“No idea. Tell me about your family.” Her curiosity must be eating at her the same way it ate at him.
“My parents are mated, and my brothers and I are tight, very tight. Their names are Finlay and Kirk and we hold a brotherly bond that allows us to sense each other’s feelings.”
“Interesting.” That cute eyebrow shot back up. “Are they mated?”
“They are, but like me, they still search for their chosen ones.”
“Well, their chosen ones aren’t from my clan. There aren’t any more unmated females of the right age other than me, and I’m not the sharing kind of girl. I’m yours alone. What’s their search been like?”
He almost purred at that declaration.
“Rather otherworldly. On the night of the full moon, they’re led to where they sense their mate is, yet there is nothing and no one about.”
“And they haven’t given up their search?” She gripped the sides of his short-sleeved shirt, fisted the black cotton in her hands.
“Not once, and they never shall. The drive to find their women is too strong, as it has been for me.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, needing an even deeper kind of touch, which would likely only get worse as the night continued on. “It’s getting cold out. Let’s keep walking.”
“To your lair?”
“Aye, to my lair.” He steered her along the winding upward trail, her pace slower than before, and not in a nervous don’t-want-to-go-with-you kind of way, but as if she was more relaxed, or perhaps curious. Her attentive gaze kept switching from the trail ahead to him.
Before long, they left the trail behind and emerged before Ivanson Castle, the thick stone walls of the keep rising like an impenetrable fortress in the dark. “This is the home of my ancestors and has been since Ivan’s day. You also have my word you’re free to go at any time, provided I go with you.”
“I’m going to keep you to your word.”
“My word is true, always has been and always will be.” He gestured toward the two-story gatehouse where battlements topped fortified walls and cameras mounted on the top of each crenelated corner sent surveillance footage directly to the guards inside the control room. “Are you prepared to see where our bond shall lead us?”
“That all depends on what you expect from me tonight.”
“All I desire is to get to know you. You’ve nothing to fear.”
“It’s not fear that rides me. This moment marks a huge change. Nothing will be as it was before the moon rose tonight.” She touched her chest then his. “Do you feel it? Our bond already strengthens. I’m quite content to be around you, not nervous or hell bent on running in the least.”
“I do feel it, and I promise we’ll take whatever is to come, just one day at a time.” He caught her hand, curled his fingers around hers and looked deep into her eyes. “I need you, Isla. Meeting you is all I’ve longed for.”
“You seem far too agreeable.” She searched his gaze then nodded. “All right. I can do this, but just you and me as promised. We’ll talk some more, get a feel for each other and where we stand.”
“Thank you.” His mate was prepared to talk and for that he was most grateful.
He escorted her through the gates and across the inner courtyard toward the side entrance where they could bypass the great hall and surrounding rooms where his family would be. Through the darkened passageways, he led her then up the tower’s side stairs and into his chamber. Quietly, he shut the door. “Take a seat. I’ll have you warm in no time. There’s an attached bathroom if you have need of it.”
One with no window and only one door. He could safely allow her out of his sight when she had no means of escape. He’d meant it when he said she wouldn’t be going anywhere without him.
“I’m fine for now, but thanks for the offer all the same.” She ambled across to his narrow window and with one finger, parted the navy drapes and peered out. “What were you up to in the city the other day?”
“I take care of the clan finances and such. Traveling to the city is a regular jaunt, one you are always welcome to join me on. I’d be sure to make it fun, in and amongst working the figures and monitoring our land and stock holdings.” On his knees at the hearth, he tore bark from a log, removed his wrist dagger and struck his flint then blew on the sparks. Flames flickered and he tossed a block of peat on top. He snuck a look over his shoulder when she continued to remain quiet. Her watchful gaze moved about his chamber, took in his large fur-covered bed then returned to him. “Ever been to the city?” he asked her.
“I’m not a city kind of girl.” She stepped closer, raised her palms to the flames. “I prefer the wilds of the Highlands, although I’m curious to learn exactly how you’d be sure to make it fun for me?”