Highland Shift (Highland Destiny: 1) Read online

  He sat near the center of the circle, holding Elena, and focused on opening himself to hear. The chanting started almost immediately and filled the small clearing. It was rhythmic, ancient, resonating with power. The fire flared, sending sparks to carry on the wind. One by one, Faolan shut out all external sounds. He focused on hearing his heartbeat, forcing out everything else. He welcomed the visions when they came and was lost in them for a very long time.

  Faintly at first, Faolan heard a second heartbeat inside his. It was faster, lighter than his own beat. He focused everything on hearing that second pulse. It became stronger, louder, closer. Faolan’s eyes opened on a now dark night. He saw Red and Lilly watching him anxiously, but not interfering.

  He sensed Elena was near. Faolan stroked her forehead, “Elena, it’s time to come home. Come back to me now.” He kissed her hair, smelling her sweetness.

  Elena moaned softly and began to move. Her eyes fluttered open, and she screamed.

  ****

  They gathered in the kitchen once again an, Elena told her story. “I am sorry I hid my plan from you, but I wasn’t sure you could shield by yourself against Worthington. I thought the two of us together would be stronger. I thought you would try to stop me if I told you.”

  Faolan looked at Elena a long moment before he answered, “Och, you are right. I wouldna have let you, and I would have been wrong. You said the two of us together would be stronger, and that is the new reality for us, lass.”

  Taking a deep breath, Elena continued, “I saw Worthington direct you to shoot Red, so I projected Red’s image to a different spot.” She looked back to Lilly and Red, “If Faolan had succumbed to whatever Worthington was doing, I hoped he would shoot the image, not the man. Once Red was safe, I threw my shield around Faolan’s to reinforce his protection.

  “It was then I felt Worthington drawing in on himself, like a vacuum, as if he was sucking power from the clearing. I tried to sense inside of him, to see what he was planning. I hadn’t tried that before.”

  Elena shuddered and gagged. She barely made it to the bathroom before vomiting. Faolan followed her and got a washcloth to bathe her face in cool water. She brushed her teeth and returned to the kitchen, apologizing.

  “Touching his mind made me sick. He’s pure evil, Faolan. We must be careful. He does want to control you; he wants your power.”

  “I doona’ even know I have any kind of real power,” Faolan said. “I thought it was all about the artifacts.”

  “Worthington believes you do, and so do I. I can sense it in you,” Elena told him quietly. She continued, “I thought he was preparing to do magick in the clearing or on one of you. I thought I could prevent him from hurting you if I could get inside him. I didn’t realize he was leaving. He created a roar in his head, and there was an answer from somewhere farther away. I saw the lightning, and then he was gone, and I was trapped.”

  Elena told them of watching Worthington and of Master Symington. She didn’t know who he was or of over what he presided, but he was one source of Worthington’s bitter blackness. She continued, “Worthington put up shields around most of his mind while he was with the Master. He was determined to keep his true feelings hidden. I could hear both the story he was telling and the thoughts he was hiding. He lied about the farm and he kept you hidden, Faolan.

  “Once Worthington left Symington, his thoughts lost some of their cohesiveness. He was thinking of finding someone, but I don’t know who. He thought about his son, and he thought about murder. It was like being in a room of thick, black smoke. Words and pictures floated on the inky tendrils, and I could sense some of them, while others were unclear.”

  She looked at Faolan, and said simply, “I wanted to come home and I heard you calling me. I followed your voice with my heart.”

  It was Faolan’s turn to tell Elena what had happened after Worthington left. Faolan said, “I saw you suddenly appear on the ground at the same time Worthington disappeared, and I couldna wake you. I called upon the spirits again, they were very near,” he said with an evasive expression.

  “Visions overtook me and I was taken by boat to an island, surrounded by clouds. I told the island’s keeper you had been taken, and he said you were powerful. You had learned much and would return soon. There was a wren-”

  Elena interrupted, “That told you to reflect, and you will be seen; follow the path of learning—

  Faolan finished, “There is a time coming when all your skills and all the true disciples may still not be enough.”

  They looked at each other for a long minute, wondering what it meant. Both of them had experienced the same vision now. Obviously, there was something they must do, somewhere they must go together.

  Clearly shaken, Faolan said, “Red, do we have any unopened whisky? I willna take a chance on anything opened previously.”

  “Aye, lad,” and he went to fetch a fresh bottle. Lilly got the glasses. Faolan was not inclined to let Elena move from his lap, and she was not inclined to want to move. Drinks were poured, tossed back, and refilled, in short order.

  “’Tis a night’s rest we all need. ‘Twill be more clear in the morning.” Faolan said. Red and Lilly said good night.

  Faolan insisted Elena have one more drink, and the warmth finally spread through her. She melted against him, relaxed and sleepy. Faolan held her close, nuzzling her hair, kissing the top of her head. Tonight she needed sleep, and her body needed to recover before he made love to her again. Just holding her in his arms while she slept would be sweet beyond belief.

  Elena turned her face up for a kiss, and he kissed her eyes, her nose, before finally settling his lips possessively on her mouth. He stood, keeping her close in his arms, and carried Elena to their room. He ran a bath, filling the large tub with warm water and bubbles while she undressed. “Here you go, love. Climb in and relax. I’ll come get you out when you are finished.”

  Elena stared at him, a bit dumbfounded. “Aren’t you coming in with me?”

  He swiftly moved to her and cupped her face in his hands. After planting a kiss on the tip of her nose, he said, “Nay, lass. Doona’ fash yourself. I will be satisfied to hold you while we sleep. In a few days, I will make love to you every way you can imagine. Maybe in some ways you canna imagine perhaps,” he laughed.

  Elena snaked her arms around his neck and pulled his lips to hers. She molded her naked body to his fully clothed one, she thrust her tongue in his mouth. Faolan growled and sucked her tongue deep into his mouth. His erection pressed against her stomach.

  Faolan buried his face in Elena’s neck, breathing hard. He whispered roughly, “Och, Elena, I willna be able to resist if you kiss me like that again.”

  Elena scraped her fingernails lightly against his scalp before grabbing big handfuls of his hair to pull hard enough to guide his mouth back to hers. She kissed him hungrily. He capitulated with another throaty growl.

  Elena smiled the self-satisfied smile of a woman who knows she is desired and watched him quickly undress. When he picked her up and stepped into the tub, soapy water went everywhere. As big as this tub is, there’s not much room when a six and a half foot tall Highlander climbs in with you. Seems the only reasonable course of action is to climb on top, she thought.

  After rinsing off the bubbles, they dried each other, and Faolan carried Elena to their bed. He laughed easily and smiled often. His mouth rained kisses upon every inch of her, and instead of quenching her thirst, they created a fire. “Faolan, I need you. I want you inside me, love me now.”

  He was infinitely patient, filling her slowly, lovingly. He watched her face, responding to her quick intakes of breath, her moans, and sighs. He pleasured her again and again without seeking his own release. As she neared the crest again, she said, “Come with me, Faolan. Fill me now.”

  With a groan, his restraint snapped and with fast, furious strokes, he pounded against her, possessing her, taking her higher than she’d been before. His yell of release coincided with hers, and t
hey came thundering and shuddering to completion.

  Elena was drifting off to sleep when she sensed Faolan pulling back. His arm left her waist, and he started to leave the bed. “Faolan?”

  “Shhh, love. Nothing is wrong. I will be but a few minutes.” Elena drifted back into a light sleep. When he returned, he smelled of the earth and wind. Again, she sleepily asked, “Faolan?”

  He laughed, and said “Go back to sleep, love. I am here.” Conversely, that woke her.

  “Where did you go?”

  “To run the farm. Red was out there too.”

  Elena sat up, covers dropping to her waist, hair wild, eyes wide with fear. “You were the wolf again? Oh, Faolan, I thought the wolf was gone.”

  “Nay, lass, ‘tis the curse of the wolf that is gone. I was always supposed to be a shape shifter with the wolf as my second form. ‘Tis part of my heritage. The curse mutated my abilities and bound me cruelly, but the wolf is my strength. I am able to shift at will, but not forced into a cruel mockery of my gift by the moon. Doona worry, love. Now go back to sleep. I will stay here the rest of the night.”

  Elena couldn’t lie back down yet. She looked at him searching for answers, her insecurities returned with a vengeance and were suddenly as awake as she was. Why me? How long will he stay?

  Either Elena projected or he was getting very good at reading her because she heard his sharp intake of breath, then his low growl.

  “Elena, you doona’ see yourself very clearly. At this moment, your green eyes have captured the light from the fire. They glow and hold me captive. Your breasts are ripe, and my tongue and mouth long to taste their sweetness. Your hair is wild, calling me to weave my fingers into its tangles and hold on while I bend you over and take you from behind. Yet these are all just physical treasures.”

  He placed her hand on top of his heart, and continued, “I no longer have a heart of my own, for ‘tis yours. Were your heart to stop beating, then mine would surely follow. I will be by your side as long as you’ll have me. Should you send me away, I would always remain near, keeping you safe. You are mine in every way possible, save one.”

  Faolan got down on one knee beside the bed and looked into her eyes. “Elena MacFarland, I love you with all of my heart and soul. I doona’ ever mean to be separated from you. There is deep magick in us, and I doona’ know where it will lead, but I always want you by my side as we journey together. Will you do me the honor of takin’ my name to be going with the heart and soul you have already captured?”

  Elena’s mouth went dry, and her eyes damp. The breath seemed to catch in her throat, even while her heart raced. She was quite simply stunned. Has any women ever received such a passionate proposal? “Aye, Faolan MacGailtry, I will be your wife. My heart is yours. Do with it what you will. I cannot live without you.” Faolan reached into the nightstand, then took her left hand and slipped a slender gold band with a large emerald surrounded by smaller diamonds onto her third finger. He was watching her, his eyes suddenly careful.

  Tears welled in Elena’s eyes. She could see the love he felt for her on his face. He wanted the ring to mean as much to her as it did to him. Elena began to cry. She was overwhelmed by the beauty of the old-fashioned setting. It was the most beautiful ring, the most beautiful proposal. Her throat was so tight from her tears she couldn’t speak.

  “We can go pick something out together, love. Doona’ worry. ‘Tis but a family heirloom and all I have at hand for the now. Och, lass, ‘tis all right. Please doona’ cry.”

  She wiped away her tears, she smiled tremulously at him. “Faolan, it’s spectacular. I love it. I love you.” She leaned down to kiss the magnificent man kneeling in front of her.

  The kiss was gentle, tender, and when Faolan climbed into bed with her, they clung together, rejoicing in their love.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Faolan was right. Elena was sore, in more spots than one, and she relished the chance to lie around and have him wait on her. She took a long afternoon nap curled up on the couch in the library, Shadow cuddled up tight next to her stomach. When she woke, Faolan was seated on the opposite end of the couch and had her feet in his lap while he was reading. She watched him for a long time, loving him.

  Without looking up from the book, Faolan smiled, “I love you too, lass.”

  Elena gasped. How did he know what I was thinking?

  Faolan laughed and looked at her. “Well, you were thinking it rather loudly, my love. I usually canna read you, lass, unless you want me to. Today, sitting here next to you, I could sense when you woke. Then you started thinking how much you loved me, and well, I thought I should say something before you started thinking about something else. Although it would be verra enjoyable to hear your thoughts on our lovemaking the last two days, if you care to share,” he laughed.

  Of course, as soon as he’d said that, Elena’s mind jumped to him slamming into her from behind while they were trapped in the chamber. She heard his quick intake of breath and veered quickly away from that mental picture and made sure she wasn’t accidentally projecting. There was no way she could make love tonight. She found even walking was uncomfortable.

  Faolan resumed reading after readjusting the crotch of his jeans, an act that Elena pretended not to notice. It was a very good thing I wasn’t thinking about laying in the tub with the oil and the way his fingers—

  “Goddammit, Elena, are you trying to kill me?”

  “You heard that too?” she asked, completely mortified by her thoughts.

  “Aye, lass, I not only heard it, I saw it,” he said tightly. “I think I’ll go take a shower now.” He stalked from the room.

  Elena thought about things for a minute, and then decided to follow him. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, and was still stalking, heading for the shower in the hallway bathroom. There was a very visible rise under his towel. Elena’s heart was pounding. She seemed to have become totally obsessed with sex and Faolan.

  “Not right now, lass,” he said gently, as he tried to side step her.

  Elena put her hand on his bare chest, and he froze. She spread her fingers wide and gently scraped her nails over his hard chest, stroking the bronze curls on his chest. “Faolan, I can’t make love today. I really am too sore.”

  “I know, lass, I really do. I doona ever want to hurt you that way. Och, Elena, you have got to stop touching my chest though. I canna stand here next to you like this, ‘tis fair driving me to distraction.” He knew she was new to this, but could she not see how aroused he was?

  She slipped her hand to his erection. “You’re so hard.”

  He groaned and tried to step back, only to bump into the hallway wall.

  “Elena,” he tried again, but his voice came out harsh, guttural.

  She reached under the towel and squeezed his cock, blushed clear to the roots of her hair, and asked, “Are you um, you know, going to do something about this?”

  So that is what this was about. She wanted to watch! Christ the woman turned him on. Her innocence and curiosity were a verra sexy combination. He was going to lose it here in the hallway if she didn’t let go of him.

  “Come, lass. Come watch me, and let me look at you.”

  After adjusting the shower temperature just right, Faolan dropped his towel and stepped under the spray. He took his time, created a lot of lather and soaped his chest, but only paid cursory attention to his hard-on, before moving down to his legs. Once his body was clean he shampooed his hair; then he reached for the crème rinse. He filled his hand with a fair amount, turned the showerhead to the side, so it wasn’t spraying directly on him, and leaned his back against the side of the stall.

  He’d never done this with someone watching before. Elena had been sitting on the counter, but now she got up and came closer. She leaned against the wall so that she was directly across from him. Only the glass of the shower door separated them. His cock was rock hard, and he wrapped his slippery hand around it.

  He slid his hand slow
ly up and down the length. He lifted his eyes to look at Elena and found her watching his hand hungrily. She looked as though she was jealous of his hand and would like nothing better than to slap it away and replace his hand with her mouth. She licked her lips and he moaned, moving his hand faster.

  He felt his testicles tighten, his leg muscles tense. Christ, she had him hot! When she had flashed on him taking her from behind in the cell… Oh, and she liked the massage oil. She had relived that orgasm and wanted him to do that again… She was watching him, in his private pleasure… It wouldna be long, he couldna hold back. This was one of the most erotic things he had ever done. He didna have to imagine her face, her lips, her breasts. They were here in front of him, and he knew she wanted him. He heard her moan, and she reached forward to open the shower door. Elena knelt in front of the door, watching him, but made no move toward him. Then she used his own words back at him.

  “Tell me, Faolan, does it feel good? Tell me.”

  “Christ, Elena, you make me so fucking hard. I canna hold back.” He shortened his stroke, going even faster. “Now, Elena, now.”

  Elena looked up to his face and back to his shaft and licked her lips again. He shot out in spurts, rocking him hard against the wall as his body jerked with the force of his orgasm. He continued to stroke until he was spent. He leaned back against the shower wall and looked at Elena. She looked back at him, and he heard her one-word thought.

  Wow.

  ****

  The following day, everyone agreed it made sense to try to find the island from their visions. Both she and Faolan had travelled west, and Faolan was sure it was northwest. That’s where they would start, but they needed new maps and nautical charts. Faolan and Red had one of their conversations within a conversation when Faolan asked Red to explain his new needs to a boat broker. Later, when Elena asked him about it, Faolan answered cryptically that he and Red had done a wee bit of fishing before and Red knew what he meant.