Prince of Passion

by Donna Grant

Chapter Four

  Keiran adjust his weapons, checking them twice before he reached for his cloak. Her hands fisted, searching for warmth, though it wasn't the chill of the chamber but fear of the Tnarg that had driven the heat from her flesh.

  She touched the dagger at her hip. It had been a parting gift from her father, one she always kept with her. It wasn't much, but it would be something against the Tnarg.

  "What does it look like?"

  Keiran's gaze snapped to hers. “The Tnarg?"

  She nodded.

  "It's big and covered with thick, dark coarse hair. Its eyes are blood red. Its teeth are long and many, and its talons are sharp. Since it was formed by the Fae princess, it is made of magic."

  She snorted. “Quite an unfair advantage."

  "I agree. We cannot out run it, and it has the strength of ten men."

  Gwyn sank onto the bed. “We'll never make it."

  He was beside her in an instant. “Every one of my ancestors made it. So will we. The Tnarg has a weakness. We just have to find it."

  Her heart thumped wildly when he leaned in to kiss her. A thrill shot to her stomach and spread to her sex, heating her blood. Her hands came around his neck of their own accord.

  She was reluctant to end the kiss, but they could waste no more time.

  "By the saints, I want you again,” he murmured.

  Gwyn couldn't help but smile. She had Keiran, at long last. She would have waited an eternity to hold the man she loved in her arms. And those four years had felt like four eternities.

  He stood and held out his hand. “Ready?"

  She wasn't anywhere near ready, but if she was going to be his wife and the future queen of Drahcir, she had to have courage. She took his hand and stood beside him.

  "Our future awaits,” she said.

  One side of his mouth tilted upward. “You're going to make a magnificent queen."

  "I don't care about being queen as long as I have you."

  Keiran saw the truth of her words shining in her clear gray eyes. “Queen or not, you'll always be by my side."

  "That's all I can ask for."

  He cupped her face and gave her a quick kiss before he pulled her from her small chamber. When they descended the stairs into the main dining room, they came to a halt.

  Every table and chair was torn to pieces, the floor littered with splinters of wood that had once been furniture. Gwyn's hand began to shake in his for they both knew what had done this.

  The Tnarg.

  "Is it here?” she whispered.

  Keiran backed them to a wall. “I don't know. If it came in here, why not up to your chamber?"

  "I don't care. I'm just glad it didn't."

  There was a bump from the back room. Gwyn tugged on his hand, trying to get his attention, but Keiran didn't want to look away in case it was the Tnarg.

  "Keiran,” she murmured.

  He looked to where she pointed and found the three dead bodies. The Tnarg had never killed innocents before. At least, none that they knew of.

  "To your chamber,” he whispered and urged her up the stairs.

  He walked backward, his gaze on the doorway to the back room. It wasn't until they reached the top two stairs that one creaked. The noise in the back room stopped instantly.

  Shite!

  "Get in your chamber,” Keiran told her as he spun around.

  They raced to her chamber and shut the door behind them.

  "The chair,” he said as he leaned against the door.

  She hastily brought him the chair that he propped against the door. It wouldn't hold the beast, but it would give them some time.

  He gave her a gentle push towards her window. “We'll be leaving another way."

  "We're on the second floor,” she said, her eyes wide.

  He gripped her shoulders. “Trust me, Gwyn."

  She nodded. “All right."

  Keiran released her and threw open the shutters. The ground below them was packed with snow, which would break their fall. He'd prefer to go first and catch her, but he couldn't chance her not getting out in time.

  He reached for her and lifted her onto the window sill, her legs dangling outside. “The snow will catch you. Don't wait on me. Run to the stables and hide. I'll be right behind you."

  "And if you're not?"

  He smoothed a lock of hair from her face and wished he could wipe the worry from her puckered brow. “I will be. Now go."

  She stared at him a moment longer before jumping. He held his breath until she rose to her feet and ran to the stable. Nothing followed her. The eerie silence of the town told him something was very wrong.

  He couldn't worry about that now though. He had to get to Gwyn. Keiran put first one leg, then the other out the window. Just as he was about to jump something banged against the door.

  The fall was quick. He jumped to his feet as soon as he could and followed Gwyn's tracks to the stable. Their chance to pack food for their trip was gone, and as long as the Tnarg was this close, they weren't safe.

  He closed the doors behind him and let out a breath. “Gwyn?"

  "Here,” she called and rose to her feet in a stall. “I'm here, Keiran."

  "We don't have time to waste. There's something wrong with the town."

  She walked from the stall and dusted off her hands, her brow puckered with concern. “I think they're all dead."

  "How could we not have heard that?"

  She shrugged. “The village is usually bustling by now. There is no one about."

  "Unless they sense the creature and are keeping to their houses."

  "Let's hope so,” she said and looked around her. “Should we take horses?"

  He shook his head. “They won't move any quicker in the deep snow."

  She walked towards him, and he saw her shaking. He wrapped his arms around her.

  "How did we not hear it inside the inn? And why didn't it come to my chamber?"

  Keiran briefly squeezed his eyes shut. “It's toying with us. It wants us to think we're safe, that we can escape it."

  "Or it wants us to know just how quick and deadly it is."

  "Aye, love, that too.” He took her hand. “Come. We need to make haste."

  The quickest way to Drahcir was up the mountain path, and the only way to the gates of Drahcir was through the pass. As he passed a horse, he stopped and looked at the large dark eyes of the animal.

  "What is it?” Gwyn asked.

  He patted the horse on the neck. “I've got an idea. It might help to slow the Tnarg."

  "Anything to give us an advantage,” she murmured. “What do you need me to do?"

  "Grab another horse,” he said as he opened the stall door and led the big black mare out.

  A few moments later, Gwyn stood beside him holding a gray. He gave her a nod and walked to the back of the stable.

  "I'm sorry, girls,” he said to the horses. “It's cold out there, but you could save our lives."

  He opened the stable doors and slapped the horses on their rumps, sending them running off into the snow. Keiran wanted to watch them to see how far they would go, but there wasn't time.

  "Come,” he said as he took Gwyn's hand and led her to the ladder.

  They climbed into the upper area and hid in the hay on their stomachs so they could see down into the barn. It seemed an eternity sitting in the itchy hay as they waited, but finally they heard a noise below.

  Keiran squeezed Gwyn's hand when she started to shake as the Tnarg walked below them sniffing the air. He prayed his plan worked for if the Tnarg found them, it was over.

  He held his breath as the beast walked slowly around the stable sniffing the air as it searched for them. Hope swelled within him when the creature found each of the empty stalls and started towards the back of the stable.

  But then it stopped and smelled the ladder they had climbed.

  Keiran gripped his sword in his hand, ready to defend Gwyn as she ran to freedom if need be. Yet, to his relief, the
Tnarg continued on to the back of the stable and followed the hoof prints into the snow.

  They waited until the Tnarg was well enough away before they hurried down the ladder. Keiran clasped his mate's hand and raced out the front of the stable. The new fallen snow from the night before was so thick in places they could only manage a walk.

  "Keiran,” Gwyn whispered and pointed to her left.

  He followed her gaze and found someone peeking between the shutters of their home. “I don't think the Tnarg harmed them. I think maybe everyone knew it was there so stayed in their homes."

  "I hope you're right."

  He did, too.

  Every once in awhile Keiran would look over his should to see if the Tnarg had realised it had been duped it. It wouldn't take the beast long, but Keiran wanted as many leagues between them as he could get.

  It took them longer than he'd have liked to put the small village behind them. The cold soon numbed him, and though he hated the snow, when it began to fall once more covering their tracks, he rejoiced.

  "Where are you taking us?” Gwyn asked through chattering teeth.

  He pulled her cloak tighter around her. “When I first left Drahcir, I spent a few days learning the mountain. It's how I discovered an alternate route to the pass."

  "Thank the gods you did."

  He chuckled and helped her through a deep patch of snow. She was winded, as was he, but he couldn't chance a rest. Not now. Not yet.

  "Aye,” he nodded. “I like to be prepared. Taking this route will add another day though."

  Gwyn stopped and jerked her head towards him. “Keiran, we don't have another day. Already we are five days away from the fifth moon of the Harvest year. We must be through the gates of Drahcir to fulfil the curse."

  He sighed and started walking again. “You aren't telling me anything I don't already know. We don't have much of a choice, not with the Tnarg having found us already. Time isn't on our side, but I'll fight it."

  "As will I,” she vowed. “No one else has waited this long to return though. I cannot help but worry."

  He couldn't either, but he wouldn't add to hers by admitting it. “We'll make it."

  She wiped at her face to remove the snowflakes from her eyelashes. “Yes, of course."

  Keiran glanced at his mate, eager to know more about her, but already enjoying what he had seen so far. She was frightened out of her wits, frozen solid, unsure if she would see the morrow, but she kept her faith in him.

  He couldn't—and wouldn't—let her down.

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  Chapter Five

  Gwyn tried to clench her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering, but nothing worked. She could no longer feel her fingers, and though she knew Keiran had a hold of her hand, she couldn't feel his.

  Her boots had long since been soaked, making it impossible for her to move her toes or feel anything even with the thick wool stockings she wore. She had stumbled so many times she had lost count, but always Keiran was there to steady her.

  She silently cursed the weight of her skirts as they became hampered and soaked in the thick snow time and again. How she wished for a fire, a warm bed and a hot meal.

  The people of Drahcir took their mild climate for granted, but never again would Gwyn make that mistake. If she made it back home.

  It was easier than Gwyn expected to say farewell to the village she had lived in for four years. If it wasn't for Keiran and their future together, she could have easily lived her life in the small, sleepy town. The people were good and decent, but it wasn't Drahcir.

  It wasn't home.

  She missed the magic and the majesty of Drahcir. She missed seeing the imposing structure of the palace high above them where the towers mingled with the clouds, and the beautiful blue stones that lined the road to it.

  Most of all, she missed her family.

  "Gwyn!"

  She jerked her head to Keiran. “What is it?"

  "I've been calling your name. Are you all right?"

  "Aye."

  "Liar,” he said with a smile. “I'm frozen solid."

  She chuckled despite herself. “I can't feel my feet or my hands. And I don't even know if my nose is still attached or not since I quit feeling that long ago."

  "It's still there.” He winked at her, warming her from the inside out. “Tell me about yourself."

  She shrugged as they moved to more packed snow, giving her aching legs a break. “There's nothing to tell really. I was no one special in Drahcir."

  "I don't believe that."

  A smile pulled at her chapped lips. “'Tis true."

  "I would never have noticed you before I left if you hadn't been special."

  His words warmed her heart. “My family owns a horse farm. We always had coin, but had to work for it."

  "In other words,” Keiran interrupted her, “you weren't nobility."

  She couldn't stop her eyes from rolling. “You're just figuring that out?"

  "As if it matters. There have been very few instances where any prince of Drahcir has returned with a royal mate. As soon as we claim you, you're royal."

  "And my family? Will they be an embarrassment to you?"

  He shook his head. “Not at all, though as far as I know, not a single Sinclair has married a member of Drahcir. There will be some differences, but I don't see how that matters."

  She sighed. Until that moment, she hadn't realised just how fearful of his answer she had been.

  "What is your family like?"

  She inhaled the frigid air and felt it freeze her lungs. “They're wonderful. When I asked them to trust me, that I had to leave Drahcir, they did it though they weren't happy about it."

  "Nay, I imagine they weren't. Do you have any siblings?"

  "A younger sister and an older brother."

  He nodded, his lips pressed together. “I miss my family. I'm close to my brothers and having not spoken to them in so long is...."

  "Painful,” she interjected.

  He glanced at her. “Exactly. I cannot wait to meet their mates."

  "It will be a glorious reunion.” She could only imagine how their return would be. The Sinclair's were well loved in Drahcir, and the deep loyalty and love of the family was known throughout their kingdom.

  Yet, she had to wonder if his family would approve of her. Would she get along with them? She was the future queen, after all. Just thinking it made her stomach pitch.

  "Is it wrong that despite being frozen, I still want to kiss you?” Keiran said with a devilish grin.

  Gwyn laughed, her breath billowing around her. “If you can desire me when I look this bad, then I think we'll be all right."

  "You look delicious to me,” he whispered into her ear.

  Despite the frigid temperature, the falling snow and her soaked boots, she didn't gripe when he stopped her and turned her to face him. His warm breath fanned her cheek just a heartbeat before his lips descended on hers.

  He was like a ray of sunshine, and she basked in his glow. His kiss set her afire, his lips moving over hers slowly, seductively, heating her blood.

  Her sex clenched hungrily, and her breasts swelled. Had he wanted her right then in the snow, she'd have gladly lain down and offered her body to him.

  She had heard the stories of the uncontrollable desire, the throbbing need and vast hunger a mate of a Sinclair would feel, but experiencing it herself, she was left panting with a need so deep and so immense, a lifetime with Keiran would never be enough.

  It wasn't just the desire while in his arms. She couldn't quite explain the pleasure inside her at just being near him and of knowing she was his. It was almost as if she had become whole when he had claimed her. In marking her arm with the ancient symbol of the Sinclair's, he had also marked her heart and soul.

  She had wanted to stare at the tattoo on her arm this morning, but there hadn't been time. The small glimpse she had gotten had sent a chill across her body for despite Aimery's prediction, she had do
ubted the end result.

  Yet, there was no doubt now, not with her arm, as well as Keiran's marked for eternity. She ran her hand over his right arm.

  "I still can't believe it,” she whispered when he raised his head. “Even knowing I was meant to be yours, I can't believe it. I used to watch you at Drahcir when you rode through the city atop your mount. You were so handsome, so skilled."

  He rubbed his nose with hers. “I'm all yours now, love, even if you don't want me. I have horrid quirks that will no doubt drive you daft in short order."

  Gwyn burst out laughing, her strength renewed. “I don't believe that for a moment."

  "Don't say I didn't warn you,” he told her as he continued walking.

  * * * *

  The snowfall turned into a vicious storm with winds that howled around them, driving them backwards even as they trudged through the snow.

  Keiran stood in front of Gwyn taking the brunt of the wind as well as shoving aside the knee deep snow to make it easier for her to walk.

  She held onto his cloak, letting him know she was still there. He was exhausted. His thighs ached and his entire body hurt from the cold.

  By the gods, why couldn't it have been summer!

  It was always cold on the mountain, but winter storms were the worst. No one in their right mind climbed the mountain in winter, but he and Gwyn didn't have a choice. They had to reach Drahcir to ensure the kingdom continued.

  Keiran glanced behind him. Gwyn had her head ducked, her chin to her chest against the bitter wind. She clasped her cloak together, but still the wind yanked it away from her.

  He sighed. They couldn't stay out in this. She'd die for sure.

  Keiran looked through the quick falling snow for a hint of a cave of anything to get them out of the wind for awhile. He squinted and turned his head to the side when he caught sight of something. It almost looked like the glow of a fire through a window. But that couldn't be. No one lived this far up the mountain. At least none whom he knew of.

  However, it was worth checking out, especially if they found shelter for the night since it had begun to grow dark in the past hour.

  Keiran took them towards the trees. Gwyn followed with nary a sound. As soon as he reached the first tree, he put his back to it and pulled Gwyn in his arms.