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Maelíosa and Sage were seated in ornate wooden thrones at the bonfire. The air crackled and snapped with the glow of the fire, and the delicious aroma of roast pig wafted towards Maelíosa, although she was too nervous to eat.
“This is one hell of a wedding,” Sage said.
He leaned over and stroked a finger down Maelíosa’s arm. Even through the thick brocade of her dress, she could still feel his touch. She shivered.
“Not like I would have stood for some to-do in the great hall. That’s what Da wanted, but...” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I had to have at least some say in the matter, right?”
Sage chuckled. “You’re a hell of a woman.”
Maelíosa thought he was going to say something else, but instead he turned and stared into the fire.
“Maelíosa, look!”
Maelíosa turned as she heard Felicity call her name. When she looked up, she saw Darcy and Carina chasing each other around the fire. She watched for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“It’s good to see Carina being a kid again,” Sage said. His voice took on a more serious quality, and he shifted his weight in the heavy, ornate wooden chair. “I haven’t really seen her act like that in a long time.”
Maelíosa nodded. “She’s mature, especially for her age.”
And especially compared to Darcy. Maelíosa knew that Darcy had been sheltered from a lot of things in the world, mostly as a result of her own influence.
“Remind me to thank your father and Cyn for watching Carina after this is over,” Sage said with that sexy southern drawl that drove her wild.
She flushed just thinking about the two of them being alone after the bonfire and squirmed in her seat. “You’re family now. There’s no need to thank them.”
“Y’all really know how to throw one hell of a party,” Sage said.
He grinned at Maelíosa, and again, there was a fluttering beneath her breast. He took a sip of ale from the goblet in his hand and toasted Maelíosa without taking his eyes off her. Her face heated up as Sage kept his eyes glued to her, even while drinking.
“We try,” Maelíosa said, feigning modesty. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “I have to admit, this get-up isn’t much my style. You’ve seen what I normally wear.”
Sage laughed. “And I think you look great, but you don’t seem like much of a girly-girl.”
“Aye, I’ve always been a tomboy, I guess.”
“And I think you’ll look even better once that dress is on the floor.” He stroked Maelíosa’s arm through the golden sleeve. “That is, if you don’t mind a Yank like me saying so.”
Maelíosa licked her lips. “Not at all...”
She grinned to herself. It was nice to feel desired, especially by Sage. He was a real ride, all right. Her mare pranced around in delight, tossing her mane. I know. We’ll get there. This party can’t last forever. Actually, her dress on the floor sounded like a grand idea. It was beautiful, but restricting in more ways than one.
But as the night sky darkened and all of the stars began to come out, Maelíosa started to feel as though the party would last forever. She’d eaten and drunk, caroused with her new mate and her family. As the hours wore on, she began to grow eager for the rest of the mating ceremony to take place—the private part, and the best part in her book.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Maelíosa’s head snapped up and she looked at Sage. He’d been drinking ale all night, but he wasn’t ossified. In fact, he looked more alert and aware than ever.
“D’you have a penny?” Her voice was coy. “Not that I’d necessarily tell you...”
“What about when we’re alone?” Sage’s voice was a low growl, and Maelíosa shivered to hear it. “Then what would you tell me?”
“I might tell you how to unlace my dress,” Maelíosa whispered back. Sage’s delicious, masculine scent washed over her, and she resisted the urge to close her eyes and inhale deeply. “In case you needed a little instruction.”
Sage flexed his hands, and Maelíosa gulped at the size of them. Just watching the firelight dance on the surface of his skin was enough to make her overly warm, and the ale only intensified the effect.
“I don’t think I’ll need any help,” Sage said gruffly. “I’ve been staring at you all night. And I’ve already undressed you a million times in my head.”
Maelíosa smirked, raising one of her eyebrows. “Oh, have you?”
“You’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen,” Sage said, leaning even closer, until their foreheads were touching. Thankfully, the roar of the crowd around them was still going strong. “I’ve been warned you’re a stubborn one.”
Maelíosa stiffened and tried to pull away, but Sage wouldn’t let her.
“I know we’ll have our disagreements, fighting for no reason, but I wouldn’t change any of it. Getting to know a woman like you, with mystery and depth, is a beautiful thing,” Sage said gruffly as he cupped her face. “You’re beautiful, and I want you...”
Maelíosa realised that Sage was about to kiss her, and furthermore, that she wanted him to. She licked her lips and gently tilted her head to the side, waiting for the delicious pressure of his mouth on hers. When they were mere centimetres apart, there was a loud booming cry from the other side of the bonfire. Blushing, Maelíosa jerked backwards and sat stiffly upright in her throne.
Fallon was standing up with his arm in the air. A hush fell over the crowd as everyone turned to face their king. Fallon was grinning triumphantly, and for a horrible moment Maelíosa thought he was about to tell some embarrassing story or anecdote about her as a wee lass.
“Everyone!” Fallon shouted.
Her da was grinning. Maelíosa’s stomach flipped, and she slunk down into her chair. Here we go. The story about the time I kicked Ryan’s arse for flipping up my dress. She’d camped by the lake and refused to wear clothes for a fortnight. Her mum had to send Fallon to fetch her. It’d been leather leggings from that day forward.
“Shite,” Maelíosa muttered under her breath.
Sage gave her a questioning look and reached over, giving her hand a squeeze.
Instead, Fallon stepped forward. He held his other hand out, and in a moment was joined by Cyn. Her face was glowing with happiness.
“Everyone,” Fallon repeated, the grin stretching his face widely. “My beautiful Queen, Cyn, is going to make me a father. She’s three months along.” There was a loud cheer and Fallon waited patiently. “We’re thrilled to welcome a new member to the clan!”
Maelíosa clapped her hands together so hard that they stung. When she glanced over to Sage, he was still staring at her, but clapping along with everyone else. All of the other púca and clan-members were cheering and shouting. They surrounded Cyn and Fallon in a veritable crush.
Sage gave her hand another squeeze and Maelíosa met his intense grey eyes. The firelight flickered on the hollows of his face, making him look stern, and she swallowed hard.
“Fancy a trip to the castle?” Maelíosa asked softly. “I think it might be about time to complete the ceremony.”
