Time to head to the church and marry her Sawny.
Her parents and brothers stood at the base of the steps, all stunningly dressed in their Highland regalia tartans of deep crimsons and forest greens for the event, and they turned as one when they heard her footsteps.
The shared expression on their faces was worth the wait. Their eyes widened, and her mother smiled wider than Adaira had seen in a long time.
Pure, effused joy. That was the expression they shared.
Her family was silent until she placed a foot on the floor, then Sorcha clapped her hands and cried out.
“Och, Adaira! Ye are a vision!”
With a delicate move of her arms, her mother hugged her lightly, so as not to disturb her hair or gown.
Adaira did not care. She wrapped her arms around her mother and hugged her back fiercely. Her hair and gown could be adjusted. Adaira would never sacrifice an opportunity to show her love.
Her brothers, Reade, Maddock, and Conall stepped up next, each kissing her cheek politely. She had hoped the king might have granted permission for Logan to join them, but given the politics, she was not surprised at his absence.
Maddock continued to smile, beaming like the easy-going rake that he was, but Reade’s joyful smile had slipped. Smiling and joy were not well acquainted with Reade, much to Adaira’s dismay. She was pleased she managed to bring at least one smile to his face this day, even if it was short lived.
He pressed his cheek to hers and spoke low in her ear. “Even once ye are wed, if ye need me, all ye must do is call. I am ever there for ye.”
Adaira patted his cheek and blinked back a tear. “Aye, Reade. I know this in my heart.”
Then he stood and stepped back so her father could grasp her arm and kiss her cheek. His eyes shone with proud, unshed tears.
“My lass. I recall ye as a babe, and now here ye stand in your wedding gown, and I must give ye to another man.” Seamus’s voice wavered as he spoke.
Adaira threaded her pale blue-clothed arm through his and adjusted his dark green bonnet atop his head. “Och. I’ll no’ be far. I may live in another keep, but ye know how I am. I’ll be here with my kin all the time.” Then she looked her father straight in the eye. “And I will always be the daughter of Chieftain Seamus MacDonald.”
He patted her hand and straightened as he cleared his throat. Another voice carried through the hall to where they gathered at the stairs.
“Why are ye lingering? My granddaughter better no’ be changing her mind! All of the Highlands are present to see her wed!”
The Laird of Glen Coe, Alistair MacDonald and her grandfather, filled the doorway, dressed for the event in his full MacDonald of blues and reds, with his plaid thrown over his fitted coat and silver clan brooch shining proudly at his shoulder. His hard face softened when his bold amber eyes fell on her.
“Och, lass. Ye do us proud, this day. I would offer to walk ye to the kirk, but I fear my son might have my head if I rob him of that honor, so might I walk on your other side?”
Such a laurel to have her chieftain and her laird, her father and grandfather, walk her to the church, how could she say no? Adaira also adored her grandfather, so of course she wanted him to escort her down the aisle. She nodded, and Alistair joined her on her left side.
As they exited the main doors, she turned her face up to her grandfather. “Are they here yet?” She meant Sawny and his family, and Alistair nodded his understanding.
“Many of his kin have arrived. I have no’ seen the lad or his family, but I havena been to the kirk yet, and he’s probably there with his kin already, riding in a pageantry of plaid and banners.”
The short walk with her family to the church just outside Glenachulish tower walls was filled with beauty of the Highlands. With the Loch Linnie at her back, the hills before her sparkled in brilliant dark and light greens with touches of whites and purples as spring flowers and mosses flourished. Tree buds sprouted with new leaves, and sunlight peeked through those leaves in shades of green and gold.
If anything, the scene made her feel even more like a fae creature.
A fae creature ready to marry her love.
Chapter Seven
Sheheardthedinof the crowd before she saw it. Her breath caught in her chest when the gray stone of the kirk appeared around the bend, surrounded by a throng of colorfully dressed people, as if every MacDonald in Glen Coe and beyond and their allies had arrived for this event.
Her event. Her wedding to Sawny. Their wedding that joined the daughter of the Glenachulish Glen Coe MacDonalds to the Keppoch MacDonalds – a union of the wild, fiery Keppochs to the icy cool Glen Coe MacDonalds, making the largest clan in the Highlands even more aligned.
No wonder it was seen as a strong political move. How could it be seen as anything less?
The last of the morning clouds parted, bathing Adaira and the church in a golden glow.
