choice, and the safety of the clan is more important, but the thought of gaeing through life knowing that he’ll resent me…it’s almost tae much tae bear.”

Moira looked at her with sympathy. “Oh, Maura, ye are such a brave girl. I wish that things could be different. But ye know, this man cannae hate ye because he doesnae know ye. I’m sure that his opinion will change once he spends a bit more time with ye. But if ye are set against this, then I’m sure we can find a way tae undo the oath. I’m nae gaeing tae sit here and let my daughter be unhappy,” Moira said with resoluteness in her voice. Maura appreciated this. She knew there was nothing Moira would not do to keep her safe, but this was one oath that could never be undone.

“Nay,” Maura said in a dry, cracking voice. “I know that this haes tae be the way. If nae, there will be war, and they’ll hae even more cause if a wedding oath is broken. I wilnae let the Calbraith name be associated with villainy and dishonor.”

She wiped the tears from her eyes as Moira hugged her.

“The worst thing of all, though, is that Da is angry with me,” Maura added.

“Yer da is just worried, that’s all. Ye should gae tae him and talk with him. It’s nae gaeing tae be long until the wedding. Ye dinnae want tae leave here with a dark cloud around ye,” Moira said.

Maura nodded and collected her emotions, even though the thought of seeing her father right now made her sick.

Niall was a loving, considerate, compassionate father, but he was also a man of principle who held his children to a high standard. Disappointing him felt like a betrayal, and so Maura’s stomach churned as she approached his study. Her throat ran dry, and her hands trembled as she knocked faintly at the door, opening it after being told to come in by her father. He was standing with his hands clasped behind his back, staring at an old map of the Highlands. He tilted his head slightly to greet her.

“Maura,” he said. His voice was neutral; she had no idea how to interpret it.

“Da, I wanted tae talk tae ye about what happened,” she said. He remained silent. She felt so small as his presence filled the room. She picked at her nails and looked at the floor. “I’m sorry about rushing off like that. I just…I thought it was the only way tae save the clan. I was daeing what I thought was right. I—”

“Ye could hae gotten yerself killed,” Niall said, interrupting her. Maura fell silent. “I’m proud of ye for putting the needs of the clan above yer own safety, but what ye did…it was nae like ye, Maura. And now I hae no choice but tae let ye gae tae those people. I only ever wanted tae pick the best match for yer husband, but now ye are condemned.”

“There was no alternative. It was either war, or Ruairi would hae tae pay for what he did.”

“Aye, perhaps that would hae been the best way. He haes tae learn there are consequences for his actions. Ye should nae hae needed tae take the punishment for him.”

“A marriage is nae a death sentence,” she said, and she hoped dearly that her words would hold true. Niall turned and stroked his chin. Anger flared inside her when she remembered how this had all begun in the first place, and she didn’t want to feel judged by her father. “Ye were the one who praised Ruairi in the first place. I was only trying tae dae something tae make ye proud.”

Niall smirked. “But ye were always supposed tae be the calm one, Maura, the responsible one. I thought ye knew better than that. I would hae gone tae war tae keep ye from this fate. Wallace haes indeed extracted a heavy price for the death of his boy, nae that I can blame him. I cannae imagine what I would dae if anything happened tae ye.” He paused for a moment and walked towards her, clasping her shoulder. He looked at her with his stern eyes, but now that they were closer, Maura could see they were swimming with emotion. “Take care of yerself, Maura, and make sure tae be careful. I cannae be sure how far the McGrorys can be trusted. I wilnae be able tae protect ye while ye are there, but if there is any trouble, ye just get word tae me and I will come running. Ye can always trust that I will protect ye, no matter what. If I hae tae plunge the clan intae war, then sae be it. There is nae a man here who wouldnae fight tae protect yer honor.” He hugged her tightly, and Maura smiled, relieved that her father had only been frustrated because he loved her so much.

A few days passed, and it was time for Maura to leave her home forever. The occasion was sorrowful, as the marriage hadn’t been arranged under favorable circumstances. Moira and Niall tried to make the most of it, though. Maura had spent the last few days doing all the things that she loved doing, and now that it was time to leave, she was surprisingly collected. She hugged each of her family members in turn, giving the longest hug to her father. While usually, she would have had her father escort her to the wedding, Wallace had insisted that Maura arrive alone, as apparently, Wallace didn’t want any more reminders of his dead son than he needed. So Maura was taken along with the dowry, and when she saw the chests and crates that were loaded onto the carriage, she was amazed that her father had given Wallace so much, including the most precious thing of all: his only daughter. Before she left, Moira gave Maura a special present; it was a bracelet made of twined sticks and stems of flowers. She immediately recognized it as a miniature form of a wreath, and it meant that the spirits would watch over her even though she was far from home.

Maura managed not to cry until the carriage trundled away. Then the tears flowed, and she cried almost all the way to her new home.

She was not met with much fanfare. Wyl, the advisor, was there, but he seemed more interested in taking an inventory of the dowry than in her well-being. She was shown to a small chamber and given some food, but even Kevan did not come to welcome her. She wept again, fearing that she was going to be less of a wife and more a hostage as a way to ensure peace between the two clans.

7

The day of the wedding arrived swiftly. It had been delayed to allow proper time between the funeral and the wedding so as not to overshadow the grief of the McGrory clan. Maura had always imagined the day to be one of brightness and happiness; perhaps the most important day of her life. However, without anyone there to make it special, it seemed like any other day. There was no grand celebration prepared, just a simple ceremony in the hall where all the important matters seemed to take place. She had hoped that she might be able to find some sympathy with Elaine, but the woman seemed vacant and had lost all hope of expression.

Kevan was there, standing tall and resolute, with a firm expression on his face. At least he had shown up to the wedding, although she wondered what punishment Wallace would have exacted had Kevan gone missing. Still, the man radiated disapproval and disappointment. He was like a slab of stone as they stood beside each other, and she noticed how he always seemed to be looking away from her, as though if he kept it up long enough, she would simply disappear. Wallace was the only one who seemed truly happy. He drank his wine heartily and clapped his hands. He did not seem like a man who had been seized with grief. Maura continued to glance at the bracelet on her wrist, hoping that the spirits would watch over her.

The ceremony was brief, with just a few vows exchanged. Kevan said his begrudgingly, while her voice was soft and hesitant. As they were forced to clasp hands, she noticed the tension in Kevan’s body and wondered if her mother was right. Was this kind of enmity something that could fade through time? While rationally she knew that Kevan couldn’t hate her because he didn’t know her, it was still difficult to not take it personally.

He let go of her hand as soon as he was able.