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“Da is the best clan chief!” Leah exclaimed.
Nora observed them both affectionately. She had no idea what it was like to have such a loving father. Before letting her down, Jonan laughed and twirled her around.
Nora took a look around her. The fiddler then played his final note, thedancing ceased, but the whistles and cheers continued.
“Let’s go back, Da!” Leah said.
“Let us not forget the reason we are here. Yer weddin’ is to be blessed. The shaman is here,” Callan joined.
Nora looked to Jonan. “I see. Will ye take Leah?”
“I will hand her over to her nurse.” Callan responded and handed Jonan a shirt.
“No,” Leah objected. “I do not need a nurse.”
They chuckled among themselves, and Nora’s chest felt lighter.
“Will ye all follow me?” the shaman asked. He was standing behind them. Nora was taken aback by the strange man's attire. He wore a feather skirt that was sewn together but no shirt. A cowry shell necklace hung around his neck. His eyes were wild, and his face was splattered with red and black paint.
Nora was almost terrified at the sight of him.
“Aye,” Jonan said and she followed him.
It is just a shaman, you scared girl, she scolded herself.
Nora walked behind the shaman, her gaze fixed on the path. Jonan's large frame walked behind her, and she had to admit that she felt more protected than intimidated with him.
Hetook a larger step, closing the gap between them, and shecouldn't help but lookat him.
His lovely grey eyes were expressionless. She wondered if he felt as confident about the wedding as he looked. When he started putting his shirt back on, she turned away. Theimage of his broad shoulders and chest staying with her. Yet she preferred him clothed for it made it easier to look him in the eye.
The shaman led them to the center, just beneath the large pillars that led into the keep. The spacious courtyard was divided by a stone cobbled path that matched the rest of the castle. At the top of the stone cobbled path, Nora and Jonan stood opposite each other.
She was reminded of the first time she saw Jonan, the day she lost her sister, when she looked into his eyes. Nora averted her gaze, hoping to conceal the pain in her eyes.
It was easier to look at the cobblestone path where she was standing. Although she knew it would be easy to blame Jonan for the sudden pain in her chest, she also knew that the clan's eyes on herwere partly responsible.
Nora felt out of control, just like the first time they were married. Her fate had been decided whether she wanted the Highlander or not.
She knew that is powerover her must have given him a sense of pride. That was how men behaved, and she knew he wouldn't be any different.
Rid your eyes of emotion. You cannot be scared, Nora.
But it was easier said than done, so Nora lowered her eyes. She wondered if he was looking at her.
She eventuallytook a slow look at Jonan, whose eyes seemed to be waiting for hers. They lacked the arrogance and smugness she had expected. His face didn't reveal much, but his eyes told her everything.
Look away, before you lose yourself in his gaze.
But it was too late. The courtyard, the people, and even the shaman vanished before her eyes. It was almost as if she were on a secluded island with no one else.
Despite the fact that she was fully clothed, she felt more exposed than she had ever felt.
How does he do that?
She pulled her eyes awayand stared at the ground in silence as the shaman bestowed blessings on them both. She didn't understand what the words meant, but she recognized that the moment was sacred because everyone was silent.
When he was done, he reached into his satchel and pulled out a vial.
