Page 84 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

“What is it?” she asked, her eyes fearful, “Ye look so sad, yer nae having second thoughts are ye?”

The dread in her eyes gave him a jolt.

“Och, no, nothing like that, never,” he said, taking her hands and squeezing them tight, “It’s just, these trees, remind me of the day we first met…”

His brown eyes met with hers, connecting with a spark. He scooped down to pick up a gray-brown cone from the soil beneath. Then, smiling, he thrust it into her palm.

“Ye ken, in that day ye saved me,” he said, gently bringing his arm around her and squeezing her tight. He sat them down together beneath the green branches of the tree. “Well, the thing is, now, ye’ve got to let me save ye…”

“But Niven, I,” interrupted Deva, but Niven shook his head.

“This is nae safe for ye Deva, I cannae let ye stay here until the war is won,” he said softly.

At the mention of war,’ Deva looked up.

“Aye, because that’s what it is. My uncle’s downplaying it. He calls it a wee collieshangie, but it’s going to be worse…” He found his eyes stuck on hers. This wasn’t an easy thing for him to admit.

“It will be dangerous, an’ folk will be killed. Probably from our side,” said Niven. He hadn’t wanted to spell out the peril they faced, but she needed to know.

“Oh, Niven,” said Deva anxiously, “Ye should come wi’ me, as Rory insists!”

“Nae,” Niven said, shaking his head sadly, “Dinnae ye see? I cannae abandon my uncle to his fate…?”

He thought he saw a glimmer in her eyes. But instead, Deva said, “But he has advisors, counselors, troops…”

“Och,” said Niven, shortly. “Counselors? He’s got Dughall,” he laughed, although this really was no laughing matter, “So now do ye see the problem?”

It wasn’t meant to be funny, but Deva smiled.

“So ye see, there’s no way I can just leave. The castle needs defending. I dinnae think my uncle’s men are really able to do that on their own,” he broke off, as Deva struggled with what he said, “If I dinnae stay, the clans will pull apart. With no ruler to keep them together, there will be madness…”

Then, she nodded.

He pulled her closer, sealing her with his arms and embracing her. There, he leaned into her chest and listened to the thumping of her heart. Then, Niven looked up.

“It’s alright, they’re still talking,” said Deva, following his eyes over to the servants stood by the boat, “We’ve got a moment…”

A moment was all Niven needed to bend his head tenderly into hers and brush her lips with a smooth, sweet kiss.

Instantly, a wanton note struck inside him. How he wished they could be closer, more private, and together for longer.

Once again, Niven wrenched with his conscience. His uncle was offering him this very thing right now – to be with the woman he loved, even at personal risk to himself.

In front of him, Deva looked even more comely than she had done in the morning.

“Adventure suits ye, lass,” he said, noting her rosebud glow. He gazed into her eyes as she pushed forwards.

Before he knew it, her hot, juicy lips were on top of his, locking him in with his kiss. It was sublime, like nothing he had ever known.

An electrical impulse shot through his spine and accelerated his heart rate. Every instinct was screaming him to ignore what his head thought and give into his heart. And his body, if he was honest.

The promise of her kiss, and more besides, loomed utmost in his mind for far longer than it should have done.

Just as well, then, that they were outside, in very unsuitable weather, pressed up against a tree. Anyone could see them here, and this, in the end, was the only reason that Niven managed to pull away.

“We still need to be careful,” he murmured, catching one of the menfolk by the boats looking at him. He didn’t recognize that servant, and something stirred in Niven to take care.

Deva looked at him as she did not quite understand. “But why?” she asked, genuinely confused, “Rory has given us our blessing. We dinnae have to hide anymore?”