Hugh hesitated, his eyes shifting briefly to Marcus.
Marcus studied Arianna carefully. “Are ye truly happy at Castle McGuire, sister?” he asked, his tone quieter now, though no less serious.
Arianna did not falter. She stepped back to Ian’s side and slipped her arm through his, her fingers resting lightly but firmly against him. “I am happy,” she said. “And I am happy in me husband as well.”
Ian felt the words settle deep within him.
“Let this alliance be one of me own choosin',” she continued, “not a debt between clans.”
Hugh watched her for a long moment. Then, slowly, he stepped forward. “Then I shall void the contract on behalf of ClanMcDonald,” he said. “Yer happiness warrants such an action, sister.”
Relief moved through the room like a quiet breath. Ian stepped forward at once, extending his hand. Hugh took it firmly, their grip strong and certain. No more words were needed in that moment.
It was done.
Eilidh moved first, drawing Arianna into another embrace, while Anna followed close behind. Marcus clasped Ian’s shoulder briefly, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. The tension that had once lingered dissolved, replaced by something steadier..
And for the first time, both clans stood united not by obligation, but by a truthful bond.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
“Iam glad to be here,” Arianna said softly.
The familiar stone walls of Castle McGuire rose before them once more, steady and unyielding against the sky, and Arianna felt something within her settle at the sight.
As they crossed the threshold and stepped into the warmth of the great hall, she drew in a quiet breath, her shoulders easing in a way they had not since she had fled. Ian remained at her side, his presence a constant now rather than a question.
When they reached the privacy of their chamber, she turned to him, a small, genuine smile touching her lips. “We are home, finally,” she said.
Ian stilled at her words, something shifting in his expression. “Aye?” he replied, his voice quieter than usual. “I am glad to hear ye call it that… home.”
Arianna studied him for a moment, noting the hesitation that lingered beneath his calm. “It is me home,” she said gently, her gaze steady.
Ian nodded once, though his expression grew more serious as he took a step closer. “We are home, and now that we are there is something I must say.”
She waited.
“The carriage… before,” he said, “That is, after what happened in the carriage that one day, I shouldnae have pulled away from ye as I did.”
Arianna blinked, surprised, her brows drawing together faintly. “I must admit,” she said slowly, “I thought I had done something wrong.”
At that, Ian’s head snapped toward her. “Nae,” he said firmly. “Ye did nothing wrong. It was me,” he continued. “I thought… I thought ye would rather be with anyone but me.” He glanced away briefly, as though the words themselves were difficult to speak. “I look like a beast,” he added, almost under his breath. “And I feared I had acted inappropriately… like…well, like a beast.”
Arianna stared at him, incredulity flashing across her face.
“A beast?” she repeated, her voice rising slightly. “Ian, I agreed to everything that happened in that carriage.” Shestepped closer, her gaze unwavering. “Ye shouldnae make such assumptions on yer own. Why do ye think such a thing of yerself?” she asked.
There was a pause before he answered.
“Me father,” Ian said at last, his voice low and rough. “He was a cruel man.” His hand lifted briefly, brushing near his eye before falling again. “He’s the one who took me eye. I always thought… in time, I would become like him.”
Arianna’s breath caught, and anger flared within her. “Then he was a monster,” she said fiercely. “And ye are nothing like him.”
Ian stilled.
“I do not see a beast when I look at ye,” she continued, her voice steady despite the emotion beneath it. “Nor do I believe ye could ever become one.”
The conviction in her words struck him more deeply than he expected.
