“I can manage to light my own fire. Fire-wielder, remember?” Grinning, she crossed to the window where a chilly breeze fluttered through and closed it. “I truly am fine now, my skill back under control. You can leave and be assured I’m well.”
“I can’t leave you, not right now.” He stepped up to her, rested his hands on her shoulders and breathed in her delectable warm scent. A gentle peace invaded his soul. Holding her soothed him. He wouldn’t forget this moment, the one in which he’d most certainly found his mate. Over her head out the window, the white-capped waves rolled into shore and across the bay, a sail shimmered in the moonlight then disappeared into the dark farther along the inland channel toward MacKenzie land. He’d also found her before the coming battle. Relief rolled through him. “This feels so good, standing here with you.”
“I’m glad you and your brothers are here to aid us in saving the village.” She slid one hand over his, her touch so soft, so gentle. His bear purred deep inside him and demanded a closer touch.
“Aye, and we won’t leave until we have.”
“The village is so exposed on the tip and we’ll have so very little warning when the MacKenzie attacks. It does no’ help that this is a busy waterway and intersects with Loch Carron and Loch Hourn.”
“We can still guard these waterways well from this prominent location.” He slipped one arm around her waist and drew her closer still, a hold she didn’t pull away from. His bear settled even further.
“A location the MacKenzie too desires, one he intends to take, although I too will never allow him to harm the villagers. He took my parents’ lives but he won’t take another of my kin. I swear it, on my life.”
“The MacKenzie killed your parents?” He frowned and searched her gaze. Such deep loss swirled within her beautiful eyes and that emotion bubbled up and rose within him as well. “Tell me how it happened.”
“No’ long after Julia and I came of age, Father entered into negotiations for Julia’s marriage to the Chief of MacKenzie’s third son. At the time we were allies, no’ yet at war as we currently are. The MacKenzie requested a meeting, but ’twas just a ruse. As soon as my parents arrived at his castle, he had them tossed into the dungeon and then sent a demand to Gilleoin. My uncle was told to hand over his lands on the tip of Loch Alsh and in return the MacKenzie would release our parents. For several months demands volleyed back and forth until Gilleoin realized the MacKenzie would never listen to reason. That’s when he set out for their stronghold with an elite contingency of his warriors. His intention was to sneak in under the cover of darkness, rescue my parents and then return with them. Instead Gilleoin discovered my parents had been slain at the MacKenzie’s own hand, several months prior, afore the first demand had even been sent. He is a snake.”
“What did Gilleoin do?” Rage simmered and he barely held it down. The MacKenzie had hurt his woman, something he’d never allow again.
“Gilleoin was furious and he attacked with great force then left a bloody trail in his wake. Now the MacKenzie is determined to have his retribution, to ensure he takes all Gilleoin holds as precious. Those of fae blood mingle strongly with Gilleoin’s firstborn line and the MacKenzie fears the strength we’ll gain from being aligned.” Heat flared from her, flapped his hair about his shoulders and rippled the thick red bed canopy behind him. She gasped and jerked away. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“Not at all. I can handle your small flares, likely better than anyone else can.” He wrapped his arms around her, tucked her cheek against his chest and savored her closeness. Aye, his feelings for her were strong. Never had another woman ever brought such tender emotions to roaring life within him. From this moment forth, he wouldn’t be leaving her side, not until she’d accepted their bond and the fact that they were mated.
“You would never be able to handle a strong flare, and I cannae lose any more of my fae kin, Finlay.”
“You won’t, not now my brothers and I are here.” He stroked her back until she snuggled closer. “Do you feel better?”
“A little, but I shouldn’t allow this kind of touch. I’m no’ quite sure why I have.”
“Because we are one and the same.”
“We’re not mated.”
“Then try and pull away.”
She pressed her hands to his chest as if she would, only she sighed and dropped them again. “An anomaly for sure. I’ve changed my mind. Could you please light my fire?”
“Of course.” He released her even though he didn’t wish to and crouched before the hearth. From a log set in a basket at the side, he tore strips off it then brought a flame to life striking flint with his dagger. Once the fire roared and spread its heat throughout the room, he rose and dusted his hands. “Would you like me to unlace your gown so you can ready yourself for bed?”