Conall’s stepmother had been overjoyed when she and Conall had returned to the Pinnacle and announced their engagement—almost as overjoyed as she’d been to discover that he and his father had agreed to try to overcome their differences.
Since the battle at Thurso, the last few weeks had been a whirlwind of action. Wedding preparations had taken place alongside meetings with the Order of the Osprey and even meetings with representatives from the king, all to discuss the aftermath of Leif Snarlsson’s demise. Alice Brewer’s body had not been found and although Conall insisted she could not have survived her fall into the sea, Molly felt uneasy about that.
She pushed the unsettling thought from her mind. She wouldnotthink about such things today.
“I can’t believe the day is finally here,” she muttered. She felt a little sick. Her stomach churned with a mix of nerves and excitement.
Annie, Molly’s other attendant, was busy arranging Molly’s red-brown curls atop her head, weaving in sprigs of heather. “Well, ye better start believing.” She glanced out of the window, squinting at the sun. “It’s almost time. Any longer and we’ll be late.”
Molly nodded, feeling a sudden pang of sadness.
“What’s wrong, lass?” Adaira asked, resting a hand on Molly’s shoulder.
She blinked, realizing she’d been staring into space. “I just...I wish my da could be here to walk me down the aisle.”
She missed him something fierce. Reaching up, she grasped the silver necklace around her neck, the metal warm from resting against her skin. Her thumb traced over the etched nautical knots. He had given her this necklace, the only keepsake she had left of him. Now, on her wedding day, its comforting weight around her neck made her feel like he was closer somehow. She could almost hear his gruff Scottish brogue in her ear. “Chin up, lass. I’m so proud of ye.”
Adaira wrapped her in a fierce hug. “He’s here in spirit. And he’d be so proud of ye.”
Molly hugged her tightly. She knew Adaira was right. Today was a celebration, the start of a new chapter. She would honor her father by living every moment of it. She tucked the necklace back beneath the neckline of her gown and took a deep breath. She was ready.
There was a soft knock at the door. Annie went to answer it. “Look, we’ll be down in a moment!” she snapped as she opened it. “Ye canna rush these things...oh.”
Molly turned at Annie’s confused tone and saw a stout old woman sweeping into the room, her gray hair pinned back in a neat bun. She started in shock.
“My, my, dinna ye look a picture?” Irene MacAskill said.
“Irene?” Molly gasped. “Irene MacAskill?”
“The very same, my dear.”
Annie looked between Irene and Molly. “Ye know this woman?”
Molly didn’t take her eyes off Irene. “I do. Could you give us the room, please?”
“Of course. We’ll give ye a moment,” Adaira murmured, taking Annie’s arm. The two women slipped quietly out of the room, leaving Molly alone with Irene.
“Well now, lass,” Irene said, her dark eyes glinting. “Are ye ready to make yer choice?”
Molly glared at her. “It was you, wasn’t it? It was you who threw me back in time? You’re responsible for all of this, aren’t you?” She couldn’t keep the anger from her voice.
“Me?” Irene replied, pressing a hand to her chest as though offended. “I did naught but offer ye a choice. Ye didnae have to step through that portal beneath the Selkie’s broken sail. Ye were the one who did that, if ye remember.”
“I wouldn’t have done if you’d told me what would happen!”
Irene raised an eyebrow. “Are ye sure about that? Our destinies call to us, lass, and there’s little we can do to resist their pull. Would ye rather ye had made a different choice? Would ye rather have resisted that pull and gone home?”
Molly paused. No. She wouldn’t. Despite everything that had happened, despite the danger, despite the heartache, she would not change any of it.
Molly sighed. “All right, fine. You’re right. But why are you here now?”
“To give ye yer final choice. Do ye wish to stay here or return home?”
Molly lifted her chin. “I’ve made my decision,” she said clearly. “I’m staying here with Conall. This is where I belong now.”
Irene’s eyes glinted. “Are ye certain, lass? Once ye make this choice, there’s no going back.”
Molly nodded. “I’m sure.” She touched the necklace at her throat, taking strength from it. “I’ll miss my old life, but this is my home now. Conall is my family.”
