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“Until next time,” Callum said, bowing his head as he walked out of the room. Maeve and Gowan giggled like children, and as soon as they were out into the hall, Gowan tried to pinch her again, although this time it wasn’t merely to get her attention. She decided to make a game of it and skipped away, barely eluding his grasp. She was like a fey creature, always slipping from his hands as he chased her. They barreled through the keep. Their laughter echoed through the halls, and the servants shared secret smiles, knowing that their Laird and her consort were enjoying a happy and enthusiastic beginning to their marriage.

Maeve was almost breathless as she ran up the stairs, for she was laughing so much. She craned her neck around to see him bearing down upon her, but it was she who reached the door first. She ran into their chamber and went to shut the door on him, but just as the gap between the door and the wall became a crack, he slammed his heavy frame upon it and burst through, sending her flinging back.

She smiled coyly and him, wickedness flashing in her eyes.

“Aye, would ye try tae deny a husband his right?” he asked, a playful smile on his face.

Maeve stepped back, closer and closer to the bed.

“Perhaps I just want tae see how much ye want me?” she replied in a breathy voice.

Gowan did not say anything in response to this, at least not with words. He strode forward, his long strides eating up the distance between them. Maeve fell into laughter again as she finally allowed him to get his hands on her. In truth, it had been torture for her to leave it this long. He pulled her into him, and once again, she was enveloped in the heat of his body. The furnace that bloomed from his heart had quickly become one of her favorite feelings, and she honestly was not sure how she had managed to survive in the world without it being a part of her life until now. Her heart thrummed as the smile fell from her face, replaced by a look of wonder and awe, with lips ready to feel the sweet caress of a kiss again.

“Ye know, lass, I was nae sure what tae think of ye when I first saw ye, all dressed in black. Ye hid all yer beauty from me, but even then, I knew there was something about ye…” he said, gently brushing away flaming locks of hair.

“And I was nae sure what tae think of ye either. Here was this tall and terrible man striding intae my home with this proclamation of marriage, making new friends wherever he turned. Oh aye, such a charmer, making all the lasses giggle.”

“Aye, except one on that first night. What I would hae given for a wee smile.”

“Well, ye hae more than a smile now.”

“That I dae,” he said, and leaned in to kiss her. Maeve’s body arched as his hand pressed into the small of her back. Warm breath slipped out of her breath as her eyes closed, and she sank into this happy wonder again. Her arms fell against him, feeling the tension growing in his body, feeling the heat churning and simmering under the surface and the powerful drumbeat of his heart. Her throat tightened. With every kiss, her mind grew even hazier, as though she was falling into a dream, and indeed being with Gowan was akin to a dream. He was so wonderful, so majestic. She was sure that she couldn’t have picked out a better man for herself than if she tried, and it was clear she needed to have more faith in her father’s judgment.

“I’m sae happy,” she whispered as he pulled her in for a tight embrace.

He buried herself against her neck, breathing in the sweet scent of her femininity, and she could feel the love that coursed between them. It was this unspoken, intangible thing, and yet it was the strongest force she had ever known. It tethered them together, and she did not want to let him go.

So she didn’t.

They fell onto the creaking bed, and this time their giggles were for their ears only. The sturdy door kept their privacy intact, and their intimate love kept them warm.

* * *

Hours had passed. Gowan had gone to the sparring ring to train before the light of the day faded entirely. Maeve had gotten dressed and was now brushing her hair, gazing out of the window to the horizon where the forest stretched before her and turned into rising mountains. A candle flickered by her side, one that she had lit in tribute to her father.

“I wish ye were here, Da. I wish ye could hae met Gowan properly. Ye chose well. Aye, I know I was hesitant at first. I should hae known ye never would hae done wrong by me. It almost feels wrong tae be this happy after what’s happened. I know what ye would say: that I hae suffered enough, and I should enjoy the good times while they last. It just feels as though if I’m happy, then it means I’m forgetting ye and Ma. I know it’s nae true, but it does feel that way.

“I just wish ye were here more than anything, really. I’m glad that Uncle Harrison was there sae I at least haed some family on my wedding day, but it was nae the same without ye.”

Before she could speak again, there was a knock at her door. She wiped a glistening tear from her eye and called for whoever it was to come in. She was surprised to see that it was her uncle, who didn’t usually come to her chambers. When he entered, he wore a look of confusion.

“Is Gowan nae here? I thought I heard voices,” he asked, peering into the shadowed corners of the room.

Maeve smiled wistfully as she went back to her chair and looked at the candle. “I was just speaking with Da,” she said with a soft chuckle. “I know ye probably think it’s silly…”

“Nae at all. Just because he is nae here doesnae mean he haes left us entirely,” he said with a reassuring smile, although a smile never seemed to settle quite right on his face. It was always as though he was trying to do his closest approximation to a smile.

He had his hands clasped together and his head tilted forward slightly. “I actually dae wish that yer da was with us now, as I am sure that he would hae been far more able tae deal with the matter at hand.”

Maeve noticed the solemn tone of his voice and furrowed her brow.

“What matter?” she asked.

“It is a matter of some delicacy,” he spoke reluctantly, as though it was a struggle for him to speak the words. “I really dinnae want tae bring this tae yer attention, but I fear news like this should come from family rather than anyone else, especially after seeing the way ye were with Gowan taeday. It does… It’s enough tae break a heart. It really is.”

Panic flooded her heart. Had there been an accident? No… Her happiness couldn’t be taken away from her again. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. No…

“What’s happened?” she asked, barely able to fight against the lump that had formed in her throat.