“Us too,” Willow said, and Sloan agreed. “And we’ve the Morrow at our disposal, so this is by no means over.”
“I agree.” My father, Marek, looked at me with the same support, love, and faith in me he’d always had. “There is more to come in your journey back to your fated mate, so trust that your mother and I,allof us, will stand by you both.”
“As will Grant and I,” Adlin swore as Grant nodded in agreement. “And Kenneth MacLomain, who continues to communicate with us from Sutherland Castle.”
That I knew because I had heard Kenneth’s telepathic communications along the way. There had been a mad flurry of comings and goings from the castle, as we well knew from their attack on us earlier, but thus far, he was only witnessing a growing frustration. They knew Ellie was here and wore the gem over her dragon heart, but Macleod Castle was a solid fortress, and nothing could get by.
So, at least I had that knowledge to give me some semblance of peace tonight as I headed up to my chamber. Standing on my balcony overlooking the turbulent sea, cold wind gusted, and angry clouds rushed by a full moon, telling me another storm would soon arrive.
While I trusted the protection the MacLeods afforded Ellie tonight, I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Instead, I kept the Viking blade sheathed at my side, a watchful eye to the sky, and my dragon senses on keen alert lest she try to leave. She had slipped away from me twice already, and I feared she might attempt to again.
Yet as I stood there in the wind with angry waves crashing below, and my dragon became solely aware of her in a way born of fated mates, I knew she was far too torn right now to do anything rash. Far too aware of me and my inner beast, and it was making her restless. So restless, she left her chamber, not to flee, not yet, but to put distance between us.
Following her down a darkened route I knew all too well because I’d traveled it often in her last life, I wasn’t surprised totrack her back to our cottage. Nor was I surprised to find her at the cliff’s edge, staring out at the sea, silently weeping.
“I don’t know why I’m here,” she whispered when I joined her, approaching silently, but of course, she knew I was there. Knew I had followed. Knew the tether between us would only ever reel us in closer. She didn’t look at me, just continued staring out into the darkness. “I’ve been so strong for so long, but for the life of me, I couldn’t slip free of you tonight. All I could do was come here...to this place...back to us.”
“Might ye always and forever,” I replied gruffly because this was her home, whether in this cottage or the castle, but most especially in my arms. Before she could deny me, I reeled her into my arms, cupped her cheek, and made sure she had nowhere else to look but into my eyes. “Alwaysin my arms, Ellie.”
Giving her no chance to counter me, I took any potential denial out of her mouth by closing my lips over hers and kissing her soundly. I kissedher, not Elowyn, and she melted against me as I’d felt her do in countless dreams, often there with me one moment, then gone, caught in the undulating waves of slumber.
Not this time, though.
This time, I felt her warm, eager tongue wrap with mine. Felt her silky skin under my fingertips, whole and here and so incredibly soft. Felt her delicate frame against me as I gathered her even closer.
Then I felt something else.
Something that made my dragon roar to the surface before I could stop it, and with good reason. Ellie had one more secret, and it would keep her in my arms if it were the last thing I did.
Chapter Fifteen
–Ellie–
IHAD TRIED to get away, I really had, but it felt utterly impossible after Chara left me in my chamber, but not before seeing me into a sleeping gown and making sure I was okay. I thought she would linger, but I should have known better because soon after, I felt Tavish come up and stand on the balcony of his chamber right beside mine, determined to protect me.
And his dragon, my fated mate, would help him do it to the bitter end.
I understood bitter ends, though, and should have been able to escape his clutches, yet I couldn’t because my inner beast pushed back every step of the way. To the point, my only option wasn’t to flee MacLeod territory but to flee to where my soul gave me no choice, be it who I was in my last life or this one.
I could only go back to my cottage by the sea.
Only go back toourcottage.
More than anything, I could only wait for him because I knew he followed, and I would be helpless against him. Helpless when he came to me and pulled me into his arms.
And I was right.
So very, very right as he reeled me into his arms and kissed me soundly. Kissed me like he had a thousand times before indreams that kept us tethered together despite six hundred years separating us.
As expected, it was so much more intense now in real life. And I knew he felt it too. I knew as he gathered me close, wrapping me up in his big, strong, safe arms, and our tongues tangled and our kisses went from passionate to hungry, he felt all of me like I felt all of him.
More than that, I knew the moment he discovered my greatest secret.
He realized I hadn’t slept with another in this life because there would never be anyone but him, whether I could have him or not. Not just that, but he realized I would allow him to take my long-held virginity tonight.
To claim it.
Own it.
