Finlay mouthed to Kirk, “Three, two, one.”
Their blades descended.
Iain spun his sword high and blocked both well-timed blows with one swing. He dropped low, kicked Finlay off balance then swept his other leg out and knocked Kirk in the shin.
Both his brothers fell into a heap on the ground.
Iain eyed her as he breathed deep. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
Finlay and Kirk jumped back to their feet and returned to the fight.
All around Iain the other men partnered together battled hard. Some had shucked their shirts and their chests glistened with sweat as gravel dust rose and clouded the air. They wielded their swords in a battle of strength against one another, a stunning sight to see.
“We can go closer if you wish?” Megan touched her arm. “Once one has bonded, the desire to be near each other grows from strength to strength. I know the best place where Iain will be able to keep an eye on you without his ability to battle being affected, not that it appears that way at the moment. He’s holding his own.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.” She walked with Megan around the perimeter of the courtyard toward the curtain wall closest to Iain and sat beside Megan as she perched on a wooden slatted bench just out of reach of the dappled shade of a large elm tree.
“I’m glad you’ve had the past two weeks alone with him.” Megan crossed her legs as she rested back on the bench. “He’ll be at far more peace now having had the chance to strengthen your bond before the daily grind of business takes over again.”
“I’m aware your clan takes on government contracted cases similar to ours.”
“Aye, Daniel, when he visited two weeks ago, mentioned the similarities as well, although your clansmen utilize your fae skills to their best advantage while our clansmen must rely on their increased shifter strength alone.”
“Did Daniel show you his ability?”
“No, what skill does he hold?”
“Telekinesis. He can immobilize a threat by levitation. It’s rather interesting to watch him hang a man upside down in midair, and depending on his mood, spin him around.”
“Oh, how intriguing.” She clapped and giggled. “He’ll have to show me the next time he visits. I’m most fascinated by your ability to compel. The guardsman you slipped past when you first left couldn’t even recall having met you.”
“I compelled that request of him. Ordinarily though, I don’t use my skill against my own kin, other than for training purposes. One of my father’s rules and we all try to adhere to it.” A rule she’d apply here at her new home too.
“Tell me more about your father. I’m aware you lost your mother not long after you were born. Daniel mentioned it, and that you’re very close to your father.”
“Dad did the most amazing job raising me, although I’ve never been without female guidance. Our clan is tight and I consider many of the older women strong motherly figures.” She rolled her shoulders and rested back as Megan had done. “Dad definitely still suffers from her death though, and now I’m mated, I can truly understand why.” If she lost Iain it would kill her. That she knew to the depths of her soul. Across the courtyard, he fought hard, his sculpted chest and honed muscles rippling under the thin white cotton of his billowy shirt. “I want to roll around in bed with you, like right now.”
He stumbled, righted himself and slammed his blade into Finlay’s. “Give me ten more minutes and I’m there. I have to at least shake some of this restlessness out of my brothers.”
“Ten minutes, and I’m holding you to that. I have some restlessness you need to shake out of me too.”
Megan straightened one of the pleats in her ankle-length blue skirt. “Those who wish to survive following their mate’s passing must have strong kinship bonds in place to hold them to the here and now. We’ll ensure your father never loses you.”
“Losing him has always been one of my greatest fears. Iain’s promised me I can return home as often as I need to and I’m very grateful for that.”
Finlay and Kirk growled as they swung at each other, their strikes becoming harder and fiercer with each blow. Megan eyed her sons and frowned. “Something is truly up with those two. I’ve never seen Finlay and Kirk so aggressive. Both have had to shift twice today already, their bears riding them hard.”
“Iain told me their search for their mates seems otherworldly. They follow their senses, yet no matter if they’re standing in the very spot where their women should be, there’s no one about.”
“That’s correct.”