A barrage of images burst to dazzling life and he grasped ahold of them.
A beaming Finlay in tan pants and a billowy white shirt knocked on Iain and Isla’s chamber door, a glowing Arabel in a full-skirted ruby gown at his side.
Iain, in his belted plaid, opened the door and smiled at his brother. “Well, well, it’s good to see you looking so happy. You’ve been gone for days. Come in.” He motioned them inside and shut the door after them. “Although I could sense your contentment through our bond so I wasn’t worried, not in the least.”
“As I sensed the same contentment.” Kirk, his smile as wide as Iain’s, slapped his black leather-covered thighs as he rose from the corner navy padded chair and grasped Finlay’s forearm. “I take it you two have found a way to join together without the need for a storm?”
“We have. We tested the theory after the storm passed and discovered we can replicate the four elements with ease. The wind still blew down the tunnel into the cavern, and I lit a fire in place of lightning. We were covered for water with the mist and pool, and with the earth, we were well underground. We are each other’s match in every way.” Finlay clutched Kirk’s forearm in return and Iain’s with his other hand. “On our return, we’ll build our own underground home close to Ivanson Castle and ensure we have all we need on hand.”
“And we’ll aid you since you’ll no likely want that done as soon as possible.” Iain chuckled as he gripped Finlay and Kirk’s forearms, their circle of three complete as they stood together, each facing the other.
“I’m so happy for you both.” Isla squealed as she rushed across the room in a flurry of burgundy skirts and hugged Arabel.
Arabel squeezed Isla back. “None with my skill have ever known of this alignment needed of the four elements in order to exhaust our fire, and we are lucky to have discovered that is all that’s needed to be together as we wish. ’Tis wonderful to know there is naught any fire-wielder in the future must give up.” She glanced at Kirk and smiled. “’Tis now time for you to find your chosen one. The ‘power of three’ arena complete without their mates and you are the last.”
“Last, but not the least, and the next full moon is mere days away. That should aid me in my search since so far it’s been to no avail.” Determination slashed Kirk’s face. “I intend to find my woman and I won’t cease until I have.”
“Here, here,” Finlay cheered. “We’re not leaving this time until the ‘power of three’ rings with the greatest strength it can, that of all three of us joining with our chosen ones.”
“Aye, and I pledge my promise of aid wherever and however it is needed.” Arabel ducked under Finlay’s outstretched hold with his brothers and wrapped her arms around his waist. On her toes in the center of the circle, she kissed his chin. “You can always rely on me.”
“I pledge the same promise, and no one is leaving me behind this time, not once more.” Isla slipped underneath Iain’s arm and joined Arabel in the center of the three brothers, her compelling words shimmering all around them. She locked gazes with her mate and offered him a cheeky smile. “Am I understood, my big bear?”
“I understand you well, my little bear.” He bent and kissed the tip of her nose. “Very, very well.”
Murdock chuckled. It appeared no one could tame a fire-wielder or a compeller, not when all they desired to do was stand right beside their men and offer their love and aid. Aye, the ‘power of three’ was a formidable presence, but made even more so by the highly skilled women who belonged to them.
Now, it was time for Kirk to find his mate, an exciting journey he couldn’t wait to see unfold, a journey the ‘power of three’ would embrace and conquer. Of that he had no doubt.