Epilogue
Eleanora had been right about the way people would react.
In the week since Mya had accepted Kayden’s proposal, most people would not look at her on the street in Inverness.
There were no invitations to parties or socials.
Occasionally she thought she caught a friendly look, but she could never be quite sure.
Mya didn’t care. The rest of the world could do as it pleased.
She had Kayden, and that was all that mattered.
The ride that day was Kayden’s idea.
They packed a picnic as they had before, riding up into the hills.
This time, though, they were not alone. Lottie and Eleanora rode with them, and they talked as they rode, chatting and laughing.
Mya grinned up at the blue sky overhead and wondered if it was possible to be any happier than she was in that moment.
The man she loved most in the world rode at her side, his ring on her finger, and her best friends were close by.
They had already started talking wedding plans, Lottie insisting on having it at their manor, a plan to which Kayden had readily acquiesced, so long as there was chocolate tart.
“I have been considering the flowers we might use,” Lottie said as they came over a rise toward the pond where Kayden and Mya had picnicked before.
Mya laughed. “There are topics of conversation other than my wedding, you know.”
“Is that a subtle hint that you would prefer to discuss things other than your wedding?” Lottie asked, grinning at her.
“I believe it is,” Eleanora said on her other side.
“You treat me so unkindly,” Lottie gasped, laying a dramatic hand to her forehead. “I do not know how I survive it with such grace.”
Mya and Eleanora exchanged glances, and burst into laughter.
Kayden’s deep rumble joined them. Lottie threw her hands in the air and gave her horse a nudge forward, kicking him into a canter.
Her happy shout echoed back to them as she raced ahead.
Mya looked back at Kayden, who shook his head, smiling.
“Go on, then.”
With a laugh, Mya sent her mount racing after Lottie’s, watching the scenery blur. Ahead, Lottie was slowing a little, and Mya leaned closer over her horse’s neck. She was going to catch up.
In the next instant, something white darted out in front of the horse.
The mare reared, whinnying alarm. Mya tried to hold to her, but the grip was wrong. She struggled a moment, as if in slow motion, and then fell.
Pain lanced through her. She thought she heard Kayden cry out behind her, Eleanora’s voice rising above his. When she opened her eyes, she saw the white stag, standing at the edge of the tree line and looking back at her. Lottie was shouting.
I’m fine, she meant to say. I am fine.
But the words couldn’t seem to line up as they should.
Kayden reached her first. She heard the horse come to an abrupt stop, and then he was leaning over her, one hand on her forehead and the other reaching for hers.
Mya closed her fingers around his; dots and lights seemed to be dancing in her eyes.
“Mya,” he said, speaking too quickly. “Mya. Darling. Look at me. You are going to be fine. Just look at me. Don’t close your eyes.”
She tried to obey him, despite the ache in her head and the heaviness of her eyelids, looking up to meet his gaze. Dimly, she could hear Lottie and Eleanora in the background, and then the sound of hooves racing away. Someone going for the doctor.
“Stay, Mya. You were made to be with me, as I was made to love you. No moment in time can take that away from us. Stay with me, Mya, please.”
“Kayden…” Even that single word was hard to say.
Looking up at him, she felt as though this had happened before. Her in his arms, his tearful gaze pleading with her to stay. She felt as though…
A little house, full of firelight. The garden. Kayden, standing behind her with his arms guiding hers as she pulled back the string of a bow.
“I remember you,” she said.
“What? Mya?”
She reached up, pressing her palm to his cheek. “I remember you,” she said again. “My Highlander.”
His eyes widened. She could almost see the memories running through them, flickering behind them like firelight. He shook his head.
“No,” he said sharply. “No, Mya. Not again. Don’t you do this to me again. Not like this.”
He was leaning down over her, holding her hand almost painfully tight. Tears streaked down his face.
“Don’t leave me, Mya. Not again. Don’t leave me.”
“I love you, Kayden McGregor,” Mya whispered. “Forever.”
She gave in to the pull of the darkness, and closed her eyes.
THE END
Modern Day Bride