Page 40 of Time of the King (Stones of Scotland #2)

O f course, that first wedding was really for the nobles of Dal Riada, who wanted to see their king married at long last. The second wedding, more private and intimate, was held under the old oaks beside Finola’s cottage.

The very first leaves had started to turn golden, but the air still felt like summer. Comgall and Bethany’s closest friends gathered in the long grass - Maible, Ciaran, Finola, even a few of the maidservants. And Matthew, of course, as quiet and still as ever.

Finola had set up all kinds of mysterious equipment around the old well. Even Bethany didn’t know what most of it was for, but it looked magical. She caught Comgall looking at it dubiously, but he said nothing. Christian he might be, but her husband did not object to Finola’s pagan ways. Still, Bethany squeezed his hand reassuringly.

As everyone stood in a loose circle around the well, Bethany and Matthew joined hands. Finola’s soft voice talked them though the ceremony, explaining everything as they went. Together, mother and son reached out to touch the stone wall of the well.

“Hello,” a voice said. The unmistakable voice of Bethany’s grandmother. Judging by all the gasps, everyone else had heard her as well.

“Hello, grandmother,” Bethany said, smiling even as tears welled in her eyes. “I wanted you to be at my wedding. I’m so happy you’re here.”

She nodded to Finola, who began to recite the marriage vows. Matthew loosened his fingers from Bethany’s, and placed her hand in Comgall’s. His warmth supported her as they spoke the traditional words, dedicating themselves to each other. The only other sounds were gentle birdsong and the soft whispering of the wind in the trees. Behind Comgall, the faint shapes of modern houses appeared through the trees, not quite solid. They were in that in-between time again, drifting between the ages. Perhaps her grandmother really was here, looking through the veil from some earlier time. Movement caught her eye - was that the druid, Matthew, in the shadow of the trees? When Bethany blinked, he was gone. But never mind. She had her Matthew right beside her.

She smiled as she said the final words. And then it was done. She was married to Comgall now, in every way that was possible.

This time, nobody cheered as Comgall leaned down to kiss Bethany on the lips. But she basked in the love and warmth that emanated from the people around her.

This was it. She had finally come home.