His words from that night haunted her still, yet she’d also accepted his future would be with Kyla, and hers with Matthew, or at least until this night.
Kyla had now been found by her mate and they’d spoken vows. Ronan had also made certain those at the fae village—including Kyla’s parents—had been made aware of Colin MacKenzie’s threat. They all took the greatest of care and ensured their full security, so should there ever be a strike by Colin at their village, then they’d be fully prepared for it. An answer to their dreams.
“Fiona?” Something white flashed beyond the fire, there one moment and gone the next.
She scuttled back, until her back hit the wide trunk. Hands gripping the rough bark behind her, she shoved to her feet clawing upward. Heartbeat a racing mess, she searched the darkened trees. “Who goes there?”
“I’m Cherub, the guardian of my fae kind.” The faerie’s voice wisped all about within the nighttime breeze then she appeared from the misty dark and took her full form, her white fur hooded cloak swishing back from her shoulders over top of a regal blue gown, her hands tucked within the rounded warmth of a white fur muff dangling from her neck. With a soft smile, Cherub eyed her. “Well, glad I am to finally meet you, Fiona MacKenzie.”
Their fae princess was actually here? And talking to her?
She gulped, her throat so dry. Of course she’d heard of the legend surrounding Cherub, that she could manipulate her element of air, both cloak herself and become as one with it by taking on a mist form. Yet naught could have ever prepared her for this meeting, at this very moment.
“You appear stunned.” Cherub’s blond hair whipped all about her, her skin sparkling as if touched by the very stars themselves, all glittery and dazzling.
“I—I—” Her tongue got stuck to the roof of her mouth. “Legend says you’ve lived over a thousand years, that you can open portals and travel through time. Is it true?”
“Aye, I’m an immortal time-walker and aid my people wherever and however I can, whether that be in the future or far in the past.” She pulled her hands from the muff and swished them through the air. A wicker basket materialized out of nowhere and floated toward her. “This is for you.”
“Oh my.” The basket bumped softly down on the grass at her feet and no matter how many times she blinked, it remained right there. “Where did this come from, and how did you do that?”
“It’s come from my mate’s twenty-first century time, and ’tis a little trick I’ve learnt over the centuries. ’Tis wonderful to meet you, Fiona, and this basket of goodies is for you. I’ve just spoken to Kyla, gave her quite the surprise when I did. She told me of what happened between you and Coll last eve, although I’m no’ surprised to learn of it.” Smiling rather mischievously, Cherub lifted her hands into the air again and swirled the wind once more. It whipped about, sent the fire’s flames soaring higher and the branches overhead swaying. The grass rippled in all directions and the river water churned as it flowed faster downstream. “’Tis time for Coll and you to both accept your destiny. No more will I permit him to ignore your mated bond. He allowed you to wed another, even now intends on speaking vows with a lass he does no’ care for, and that I cannae permit. Setting you aside a second time is unacceptable, and since you’ve begun the hunt, you must now ensure he sees it fully through.”
“I may have begun this chase, but he’s so very stubborn and—and—are you certain we’re mated?” She clutched her chest, her hope so high. If anyone could confirm their bond existed, it would be Cherub.
“Very certain, although I fear he’ll never choose you when his honor is at stake. In his eyes, his duty to his clan must prevail and even though he is now honor-bound to wed Elizabeth MacRae, the lass is still no’ for him. Dinnae give up on him, but embrace this new challenge in your life. He is certainly a man driven this night and rides this way as we speak, right along with Duncan and Ella.” Cherub lifted a few inches from the ground and swept backward. “I must go afore he arrives, but within the basket you’ll find some treats to enjoy.” Cherub blew her a kiss and just as quickly as she’d come, shimmered away within the swirling wind.
The breeze calmed, so swiftly, and the pounding of horses’ hooves echoed toward her.
She hurried to the center of the clearing and through the dense line of the darkened trees, three riders broke free, their mounts snorting misty air. Coll at the front, then Duncan and Ella right behind him.