But, as with other gods—the Greeks or Romans— the gods liked to play . . . god with humans. And he feared that this would end badly.
Fifteen
She wantedhim back inside her as soon as he’d withdrawn.
Ran’s body ached, with need, from use, from pleasure, and yet, she wanted him to do that again and again. She could never get enough of his strong body within her. If truth be told, it was like an unending craving in her for him—a need that was never satisfied, always grew and never stopped. So, having him once would only make it worse. Her body begged her for more.
Lying here in his arms, she could almost imagine that all was right in the world. That they were once again together. That they would be. Easing her arm from under him, she gathered her hair and tried to pull it from his grasp. With his eyes closed and his breathing deep and even, she thought him asleep.
She reached over and moved his hair from his eyes.
Those eyes opened and met her gaze.
Ran was not ready for this to be over, so she leaned up on one elbow, her hand holding her head, and traced his mouth with a finger. That little caress began their next joining, as different from the first as it could be.
Gentle and quiet. Slow-paced.
Marked with sighs and caresses and releases that both fulfilled their need and created it anew.
Only later when she realized the sun had reached its midday point in the sky above them did she know they had to leave. She released the sea from keeping the island separate and he released the warm winds with the same reluctance. They took time dressing, helping each other with laces and ties and boots.
Ran watched the waters swirling around the circular island’s edge and something bothered her. Everything important in Orkney’s ancient history involved circles. The standing stones were in circles. This island would be a perfect circle except that part of it had been cut away by the water’s currents over time. Even the old church near her home in Orphir was circular, the only one she’d ever seen in that shape.
And the first circle that Einar had mentioned was the broch.
“Soren,” she began, finishing tying off her braid. “What have the others been doing while I have been . . . away?”
“They have been searching for the hidden circle. And keeping watch for Hugh,” he said. “They discovered that de Gifford can sense those with power easier than he can humans. So their soldiers keep watch and follow his moves.”
“Did they find anything? Any sign yet?”
Soren walked over to her. “Nay. Why? What are you thinking?”
“I think we need to search the broch again. Do you have Einar’s map?”
“Nay,” he said. “I left it with the other drawing and the passage with the others. Their priests wanted to study it,” he explained.
“Can you get it and meet me at the broch?”
“We could both return so they can see you are unharmed,” he suggested.
She still felt fragile, not ready to face their new allies and the multitude of questions they would have. Or the knowing glances of Brienne and Aislinn. Not yet. Ran shook her head.
“Wait for me,” he said as he disappeared into the sky.
She nodded and walked to the highest point on the island, not very far at all, to look across the water to the mainland. Where was the circle they needed? She’d not asked what they were supposed to do once they found it. Knowing priests, it most likely involved some kind of ritual.
She closed her eyes and tried to remember the map Einar had drawn. The broch was a large place on it, yet they’d seen nothing there. Some empty chambers, on several stories leading to the roof.
Soren reappeared in front of her and held out his hand.
“Come. I will carry you there,” he offered.
“Can you do that?” she asked. He shrugged.
“The first time I traveled with the winds, I kept my human form. If I can do that, I can hold you.” He took her hand and tugged her closer. “And if it does not work, you will drop in the sea and all will be well.”
How strange a thing to consider, Ran thought as she moved closer and Soren lifted her in his arms. In the next moment, she was high in the air over the island, looking down at the water.
