“Finlay Matheson. I passed Julia along the trail. She asked me to guard you, said your fire skill had flared.” He dismounted in one easy and swift move.
“There’s really no need to stay. I’m fine.”
“How bad are these flares you’re experiencing?” He slung his horse’s reins over a low branch, knotted the leather then strode toward her, his great plaid secured over his broad chest with a silver pin and belted low at his waist with a leather girdle. Midnight-black hair curled onto his shoulders and his golden gaze met hers with unwavering intensity. He had the eyes of a shifter, just as Gilleoin and his sons, Kenneth and Ivan, did. So mesmerizing.
“Naught that the cool water cannae disperse.”
“I see.” His biceps flexed as he palmed the hilt of his mighty sword. “I’m intrigued by your skill.”
“Julia wonders if the four elements of fire, water, air and earth are involved in the flares.”
“The vortex that hauled us through did so within mere minutes. The air was thick and swirling fast.” He propped one booted foot on the boulder next to her discarded gown. “I can’t see any heat emanating from you.”
“Mayhap I’ve cooled sufficiently.” She swam toward him and at waist-depth, slogged through the water and joined him on the grassy bank. “Do you mind checking?”
“Not at all. Tell me what to do.” He extended one hand as if wishing to take hers and she shook her head.
“Nay, you must no’ touch me unless all is well.” She lifted her hand and turned it palm over. “If you will, bring your palm closer to mine, but halt at the point where you feel my heat. That will give me a good indication if my fire still flares too strongly.”
Slowly, he lowered his hand until it hovered a little above her own. “There’s no heat that I can sense, although being a shifter, my blood runs hotter than most.”
“Then touch me.” Her words whispered out, and far too breathy. “I mean—”
“It’s all right. I know what you mean.” Grinning, he picked up one of her long golden locks and curled it around his finger. “Your hair is now dry, as is your shift, so you must be emitting some heat.”
“I dry my clothing with merely a thought. I am never wet for long.” She shuffled closer, drawn by the spark in his golden eyes. “Where exactly do you live in the future, Finlay?”
“I live far across the Highlands toward the east near Loch Bear. Ivan, Gilleoin’s second-born son, weds Bethia and becomes chief of his own clan at Ivanson Castle. Bethia doesn’t hold any fae blood, which is why Ivan’s line is shifter alone as Kenneth’s is not. I’m one of Ivan’s direct descendants.” Eyes twinkling, he caught her hand and brought her palm to his cheek. “Mmm, you feel lovely and warm, just how you’re supposed to.”
“Are you flirting with me?” Surprise took her. No man ever had.
“Are you aware I’m here to find my chosen one?” He kissed her fingertips.
“All the lasses are.” A flare of heat pulsed from her and she jerked back and broke their contact. “Oh, my apologies. Did I burn you?”
“Not at all.” He held out his hand for hers again. “Allow me to touch you.”
“’Tis best I return to the water.”
“Then if you’re returning, so am I. That water looks heavenly.” He kicked off his boots. “I’ve also got a very playful bear who longs for a dip, that’s if you don’t mind sharing that water.”
“You cannae swim with me. I’m a fire-wielder. Where there is fire, there is hot water.”
“I love hot water, or cold. It matters not.” He knelt at the loch’s edge and swept one hand through it. “This isn’t hot at all, a little warm, but not hot.”
“It will be far hotter if you hop in with me.” Her heat had flared when he’d touched her and she didn’t doubt it would do so again if he came too close. “I truly dinnae need a guard even though my sister asked you to watch over me. Your brothers must surely need you.”
“I left them behind. I felt a desperate urge to return early. They’ll be here first thing in the morning so for tonight, or for however long you need me, I’m yours.”
“Your mate could right now be at the castle and in remaining here with me, you might miss out on meeting her.” She walked backward into the water and a tiny puff of steam rose. She was still too hot, but at least she was cooling.
“Possibly, but that’s not going to deter me from guarding you. I gave Julia my word I’d remain.” Sword belt unstrapped, he propped his weapon against the boulder then divested himself of his wrist daggers before unpinning his kilt.
Oh goodness. He was now clothed in naught but his white tunic that fluttered against him mid-thigh. She fanned her flushed cheeks at the sight of his strongly muscled legs. Never had a man unclothed himself while she watched on. She sank lower and kicked away. “Have any within your clan ever discovered that there is no mate when you come of age?”
“There are a good dozen unmated men who’ve been searching for their chosen ones and have had no luck in finding them.”