Was there a part that bored you or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

What moment from the book you enjoyed the most? *

Something you liked, a specific scene, a character's quality, some detail that caught your eye.

Do you read Christmas books around the holidays or you just go with your usual "to-be-read" list? *

• I love Christmas books and always search for new holiday related novels to dive in this time of the year.
• I read my usual books around the holidays too. I read Christmas titles only if something good catches my eye.

Do you enjoy books with two parallel timelines, e.g. one chapter nowadays followed by one back in time? *

• I love them! They keep me on the edge of my seat because I always wonder "what has happened back then to make things now so different".
• Not so much. I prefer simpler stories, where the narrative happens "here and now".

Is there something else you'd like to share? *

Something you noticed, frustrated you, left you confused, etc.

Submit

Nine months later…

“I am starting tae think this feast was a mistake,” Braden said from his seat atop the dais while he looked at the people around, enjoying a dram or laughing wholeheartedly at someone’s joke. “I cannae recall the last time Rósmire was so loud. If ye wished tae retreat early, I could have that be arranged, mo chridhe.”

“Give the masquerade a chance more,” Edith cooed from behind her mask, and he saw those little wrinkles around her eyes he loved so much, and she despised so deeply. “It will be good fer us tae make something braw out of the tragedy of last year. Besides… I think the wee tyke likes the attention.”

Braden leaned away from Edith, accepting her answer but not before he kissed her cheek, enjoying the little blush that appeared where his lips had been but a second ago. He supposed it would have been a shame to conclude the festivities so early. The grand hall of his ancestral home echoed with laughter and music, candlelight flickering off the masks adorning the guests, as a yule log burned in the great hearth. It had taken him, Madden and fourth a dozen of men to bring it in. A difficult battle it was, but their victory was well celebrated later with mead and jokes.

His alliances had flourished since his struggle with MacLeod, many clan chieftains eager to prove themselves to the man who had felled two legends in one night. Among the most notable guests, members of Clan Leòideach had travelled down to attend. His once would-be bride, Lady Adamina, was dancing with her husband Ewan. Catching her eye, Braden nodded to her in recognition, grateful that the both of them had found their happy endings. He wondered how different their lives would be if indeed Braden married Adamina. She would not end up with her childhood love Ewan and Braden would never feel what true adoration felt now toward his wife. He looked again at Edith that was chatting merrily with the serving maid while she poured her some wine.

Empty and pointless. That was what me life would be without Eden in it.

His newfound celebrity was nothing compared to the joy he had found with Edith. She was a picture beside him that evening, dressed in a gown of vibrant red, similar in style to the one she had wedded him in, almost a year gone to the day. While still as beautiful now as she had been then, much about her had changed. Braden himself felt transformed for the time that had passed since their meeting: happier, safer, stronger.

His wife glanced down at the child in her arms. Their sleeping son, a wee babe by the name of Teigue, was as patient as a saint. All night long, the Hamilton guests had been coming up to introduce themselves to him, each one as eager as the last to see with their own eyes the future Laird of Castle Rósmire.

No one was more eager to see the babe than Edith’s own family. Casting his glance towards the back of the room, Braden smiled as he caught sight of the small Macrae convoy, accompanied, as always, by Madden as their guard. Keelin was speaking energetically with the Kinnaird diplomat, while her mother and father sat nearby.

Many speculated as to the source of Christane’s recovery. While not completely returned to health, she had been able to live a strikingly normal life since when Braden had first met her. Odart, standing nearby, claimed the greater part of convalescence, as was expected of the Beaton. Braden and Edith, of course, had their own theories…

Eventually, Christane and Keelin came to steal Teigue away, transporting him upstairs where the wetnurse awaited. Edith conceded him reluctantly, turning towards Braden and throwing herself in his arms.

He wondered how lucky he was to have her steal that mask one year ago. Or rather Keelin making her take it away. If it was not the scandal, Edith wouldn’t end up being his wife. He often thought about it. If they hadn’t kiss and exchange their fortune, would they still marry? Would this be Edith’s lucky happening too, the same way it was his?

“Grant me a moment?” he asked as the dancing wore on, and looked her into her sparkling eyes, now even marrier from the wine.

“A moment and forever,” Edith replied, stirring his insides with just four words.

Without question, she followed him as he directed her through the humid throng of masked guests, eventually leading her not to the dancefloor but outside onto the terrace, where a strand of mistletoe was hanging at the exact same place. Edith seemed to realise immediately what he had planned, but was kind enough to feign ignorance as he took her hands in his in the darkness.

Guiding her beneath the mistletoe, he turned to his wife with a soft knowing smile, leaning in to press a tender kiss upon her lips. Edith accepted him gladly, her fingers snaking into his hair. It has passed one year and still every time he kissed her, he felt as excited as the first time. They parted briefly, as Braden rested his forehead on hers, gazing gently into her eyes. The gentle strains of a bard song, performed in Gaelic, were spilling from the open doors, the distant chattering of people only adding to the magical athmosphere.

Taking her hand, Braden pulled her into a dance, earning himself a delicate laugh.

“Would that I have been more charming the first time,” he joked as Edith fell into his embrace. “Or ye liked me so exactly because it didnae take me long tae land a kiss on those mesmerizing full lips,” he whispered in Edith’s ear after he nodded at her pink mouth pointedly.

“Bampot…” She shook her head, then cupped his face softly. “If ye had done anything differently, perhaps we would nae be where we are. And I love where we are…” She paused to kiss him again. “So very much…”

The End.

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