Chapter 5
When Moira awoke, she first thought that she was waking up in the same bed as she had woken up in every morning before this one, but as soon as she opened her eyes, she knew it was different.
She swung her legs over and went to the window, opening the shutters. The world before her was one that was familiar to her, but she was now seeing it from a different perspective. She recognized some of the sights in the distance, but they were being presented to her at a new angle.
She breathed in the scent of the flowers.
In the light of the morning, the thought of malevolent spirits prowling the forest seemed strange.
It was no wonder that Niall dismissed these ideas.
However, she had survived the night in this new place, so perhaps there was something to be said for the protection of rowan wood after all.
A little while after she had woken up, there was a knock at the door.
It was a servant with some breakfast, a little something to settle the stomach before her wedding.
She was due to spend the morning alone getting ready, with the wedding to take place in the afternoon, leading to a big feast that would last for the rest of the day.
When she poked her head out of the window, she could hear bards practicing their tunes. The Calbraith clan wasn’t as prosperous or wealthy as the Monroe clan, and this had always been something that had precipitated the conflict between the two.
The Monroes had been one of the first clans to settle in the area and thus laid claim to a lot of land. By the time the Calbraiths rose, there wasn’t as much of it to go around, and they thought the Monroe clan should share some of their land more equitably.
Through the years, territory was taken and recaptured again and again until borders were drawn.
The Calbraiths had been ruthless and desperate, always seeking to take what they wanted, which led to many battles, including one that had claimed the life of Moira’s father.
But with the recent peace, Marcas had made some concessions that would allow the Calbraith clan to generate some more wealth, and they seemed to be sparing no expense for the wedding.
She hoped that she could temper this greedy streak and teach the Calbraiths to be happy with what they had. Niall certainly seemed of the same mind, and she hoped that their marriage could preside over a peace that would last for generations.
It was around midday when there was a knock at the door.
Marcas stood there and had a look of awe on his face when he saw Moira in their mother’s wedding dress.
It ended up fitting Moira perfectly, although she hoped that her marriage would end up being more like Kirsten and Marcas’s rather than suffering the tragic end of her parents’ marriage.
“Ye look just like her!” Marcas gasped as he moved into the room and stood in front of Moira. “All ye need is longer hair.”
Moira smiled. She didn’t need to ask him who he was talking about.
All their lives, they had mirrored their parents; Marcas had taken after their father, and she had taken after their mother.
But after their mother’s treachery was revealed, Moira had hacked off her hair and kept it short, vowing to never be like that woman, even if she had ultimately put her children first. But she could do nothing about her features.
“Thank ye, Marcas,” she said, knowing that Marcas had intended it as a compliment.
“I am sorry I didnae come up here earlier. I got caught up speaking with Niall about some trade routes he hopes tae begin. Ye know how it is, one thing leads tae another, and then ye realize that half the day haes passed! How are ye feeling?”
“A wee bit nervous, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. Niall seems nice.”
“Aye, he’s just about the nicest Calbraith I’ve ever known tae live! Well, except after taeday, then that honor will fall tae ye.”
Moira nodded as she realized that her last name would change as well. She would be Calbraith in everything but blood.
“I want ye tae know that no matter what happens, I will be there for ye,” Marcas said in a low voice.
“I want this peace tae last as much as anyone, but it is also difficult tae forget the history that exists. As much as I hate tae admit it, part of me is almost waiting for all of this tae fall apart.” Moira saw the fear in his eyes and was quick to reassure him.
“I wilnae let that happen, Marcas. I’ll make sure there is peace here.”
Marcas smiled. “And if that’s impossible, get word tae me. I’ll come for ye, no matter what,” he said. He held Moira’s hands tightly and kissed her on both cheeks.
This is going to be the most difficult goodbye of all, Moira thought sadly.
They went downstairs and into the hall of the castle.
Moira hadn’t been sure what to expect since she had only known one wedding, and that one had been a muted affair with Marcas wanting to get the whole thing over and done with as quickly as possible at the time.
But Niall didn’t seem to be of the same mind.
Moira and Marcas entered the hall to the sound of a light, merry tune and the sight of a crowd of people applauding her.
Moira blushed; she had never been treated like this before.
She smiled and was glad that people were happy to welcome her into the clan.
Niall was standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for her to join him.
When she stood beside him and looked up at him, making her vows, she felt the heavy weight of emotion settle over her heart.
The promises she made were solemn and binding.
She had a responsibility not only to Niall, but to the two clans—as well as the Highlands.
If the Monroes and the Calbraiths could come together in peace then it showed that there was hope to end any disagreement, no matter who was involved.
Moira tried to forget all that and focus on the man she was marrying.
When she looked at him, she was filled with a churning feeling in her stomach, but it didn’t feel wrong.
Even though this was a means to an end for him, she hoped that he might come to love her.
This was her life now, and she was determined to make the most of it.
Their hands were bound together, and they were presented to the crowd as Laird and Lady Calbraith. As her small hand was plunged into the large and warm hand of her husband she felt safe, just like when she was holding the hand of her father, so many years ago.
Even though Niall was standing tall and no one could see it, the way he was holding her hand revealed a certain affection that only she could tell. She felt as if they were hiding in plain sight, and hope filled her heart.
Moira shed her youth and her past as she embraced the future, a future where she had a new name and a new purpose.
Marcas looked upon her with pride as she and Niall walked away from the room into another hall where food had been laid out.
The other guests followed and took their seats, although none of them ate until Niall and Moira took their first bites.
The mood was a happy one. So many people came up to congratulate them that each of their faces was a blur, and Moira was afraid that she wouldn’t remember any of them.
“Dinnae worry about that,” Niall said when she expressed her concern. “There’s plenty of time for ye tae learn all of their names. For now, just try tae enjoy the feast.” Moira was becalmed by his words, and Niall was certainly throwing himself into the spirit of things.
The music added to the atmosphere and people were dancing—except Jamie, who stood in the corner watching over everything, almost expecting trouble.
Isobel, Niall’s sister, looked beautiful, and she commanded the attention of all the men in the room.
She danced like a sprite, floating in between various men, offering them a glimpse of heaven before she moved away.
By the end, she had a trail of people following her and she wore a smirk at times, as though she enjoyed the attention.
Moira wondered what it would be like to be that confident and to enjoy the company of that many people.
However, she was glad that Niall had a sister as it gave her hope that she could form a friendship with Isobel just as she had formed a friendship with Kirsten.
Throughout the evening she glanced towards Marcas, who offered reassuring smiles.
He was sitting at a separate table from her and seemed to be enjoying himself, or as much as he could, anyway.
As the leader of a rival clan, he garnered much attention, so there were plenty of people who wanted to speak to him.
He seemed content to leave Moira in the company of her new husband.
The food was delicious, and Moira basked in the happiness of it all. Niall was clapping his hands along to a song when the rhythm shifted and his eyes went wide.
“This is one of my favorites!” he cried, and grabbed Moira’s hand, dragging her into the middle of the room. There was a cheer as the married couple took to dancing. Niall held her close, wrapping his strong arms around her, holding her tightly as they swayed to the music.
Moira couldn’t help but smile as she felt the comfortable pressure of his hands resting against the small of her back.
When she gazed into his eyes she knew that things wouldn’t be that bad at all, and that her life was going to be just fine.
With Niall, she felt safe. There was still much to discover about her new husband, but Moira had always enjoyed learning new things; she was certain that this lesson would be most enjoyable.
“Ye look like ye fit right in here,” Niall said in a low voice as they danced.
Moira blushed. “I hope sae. I never thought I would be anywhere like this. I hae never been one tae display myself in front of a crowd.”
“Well, ye need tae change that. Ye are a symbol of the future, Moira. Because of ye, there will be peace between our clans.”