“They dinnae call me the Fae Angel of Love and the Guardian of my Earthbound Kind for no reason. I’ll make certain he stays alive.” She rubbed her bottom into his groin and got rewarded with a fierce growl. “’Tis time for Ailith to experience Faodail, a lucky find, and we need to ensure that happens.”
“What’s your first plan of attack?”
“They appear ready to battle now, so we’ll keep a close eye on them, then I’ll return Hunter’s memories to him should Ailith no’ do so. Two of the immortal fae can play the same game she has instigated.” She plucked a pouch from the pocket of her gown, one holding dust then extended her cloaking over them both, and whispered in her mate’s ear, “’Tis time to make mischief, Kirk Matheson. What say you?”
“I love the way you think, my elusive imp.”
She giggled as he pinched her bottom.
This was a bond she wanted for Ailith and Hunter to hold too, a bond she’d ensure each of the unmated males in this clan had the chance to claim with their own chosen ones. Never would she allow any of her kin to fall afoul of Colin MacKenzie. She’d make certain of it.
Chapter 12
Under the gentle swaying bough of the elm tree on the corner bench, Ailith could barely breathe as Hunter stood bare-chested at Liam’s window and glared right at her, not that he could see her, but goodness, it certainly felt as if he could. His frustration and anger pummeled through to her.
Not good.
She heaved to her feet as a loud whistle echoed about the courtyard and a score of men in jeans and belted kilts, their billowy training shirts blowing in the breeze, broke into pairs. They tapped their swords to each other’s and swung. Steel clanged loud against steel, and sunlight glinted off their blades as they fought.
Moments later and still shirtless, Hunter bounded out the front door in black jeans that molded his strong thighs and cupped his firm backside. He slammed his weapon into one of the men’s, his shoulders and arms bulging so thick and strong as he ruthlessly fought.
She slid her own weapon free and swung it in a wide figure eight as she limbered up.
Hunter battled so close as he forced his opponent away from the others toward her hidden spot. He sniffed the air, dragging in a deep breath then bounded clear of his partner and slammed his blade at her. She shoved her sword high and met his powerful strike. “You’re Ailith, I take it?”
“Aye, I am.” She heaved away and he canted his head to the side, sniffed again then followed her with one very predatory move. “I’ve lost patches of time, as if someone has stolen some of my memories. I’ve heard you’re one of the full-blooded fae, Cherub’s niece and sister to Cairstine, who arrived through a portal a few hours ago. You’re identical in appearance, although not with your skills.”
“What skill do I hold?”
“Combat sense. You can receive visions of war before they unfold, and I’m also told you’re a telepath, as is your sister.”
“You’ve learnt a great deal since you returned. I had no’ expected that.” With her knees held loose and feet braced wide apart, her sword ready, she swayed from side to side.
“You also hold faerie dust and I believe you’re the one who stole my memories. Liam told me I declared to one and all in the great hall yesterday morning, that you were my mate. Now, I need to know what the hell I’ve done to annoy you?”
“You willnae give up the chase. There is a war coming, one you cannae be a part of.” She moved in a slow circle around him, although he kept sniffing, one ear cocked as he followed her every unseen move.
“You’re in heat, and emitting some fierce come-and-get-me pheromones. You smell of strawberries too, ripe and ready to be eaten.” Another low growl, his teeth gritted and jaw clenched. “I can also scent my own aroma covering yours. We’ve had skin to skin contact.”
“That’s because you willnae let me be.” She tried to inflict anger into her tone, but instead her words came out all husky. Drat it all. “Go back to your kinsmen and train with them.”
“No.” He lunged and she heaved back, but not fast enough. His sword tip sliced across her arm and blood seeped. He sniffed again, fear widening his eyes. “Did I hurt you?”
“Nay. ’Tis only a nick.” She clutched her arm, darted farther back, around the bench she’d been sitting on then as soundlessly as she could, she whipped across to the side of the keep and ducked past a high trellis covered in sweet peas which provided shelter for a leafy green vegetable garden. Thankfully, not another of his kinsmen were in sight. She lifted her hand from her arm, her skin already pulling together and the wound closing.
“Ailith?” Footsteps clomped and he rounded the corner. Another sniff and he bore down on her before halting a mere step away. “Removing a man’s memories is wrong.”
“Protecting a man isnae, and dinnae come any closer.” His sense of smell was impeccable, and as soon as she could, she’d toss some dust and remove his ability to smell her as well. She swung and their two blades crashed dead center. “I wish I could be rid of you, Hunter Matheson.”
Huffing, she twirled and struck again, her second hit far harder than he’d clearly expected since he had to shove one foot back to brace himself against her strike. Giving him no further leeway, she came at him hard again. She attacked, without holding back.
Aye, ’twas time for the hunter to become the hunted.
Chapter 13
Hunter held his position and maintained his defensive stance. Ailith, his unseen opponent, had goaded and taunted him and he’d had enough. Each time she swung, he caught the whistling of her blade and met her blow, but damn it, he’d much rather be kissing her than fighting her, and that thought somehow didn’t shock him. Breathing deep, his advanced shifter hearing attuned to her, he pushed her back then when he had her cornered against the curtain wall, he sheathed his blade, tore hers from her hand and fumbled to find her scabbard. Thankfully, he did, then slid her blade home. With her sleekly muscled body squirming against his, he couldn’t hold back his bear. Fur rippled across his chest and down his arms as he pinned her hands to the stone wall high above her head, the rest of her held in place by his body alone.
“Hunter,” she yelped. “Dinnae let your bear out.”
“It’s too late for that.” His claws sliced free and she squealed.
“Let go of my hands. I need my dust.” She heaved against his chest, somehow slipped free of him and ducked under his arm.
“If you dare remove my memories again, I’ll eat you for dinner.” He followed her, the exquisite aroma of a woman in heat—smothered in strawberries and his own scent—drove him to distraction. He shook his clear to clear it, raced and tackled her. Together, they rolled across the grass, his hand firm around the back of her head as he kept her safely tucked against him. Tumbling to a slow stop, he came up on top of her, trapping her underneath him with her hands restrained high over her head against the grass. His instincts roared, that her fae dust would allow her to escape him, and that wasn’t happening again, not on his watch. “You’re my mate,” he snapped, those words sounding so very right, “and I intend on claiming you.”
“What you are is a big oaf.”
“No, what I am is your protector.” He claimed her mouth in a savage kiss he couldn’t halt. She was his woman and never would he let her go. He swept his tongue inside her mouth and moaned at the delicious taste of her. He nipped her lips, greedily sucked on each one, then only once he felt a little more at ease did he pull back an inch. “Who taught you how to use that sword?”
“My grandfather is Ailbert, King of the Fae, a strong and formidable warrior who wields a lethal blade. From the age of eight, I trained under him. One with my skill, whether male or female, must train as a warrior. Release my hands.”
“So you can spell me again? Ha, not happening.” He grasped both her wrists under one hand, then patted down her neck, across the neckline of her tunic and down the soft leather of her vest. Once he reached the waistline of her breeches, he smoothed
across to her hip. Bingo. One leather pouch. He plucked it free and stuck her coveted fae dust in the pocket of his black jeans. One more kiss to her luscious lips and he smiled. “Now I can release you, or your hands at least.”
“You’re impossible.” She pushed against his chest until she’d gained a couple of inches between them then she groaned and sank back to the ground. Gently, she petted his bare shoulders, which had sprouted with fur, his bear thrumming so close under his skin. “Release your bear if you need to. I understand he’s incredibly close to the surface.”
“No, he should quieten down now that I’ve got you this close again.” His fur retracted, his claws slicing back in, although he wasn’t moving from this spot, not when he still couldn’t see her and the chance she might slip out of his hold existed. She also felt incredible against him as she wriggled her back into the grass, her hips rocking against his hips. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead then each cheek and finally the tip of her nose. “No more spelling the removal of my memories. I also want the ones you’ve taken away, back again, and that’s an order.”
“I dinnae deal well with orders.” More wriggling.
“So I’ve noticed.” He tipped her head to one side, his mouth watering as he stroked along her unseen neck and settled two fingertips over her rapidly beating pulse.
“Dinnae even think about marking me again.”
“I’ve already marked you?”
“Ah, possibly.”
“I wouldn’t have marked you unless I believed you were my mate.”
“Well, that might be what you believe, but that does no’ make it the truth.”
“Why do I feel as if we’ve had this argument before?”
“Because we have.” She hooked one leg around the backs of his legs, jerked, and suddenly flipped him over onto his back in a cunning move that had her body now plastered over top of his.
He couldn’t let her get the upper hand though, not even for a second. Another flip and he had her back underneath him, then he patted her arms down to her wrists, caught her hands and entwined their fingers.
“Brute.” She tried to knee him, but he pinned her knees to the grass with his own knees.
“You’re such an enchantress.” Breathing hard, he couldn’t withhold his grin. “Do you have any more interesting moves?”
“Of course, and I’ve had centuries and centuries to perfect those moves.”
He held perfectly still as he awaited her next move, only she didn’t strike out as he expected, but instead licked his lower lip, the warm swipe of her tongue heating him deep within. His bear growled inside his middle, and he muttered, “You’d better follow that lick up with a kiss.” Her breathing became stuttered, and he damn well wished he could see her face. “Kiss me, Ailith.”
“Let go of my hands and I will.” Softly whispered words, and for some reason he sensed the truth in them.
“Being with you both tears my heart in two and makes me feel complete.” He released her hands. “Show me you feel the same way about me.”
“You are so annoying.” She curled her fingers around the back of his head then drew his mouth down to hers. Another lick, then she moaned. “I’m falling for you, Hunter.”
“I have a feeling I’ve already fallen for you.”
“I must ensure your protection. ’Tis the only way you’ll survive.” She kissed him, deeply and passionately, and his very soul cried out for even more.
He kissed her back, once, twice, then a third sweet, mind-bending kiss before murmuring against her lips the words that rushed forth from deep within his heart. “There’ll never be another for me, Ailith, other than you.”
Chapter 14
Ailith’s ability to continue fighting Hunter had fizzled the moment he’d won their battle and pinned her to the ground. She’d been unable to halt herself from licking his lip and when he’d demanded she follow that move up with a kiss, she’d granted that request. She’d kissed him and he’d wrapped his heat and strength fully around her, his wonderful scent too. “Goodness,” she muttered under her breath. “I am such an idiot for remaining nearby after I spelled the removal of your memories and forbid you from seeing me.”
“You’re not an idiot. You’re a woman who needs her mate, even though you wish to run from me.” His shifter eyes burned a fearsome golden hue. “Remove the spell which halts me from seeing you, and give me back every memory as well.”
“I have a wart on my nose and I’m as ugly as sin. Honestly, you dinnae want to see even an inch of me. Wrinkles everywhere too. I am centuries and centuries old, one of the ancient fae.”
“So is Cherub and I’m well aware the ancient fae don’t age, not a day past your twentieth year. I’d actually be willing to bet I have more wrinkles than you.”
“Would you cease contradicting everything I say. ’Tis most annoying.”
“Your kisses are divine, and when you push your breasts against my chest, it makes me so hard. All I want to do right now is strip you down, spread your legs—”
“Hunter!” She slammed a hand over his mouth. “Dinnae say another word.”
“—and push my cock”—he mumbled through her fingers—“inside you.”
“I’m forbidden from binding a mortal to me, unless there is absolute proof we’re soul bound.”
“I’ll give you that proof right now.” He lifted her to her feet as he stood, then carried her to the curtain wall and opened a door she hadn’t noticed was there before. He walked inside the darkened depths of a slim walled-chamber with gardening tools secured along one side and sacks of seed and soil piled up on the other. At the end of the area, he lit a lamp sitting on a workbench, opened a hidden door and tugged her into a tunnel leading deep underground.
“Where are you taking me?”
“To my lair, as every bear does when needing time alone with his woman. Faodail.”
“Pardon? Did you just say Faodail?”
“Aye, it’s a sacred place, my sacred place.” He continued down the passageway, his hand tight around hers as he led her down a steep incline.
“Murdock said we’d battle, then you’d lead me to Faodail.”
“When did he say that?”
“He had a vision, which he told Cherub about, and ’twas afore we slept together at the village.”
“We’ve slept together?” His voice was all growly and rough, his scowl deep as he frowned at her in the flickering lamplight. “You have a lot of explaining to do, Ailith.”
For several minutes, he steered her down the darkened tunnel made of stone and grit, then finally they rounded a corner and she gasped as steam plumed and wafted all around her.
“I cannae believe this is happening, that we’re here at Faodail, your lair.” She stepped into the warm fog and crunched over white grainy sand. A little farther in and the steam cleared, the depths of a cavern opening before her. A pool of hot water rippled, surrounded by slick black stone walls, with boulders and rocks scattered across the sandy curve of the beach. Farther along the curve, the tunnel continued and daylight shimmered through an opening just beyond a rock wall. The salty scent of the sea wafted through. “We’re close to Loch Alsh?”
“Aye, it’s only a stone’s throw away, but inside this cavern, Faodail, we are all alone.” He blew out the lamp and set it on the closest rock before gesturing about the gently lit recesses of what appeared to be heaven on Earth. “Welcome to my lair, Goldilocks.”
“Why do you call me that?”
“I have no idea. The name just came out.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “Give me back my memories, then I might be able to tell you exactly why I call you Goldilocks, otherwise we’ll both remain in the dark.”
A giggle resounded, one echoing down the tunnel they’d just traversed—Cherub’s unmistakable giggle—then a streak of misty white breezed all about and golden dust floated.
“Cherub!” She tried to duck out of the fall of the dust, only it snagged in her hair. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to pay you back for this.” She bounded onto a rock and dived at Cherub’s essence, only the streaky mist slipped right through her fingers. She plummeted, landed in Hunter’s arms, and he grinned so wickedly. “Ugh, you can clearly see me again. How annoying.”
“Aye, and every memory has been returned, including my first meeting with you in the great hall following your arrival with Cherub through a portal. I have it all back, every single conversation, every touch and caress, and every emotional kiss and mark we’ve both given each other.” Gently, he lowered her to her feet, snagged the top tie of her vest, tugged it open and stripped the tan leather down her arms and off. Her cream tunic came next, dropped onto the ground, then he unhooked her sword belt and wrist daggers and set them safely aside. “Would you care for a swim?”
“It does no’ appear as if you’re giving me much choice.”
“I’m not anymore.” He lifted her cream tunic over her head, knelt at her feet and slid her boots off then rising, gripped the waistband of her black leather breeches and dispensed with those swiftly, as if he’d been undressing her for years. “Unless you can’t swim,” he added with a speculative glance.
“I can swim. My youngest sister, Lilias, holds the ability to control the element of water and I’m always dipping and diving about with her in the sea.”
“Perfect.” He removed his sword belt and dagger, snapped the dome of his black jeans open, unzipped and slid the denim down his legs. The fabric got stuck on his boots, but he pulled them off and once he’d stepped clear of his clothing, he stood before her completely and gloriously naked.
Highlander's Claim: Time Travel Romance (The Matheson Warriors Book 2) Page 12
