Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“We can’t move on until we release each other.”


The heaviness in my chest expanded. Geez, what a predicament. This was the right thing to do, even though it felt totally wrong.

“Don’t think too much about it.” He caught my face between his hands. “Just start. Speak the words I need to hear.”

“You’re this certain?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.” His voice scraped on the last word, as if he fought his emotions.

I could do this. I was strong, and surely didn’t need a warrior for a mate. I’d already seen how hard it was for Faith and Hope, and now, the future difficulties they faced. That wasn’t for me.

“Give me a second.” I wet my suddenly dry lips then forced them open. “Guy, I wish for you to find the right woman, to have a long and wonderful life with her.” Uh-huh, a good start. “That you’ll have the family you desire, and of course, that she be anyone other than me.”

“Thank you.” He kissed my cheek. “Silvie, I wish to release you, so you might find the right man. I wish for him to keep you safe and to cherish you, to give you all you desire, and…be anyone other than me.”

Tears welled in my eyes and I shoved them back. I would not cry over him.

“Do you want a breather?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll go wait outside until Faith returns. We did the right thing.”

“I know.” I slipped his mother’s ring under the neckline of my t-shirt as he strode away. I’d keep it safe, just as I would the other half of his soul, even though he was no longer mine.

A tear leaked past my guard and I swiped it away. Stupid bond, and I couldn’t stop myself from following him. I gripped the splintered edge of the doorway to halt my step. “Don’t go too far. This is Wincrest Station.”

“There’re no other warriors about. You’re safe.” He climbed the railing, and then cautiously approached the prancing stallion within. Gently, he cooed its name.

“Hey, Silvie.” Hope strolled in from the corridor in jeans and a red-checked outback shirt, Faith one step behind her. She wiped her hands on a raggedy towel hanging from her pocket.

“Hey back at ya. How’s the mare?”

“One very contented new mama. The foal is a little wobbly, but already up on her legs.”

Faith grinned at me. “It was incredible to watch the birth. A-maz-ing.” She glanced about the room and frowned. “Ah, where’s Guy?”

“Outside.” The sun bathed him in its brightness, and I couldn’t keep my gaze from him.

She strode to the doorway and called out, “Hey, everything okay?”

“It will be.” His scorching gaze narrowed on me as he fed the stallion a treat.

Faith jerked a look between the two of us. “Is there something going on here? I didn’t leave you guys alone for long enough to cause too big a fight, did I?”

“We didn’t fight, in fact we chatted, and then—” Oh, how to tell her? I shuffled from foot to foot, rucking up the dust.

“Then what?”

“Um, we released each other.”

“Released each other?” Her eyebrows launched into her hairline. Yeah, for once I’d surprised her. Which with her forethought, was close to impossible. “No way. You two are mated?”

Hope darted a look at Guy. “This is unbelievable. You always sensed your mated one was a Peacian, but Silvie?”

“That’s right.” He scaled the railing and returned. “Now we’ve met though, we’ve ended things. It’s as it should be.”

“No, Guy.” Faith shook her head, clearly not happy. “There’s a reason our souls are bound. Perhaps you two just need some more time to talk.” She glanced at Hope. “What do you think?”

“It can’t hurt them.”

“Great. Let’s give them some space.” She grabbed Hope’s hand and flashed them away.

“What? Faith, no. You can’t leave me here like that.” Drat. How could she bail on me? Sure, she would hate I hadn’t given this soul-bond a chance, particularly when she worked so hard on hers and Davio’s relationship.

“They’ve gone, and don’t worry about it. I’ll take you home. Just tell me where that is.”

“I should have guessed she’d do that. I’m so sorry.”

“They care, although that doesn’t change our decision.” He seized my arm. “Where to?”

“Loveria Castle. That’s where I live when I’m not on Earth. Except, make it the outer fields where there won’t be any protectors.” He couldn’t be seen by the guards.

“Gotcha. I know exactly where.”

The dark encompassed us, and then we were there.

He squinted at Loveria Castle looming high on the hill in the distance. “Is this far enough away?”

“It should be. How’d you know about this spot?” The protectors stationed in the twin-towered gatehouse lookout towers could see for miles, but a copse of pines shielded us. “How’d you have an image to ’port us here?”