by A. C. James
Niall reached down, grasped both of her wrists with one hand, and stretched them above her head. His mouth crashed down on hers, his tongue parting her lips and tangling with her tongue in a deep, impatient kiss.
He could feel his erection growing against the thin material of her underwear. She hissed in another sharp breath as his fingers grazed her clit through them. She struggled to catch her breath as he flicked his thumb across her most sensitive area.
“Oh, my God, Niall…” she panted.
His chest rumbled with a low chuckle. He loved how his name sounded—breathy and desperate. His hand slid under the side of her underwear to explore the delicate skin beneath.
“What do you want?” he teased. He bent his head and kissed her neck as he continued stroking her clit. “Do you want this?”
She could do no more than nod her head. She closed her eyes. Her honey-blonde hair tickled across his skin as he lowered his head once more and pressed his lips to the hollow part of her neck. Her eyes flew open as he pushed a finger inside her. His finger probed deeper, gliding along her G-spot.
“Oh, God. Please, Niall,” she begged.
His teeth scraped along the skin at her neck, but he withdrew his finger and then cupped her generous backside. Her legs wrapped around his waist. She tilted her head sideways, and he shifted for a better angle at her neck. Niall trailed kisses along the graceful slope, and then nibbled at her earlobe. He lifted his head. Her hazel eyes had darkened with desire. They stared into his with an intensity that trapped him; but at the same time, he never wanted to escape. She was forever his.
Forever his mate.
His mouth crushed down on hers. He released her wrists and used only his hips to pinion her to the wall. His hands captured her bra and released each breast over the top of its lacy confines. He tweaked her nipples, and she let out a moan. His stallion desperately hungered to be inside of her, and her raw hunger reflected his own. He could hold his inner stallion back no longer. He was consumed by the wild, untameable beast.
One hand slid down to her waist, pushing between their heated bodies. The world tilted as he struggled to maintain his bearings and keep from shifting into his stallion form.
Niall sucked in deep, calming breaths and barely managed to keep his stallion in check. He’d die before hurting her. His hands were around the backs of her upper thighs, but he lifted her higher so that he pressed against her panties.
Then he pushed the fabric to the side and buried himself inside her. She was so aroused that he slid in with no resistance. She whimpered.
He thought he’d surely burst. He made no effort to move, letting her adjust to his size. She brushed her fingertips up his chest and around his neck, and he shivered.
Felicity thrust her hips forward, making him groan. When her nails scraped the skin on his back, he let go of his restraint.
Wild, uncontrolled mating. He needed it now—and so did she. His stallion sensed her desire for him to move his hips. It wasn’t telepathy so much as his stallion cueing into her emotions. The need to mindlessly mate devoured them both.
He moved her legs even higher, allowing him deeper access. Her fingernails dug into his flesh, urging him on. His control slipped even farther as he plunged in and out, faster and faster, until he exploded and her body contracted around his length. His body went rigid with the heat of their mutual climax, igniting rippling shockwaves so powerful they were both trembling. He slammed her to the wall with the next thrust, and their mouths met in a demanding kiss. His hand slid from her thigh to slap against the stone wall for support. He broke the kiss and buried his head in her shoulder, thrusting upward one last time.
Her heavy breathing slowly brought him back to himself. She was gripping his shoulders to steady herself. They were both panting and their hearts were hammering against their chests. His stallion could hear hers going like a trip hammer. She dropped her legs back to the ground. His other hand slid from her thigh and he placed it on the wall so he could gently lever himself away from her.
It was then that he heard the most awful sound intruding on their intimate moment. His father’s voice filled his ears. Fallon was calling his name. Niall looked over his shoulder. Fallon was peeking around the edge of Felicity’s shirt, which (thankfully) concealed much of the portal.
“Ah, fuck.”
Felicity gasped and pulled her bra over her breasts, but he was pretty sure modesty was a moot point.
Chapter 11
Felicity hunkered down behind Niall. Fortunately, her top was hanging from the driftwood frame, and it blocked most of the view. The portal had been activated by someone on the other side—only a quarter of his face was visible from behind her shirt. She had no idea how long he’d been standing there or how much he’d seen. Nothing else had existed when she’d fallen to pieces in Niall’s arms, and neither of them had noticed the man calling out Niall’s name during one heck of a mind-blowing orgasm. He didn’t seem very pleased by this development. His brow crinkled into fine lines as Niall frowned at the man in the portal.
“I need to speak with you about an urgent matter,” the man on the other side of the portal barked. His voice was filled with fear.
“Sire, could ye give us a moment to get some clothes on?” Niall asked.
He was already pulling up his boxers and pants, which were bunched around his ankles.
“Aye, make it quick. Dea-fhortún agus tairiscint mé tú slán.”
The portal closed, and they were alone.
Niall grabbed his shirt from the floor.
“Who was that?” Felicity asked.
Niall sighed. “My father.”
Bloody hell! She was horrified to discover the first time she’d met his father was when she barely had a scrap of clothes on. Felicity scrambled across the foyer to where her jeans had landed.
“Oh, my god!” She sounded frantic. “He’s going to hate me. Absolutely hate me. And I didn’t plan on meeting your father, but this just…isn’t…isn’t how meeting someone’s parents is supposed to go.”
Niall laughed. “Are ye kidding me? My da’s probably overjoyed at the prospect of us mating, but I don’t think he noticed. I’ve never heard him sound so frightened…” He pulled his t-shirt over his head.
Felicity was holding her pants. Niall had kicked them so hard they’d landed by the front door. She wiggled into them. “You sound worried.”
He ran a hand through his shaggy hair. It was dishevelled from their wild foyer romp, and it made him look incredibly sexy. “I am.”
Niall grabbed her shirt, which was still hanging from the portal, and tossed it over to her.
She pulled it over her head. Once she was decent, he activated the portal. Felicity moved to his side and placed a hand on his arm.
“Beannachtaí mo chara… Fallon.”
His father reappeared in the portal. It struck her as odd how young he appeared, even though it shouldn’t. She knew the púca were immortal and aged slowly, but his father didn’t look like he could be older than thirty-five at best.
“Sire,” Niall said with a slight bow.
“No need for formalities. Is she your mate?” He nodded toward Felicity.
“Sire, we haven’t fully discussed the matter. But I thought you said this was urgent.”
“Aye, Maelíosa is missing. A guard at the tower saw her cross the veil yesterday, but she hasn’t returned.”
“Damn. I told her not to come. It’s not safe. She wanted to help me investigate the veil.” He paused. “And she wanted to meet Felicity.”
Fallon’s gaze flickered to her momentarily. “Take Tomas and search every inch of the island. Find her and bring her back immediately.”
Ah, so Tomas was a púca too. She’d thought so, but Fallon’s orders confirmed her suspicion.
“Yes, my Sire.”
Fallon spoke the words to close the portal, and its surface became a mirror. Niall appeared to be concentrating. She was about to break the silence after a few minutes
had passed with Niall deep in thought, when the front door to the cottage was suddenly flung open. Tomas strode into the foyer, his expression nearly matching Niall’s. She realized Niall must have used telepathy to summon him from his date with Cyn. Púca were certainly fast, she mused.
“How long has she been gone?” Tomas asked.
“Maybe a day,” Niall said. “We need to find her.”
“I’ll start searching.” Tomas turned and rode off to look for Niall’s sister.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go,” Niall apologized. He cupped her chin and gave her a quick kiss. “Will you be all right walking back to Pier House on your own?”
“I’ll be fine. Go. Find your sister.”
* * *
When Felicity returned to Pier House, the woman at the front desk stopped her. “Miss Forrest? I have something for you. Here,” she said, handing her an unmarked white envelope.
“What is it?”
“Dillon stopped in looking for you. He has a terrible looking gash on his head, poor dear. He asked that I give you this.”
Felicity nodded. “Thank you.”
She assumed the man was the worker from the construction site. She’d told him where she was staying and to drop by if he thought of anything. Felicity opened the envelope and read the note. A chill ran up the length of her spine.
Felicity,
Come to Dún Eochla tonight. I have physical evidence to prove your story about the púca is real. You’ll find me inside the ring fort.
Dillon
Dún Eochla wasn’t nearly as popular with the tourists as Dún Aonghasa, but it was closed at night anyway. Probably because the ring fort would be far too treacherous to explore once nightfall covered the island. She didn’t trust the man one bit, and she certainly didn’t plan on going alone unless she had no other choice.
Felicity slid the note back into the envelope and shoved it her purse. She took the stairs to the adjoining suite she shared with Cyn two at a time. She’d need better shoes if she were going to high-tail it back to the cottage to tell Niall about the note and go tromping around ruins. If he was still out looking for his sister, she’d have to decide whether to go without him.
She took out her hiking boots and pulled them on. She always packed them for paranormal investigations. You could never tell where a story might take you or what the terrain would be like once you got there. There was a knock at the door, and Cyn burst into the room, bubbling with an abundance of enthusiasm.
“I think things are really progressing with Tomas,” she said, excitedly. “Our date ended abruptly, but—”
“Cyn, I have to go. Can you tell me later?”
Cyn looked down at Felicity’s boots. “Where are you going?”
“There’s no time to explain. I’m really sorry, but I have to go.”
“All right. Be careful, okay?”
“Don’t worry.”
She hugged Cyn goodbye, holding onto her a little longer than necessary for a friendly squeeze. The uneasy feeling rippled in her stomach, but she pushed the sensation aside as she let go of Cyn and stepped back.
“I’ll see you later,” Felicity said.
“Good luck. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She forced a smile. “That leaves a lot open.”
Cyn laughed as she closed the door to their suite.
Felicity left Pier House and set off for Niall’s cottage.
Chapter 12
Niall’s heart had plummeted when he searched the construction site. Everything seemed to revolve around that place, and Maelíosa had wanted to check it out. There was evidence of a struggle, and Maelíosa’s blood. He’d known it was hers because it carried her scent. If anything happened to his sister… No, he couldn’t think like that. If someone had hurt her, made her bleed, he’d rip them limb from limb. He should have never told her what was going on. He took comfort in her quick ability to heal, until he saw the significant amount of blood she’d lost. Being away from the Realm would slow the healing process. She could even be dead. He shook his head, more worried for his sister than ever before.
-You find anything?- Tomas touched his mind.
-Aye. It isn’t good. I need to tell our Sire. Keep searching.-
Waves of understanding resonated from Tomas. -I’ll meet you back at the cottage after you’ve reported to Fallon.-
-Aye.-
Niall left him to hunt for Maelíosa and shifted into his stallion form. He moved faster than any human, but in his stallion form, he could make it to the veil within moments. He couldn’t stand the thought of telling his father about finding Maelíosa’s blood through the intercommunication portal. Fallon deserved hearing it in person.
Niall galloped until he reached the veil’s threshold. He barrelled through it at such speed his bones rattled. Pounding past the watchtower, he didn’t stop until he came to the courtyard. Most of the clan was gathered there, waiting to hear about his sister. He hated being the one to bring them bad news. He shifted back into his human form and knelt before his father.
“I fear the worst, Sire.”
Fallon shook his head. “No…it can’t be.”
“I found her blood. It may be too late. She could already be dead.”
* * *
Felicity was completely out of breath when she reached Niall’s cottage. She barged through the door without stopping to knock, and ran from the foyer to the kitchen only to find it was deserted. The pot from earlier was still on the stove, and the table in the dining room was set around an arrangement of flowers. She’d scarcely noticed them before. But Niall was nowhere in sight.
“Niall,” she yelled. “NIALL…”
Silence greeted her as she searched the rest of the cottage. It was cold and empty. “I bloody wish you were here. I need you,” she muttered to herself. He must still be off searching for his sister.
Felicity ran a hand through her hair as she tried to decide her next course of action. She didn’t like the idea of going to Dún Eochla on her own, but she couldn’t help wondering if this could be connected to Maelíosa’s disappearance. The note mentioned physical evidence. Maybe it was a leap, but her gut was rarely wrong. If his sister was in danger, then she shouldn’t waste time waiting for Niall. No, she’d leave him a note instead…
She pulled a pen and paper from her purse, scrawled a quick note letting him know she’d gone to Dún Eochla, and left it on the dining room table.
Felicity shoved the pen back into her bag. She supposed it could be used as a weapon. Then again, there was a can of hairspray in her purse too. She’d carried it with her ever since university, and she was glad to have at least two things to list in her arsenal. You’re either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. The fleeting thought wasn’t enough to change her mind. Felicity had a women’s self-defence class under her belt, and she could take care of herself. She wasn’t about to wait around for Niall to back her up.
Chapter 13
Caitlin stood over Maelíosa—she wasn’t limp, but they’d bloodied her up pretty good. She kicked her in the ribs again for good measure. There was a loud cracking sound, and Maelíosa gasped. Caitlin had to admit she’d put up a decent fight, but against her and Dillon, the female púca had been no match. Caitlin ignored her and continued pacing. She walked to the opening in the stones as she watched and waited for Dillon’s return.
Movement from behind drew her attention. Maelíosa was struggling against the ropes that bound her hands behind her back. Her efforts were weak—she was in bad shape. Stupid púca had thought she was talking to someone who worked at the construction site, and she was, but they’d tricked her. Dillon had kept her talking, and then Caitlin had sliced her. Maelíosa had a long slash across her stomach with blood oozing out. She’d fought them when they bound her hands, but Caitlin put a stop to it when she pummelled her with punches. Her face was now covered in bruises, and her lip was busted.
“Don’t bother trying to loosen the ropes. It won’t work. And pre
tty soon Dillon will be back with something to knock you out.”
Caitlin paced the ancient fort as she waited for her lover to return. He’d gone to deliver the note to Pier House and break into the vet’s office to steal horse tranquilizer. She knew a lot about the púca, but she had no idea whether that would work. Still, she wasn’t completely cruel. If she was going to kill Maelíosa, she’d try to be humane about it and attempt to knock her out first. Caitlin almost admired her. She was surprised she wasn’t unconscious already. Her tolerance for pain must have been high.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Why?! You really don’t know?”
Maelíosa shook her head slowly. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Actually, I do. My family has served the púca for far too long. My aunt talks about how noble you creatures are…like you’re royalty, for fuck’s sake. You’re not. You’re nothing, and I won’t be a slave. I won’t be pathetic like my aunt.”
“She’s not a slave.” Maelíosa spat blood from her mouth. “We treat her like family, and she remains healthy because of us. We healed her.”
Caitlin shrugged. “So what? She would have died of cancer years ago. Better than being ordered around for the rest of her life.”
“You really think bearing our mark means enduring a lifetime of labour, orders, or whatever twisted conclusion you’ve come to? You’re utterly ridiculous. You’re pathetic.”
Caitlin closed the distance between them and slapped her. Hard.
Maelíosa’s head was forced sideways. She’d seen it coming and didn’t even flinch. Her eyes hardened. “And crazy.”
Caitlin couldn’t help it—her admiration went up a notch at the púca’s badass attitude. If she’d been human, they might’ve even been friends. But Maelíosa was a freak of nature.
“Watch yer mouth unless ye want me to stuff a gag in it.”
