Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

Which was the part you liked most in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything that you enjoyed.

You prefer a series about... *

• Forbidden romance stories (father's best friend; sister's fiancé; brother's best friend; etc.)
• An "academy" for future lairds and ladies

You think step romance is... (*A step romance is a trope where the romantic leads are connected by step-family ties (e.g., step-siblings, step-parent/step-child of similar age). *

• Too taboo for me. I don't like books with this trope even if I know the MCs are not related and have not spent years under the same roof.
• I like it as long as the MCs didn't grow up together and meet as grown ups.

Anything else you'd like to share? *

Submit

Two weeks later…

When they stepped out of the chapel, a great roar went up from the crowd standing outside. The chapel was just too small to fit them all, and thus, many of the guests had waited outside with growing anticipation until the ceremony was over.

Domhnall grinned down at Katherine, who grinned back up at him with delight.

“To Laird and Lady MacLeod,” someone cried.

“To Laird and Lady MacLeod,” the crowd repeated.

If someone had told Domhnall that there would be a day where he would feel as happy as he did in that moment, he would have called them a liar. In fact, if he had been asked to describe the feeling that currently ran through him, he wouldn’t have had the first clue where to begin.

Of course, Katherine had given him an answer immediately after he had asked her to marry him, and it was a yes with no hesitation. He had practically known, before he had asked her, especially after the conversation they had had beside the fire.

When he had told her he had sent a letter to the king, telling him that he was refusing to abide by his arrangement, and that neither of them wanted it, she had completely misunderstood him. But her disappointed reaction, and what came afterward, had proven to him that Katherine wanted exactly what he did. For them to be together for the rest of their lives.

With everything already prepared, and guests already on their way, if not, already arrived, there was really nothing much to organize, and thus, they made their vows to each other in front of friends and family.

Just before the wedding, Domhnall had been concerned, for Katherine would have no family present. He had taken her to the side to speak about it.

“We can postpone if ye like,” he had said. “I feel selfish rushing through this if there are people ye would like tae be present.”

Katherine had gazed up at him and smiled softly. “Everyone I want tae be here is already here,” she said. “Ye and yer brothers and sisters are my family.” A slight sadness had tainted her smile as she continued. “I have no more family.” But then, she pinned the smile back. “Well, that’s not really true. I have a new family.”

“Are ye sure?” Domhnall pressed.

“That I have a new family?” she quipped, purposefully misinterpreting his question. “Of course. Besides, I have never had sisters, and let’s face it, I had the worst brother in the world. I’m not sure Magnus and Kai can do any worse than blackmailing me against my will, using me to capture my beloved, and then threatening to kill me and the man I love.”

He hadn’t been able to help himself, for as dark as her remark was, it was also witty, and he had chuckled.

“Nay. I think yer braither set the bar so high, even me braithers cannae top it. Besides, they have fallen in love with ye, almost as much as I have.”

“Well, I do hope you have told them I’m spoken for,” she said, grinning widely.

He had leaned down and kissed her then. “Indeed. They ken that ye’re all mine.”

While on the outside, Katherine did appear a little more relaxed, Domhnall did not stop worrying about what was going on inside her head. Her night terrors still tortured her, but since the night he had asked her to marry him, he had not had to travel from his bed to get to her.

On occasion, during the day, he had found her gazing out of the window, her eyes glazed over in some sort of trance-like daze. And while his brothers and sisters had all agreed to try and lift her spirits by keeping her occupied, there was only so much they could do. However, knowing how deeply he loved her, he also knew he would be by her side as she faced each and every one of her troubles.

Once in the great hall, the light of hundreds of candles twinkled while the Yule log burned in the fireplace and the decorations made by the ladies of the castle adorned each and every corner, Domhnall, encouraged by the loud applause and whooping, stood before all those present and gave his speech.

“First, I would like tae thank all o’ the people here present, from near and far. I am grateful fer the people o’ our clan fer their continued support, and I am thankful fer all o’ ye that have travelled great distances tae be here tae share this wonderful day with us.”

The crowd clapped and whooped before he continued.

“I am also more than fortunate tae have a wonderful family beside me. Without me braithers and sisters, I wouldnae be the man I am.”

“Here, here,” Kai called out, sending the crowd into fits of laughter.

Grinning, Domhnall said, “I am lucky tae have so many siblings, though, I can say with certainty that some are loved more than others.” He then smirked at Kai, and the crowd, again burst into laughter.

Sounding a little more somber, and yet, not overly so, he said, “O’ course, I ken all o’ ye would, like me, have been delighted had me maither and faither been here tae see this and celebrate with us.”

The crowd nodded and muttered words of agreement.

“They were fine parents tae me and me siblings,” and then, looking up to the ceiling, he said, “but I ken they are here with us in spirit.”

“Indeed, they are,” someone called out from the crowd.

“Finally, I would like tae say how delighted I am tae have Katherine as me wife,” he said, gesturing to her as she sat beside him, gazing up at him adoringly. “I ken she is English, but we cannae hold that against her.”

The crowd burst into laughter, and when Domhnall gazed down at her, he delighted at her giggles.

“Over the last few weeks, I have seen a strength in her that would match any one o’ us here, and I ken she is going tae bring only joy tae this clan.”

“Here, here,” Magnus said, smiling across at Katherine.

“And now,” Domhnall lifted his tankard and watched everyone do the same. “I make a toast. Tae Clan MacLeod and all our allies. May we unite as Scotsmen and forever strengthen our bonds. And may we all have a very joyful Yuletide.”

The crowd roared and whooped, and when the drinks were downed, the music began.

The celebrations went on late into the night, and at some point, Domhnall noticed Katherine had gone missing. Panic washed over him as he searched the great hall, but he could not see her anywhere.

Magnus grabbed his arm and frowned. “What has ye so worried, braither?”

“Have ye seen Katherine?” Domhnall demanded.

Magnus glanced about him, as though she might magically appear, and then shook his head. “I havenae.” He then thought a moment, and said, “But I ken where she might be.”

Domhnall left the great hall and made his way to the library. The fire roared in the large room, and, at first glance, he could see no one. Perhaps Magnus had been mistaken by saying this was Katherine’s favorite room to escape to. But then, approaching the high-backed chairs beside the fire, he saw two tiny feet sticking out.

“There ye are,” he said, rounding the chair to see Katherine sitting with her knees tucked under her chin. “Are ye all right?”

He lowered himself to the floor, placing a plate of black buns he had brought with him onto a low table, and sat gazing up at her.

She smiled sadly. “Of course, I am.”

Domhnall frowned. “Did I ever tell ye, ye’re a terrible liar.”

“Well, we both know that isn’t true,” she replied with a knowing smile.

“Aye. I suppose, I cannae argue with ye there. But ye’re nae all right, me love. What’s bothering ye?”

Tilting her head, she said. “Do you want the list?”

“There’s a list?” he said, his eye brows flying up.

“Well, not a big one.”

He gazed into her eyes. “I can guess one o’ them. Ye’re saddened that yer faither isnae here tae see ye married.”

She nodded. “I am. I think you and he would have got along very well. In fact, you do, every night in my…”

Domhnall frowned.

“My nightmare,” she finished.

She had never told him what she actually saw in her dreams every night, and now, he was curious.

“What else happens?”

“Well, you and Father meet and are the best of friends. And then there’s a big gathering in the great hall. Not unlike tonight, actually. Father and I are dancing in the middle, and then,” she sighed heavily, “and then, he bends over and there is blood pouring from his stomach. And when, I look down, and I am holding the knife that has killed him.”

Swiftly, Domhnall pushed himself up onto his knees. “Och, me darling,” he said, taking her two hands in his. “I am so sorry. So very sorry.”

“I know I didn’t kill him. I just cannot ever change what happens, no matter how hard I try.”

He wanted to tell her that it would get better, easier, that the dream would eventually fade. But Katherine was no fool. She didn’t need to hear something she knew already. Besides, what use was that to her now?

“I have had many dreams about me faither these past few days too, me love. And dae ye ken what stays with me after each dream? It’s the feeling I felt in his presence. The feeling of complete and perfect love. When I was with him, it soaked through me very being, and never have I felt such immense love.”

“That sounds amazing.” She nodded.

“It was. But it has me thinking, Katherine. When we pass over, when we move into the next life, everything in this life falls away. The people who have gone before us love us perfectly, and are waiting for us. Just like yer faither is waiting fer ye.”

Domhnall was trying to comfort her, and show her something he could hardly put into words. He didn’t quite know if he was making sense, but then, Katherine gasped and her mouth fell open.

By her expression, he knew she had heard what he was trying to convey, and with adoration in her eyes, she gazed at him. “Thank you,” she breathed.

They shared that special moment together in the quietness of the library, and then Domhnall said, “Actually, I have another thing tae share with ye and then after that, we will need tae return tae our guests.”

“What is it?” Katherine asked, her curiosity now piqued.

Rolling up his sleeve, Domhnall revealed the surprise he had been keeping from her.

“Yer wedding gift. Well, one o’ them, at least,” he said, showing off his inner forearm.

“Oh, Domhnall,” she gasped.

With her eyes wide, she tugged at her own sleeve, pressing her slim arm against his thick one. With beaming smiles, they gazed at their matching tattoo marks before gazing at each other.

“Ye are me fire, me love,” Domhnall said. “Ye taught me how tae love, and now, the fire of passion I have fer ye will forever burn in me heart.”

And leaning toward her, he softly brushed her lips in a tender kiss.

The End

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