Binding Vows(68)

Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer. The sparks building in the core of the couple, flickered into flames on top of the candles overhead.

The musicians stopped playing and without provocation the crowd applauded.

Laughing against each other’s lips, they ignored the crowd and kept their lips glued to each other.

Bringing hoots and cheers from the men.

“Okay you two. Take it outside.” Fin shuffled them apart. “You’re about to light the hall on fire,”

he whispered under his breath.

Tara glanced at the candles burning brightly 201



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above them. With a flash of drama she fanned herself, calling a small wind like Myra had taught her, and blew out the candles before others noticed they lit themselves. “You take my breath away.” She said loud enough to call attention to her instead of the flames.

Laughter came from many directions.

Outside, the cool breeze helped bay the fire burning inside the bride and groom.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“Really? What is it?” Her hand in his, he tugged her along the courtyard.

“My wedding present to you.”

“A wedding present?” She stopped. “But I’ve nothing for you.”

He placed a hand aside her face. “You are my wedding gift. The love you give me.”

She melted. “Do they give you guy’s lessons in this time?”

“Lessons in what, lass?”

She laughed. “Never mind. Where’s my present?”

He laughed keeping pace with her. “Over here.”

“Is it big or small?”

“You’ll see.”

“Did you wrap it? We women like to unwrap presents you know,” she said, getting into the spirit of things.

“It can’t be wrapped.”

“Can I close my eyes and shake it? Guess what it is?” Duncan kept laughing. “You could try.”

“Okay, I’m closing my eyes. Don’t let me fall.”

Tara stumbled along beside him. They slowed their pace once she heard other voices. She heard Duncan shush those who were around them.

“Give me both hands,” he said.

Under her fingers she felt the warm fur of what 202



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had to be a horse. A small noise and movement from the animal brought Tara’s eyes open.

Tara caught her breath. The mare was beautiful. Her tan coat was the color of caramel, her mane as rich as chocolate. Her big brown eyes flittered with trust.

“Hello,” Tara said in a soft greeting. “Look at you, so strong and regal.” Stroking her neck, Tara glanced at Duncan. “For me?”

“Aye.”

“You’re making me cry again.” She looked at her horse with awe.

“Sorry.” Duncan gave a half apology.

“No, you’re not.” She moved in to thank him.

Even Finlay started to blush before he broke the lovebirds apart. “You two are making me ill with this. Brother Malloy had better not dawdle in his ceremony on the morrow. Least you announce a birth before a marriage.”

Everyone in earshot agreed.



****

The village was brimming with activity everywhere. Anyone within a fifty-mile radius filled the tiny streets, adding to the purses of the local merchants. Grainna couldn’t have picked a better time to come into the small parish of people and blend in. No one noticed an old woman walking with a cane.

Again, she considered luck was on her side, a luck that hadn’t been with her for centuries. The Ancients must be asleep at the wheel, she thought.

There was no other explanation for why her presence had yet to be discovered. They were so damn proficient at banishing her the first time.

Calling attention to herself by using her black magic would certainly make her presence known. Their lack of diligence kept her more subdued than she would be normally.

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She made her way to the village merchant who bartered and sold any and everything the town had to offer. Provisions of food, candles, and cloth woven from the wool of the sheep littering the landscape of the surrounding hills, were for sale.

She waited for a few of the gentry to finish with the man, while she kept to the back of his small home, which doubled as his store. “How can I be of assistance to ye?” he kindly asked, obviously happy with his burgeoning business.

“Only a few little things if you will, sir.” Grainna put her old woman smile of kindness on her face. “A few candles and a measure of salt pork if ye have it.”

It didn’t take long for the man to start talking.

“Are ye here for the wedding?”

“My grandson and I are passing through.” She had guessed the nature of the festivities, but she kept herself from slipping into the minds of the people to confirm her assumption, again to keep her presence concealed for as long as possible. “It looks to be a grand wedding.”