A hush went over the room, and Kincaid followed the collective gazes to the stairway.

From the first moment he set eyes on the portrait in that very hall, he always knew Amber was lovely. But the woman standing at the top of the stairs staring down meeting his gaze was stunning. Dressed in layers of white and gold fabric, she stood in contrast to nearly everything in the room. Her dark hair was partially piled on her head with much of it draping down her back and over her shoulder.

Without realizing he moved, Kincaid found himself at the base of the stairs, while someone took the goblet from his hand.

Everyone is staring at me.

You’re amazing. Your beauty makes everyone else pale.

Her smile grew wider as his words sunk in.

When Amber reached the bottom step, she extended her hand and placed it in his and he kissed her fingertips. “I’m a lucky man,” he told her. Her dark eyes stared into his.

I’m the one who is lucky you found me.

He kissed the back of her hand again and rested it on his cheek. He knew the gesture was one that laid claim to her. But more than that, he felt the need to be close—to keep her at his side. There were too many warriors in the room watching her who weren’t her kin.

Her gaze moved to the floor and her color rose. My father will expect you to take me to his side so he can introduce us.

Following her instruction, he walked alongside her in a direct path to her father. You know, this talking in our head thing is coming in handy. I really don’t want to tick off your dad.

She released a silent laugh.

Should I say something when we get to him?

Nay. My father will talk for both of us.

Kincaid wasn’t sure if that was better or not.

With such a mix of family and non Druids who knew little or nothing of the family’s true power, he was anxious to see how Ian would spin Kincaid’s presence at Amber’s side.

Ian signaled for someone to take his cup as the two of them approached. The man’s stoic expression matched every portrait Kincaid had ever seen. He was nearly impossible to read. His family appeared relaxed at his side, giving Kincaid some assurance the man wasn’t angry. Truthfully, it was difficult to tell.

The massive hall grew silent, one voice at a time. Even the youngest children didn’t shuffle their feet. Amber squeezed his hand. He squeezed back and met his father-in-law’s stare.

“I am but a humble servant of God who has been blessed with strong, healthy sons and beautiful daughters. In all the trials of parenthood, none is more difficult than giving the hand of my youngest daughter.”

Some of the voices in the crowd mumbled.

“Especially when her hand will follow her husband far away from the hearth of this home.”

Ian reached a hand to his wife and beckoned her to his side. She moved beside him and placed her palm in his. “Yet I remember the day I asked for my lovely woman’s hand and knew I too would take her from all she knew.”

Ian released Lora and stepped toward Amber and Kincaid. Ian gathered their joined hands in his, and Kincaid swore he felt an electrical snap.

“You have brought back the smile to my daughter’s face. I trust, Gavin Kincaid you will continue to make her happy and keep her safe. That you will sacrifice your life for hers, if need be.”

Kincaid met Ian’s stare. “My promise to you.”

Ian nodded and turned to his daughter. “As his wife, you will honor him all your days.”

Amber turned to Kincaid. “My promise to you.”

Their words sealed something inside him and made him stand taller.

Ian reached toward Lora. She handed him a cord and stood back. With slow care, Ian wrapped the cord around both Kincaid and Amber’s hands, binding them together. “As laird of this land, I join you both in handfasting, giving blessing to this union until a man of the church can be summoned to give your vows before God.”

A cheer went up and Ian stood back.

Kincaid couldn’t say he’d ever watched a handfasting ceremony, but he’d been to enough weddings to know what was expected next. And even if it wasn’t, he didn’t want this moment to end.

With their hands joined, he stepped into Amber’s space, pulled her closer with his free arm, and lowered his lips to hers. She softened and leaned into his kiss and, for one brief instant, it was only the two of them in the room.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Every time Amber looked at her husband, she found him watching her. His adoring gaze made her feel as if she were the only one in the room…or at least the only female in the room.

She sat between Gavin and her oldest brother, Duncan, while they dined. Tables lined the great hall and timber filled the hearths, which would keep the hall warm for hours. So many familiar faces offered their congratulations, shook Gavin’s hand, and called him a lucky man.

Once again, Amber felt his eyes and turned toward him.

Why are you staring at me?

We’re married.

Was this something he just now realized? Aye, we are.

You didn’t flinch.

Amber sipped wine from her glass and tried to understand the meaning behind his words.

When I kissed you…you didn’t flinch.

The wine caught in her throat with a cough. Gavin placed a hand on her back and rubbed. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “I didn’t mean for you to hear that thought.”

After catching her breath, she laughed and leaned into her husband’s arm. The joy of the moment, her family surrounding her and truly happy for her union, filled the moment, especially when she turned her head and kissed the man holding her without an invitation to do so.

She didn’t have to ask if he welcomed her bold move, his hand moved to embrace her head and his lips parted to accept the tiny swipe of her tongue.

Someone in the crush of guests called notice to them and Amber reminded herself that her family watched.

Gavin broke the kiss and tucked her head in his arm.

She should have been embarrassed, and perhaps a part of her was, but she couldn’t keep that emotion inside her for long. The joy of the hearts around them seeped through Gavin’s gift in small degrees. Amber closed her eyes and tried to sense her parents—her father. He was there, slightly detached, but accepting and at peace.

Amber sought out her father and found him smiling. Beside him, her mother watched her with a silent tear streaming down her cheek.

Amber caught both their eyes and mouthed the words thank you.

Lora leaned into her husband with a smile.

Ian offered a nod.

Pushing her plate aside, Amber waited for the inevitable. Her sisters didn’t make her wait long before they pulled her from her chair and away from Gavin.