Epilogue
Eloise stood facing James, her hands trembling as they rested within his. The air felt sacred, alive with the quiet murmur of birds and the rustle of leaves above in the old grove forest near Calibroch.
A length of crimson ribbon was wound carefully around their joined hands by the parson, binding them together in a symbol older than the stones beneath their feet. The officiant raised his hands, his voice carrying through the grove.
“By earth and sky, by blood and name, these two souls stand before us to be bound as one,” the parson declared.
James tightened his hold on Eloise’s hands, his thumb brushing gently across her skin.
“Eloise Whitmore,” he said, his voice low but unwavering, “I vow to protect ye, to honor ye, and to stand beside ye all the days of me life.”
Her breath hitched, emotion swelling in her chest as she listened.
“I vow to give ye nae just me strength, but me heart,” he continued, his gaze never leaving hers. “And I swear before all gathered here, ye will never stand alone again.”
Tears shimmered in Eloise’s eyes as she drew in a steady breath, gathering her courage.
“James MacAllister,” she began, her voice soft but clear, “I vow to stand beside ye, in light and shadow alike.”
She tightened her fingers around his. “I will share yer burdens and yer joys, and I will face whatever comes with ye, nay matter the cost.”
Her lips trembled into a smile. “Ye have given me more than safety… ye have given me a place to belong, and I vow to cherish it, and ye, always.”
The parson nodded, his voice solemn and warm. “With this binding of hands, so too are yer lives bound,” he intoned. “May this knot never be broken, nor the bond it represents undone.”
James leaned closer. “Ye are mine, Eloise… and I am yers.”
She smiled through her tears. “Aye… forever,” she whispered. And as the ribbon held them fast, their hearts sealed what words alone never could.
The moment the final words of the binding faded into the cheer of the gathered crowds. Music began.
Eloise barely had time to draw breath before James was pulling her gently, urgently, away from the gathered voices and into the winding path beyond.
“James,” she laughed breathlessly, her hand clasped in his as they hurried through the trees, “what are ye doin’?”
He glanced back at her, his grin wild and boyish. “Claiming a moment that is ours alone,” he said. They reached the glen, that quiet, sacred place where the world seemed to pause just for them, and at last he slowed.
Eloise’s breath came quick, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright as she turned to him.
“Ah, this special place again,” she teased softly. She searched his gaze, seeing no hesitation, no restraint left between them. “We are bound now,” she whispered.
“Aye,” he murmured, leaning closer, “bound in truth, in heart, and in soul.”
He kissed her then, and it was nothing like the stolen moments before, this was certain, unguarded, full of all the longing they had tried to deny.
“Ye couldnae wait?” she said.
“Nay, nae when I have waited this long,” he answered, his hands rising to frame her face.
Eloise melted into him, her hands gripping his shoulders as though he were the only solid thing in the world.
“James…” she breathed against his lips, her voice soft with wonder.
“I am here, lass,” he replied, his forehead resting against hers. “And I am yers, as I swore.” The wind stirred softly through the glen.
They sank together onto the grass, laughter mingling with quiet sighs, their closeness filled with both tenderness and fire.
“Do ye regret it?” he asked.
Eloise shook her head, her fingers brushing his cheek. “Never,” she said firmly. “I would choose ye again and again, in every life.”
And there, beneath the open sky, they gave themselves fully to the truth they had fought so long to deny, not just desire, but devotion.
James knelt beside her, his gaze lingering on her as though he still could not quite believe she was truly his.
“Ye are warm,” he murmured, his voice low and warm.
Eloise let out a soft, breathless laugh. “Can ye blame me?” she laughed.
“Everythin' has changed in the span of a single day.”
He smiled gently, reaching for her. “Then let me please ye, lass.”
His hands came to her shoulders, firm and warm, and the first press of his fingers sent a shiver through her.
“James…” she whispered, her eyes fluttering closed as he kissed slowly along her neck.
“Aye?” he asked softly, his breath brushing her ear.
“If ye continue so, I fear I shall forget how to stand at all,” she said, her voice laced with quiet laughter.
“Then I shall simply have to carry ye, wife.”
The word made her heart stutter, warmth blooming deep within her as his hands moved with deliberate care. He traced the curve of her shoulders, then down her chest, his touch making her feel heated with desire.
“I feel as though I have come alive beneath yer hands,” she whispered.
His breath caught faintly at her words, and for a moment his hands stilled before continuing to her breasts, slower now.
She gasped as he pulled her dress down, revealing a creamy white mound. He took her pink bud into his mouth.
He moaned. Eloise arched her back on the grass. Her hands pressed into his back feeling his muscular form beneath her fingertips.
Gently, he shifted, guiding her legs to open before him. He placed himself between them and hitched her skirts to her waist.
“Ye are the most beautiful woman,” he observed.
Eloise smiled faintly, watching him through lowered lashes.
“I am glad ye thinks so,” she said.
He glanced up at her, something tender and fierce flickering in his eyes. “I want ye. I daenae ken if I can wait til we return to the castle,” he said, his voice thick with lust.
“Then daenae wait,” she said.
His hands moved upward, slow and reverent along her thighs, not hurried but certain, as though memorizing every inch of her.
Eloise’s breath hitched, her fingers curling into the grass as warmth spread through her. He pulled at her underthings until she was bare from the waist down.
“James…” she said her voice thick with feeling.
He paused, searching her face. “Tell me to stop, and I will,” he said, though the tension in him spoke of how dearly he hoped she would not.
She shook her head, her gaze steady despite the flush in her cheeks. “Daenae stop,” she whispered.
He cupped the soft mound between her thighs. She let out a soft moan. She felt a tingle as he pressed his thumb over her pearl.
“Oh James,” she whispered. “That feels delicious.”
His touch gentler now, as he pressed his thumb on her.
“Who would have thought the Laird MacAllister would kneel in the grass to tend to me so?” she teased.
He smirked faintly, though his eyes remained warm. “I would kneel anywhere for ye,” he replied.
Her breath caught again, not from his touch this time, but from the weight of his words. She felt the pulsing deep in her belly. It built stronger and faster.
She moaned loudly. Then with a shudder, she released.
“Oh, oh James,” she whispered.
“Mm, I love to hear ye whisper me name, lass,” he said.
Her body flooded with tremors as she gave into her desires. No shame entered her mind this time. For now she was his wife, and this was meant to be.
“I need ye” she whispered.
“Are ye sure, lass?” he asked.
“I am,” she said, parting her thighs wide.
James inhaled a sharp breath. She watched as he lifted his kilt and wrapped his hand around his large member. Her eyes grew wide.
He positioned himself between her thighs and pushed the tip inside of her.
“Elose,” he whispered.
She placed her hands on his shoulders, ready for the union. He slid inside of her, slow and with care.
Eloise felt her virginity give way to her husband. She arched against him. His mouth covered hers in a hungry kiss.
He slid deeper inside of her. A feeling she had never known took hold of her. The way her body responded to him, shocked her. She pulled him closer to her. He looked at her and smiled.
“Now who is the one that cannae wait?” he said.
“Ye feel so good inside me, James,” she whispered.
He groaned at those words and moved faster. Sliding back and forth. He guided his hips to give her the best of pleasures. Eloise could not contain herself and found she wiggled and moaned beneath him.
For what seemed like forever, they intertwined in this motion of love and lust.
Eloise felt the throbbing deep within her. The pulses built again.
“I am close” he whispered.
“Aye, as am I” she said.
He kissed her with a passionate yearning. In that moment she felt him release inside of her. She felt his warmth and her body shivered beneath him as she exploded with ecstasy.
He drew her back against him once more, his arms wrapping around her in a quiet, protective hold. Eloise rested there, her head against his shoulder, her body humming.
“Ye have undone me,” she murmured, her voice content.
“Nay,” he said gently, pressing a kiss to her hair. “I have only begun to show ye what it means to be cherished.”
And as she sat there in his arms, Eloise knew she would never again wish to be anywhere else.
“Ye are smilin’,” she murmured softly, glancing up at him.
He gave a low chuckle, his chest rumbling beneath her cheek. “I have reason enough,” he said, his tone lighter now.
She tilted her head, curious. “And what mischief have ye planned now, me Laird?”
He grinned, brushing a stray curl from her face. “For the feast, I have ordered only vegetables, fruits, and sweet desserts.”
Eloise blinked, then laughed in surprise.
“Only that?” she teased, her eyes dancing with amusement.
“Aye, did ye think I forgot how ye used to set me traps loose in the forest?” he said, though his grin widened.
She shook her head fondly, as understanding settled over her. “Ye wished to tease me still?”
He shrugged, though his eyes betrayed him. “Nay, it is simply a jest. From this point, I wish to give ye somethin' of comfort after all ye have endured.”
Eloise reached up, cupping his cheek with tenderness. “Then I thank ye, James,” she said. She hesitated only a moment before adding, “I love ye.”
He stilled beneath her touch, the words striking deep, and then his expression softened into something unguarded and sure.
“I love ye, lass,” he returned, his voice steady despite the emotion that flickered through it.
Eloise’s breath caught, her heart swelling at last to hear the words she had long carried within her own chest. He pressed his forehead to hers, a quiet vow in the gesture.
“I should have said it sooner,” he admitted.
She smiled. “Ye said it when it mattered most.”
That night, the great hall blazed with candlelight and life, filled with music that set the very walls humming.
Laughter echoed as clans mingled freely, tankards raised and plates overflowing with food.
Eloise had insisted the cook, the gardener, and Fiona join the celebration, and their presence filled her with quiet pride.
“Dance with me, cousin!” Beatrice called, pulling her into the lively swirl, while Fiona clapped along with bright delight.
James watched from near the dais, his gaze never straying far from Eloise as she moved among his people with ease.
When she returned to him, breathless and smiling, he took her hand as though it belonged nowhere else.
She looked at him.
I chose him fully and he chose me in return. I wouldnae change anythin'' that brought me to this moment. This love.
The End?