Page 24 of Awakened By Time

“I’m sorry your Da and this family don’t value and respect you. They’re all fools.” His words seemed to brighten her mood as she gazed at him. How long had it been since someone had truly listened to her and heard her despair? He wanted to protect her from this crazy, loathsome family she’d been born into. Their treatment of Brenna angered him. Handfasting with her was the least he could do to get her far away from their callous disregard for her well-being.

“Me Da used to love me,” she said, her voice sounding tiny and far away to his ears.

“I’m sure he still does.”

“Nae. Not since the evil witch married him. She was supposed to marry Dougall, but he didnae want her. He wanted to marry Helene.” She became thoughtful again, taking a moment before speaking again. “I’m happy for him that he did. Da wasnae happy with him, but he saw that he couldnae change his mind and then he saw thathecould marry Greer. ’Tis the day all me troubles began.”

“Let’s put those troubles in the past. Come. Let’s tell your father our plans.” Zeke held out his hand for her to take and she hesitantly did so.

“Truly?”

“Yes. I want to get out of here as much as you want to go.”

She smiled and it warmed Zeke’s heart. She may not like him, but he’d do his best to help her.

* * *

The handfasting ceremonywas held the next day. Brenna wore her finest dress and Zeke borrowed some clothing from her brother, Fingall. The ceremony was brief, but the symbolism of tying the knot wasn’t lost on Zeke or Brenna, both of whom appeared uncomfortable under the watchful eye of Paddraig MacRae.

Greer and Gillian, who had both taken such delight in making Brenna miserable seemed at a loss. Could it be that they were jealous that Brenna had made a good match and would be leaving Castle Treun behind for a new life? Zeke hoped so. They all deserved each other and the torment that living under this roof would bring them.

They had faced each other as the ropes were wrapped around their hands and tied. Brenna smiled up at Zeke, appearing happy for the first time since he’d met her.

“Are ye going to kiss the lass?” Paddraig said.

Zeke gazed at him and then at the others watching before dipping his head and placing a gentle kiss on Brenna’s lips. She seemed surprised and a bit embarrassed.

Everyone enjoyed the feast that had been prepared for them and then they were escorted up to Brenna’s room for their wedding night. Brenna looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders, but Zeke felt as if it had somehow shifted to his.

As they entered the room, the others all stood in the passageway gawking at them and raised their glasses to toast their first night together.

“Good night to ye,” Paddraig said, slurring his words as he was quite in his cups at this point. “May she give ye many sons.”

Zeke closed the door in his face and leaned his back up against it, he could feel the exhaustion from the day’s events hit him. Brenna thought it quite funny as she laughed and headed for her bed.

“Get a good night’s sleep. We’ll be leaving in the morning for Breaghacraig.” He did his best to make himself comfortable on the floor by the hearth, with his back to Brenna. He could hear her removing her gown and pulling back the bed covers. He closed his eyes and thought about his soft, comfortable bed in San Francisco, as if thinking about it could make the cold, hard floor more comfortable. He turned onto his back and thought it might be better to try sleeping in the chair. He rose to do so, removing Fingall’s shirt, which barely fit him and would be too uncomfortable to sleep in. He laid it across the back of the chair and saw that Brenna was watching him.

“Ye can sleep in me bed, if you wish. We have handfasted. ‘Twould be yer right to do so.”

He would like nothing more than to crawl into bed with her. She was so sweet and lovely in her linen shift. The curves of her body, outlined by the glow of the firelight sent waves of longing through him to his rapidly hardening manhood. He mentally shook himself, clearing his head of his lust filled thoughts.She isn’t really my wife. I did this to help her. I can’t take advantage of this situation.“No. I’m fine,” he said, his voice sounding strained.

“Ye can hardly be fine. Ye’ve gone from the floor to the chair and I dinnae believe ye’ll find comfort there.”

Zeke stood, watching her. She seemed sincere. He could sleep next to her without touching her. She didn’t like him anyway, he reminded himself.

“I’ll nae be able to sleep thinking of ye up all night in that chair.” Brenna pulled the covers aside for him. “I willnae bite ye, Zeke Barrett,” she giggled.

Zeke moved towards the bed. “I hope not,” he said. “I don’t know how I’d feel about having a wife that was a biter.”

Zeke sat on the edge of the bed, removing his boots before lying back, his body relaxing into the softness of the mattress. “Thank you, Brenna.”

Brenna pulled the blankets over them both and lay down a few inches away. “I should be the one thanking ye. I ken ye didnae wish to marry me, but ye did it anyway.”

Zeke really didn’t want to discuss it anymore, so he ended the conversation. “Good night.”

“Good night, husband.” Brenna said, as Zeke groaned out loud.

* * *

Brenna stayed awake, watching Zeke sleep. She was grateful to him for helping her, but she was also finding that maybe she liked him more than she originally thought. He was a good man. Better by far than any of those who lived here at Castle Treun. Propping herself on one elbow, she used her other hand to tentatively touch his face. She imagined what it might be like to live her life with this man and as she was about to pull her hand away, Zeke’s arm snaked around her and pulled her close. Not sure what to do, Brenna rested her head on his chest and fell asleep to the steady beat of his heart.