Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“How deep does this tunnel run?” He caught her hand and twined their fingers together as he walked with her along the darkened, slickly wet tunnel carved of stone. Water trickled through cracks above and splashed into puddles at their feet.

“For some distance, but we are no’ going very far.” She pulled Tavish to a halt. “The cold and hot pools are straight ahead, but since I’m no’ allowed to swim we should instead take this side vent. There’s a steamy cavern which is glorious to see.”

“What side vent?”

“’Tis right here.” She patted the wall and found the slim opening. Through the craggy gap, she squirmed then as the fissure opened up, she stopped and waited for Tavish on the other side.

He wriggled through and smiled. “Well, that was a tight fit. I never would have found that side vent if you hadn’t of shown me.”

“The first time Father found it, ’twas quite by chance. Come. We’re almost there.” She strolled to the end of the passageway and leapt onto the white sand a few feet below. Heat shimmered all around, the steamy air thick and humid. “You’ll need to breathe slowly until you get used to the heat.”

Within the round earthen cave with its high craggy ceiling, a thin shaft vented skyward and allowed a shimmer of light to beam through the tiny cavity above. Light rippled over the slick black boulders in one corner where cold water trickled over hot rocks. Steam plumed and filled the cavern. “Dinnae touch those rocks,” she warned him. “They’re very hot. The cold water flows in from the fresh water stream close by.”

“This place reminds me of a sauna.”

“What is a sauna?”

“A manmade room designed to replicate exactly this.” He turned her by the shoulders and parted her hair at the back to run another inspection of her wound. “Everything’s still looking good. This steam will be fine for you, even if your skin gets damp. It’s just soaking wet I don’t want.”

“Come, I’d like to show you something special.” With her hand in his, she tugged him past the boulders toward a chiseled rock basin carved into the ground across the other side of the cavern, one that held a bath-like pool of cool water. “The carved bath is rather shallow, knee deep at most, but if you get too hot, a quick sit down here is wonderful. Mother never used to be able to get Arabel and I out of this pool.”

“I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed so many wonderful times here. So too we shall share an equal number to come.” He knelt at the basin’s edge and swirled a hand through the water. “This is incredible.”

“I wish to dip my feet.” She unbelted her white crocheted girdle and dropped it on the dry sand at the rear then tipped off her slippers.

“If you’re hoping in then so am I.” With a wicked grin, he flapped his plaid out and settled it on the sand. He kicked off his boots, unstrapped his sword belt and laid his weapons next to her belongings then stripped off his tunic, rolled the hems of his trews to his knees and sat on the edge of the tartan. Feet dunked in the water, he patted the space beside him. “Come here.”

“One moment.” In no time at all she’d be far too hot with all these clothes on. She eased her burgundy gown over her head, dropped it on top of his shirt and sat next to him in her linen shift. With her long hem bunched over her knees, she dunked her feet next to his and swished them back and forth though the deliciously cool water, her toes just touching the smooth, stony base. “Since we’re all alone, I would like to speak to you about our bond.”

“Go right ahead. I’m listening.” He settled one hand on her leg, curled his fingers around her thigh and gently caressed. His white aura with its tinge of shifter red glimmered with sparks of gold and the gentle purr emanating from him vibrated stronger, deeper, his and his bear’s need for her shimmering through.

“What if I’m ready now?”

“Ready for what?”

“To complete the bond and create the merged link of the mind.”

“Are you certain?” Such hungry hope swirled within his gaze.

“I wouldnae want to push you, if you were no’ ready, but aye, I am.” She leaned closer, touched her lips to his. “Are you?” she whispered, sharing her breath with him.

“I’ve been ready since the moment I met you, but since you’re not from my time, I need to first ask you a very important question.” He lifted the edge of the tartan they sat on, tore a thin strip from it then moved onto one knee before her, clasped his right hand with her right and wrapped the thin tartan strip around both their wrists.

“What are you—” Her heartbeat raced at the symbolic gesture she understood well. “This isnae necessary.”

“You are my mate, the only woman I’ll ever desire. If we’re to complete the bond, then I’ll only do so once I’ve made you my wife in truth. I wish for a handfast marriage, Julia. Bind yourself to me as my wife for a year and a day, and the moment we can, we’ll speak vows before a clergyman.”

“Oh my.” Her hands shook. “You truly wish to handfast with me?”