Page 132 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“Now and forever.”

The day of the bindin’…

Gordon had imagined the binding ceremony a hundred different ways over the last few days since they returned.

Before now, he had never once imagined himself standing beneath a young rowan tree with a woman’s hand held tightly in his own, surrounded by laughter, music, and more people than he could name, while feeling as though the whole of his life had finally fallen into its proper place.

But this is me life now, and I am happy.

The rowan tree stood at the edge of the gardens, its young branches moving gently in the evening breeze.

Gordon looked down at their fingers. Ailis’ hand was small against his, warm and soft, her fingers curling naturally between his as though they had always belonged there.

The thought brought a smile to his face.

Me wife.

The words still felt strange.

Not because he disliked them. Because he loved them more than he knew how to express.

The priest stood before them, speaking the ancient words of the binding, but Gordon found himself listening only in fragments. He heard the vows. He heard the blessing. He heard the murmur of their families gathered around them.

Yet what held his attention was Ailis.

She stood beside him in the dress Harriet had made, her hair adorned with small flowers and her eyes shining beneath the lantern light. There was color in her cheeks, and every time she looked at him, something inside his chest tightened with a happiness so unfamiliar that he still did not quite know what to do with it.

He had spent most of his life believing happiness was something meant for other men.

Men who had nae been raised by a cruel uncle. Men who had nae learned to survive by expectin’ the worst… Who did nae wake each mornin’ believin’ that whatever they loved would eventually be taken from them.

Yet here he stood.

When the priest finally asked them to offer their hands, Gordon turned his palm upward, and Ailis placed hers within it.

Their fingers intertwined.

The young rowan tree stood behind them as the binding cloth was wrapped around their joined hands.

Gordon looked at the knot, and his insides settled.

He lifted his eyes and found Ailis watching him. Her smile trembled slightly as Gordon squeezed her hand.

“I love ye,” he murmured so quietly that only she could hear.

Her eyes glistened. “I love ye, too.”

Behind them, Sorcha made a small sound. Gordon glanced over and found his sister wiping tears from her cheeks while Rowan stood beside her, looking equally pleased. Sorcha turned to Callan next, and the moment he caught her looking, he pointed accusingly at her.

“Daenae start.”

Sorcha laughed. “I have said nothin’.”

“Ye are thinkin’ it.”

Rowan clapped a hand upon Callan’s shoulder. “But she is right, brother-in-law. Ye ken what comes next. Ye should find yerself a bride, too.”

Callan groaned. “Absolutely nae.”