Highland Blessings (18 page)

She remained silent as he placed both hands on her shoulders and looked up at the clear blue sky, closing his eyes as if in pain, and then he slowly looked back down at her.

“Then ’tis over. There will now be peace among us.” He turned, and for the first time, Akira noticed her brother Gavin, but she would have no time to go to him. “Gavin, go summon the rest of the men,” her father ordered.

“Aye.” He nodded and turned to do their father’s bidding.

Moments later, the MacKenzies gathered on the south side and the MacPhearsons gathered on the north side, facing each other as both clan chiefs stood between them. Birk threw his sword. It sank into the ground with the handle facing the sky. Bryce did likewise.

“I pledge peace between the MacPhearsons and the MacKenzies,” Birk MacKenzie shouted loud enough for all to hear. “There will be no more bloodshed or death from wars between us as long as I am alive and MacKenzie clan chief. I give my allegiance and my word on my honor to Bryce MacPhearson. I shall, from hereforth, never rise against ye again without just cause.” He looked at Bryce. “Ye’re my family. Ye’ve wed my daughter, and ye’ll have wee bairns from both clans, uniting us not only in friendship and marriage, but in blood.”

He looked around at all of his men and pointed to his sword. “If there be one of ye to disagree with this peace of alliance, take my sword and challenge me now.”

Akira held her breath. No one moved. Most had dazed looks upon their faces, and she knew they had trouble accepting peace when they had known only years of hate. Her father waited a while longer and still no one moved to challenge him. Just as her shoulders began to relax, she tensed at the sound of Bryce’s voice.

“I pledge my allegiance to Birk MacKenzie. I, too, pledge my loyalty, honor, and friendship to Birk MacKenzie. Any man who would challenge me, take up my sword against me now.”

She glanced nervously at each man’s face. Akira breathed a sigh when enough time had passed and no one stepped forward. Both men bent down to retrieve their weapons.

Akira watched her husband and father. Both men possessed qualities alike—honor, loyalty, courage—and they both cared about their people. That was why they were born leaders. Suddenly, it struck her that she would not have been content with anyone but Bryce. She and Gregor were never really suited.

With a bright smile, Gavin dismounted and strode toward her. They embraced.

“I thought ye would hate me,” she confessed quietly in his ear.

He stiffened and pulled back for a better look at his little sister. “Why, Akira?”

“For being a MacPhearson. Elliot is still so upset with me that he will hardly even speak to me.”

Gavin rolled his eyes in mild irritation. “He’ll come ’round. He only needs time, and ye need a little patience.” He touched his finger to her nose as he used to do. The simple gesture brought a warm feeling, and she threw her arms around his neck, silently thanking the Lord for reuniting them once more.

“Oh, Gavin, I’ve missed ye so.”

He squeezed her tight. “Akira, I thought we had lost ye for good. I’m so relieved to know ye’re fine.”

“I love ye, Gavin.” He did not answer. Instead, she felt his large hands on her head, and before she could stop him, he tousled her hair in a huge mess. It was a game they always played. He knew she hated it when he messed up her hair, and that is why he did it. She flipped her head back and brushed her fingers through the long strands. “That is not something I’ve missed,” she teased.

While Elliot’s dark mood lifted with the presence of the MacKenzies, Akira spent most of her time with Gavin. She could remember many childhood instances when Gavin had defended her against Elliot.

“How is Mither?” Akira couldn’t resist asking.

Gavin’s smile faded a bit. “The same.”

Akira looked down at her feet. “I know we’ve had our differences, but I’ve missed her so. I could have used her advice in the last fortnight.”

“Aye,” Gavin nodded, glancing over at Bryce talking to Birk. “I’m sure ye could have. Does he treat ye well?”

Akira nodded. “Aye, better than I could have ever imagined.” She held her breath and then decided to confide in Gavin. “I didn’t know Evan verra well, but I truly believe the Lord intended for me to wed Bryce all along.”

“Well, Akira, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my short years it’s that there is naught that catches God by surprise. He always has a plan, even when we don’t.”

Akira looked happy to be home, and Bryce enjoyed her radiant smile. She swung by on her father’s arm, gazing up at Birk as if he were the only man in the world. They were outside under the stars, circling around to the far side of the fire. Bryce sat facing the MacKenzie Castle, staring at her over the dancing flames. Everything about his wife fascinated him as he learned of her childhood and all about her family and clan.

Upon their arrival, they had quickly buried Gregor. Akira had stood beside Bryce, weeping with her kinsmen. Since then she had been quiet and withdrawn until tonight. Bryce sensed a distance growing between them, and he disliked it. He kept reminding himself of her personal vows to him and renewed his commitment to trust her daily.

Bryce allowed her free rein and undertook the task of leading his men in civil conversation with the MacKenzie clan. They were visibly uncomfortable, and so were MacKenzie’s men. They mostly avoided talking to each other, sitting together in an unsettling silence. Bryce could see doubt forming on the faces of his clansmen.

Too often, Bryce knew Akira occupied his thoughts where he should have been concentrating on his men and the situation at hand. A familiar form sat beside him, but Bryce paid no heed, intent on watching his wife’s delight as Elliot brought her a harp to play.

“The men are getting restless.” Kian’s deep voice broke his concentration.

“Aye,” Bryce sighed with a nod.

“A month ago I would have laughed at any man who might have said that Bryce MacPhearson would become a besotted fool over a female, but I’m the fool. Ye’ve proven me wrong. Ye’ve become lovesick, my friend.”

Kian’s voice sounded so disgusted that Bryce turned, giving his clansman his full attention. He surveyed his friend with a thoughtful expression.

“She canna be trusted,” Kian continued, shaking his head. “I don’t care to see ye hurt. Betrayal is the worst kind of pain for a man to endure, especially where a woman is concerned.”

Bryce smiled and patted Kian on the back. “Yer loyalty means a great deal to me, Kian. We’ve been friends too long for me to be angered by your concern. I want ye to know, I intend to give Akira a chance before I assume the worst in her. And as besotted as ye think I may be, I’m still watchful. I observe her. As ye’ve pointed out, I canna afford not to. Too much faith on my part could prove to be fatal. Many people are depending on me, and I canna act foolishly. Ye’ve naught to fear.” He leaned forward turning at an angle to view Kian. “But at the same time, I would have ye remember that she’s now a MacPhearson as if she’s always been a MacPhearson.”

“Aye, in name, but a name doesn’t bring loyalty. As a friend, I ask ye to remain careful and remember those who have proven themselves to ye.” Kian stood and strode over to Balloch, leaving Bryce to mull over his words.

Bryce disliked Kian’s tone, but his mind reverted to another direction when Akira’s melodious voice hypnotized the air and the ears of both clans. She sat between her two brothers, Gavin and Elliot, while her younger brother Leith sat at her feet. She played the stringed instrument as if it was born from her very fingers, and her voice carried ballads from his memory to new heights.

He had never heard a more beautiful voice, and evidently, neither had his men. They crept closer, mesmerized. For the first time since their arrival, both clans were immersed into one another, drawn by his wife’s sweet voice.

Bryce watched her, absorbing every word. While he liked the idea of spending the rest of his days watching her, he now knew he could just as easily spend them listening to her.

“Ye didn’t know about her music, did ye?” a woman’s voice spoke beside him.

He turned to see Akira’s mother, Nara, the lady who had wept for hours when they first arrived. But now she wore a pensive smile of pride as she enjoyed her daughter’s performance. Bryce understood the feeling all too well. Even though he’d only just discovered Akira’s musical talent, the beauty of her voice and her skill with a harp pleased him immensely.

Bryce shook his head. “’Twould appear I’ll never know enough about her.” He crossed his arms over his chest, hoping Akira would share more of herself in the future.

The timid lady beside him placed her hand on his arm. “My daughter will come ’round. We are different in nature, but I know her. Ye’ll have to be a patient man.”

Bryce looked down at her with curiosity, wondering why she had approached him this way. Familiar jade eyes stared back at him. Her image reminded him of an older, wiser glimpse of his wife in the future. A feeling of longing slapped him in the face.

“I’m learning to be patient.”

Her eyes lit up, and a smile curled her lips upward. He couldn’t decipher her.

“Then yer marriage will succeed. Once Akira makes up her mind to love ye as her husband, ye’ll never find a more devoted woman as long as ye live.”

Hope rose within him, but as he caught a glimpse of his clansmen’s sour expressions and wary gazes toward their old enemies, it dashed to ashes. He looked away, afraid to hope too much.

“I fear she loved another.” He wanted to bite his tongue, wondering what possessed him to say that.

“Nay.” Nara shook her head. “She and Gregor were only childhood friends.”

Nara’s words were similar to what Akira had said earlier, but he’d thought little about them then.

“She’s tried to hide it,” Bryce said, “but I believe she grieves deeply for him. I canna imagine her not loving him more strongly than a friend. It’s torture to be jealous of a dead man. I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone.” He paused, scraping his teeth over his bottom lip. “We know so little about each other. I’ve no idea what she likes or dislikes. I know nothing about her past. We canna share or talk about childhood memories. She would have had all of that with Gregor.”

“But that wouldn’t have been enough.” Nara patted the top of his hand. “Trust me on this. Akira doesn’t know about ye, either. The two of ye have the fun of exploring these things about each other. Believe me, in time, ye’ll make her happy.” Nara sounded more confident than he felt. “Underneath all her bravery, Akira’s heart is soft.” Nara first pointed to him and then herself. “And between us, that’s why I’m glad she’s wed to ye and not Gregor.”

Her words stunned him. Everyone else seemed to be of a different opinion. Gregor’s burial had been tense and extremely uncomfortable for him and his men. While Akira had wept with her kinsmen, she had spurned Bryce’s consolation. Her coldness had hurt, but he couldn’t blame her. He was partially responsible for Gregor’s death. If he had not taken Akira, then Gregor and Evan would not have lost their lives. He looked at Nara.

“Why do ye prefer she wed me over Gregor?”

“’Tis better. A mother knows.” She clapped with the others at the end of Akira’s ballad. Akira took another request and began singing again. Bryce lapsed into thoughtful silence as he listened. He mulled over the conversation with Nara and could find no reason why she would lie to him. Her words brought confidence and hope. He’d found none from anyone else since the day he took Akira as his wife. Both clans were against their marriage.

Bryce glanced over at Nara, realizing how much he missed his own mother, and that thought brought Sim to mind. He hoped his younger brother fared well and smothered a longing for home. In that moment, he knew how his wife felt and vowed to bring her back to MacKenzie Castle more often.