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“I’m sorry,” Elena barely got the words out. “Perhaps I have had too much today.”
“Like I told yer uncle and maither,” Gabriel said, shifting his head to catch her eye, “Tis our weddin’ day. Ye drink all ye want and celebrate.”
“Are ye really so happy to be stuck wit’ me?” Elena asked as she slowly drew her attention to Gabriel. His stunning green eyes bore into her, making her heart flutter.
“Aye, I am,” he said, brushing her hair off her shoulders. The feel of his fingertips ignited something buried within her. Elena gasped as little bumps rose over her flesh.
This is a trick. He’s tryin’ to get me to let my guard down before the torture begins. There is nay way he’s changed so much. Cruel men only get meaner durin’ their lives, so what game is he playin’?
Chapter 4
“I daenae ken about ye,”Gabriel said as he stretched out his arms. “But I cannae stay up any longer.”
“Come on now,” Vincent snickered. “The night is still young.”
“I daenae think he has plans to sleep,” Anna mumbled causing Elena’s body to tense. She knew at some point she would have to go with Gabriel to the wedding chambers.
Secretly, Elena had hoped for her husband to pass out on the dance floor, or at the very least rest his head on the table. But as she glanced at him through the corner of her eye, she noticed there wasn’t a lick of sleepiness about him. Instead, she found a hint of anticipation and eagerness.
Swallowing hard, she waited for Gabriel to make the move to rise. With her heart pounding in her chest, she grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the center of the table and poured herself another dram. The golden liquor dribbled over the edge of the glass.
“Yer cut off,” Vincent said, snatching the bottle from her. “Yer slippin’ all over the place.”
“I am nae,” Elena said. Her words slurred as they drifted out of her mouth. Although she had lost track of how many drinks she consumed, she never once thought herself intoxicated.
Gabriel’s fingers curled over her shoulder. She exhaled as his thumb gently rubbed the back of her neck. It was almost as if Gabriel touched every part of her body.
“Are ye ready to go then?” Gabriel whispered as he leaned down. His hot breath on her neck made her shiver involuntarily. Bobbing her head, she drew the last shot to her. The whiskey burned her throat going down and numbed a bit of the nervousness that dared to seep up from her stomach.
The moment she stood, the world spun, and her vision blurred. Sitting was by far easier than rising. Pressing her fingertips to her temples, she tried not to sway. A small laugh caught her attention as she focused on Anna in the center of her view.
“What?” Elena asked, scrapping her rough tongue against the roof of her mouth.
“Do I need to carry ye?” Gabriel asked as his arms enclosed around her. The last thing Elena wanted was to be carried over Gabriel’s shoulder. She knew back in the day the men would raid the villages, claiming the women they wanted by kidnapping. It was a story her mother told her as a young girl. She never thought that the story would come true for her and allowing Gabriel to do such a thing would surely make her a laughing stock.
“Nay, I’ll walk,” Elena protested.
“Are ye sure ye can?” Vincent asked as Elena turned slightly. Her thigh rammed into the edge of the table causing the glasses to rattle. Steadying herself, she pointed at Vincent and glared at him as menacing as she could muster.
“I’m fine,” she stated. Forgetting to move the chair aside, it scraped against the floor as she ran into it. Gabriel held out his hand and shook his head. A small chuckle escaped from him.
“Let me help ye,” he said, grabbing Elena’s arm and throwing it over his shoulders. She rested against Gabriel’s body as she fumbled about trying to walk upright. For a moment she wondered if maybe she was being too stubborn to have him carry her. After all, in Gabriel’s arms she couldn’t hurt herself, nor would the family see her fall.
“Ye think I’m intoxicated, daenae ye?” Her words slurred out. Raking her free hand across her mouth, she narrowed her eyes trying to keep Gabriel’s image from spinning.
“Aye, I ken ye are,” he said. “But ye deserve to be. And that is also why it is time for us to go.”
“That’s it, laddie,” Vincent cheered. “Ye bed that lass well.”
“That is my sister,” Anna scolded as Elena caught sight of Anna’s hand flying up followed by a resounding smack. “We can make fun of her in the mornin’.”
“Please daenae,” Elena said as she tried to think of any reason her family would be embarrassed by her actions.
“They won’t,” Gabriel said as he helped her across the floor towards the side door. “I’ll nae allow it.”
“To the bride and groom,” Darragh shouted. The room erupted into a thunderous cheer. The sound caused Elena’s head to ache far more than she expected.
“Perhaps I may have had a wee bit too much,” Elena confessed the instant they were out of earshot. Gabriel gave his best shrug as he helped her through the darkened hallway. Small balls of light flickered and danced along the path, illuminating the way to their room.
