“He’s been gone for so many months on his mission to the far north of MacKenzie land.”
“Aye, and missed a great deal with all that’s happened here in his own keep during that time.” The air swirled all around, lifted her white fur cloak and fluttered her regal blue gown about her legs. With her blond hair streaming back in the breeze, she lifted her arms and allowed the air—the element she controlled—to bring to her all the secrets it held. As her people’s princess and an immortal time-walker, her duty remained with each and every one of her fae-blooded kind who walked this Earth. ’Twas her privilege to ensure the newly soul bound were brought together, no matter the divide of space or time that separated them, and this night, she intended on bringing Coll and Fiona back together again since their difficult parting sixteen long months ago.
The two of them had never truly understood that it had been a soul bond which had formed between them in their youth, right on that ledge under the waterfall, but soon they would. The proof would be undeniable, particularly now Coll no longer remained beholden to wed Kyla, not since his foster sister had been tracked down by her own soul bound mate and the two had wed. Aye, that had been one adventure she’d thoroughly enjoyed instigating, as well as seeing Ronan ensure the safety of Kyla’s parents at the fae village.
“What has that sudden smile on your face, my elusive imp? I sense there’s more you’re not telling me.” Her mate curved his big body around hers and she reveled in the moment.
“Circumstances were against Coll and Fiona from the very beginning.”
“Aye, Coll always believed he would be the one to wed Kyla.”
“Now Coll is going to be shocked to discover Fiona is no longer at Rhue Castle, but instead ensconced within his own household.”
“He’ll be more shocked to learn of how that’s occurred.” He twirled her around by the shoulders. “When a man accepts his chosen one, there is no going back.”
“My thoughts exactly, but our issue this time will be getting Coll to that point of acceptance. He may no longer be honor-bound to wed Kyla, but knowing he could never wed Fiona once he’d learnt of Kyla’s marriage has sent him swiftly in the direction of another lass.”
“Then we need to ensure he is sent just as swiftly back to the one his soul cries out for.” One arm around her waist and the other her back, Kirk dipped her backward and touched his lips to hers. “Just as my soul cries out for yours and always shall.”
“Are you trying to distract me while we’re on duty?” She snuck her fingers underneath the hem of his white tunic and played with the ties of his black leather pants. “Because ’tis working rather well if you are.”
“Mmm, distraction is good for the soul.” He kissed her, his passion rising swiftly, just as swiftly as her own passion rose for him. “I love you, Cherub, never wish to live a day without you. I cannae even comprehend how Coll has survived this long without Fiona, or that he even allowed her to wed Matthew rather than to take her for himself in the very beginning.”
“Coll’s always done what duty demanded of him. He is his father’s firstborn son and will one day be the Chief of Clan MacKenzie. Along with that position comes a great deal of responsibility.”
Now though, ’twas time for Coll to balance those duties and to accept his mated bond now Fiona was once again free.
Which would mean she’d need to sprinkle a little bit of fae magic to make that happen.
A task she was more than up for.
Aye, let the next hunt begin.
Chapter 1
Midnight, a few hours later…
The welcoming yellow glow of the lit torches along the battlements of Carron Castle brought profound peace to Coll’s soul as he rode the trail toward his stronghold in the dark of night, his men galloping behind him. So many months he’d been gone, but now he’d returned from his mission to gather more warriors to his and Duncan’s cause with an additional two hundred men at his flank. Slowly but surely, he and his twin brother had made inroads into distancing themselves from their heavy-handed father and soon they’d successfully strengthen their two strongholds as they both desired.
“Our laird returns!” The call came from the head guardsman standing at attention next to the two-story gatehouse. It echoed toward him across the night-shrouded waters and brought a wide grin to his face.
Up high on the ramparts, standing guard at the corner crenellation, Duncan raised one leather gauntleted hand. Spurring his horse on, he galloped along the high rocky cliff overlooking the inner channel of Loch Carron, kicking up dust in a cloud that swirled all about.
Under the high arch, he rode, then jerked on the reins and slowed his war horse. He brought the heavily-snorting beast to a halt in the center of the bailey and steered his mount in a circle as he breathed in the renewed sight of his home.