Page 40 of Claimed by the Ruthless Highlander (Taming the Highland Devils #2)

T he morning air at McGibb Castle was crisp and alive with the scent of salty ocean air as Maisie stood at the altar, her fingers trembling slightly as she held Caiden's hands.

The chapel had been transformed for the occasion, with garlands of wildflowers and tartans draped over the stone walls and the sound of a gentle breeze mingling with the low hum of a harp.

Guests from neighboring clans had gathered, their eyes filled with curiosity and admiration, whispering among themselves. Among them were the McGowan clan, notably Lavina and Theodore.

Maisie's heart raced, a mixture of excitement and reverent anticipation thrumming through her chest as she glanced at Caiden, whose dark eyes held her like a promise.

The preacher, an elderly man with a long silver beard and a voice that carried, began the ceremony with solemnity.

"In the sight of the Almighty and before this gathered clan," he intoned, "we bring together these two souls, Lady Maisie Lewis of Clan McGowan and Caiden Byrne, Laird of Clan McGibb, to bind them in love, honor, and mutual respect."

He held up a braided cord, the symbol of their union, and explained its significance. "By this handfastin', ye bind yer hearts and hands, pledgin' to cherish one another through joy and sorrow, through plenty and want, until the end of yer days."

Caiden stepped forward, his hand brushing gently over Maisie's, grounding her in the moment.

"Maisie, me own heart," he began, his voice low but steady, "I ken I've been a fool in the past, but here and now I swear to ye, I will love and protect ye all the days of me life.

I pledge me hand, me heart, and me home to ye, through every storm and every calm.

By this cord, I bind meself to ye, forever yers. "

Maisie drew in a steadying breath, her pulse racing as she met his gaze.

"Caiden, I have feared the dark days, yet me heart has never wavered from ye," she said, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I pledge to stand by ye, to honor ye, and to walk beside ye in all the days to come. With this cord, I bind me life to yours, in love, loyalty, and hope everlastin'."

The preacher gently wrapped the cord around their joined hands, the braid of red, green, and gold weaving tightly as a symbol of their commitment.

"By the power vested in me and in the sight of all gathered, I pronounce ye handfasted as husband and wife," he declared.

The clan erupted in cheers and applause, the sound echoing across the hills, while Caiden and Maisie shared a trembling, joyous smile. Their hands remained entwined, warmth and electricity passing between them, a silent vow deeper than any spoken words.

Caiden lifted Maisie's hand to his lips, pressing a soft, reverent kiss to her knuckles.

"Ye are mine, Maisie, now and forever," he murmured, his eyes dark with devotion. Maisie's cheeks flushed as she returned his gaze, the weight of the moment settling around them like a blessing.

She whispered, "And ye are mine, Caiden, through every storm and sun."

The clan gathered around to offer their congratulations, slapping backs and raising voices in celebration.

Maisie felt a sense of belonging wash over her, the love of her family and the acceptance of Caiden's clan wrapping around her like a protective cloak.

She had feared losing herself in the past, but now, in this sacred moment, she knew she had found a life she could call her own. Her heart soared with joy and a quiet certainty, knowing that whatever trials lay ahead, they would face them together.

Caiden and Maisie stepped back slightly, the braid still around their hands, and the preacher blessed their union with a final invocation.

"May ye walk together in strength and in joy, may your hearts remain true, and may the bonds ye have forged this day grow ever stronger."

The couple exchanged a lingering, passionate look, their souls entwined as tightly as their hands. Around them, the courtyard shimmered with the laughter, music, and love of all those who had witnessed the beginning of their new life together.

As the harp struck a joyful note and the clan erupted in song, Maisie leaned her head against Caiden's shoulder, feeling the solid warmth of him beside her. She knew that the past could not touch them now; their hearts had spoken, and their hands had been bound.

The handfasting was more than tradition, it was the seal of their love, a promise that no power on earth could undo. In that moment, amidst the cheers and the sunlight, Maisie and Caiden were finally, irrevocably, one.

After the wedding feast, Maisie stood close to Caiden in the dim glow of the candlelight, her heartbeat thrumming in her chest as he reached for her hand in his bedchamber.

His fingers brushed against hers, sending a shiver up her spine, and she felt warmth pooling in her stomach.

"Maisie," he whispered, his voice low and rough with emotion, "ye have nay idea how long I've wanted this, how long I've needed ye near."

She met his eyes, her own lips parting as her pulse quickened, and the air between them seemed to sizzle with unspoken longing.

Caiden's hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her closer until she felt the steady press of his chest against hers.

Maisie's hands trembled as Caiden gently helped her out of her wedding dress, the soft fabric slipping past her shoulders.

Her chest fluttered, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through her as she realized just how close they were, how much she trusted him in this private moment.

She no longer felt like a lanky tall girl, but a desired woman.

He took off his clothing and stood before her naked.

There was a strength in him that made her feel protected, a warmth that made her heart soar, and a quiet vulnerability that made her ache to be near him.

In that instant, Maisie realized she had never admired anyone more, not just for his body, but for the man he was: strong, fearless, and breathtakingly hers.

Maisie trembled, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders, feeling the strength beneath his touch, and a flutter of excitement stirred in her heart.

"Caiden," she breathed, her voice catching, "I've missed ye… more than I can say."

He tilted his head, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his thumb tracing her cheek as his gaze held hers with a fierce intensity.

She leaned into him, their foreheads touching as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them.

"Ye make me feel alive, Maisie," he murmured, his lips hovering near hers, "every moment away from ye… it's agony."

She pressed her hands to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. Then her hands moved over every inch of him. She felt the strength in his arms, and a thrill ran through her at how his hardened abdomen felt like steel.

"I… I feel the same, Caiden," she admitted, her breath mingling with his, "as if nothin' else matters but us."

She felt him trace her stomach with gentle fingers, going lower and lower until his hand was on her rosebud, massaging it.

Maisie felt herself melt under the tenderness of his touch, her knees weak with the pull of desire that wasn't about lust, but closeness and trust.

"Maisie, I daenae ken what I'd do if I lost ye again. I need ye by me side, always," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

She leaned forward, letting her hands roam his chest, feeling the warmth and whispered, "Ye have me, Caiden. Always."

He captured one of her hands in his, pressing it against his heart, and she could feel the fierce rhythm of his emotions matching her own.

Then he moved his fingers faster on her mound, and she was lost in the intimacy of the moment, feeling every stroke.

"Ye're mine, Maisie," Caiden murmured, his lips brushing the shell of her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

She gasped softly, clutching him closer, feeling the pulse of desire growing between her thighs.

"And ye're mine, Caiden," she whispered back, her lips brushing against his jaw, tasting the quiet fire between them, "forever." She felt herself tremble with the tension of release. "Oh, husband," she moaned.

"I love to hear yer sounds," he groaned as he picked her up and laid her on the bed.

"I want ye inside of me, Laird McGibb," she whispered softly.

"Then ye shall have that wish," he said. He positioned himself between her thighs.

Her hands rested against his face, tracing the line of his jaw and the curve of his neck, memorizing him with the tenderness of her touch.

She felt the tip of his hard staff press against her. She opened her thighs wider. He locked his lips onto hers and pushed. She felt him glide inside of her, slowly, with tenderness and care for her virginity.

"That feels so good, Caiden," she moaned.

"'Tis like heaven," he groaned.

With careful movement, his hips shifted. Maisie elated at feeling him inside of her. Her hands wrapped around his back, urging him to go deeper until all of him lay inside of her.

For a moment they kissed and lingered in this paradise. Finally, he moved back and forth. Maisie's eyes grew wide at this new sensation she did not know existed until now.

They remained, swaying gently, sharing whispers of longing, love, and desire, tasting the closeness of skin and soul.

Every glance, every brush of a hand, made her heart pound, and she could feel the warmth of him inside of her, the strength and steadiness that made her feel both alive and safe as they moved in unison as the hour passed.

With faster thrusts, Maisie felt the familiar flood happening inside of her.

"It's happenin' again," she moaned. "I will lose meself."

"As will I. Ye feel so good, wife," Caiden growled.

With those words, Maisie felt the elation as a tremor rocked through her. The delicious trembling took over as she wiggled under him.

In that moment she felt the hot release of Caiden's seed. His muscles grew taut, and he groaned loudly.

They lay together, neither moving as the pulsing moved through her.

"I cannae wait to spend the rest of me life with ye," he said, voice low and husky, and she pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the steady beat beneath her palm.

She smiled, tears glistening in her eyes, and whispered, "Nor can I, Caiden… nor can I."