An owl hooted and Alec, resting in his light state, opened his eyes, the night skies still dark, although he sensed dawn neared. Annella lay snuggled against him, her mind and soul drifting toward the dream realm even as she tried to hold onto their connection. He followed her thoughts, joined her as she soared higher amongst an array of twinkling stars, her body going limp within his arms.

She circled a particular place as if waiting for something to appear and anxiety ate at her. Needing to comfort her, he stroked her back within the warmth of his plaid, their merged link of the mind a gift beyond measure. ’Twas a connection he’d never give up, wished he’d claimed the very first night when she’d solidified her spiritual form. Never would he ever be able to take one simple small step with her, not when all his heart and soul desired, was forever.

He wanted her in his bed each and every night, her hair a tangle of gold on his pillow and his shaft captured firmly inside her snug channel as it currently was. His balls tightened something fierce and he couldn’t halt his body’s need. Down between them, he fondled her nub then thrust his cock even deeper. Her inner channel contracted around him and he came, so swiftly, his ragged grunt muffled into her neck as his essence shot into her. “I’m so sorry, Annella. I didn’t mean to come that fast and while you traveled so far away from me.”

Before his greedy other half could command him again, to wake her and force her return from the dream realm, he pulled out.

His bear rose up and rumbled his displeasure at the separation. He didn’t care for it either, but so too he couldn’t take his mate again without her being fully present, nor could he allow her to go unattended any longer. She must hurt. He’d taken her maidenhead and she’d cried out with the initial pain of it. He spread her legs and touched the smear of blood along her inner thighs lit by a trace of the sprinkling moonlight. She’d given herself to him, in every way and he’d ensure she never regretted doing so.

He slid out of their bower, stepped into the stream, splashed his cock and cleaned himself before scooping a handful of cool water and returning to her. Gently, he washed the blood from her thighs and once assured he’d done all he could, he touched his lips to hers, his mind still entrenched within hers as she traveled through the night sky so far away. She waited, for either her father or brother’s stars to glow, but neither did.

“Wake up, love. Return to me.” He urged her back to him with soft kisses. Last night he’d demanded her return then barely caught how her search had gone. She’d found Ronan alive although restrained within Duncan’s brother’s stronghold, deep within his dungeons. Only he’d awoken her just as she was about to search farther afield from the underground cells and locate the entrance. She hadn’t been able to return to her brother then, and she still couldn’t connect with him or her father now.”

“Mmm, Alec.” She murmured his name in her sleep, her thoughts infused with his then slowly, she blinked her eyes open, wrapped one arm around his neck and drew him down on top of her deliciously curved body, the most sinful smile on her face. “I’m back.”

He rubbed himself against her and a fiery burn invaded his limbs and stiffened his cock. His bear demanded he take her again and with her folds spread, he gripped his aching shaft and rubbed the head of himself against her wet entrance. Groaning, he tried to hold back, but couldn’t. He pushed his length deep into the heart of her intense heat and slid home.

She gasped underneath him, her eyes now wide open as she panted. “Oooh, that was fast.”

“Did I hurt you?”

“You could never truly hurt me.”

“I have a confession to make.” He rocked his hips and she hooked her legs around him and kissed him, so possessively his cock throbbed on the verge of release. He had to calm this fever he had for her, only he had no idea how to do so. “I woke up a few minutes ago, still inside you and I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I touched you down below and you contracted around me and made me come so fast.”

“I’m sorry I missed the moment.” Panting, she moved with him as he lunged inside her, the tight, heated slickness of her channel making his eyes nearly roll to the back of his head. “Come again as you please. I’ve no intention of missing this joining.”

“The next time I come it’ll be when you come, and not before.” He plundered her mouth, thrust his tongue between her lips just as he thrust his cock into her below. Filling her in every way, pumping deep inside her, he’d never stop loving her until she too couldn’t take any more.

“Mmm, I’m so close,” she whispered against his lips.

Buried deep within her, he rubbed one finger over her clit and she cried out and came, so swiftly, her channel snagging him deep within and making him fly right along with her. He coated her womb with his seed, jet after jet until she’d milked him completely dry.

“Well,” she murmured as she softly sighed, her eyelids fluttering down. “Dinnae ever let me miss a joining again. They are too precious, and rather addictive.”

“Then don’t fall back asleep and we should be just fine.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, his heartbeat a thumping mess against hers. “I need to apologize a second time. Tell me more about Ronan.”

“One moment.” She covered his mouth with hers and kissed him, a gentle teasing of tiny licks and nips that made his bear roar for more, only ’twas time for her kin to come first, not him.

Carefully, he pulled out of her then touched the marks he’d made during the night either side of her neck and across the top rise of her full breasts. She was the only woman who could ever tame both him and his beast, and loving her from this moment forth would be a journey filled with promise and the ultimate adventure. Aye, he wanted everything, all of her, and for them to always be together. Never would he miss even one more day without her by his side. “Begin.”

“I found Ronan and spoke to him, although Father still remains beyond my touch and I searched for him as often as I could after our joining when I once again slept.” She pushed against his chest and he let her roll them over until she came up on top. “Ronan and Father were separated at the meadow, Father taken in one direction and Ronan the other. Just as you and Kirk discovered from their tracks. Ronan gave me the directions to where he’s being held. From the meadow, we journey another half day then when we leave the forest behind in the valley before the hills, we’ll find the inner channel of a loch winding inland. At the very innermost point is a MacKenzie holding that now belongs to Coll. He’s unsure which loch exactly since they covered his head with a sack when he caught sight of the waterway, but the stronghold is either somewhere along the length of Loch Kishorn or Loch Carron. He also has no idea where the entrance to the dungeons lie, but every now and again he catches a trace of salt in the air, although all I caught while I was with him was the grittiness of the earth and the overpowering reek of urine and sweat. I wish I’d gotten the chance to look around, but ’twas no’ to be.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you back, only I couldn’t help myself. Patience isn’t one of my virtues.”

“You didnae know I’d found him.” She cupped his face in her hands, gently stroked her fingers back and forth along his jaw. “There is more. There’s also a lass with Ronan by the name of Kyla and she’s the Chief of MacKenzie’s daughter and Duncan’s sister, but more than that she holds a fae skill and even though she initially said she knew naught of it, she finally admitted to Ronan that she did. She’s hiding her skill, even asked Ronan no’ to tell another soul about it. She cared for him, brought him a meal and ensured he ate it as well.”

“How can she be a MacKenzie and of fae blood too?”

“She and Ronan spoke while I listened in. Ronan told her twenty years ago a young lass of only three summers was taken from the fae village farther along the loch from the House of Clan Matheson. Her name was Christina and she was the first child born to Grace and Isaiah, two of our highly skilled fae. In the middle of the night, under the cover of darkness, Christina disappeared and the elders of the village believed she’d been kidnapped, although in the search for her afterward, none could find her.”

“Your brother remembers her?”

“Aye, he does. He was a lad of eight at the time, said the wee lass had always intrigued him with her golden-red curls and blue eyes. He told Kyla she was his mate, that he sensed the threads of their bond taking form, although she is in denial, said there wasnae a chance they were soul bound.”

“A man knows when he’s soul bound.” Even though he’d denied the truth during the times Annella had come to him in his dreams, deep in his heart, he’d known all along she was his chosen one. He’s just been too stubborn to admit the truth, even to himself.

“Ronan pleaded with me, told me to go to Father first and free him. Once that is done, we’re to return for him. My brother wishes for more time to convince Kyla that they’re soul bound.”

“She’s been raised by the MacKenzies. Her loyalty to them will be strong.”

“Aye, that I fear too.” She glanced skyward at the lightening sky, the stars slowly disappearing as red speared through the dark blue, the sun slowly breaching the horizon. The rising sun sent a flare of gold through the foliage overhead and sprinkled over them.

“I told Kirk we’d be back at dawn.” Even though leaving this magical place with her was the last thing he wished to do, he rose and collected his scattered belongings. Taking care not to look at her for fear he’d tumble her back to the ground, he donned his billowy sleeved white tunic, sheathed his daggers at each wrist, then hauled on his black leather pants and shrugged on his steel-studded gray jacket. Needing to keep something of hers on him, he swiped her blue hair ribbon from where he’d pocketed it the night before in his now discarded pants and tucked it inside his shirt pocket, right over his heart. Sword belt strapped on and boots laced up, he knelt next to the stream and dunked his head fully in the water. He lifted up and shook the drops free, scented the air and slid his claymore from its sheath. All still remained clear. Swiftly, he stabbed a wild brown trout darting through the water and pierced another swimming right along behind it then holding his catch up, grinned at his woman as she sat on his tartan, her mass of golden tresses tumbling around her shoulders and swaying over her full breasts.

“Nice catch.” She smiled, pushed the tartan pooled in her lap away and stretched, her arms raised high and her breasts bobbing beyond the curtaining of her hair.

He was beside her in less than a second and on his knees, he flicked her locks back and ensured he didn’t lose the glorious sight of her nipples beading tight in the cool morning air. “You need to dress.”

“Aye, I do, my mighty bear.” One finger hooked into the front V of his buttoned jacket, she tugged him closer and touched her lips to his. She kissed him, so sensually soft yet with a hungry undercurrent of simmering need, the same as what roared through him. “We need to spend some time alone, and the moment we’ve freed my kin, I’m going to demand you take me somewhere where ’twill be only the two of us together.”

“I’m going to lock you in my bedroom and feast on you until you’re screaming my name.”

“Aye, your chamber it shall be then.” She jiggled, her breasts bouncing. “I cannae wait.”

“Hold still, lass, otherwise we’ll never leave this place when it’s truly time for us to be away.” Head dipped, he fastened his mouth on one rosy nipple and moaned. He would crave her for the rest of his life, an addiction he intended to get lost within. Gently, he lapped the beaded tip, moved to the other peak and plumped it up with the same dedicated attention as he’d done the other, until it shone all wet and red from his mouth.

“Mmm, I love the way you kiss me.” She caught his face in her hands, drew his mouth to hers and seized his lips. Her kiss had his cock filling and straining for release within his pants. Hell, he needed to cease touching her, and right this second.

Breathing heavily, he pulled back and stood, fisted his hands behind his back and bit out, “We have a busy day of tracking ahead of us. Get up and get dressed. That’s an order.”

“Aye, Captain.” With a sly smile, she rose to her feet, so gracefully then rubbed her body against his and whispered in his ear, “Thank you for last night, this morn and all the hours in between.”

“Get dressed, now. Orders are meant to be followed.”

“Some orders are also meant to be broken, although this one I’ll agree with following.” She blew out a long breath, hauled her traveling sack closer and tugged on black breeches then pulled on a loose-sleeved tunic of rich red, the hem fluttering over the snug black leather molding her bottom. Her tunic’s laces swayed at the neckline and his reddened marks dotting her skin made his bear preen deep inside him. He bore the same marks from her and gladly did so. With one hand held out, she eyed him. “I need my hair ribbon.”

“Pardon?” He picked up her knee-high black boots that curved gloriously around her calves and tugged them on her feet.

“You pocketed my hair ribbon last night, then mere minutes ago switched it from your discarded pants pocket to your shirt pocket. I need it back.”

“I like your hair down.”

“’Tis more easy to control when braided.” She belted her sword at her waist and her jeweled dagger at her wrist then held out her hand once more. “I’m still waiting. Pass it to me.”

“You’re not getting it back.” He twined one of her long locks around his finger.

“When I leave my hair unbound, it flutters all about my face and draws too much attention to me when I’m amongst my fellow clansmen. I prefer to blend in, or at least as well as I can.” She braided her hair, held out her hand yet again. “Give it to me, please.”

“Having something of yours that holds your scent is important to my bear, and by the way, you could never blend in.”

“You are impossible.” She tsked under her breath then released her braid and it unraveled as she bent over and stuffed her discarded clothes into her bag. “I shall give into your request to keep it, but you owe me a favor for doing so.”

“Name your favor and I’ll grant it.” He smoothed his hands under her tunic’s long hem and cupped both firm cheeks of her pert bottom. “I want to bite your backside as well.”

“You arena biting my bottom.” She swatted his hands, tossed him her bag and pinched his butt as he caught it. “Let’s move out. I’ll claim that favor later, as soon as I can think of a worthy one.”

“Aye, my annoying sprite, let’s move out.” Tartan folded, her scent entrenched within his plaid, he stuffed it inside his satchel and with his catch in hand, marched back toward camp while his chosen one skipped along the bush-lined trail ahead of him.

Birds twittered within their nests high above in the leafy green canopy, the sun peeking through and spreading its warmth all around. His chosen one now held his very heart in her hands and he intended to make certain she understood exactly where he now stood. No more small steps. There would only be forever from now on.

As she bounded into the meadow dotted with white flowers and lavender bushes, she nabbed Cherub’s hands and twirled her about. “I have the best news. Alec and I completed the bond last eve and formed the merged link of the mind.”

“That’s wonderful news. I’m so excited for you.” Cherub giggled, her olive gown cinched at her waist with a golden-chained girdle, the thinly chained ends flaring as she spun about.

“I am beyond excited.” His mate touched her mind to his, sent an explosion of love and warmth surging down their link and he almost tripped over at the fierce intensity of her feelings. He certainly clutched his chest, his heart heaving. It was a love he too held for her, a powerful emotion he wished to tell her about only now wasn’t the right time, not when they had such company.

“Congratulations on accepting your destiny.” Kirk grasped his shoulder, his grin lighting up his face. “Having another mated pair in the clan is the best news.”

“My bear’s been roaming within me with far less aggression since we completed the bond. He’s more content, less on edge and demanding.” If he’d known joining with her would calm his other half, he’d have done so far sooner. Aye, his love for her expanded, became almost too much for him to hold within his heart, his next words slipping free along their link. “Don’t ever leave me, because if you do, I’ll never survive it.”

“I promise I’ll be here to annoy you, today, tomorrow, and throughout all of time. There shall be no ascending for me.” She danced around the blazing fire and sprang into his arms, barely giving him time to toss the fish to Kirk. She nibbled his ear and his bear prowled to the surface, demanded he sweep her away and take a few more hearty bites out of her once more. “You have one very territorial-sounding bear. I can hear him inside you, sense his thoughts exactly as I can sense yours. You two are a very close blend.”

“He’s a part of me so I’m not surprised his thoughts mirror mine. Come and eat.” He guided her to the fire, motioned for her to sit then passed her an oatcake from the stash Cherub had brought and set out for them on a blue and white checked square of thick fabric. Seated on the grass beside his woman, he munched on an oatcake himself, his nose lifted to the air as he breathed deep and searched through each and every scent. Lavender swirled within the earthy mix of the damp ground and dewy grass. The freshness of the stream’s gurgling water blended with the clear aroma of pine, although Annella’s enchanting fragrance, that of the very stars she moved amongst when within the dream realm, imprinted its unique and magical scent over it all.

“Did you have any luck finding your father or brother in the dream realm last eve?” Cherub plopped down beside Annella, her fae skin sparkling in the rising sunshine, the glimmer a physical attribute held only by the eldest child born within the ancient royal line of the fae. Their princess had been born to lead, and did so with such dedicated attention to her earthbound kind.

“I shall tell you everything I can. Even though I had no luck finding Father, I did find Ronan and spoke to him.” Grinning, Annella slid one hand over his upper thigh and rubbed, her touch so soothing even as her fingers came perilously close to his hardening cock. “Ronan confirmed that they were separated right here at this meadow and that there is more afoot.”

“Where’s Ronan being kept?” Cherub plucked an apple from her bag and bit into it with a juicy crunch.

“He’s locked within the dungeons of the holding belonging to Duncan’s elder twin brother, Coll.” She rattled off all she’d learnt, not missing even one tiny detail then with a long breath, rolled her shoulders.

“So you’re saying this lass named Kyla used a fae skill against Ronan?” Cherub’s eyes opened wide with clear wonder. “It certainly sounds as if she is Isaiah and Grace’s lost child. I remember the night the wee bairn was taken. Christina held the mind-walker skill, could touch her mind to another’s as she so wished, listen to their thoughts or could even speak to them. Those with her ability can also form merged links of the mind with their chosen one and hold that link open so both can speak back and forth, much as Gilleoin’s shifter line can. At any time following her disappearance, she could have reconnected with her mother and father through her skill, but never did, and unfortunately, none of our other mind-walkers could reach her. She’d either closed her mind off to them, or had been taken too far for them to reach her. To discover she is alive is incredible news.”

“Ronan believes Kyla is his mate, even sensed the threads of their mated bond taking form and asked her if she did too. She said she sensed naught between them, but Ronan wishes for some time to convince her. He asked me to find Father first, ensure he was freed then to come for him.

“Then that is what we must do.” Cherub eyed Kirk as he set the fish to cook over the fire. “We’ll follow Niall’s tracks this morn and see where they lead us.”

“That sounds good to me.” Kirk eased in behind Cherub then pulled her back until her back rested against his chest.

“I cannae believe I must leave Ronan behind, but I understand my brother’s need for more time with his mate.” Annella snuggled deeper into his mind. “Certainly if our positions were reversed, I too would wish for the same additional time in convincing my mighty bear that he was all mine.”

“You’ve already convinced me.” Hell, he’d been such a fool to believe he could have ever ignored his mated bond with her. No longer would he deprive himself of all they could be together. His chosen one came first, each and every day from this moment forth. He dipped his head in reverence toward Cherub. “I’ve been remiss in thanking you for bringing my mate to me through a portal and for being here now. I’ve seen the error of my ways.”

“I knew you would.” With a soft smile, Cherub plucked some cooked fish from the fire. “You and Annella will also find yourselves living in two separate times now that you’ve got kin in both. You need only call out and I’ll ensure I bring you back and forth as needed. I’ve already given Annella my word I’d do so.”

“Aye, the writing was on the wall, so to speak.” With the same smile as Cherub, Kirk passed him some fish and munched on his own. “Turning our chosen one away is impossible. Even Cherub tried such a tactic with me to begin with, a tactic that lasted all of a single day.”

“’Twas more like half a day.” Cherub popped a kiss on Kirk’s cheek. “’Twould have been even less if you’d been a whole lot less proper with me during our first meeting.”

“What?” Shock coursed across Kirk’s face. “Don’t you remember that I had you on your back and underneath me within a half hour of when we met? I couldn’t have been less proper if I’d tried, or perhaps you need a reminder of that night, my imp?”

“Aye, please, a reminder would be lovely.” She giggled and rubbed her cheek against Kirk’s cheek. “Or are you just all talk?”

“Now you’re asking for trouble.” With a low growl, Kirk bounded to his feet, tossed Cherub over his shoulder then marched off through the trees. A giggle floated toward them then disappeared on the breeze as the two moved farther away.

“’Tis wonderful to see them so in love.” Annella scooped dirt and extinguished the flames.

“I’d say we’ve got some time now before they return.” He caught her hands in his, kissed the tip of her nose. “I need to speak to you about something incredibly important.”

“I’m listening.”

“I love you.”

“Pardon?” She arched one shocked brow and he chuckled.

“I love you, Annella, with all my heart. Will you marry me?”

“Pardon?” Still dazed.

“I asked you to marry me. Remain with me for every day that’s to come and I’ll make certain you never regret doing so.”

“I cannae believe you just asked for my hand. Are you certain you wish to wed, that I haven’t in some way forced you into asking the question?”

“There’s been no force or coercion.”

“I’m sure there has been. You’re inside my mind, know how very much I desire you, would never let you get away. What happened to your small steps?”

“They disintegrated.”

“Truly?”

“Annella.” He growled her name, pressed one hand over her belly, and muttered, “You could be carrying my child right now, and I damn well hope you are. My bear loves you. I love you. Don’t make me live without you. Small steps are out. Only firm and certain ones remain.”

“Release your bear. I would like to speak to him afore I give you my answer.”

“Of course.” If that’s what she wished to do, to seek more acceptance of his change of heart and mind, he’d gladly do so. He stripped off his boots, weapons and clothes, bagged his belongings and standing naked before her, made the Change. On all fours, the pain of his shifting receding and just as quickly as it had come, he ambled around his woman, brushed against her sides and butted his muzzle into her belly.

“You need a pat, my mighty bear?” She bent over him, stroked down the length of his back, her nails raking through his fur and across his skin. “If you truly wish to marry me, then give yourself over to me right now. Lie down and roll over. Show me your full and complete submission.”

He clawed the ground to keep from rearing up onto his hind legs and taking her down to the lush grass with him. To keep her pinned right here in this place rode him hard.

“Your bear is purring so loud and so fast.” She knelt, wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed her soft cheek against his furry one. “I knew you’d never fully submit, but please try.”

With one gentle push, he toppled her onto her back, plodded in over top of her and buried his wet snout in her hair. He’d submit his way. He licked her, from her ear to her chin and back again.

“All right. Let me up.” She giggled, pushed against his belly and tried to roll out from underneath him, only he planted one paw in her way and kept her completely contained within the safe protection of his legs.

“I love you.” He licked her neck, right over his mark and she laughed and covered her face with her hands. “Marry me. Be my wife and I promise to lick you all over.”

“I love you too, and aye, I’ll marry you, my mighty bear. Your current form of submission is perfect for me.”

“Thank you.” He rose up onto his hind legs and roared, his bear stating loud and clear that he guarded his mate and none would ever be permitted to harm her. His woman loved him, had agreed to marry him and he couldn’t ask for anything more. He went to shift back only the murmur of voices, Kirk and Cherub’s, floated toward him. Bright lights burst beyond the trees, the odd spark flaring high as Kirk shifted. “Kirk and Cherub are returning.”

“Then ’tis time for us all to go.” She clambered to her feet and swung her sack over her shoulders. “Do you need my father’s woolen cap and my brother’s plaid to sniff?”

“No, their scent is now embedded in my mind, exactly as yours is.” Snout high, he sniffed, her father’s scent curling around his senses, along with that of the warriors who’d captured him.

Kirk plodded out of the trees and into the meadow with Cherub, his bag strapped to his back, the magnetized straps holding firm around his belly.

Annella plucked a leaf from her hair and dusted her hands. Pink suffused her cheeks and highlighted the adorable smattering of freckles across her tiny nose. His heart pumped out with pleasure. Aye, he was desperately, completely, and irretrievably in love with his mate.

“Let me get your bag for you.” She picked up his satchel and slotted his weapons into the side of it, sat the pack on his back and reached around his middle and clicked the straps into place. With her mouth near his ear, she blew a soft breath across his cheek. “I cannae wait to find Father.”

“Duncan can’t keep him hidden from us forever, not when our bears can track so very well.”

“Aye, that is so very true.” She patted his rump and his bear reveled in her touch. “Find my Father and I’ll forever be in your debt.”

“I am already forever in yours.” She’d agreed to marry him and he couldn’t be more elated, although right now he had work to do. He gave his bear his head, prowled across the meadow and joined Kirk as he waited for him. Alongside the stream, they trod and followed the booted tracks and the scent of Annella’s father. Find Niall, they would, this very day. Not another night would pass in which he had to watch his chosen one become distressed as they searched for her loved ones.

* * * *

With her traveling sack heavy on her back, the straps digging into her shoulders, Annella kept pace with Cherub as the morning wore on and the sun passed high overhead. They trekked alongside their mates through the thick underbrush of the forest, the river weaving through the woods on their right until it joined another river and widened. The crashing tumble of a waterfall ricocheted toward her from somewhere up ahead and she stroked down the silky pelt of Alec’s back as the ominous sound intensified and beat inside her head.

She halted as they emerged from the woods and stood on the edge of a cliff, white water cascading over slick black boulders and careening down the rocky cliff face into a ravine a hundred feet below.

On the craggy rise overlooking the heart of MacKenzie land far below, she crouched and pressed one hand to the slick black rock. A steep trail led down the left side while in the distance beyond, Scotland’s rugged coastline sat and across the choppy sea, the Isle of Skye rose like a long line of lush green amongst the roiling waves of the ocean. Dark and ominous clouds gusted in, a pall of bubbling gray that made her shiver. “We’ll lose Father’s scent and any possible tracks if it rains.”

“Cherub can send those clouds back to where they came from.” Alec’s bear nudged her side, his touch reassuring. “We won’t lose their scent.”

Of course. Cherub commanded the very air itself, could whip up a storm or send one fleeing if she so desired. Her worry had her on edge, her thoughts askew. In the valley below, the inner channels of both Loch Carron and Loch Kishorn wound their way inland, the odd wattle-and-daub longhouse nestled along the pebbly shoreline. Cattle grazed within the lower pastures surrounding a village of thatch-roofed houses cloistered tightly together on the northern shores of one of the lochs, while mountainous land rose in all directions, a range that spread for as far as the eye could see. Sheep dotted the craggy hills in the distance, and she raised a hand to her brow and squinted. A stronghold sat at the far end of the inner channel of Loch Carron several miles distant. Excited, she jumped to her feet. “Do you see that, Cherub?”

“I do.” Cherub peered at the castle, her white fur cloak flapping back from her shoulders in the brisk mountain breeze. “’Tis an older holding and its position matches Ronan’s description to perfection. He’s imprisoned right there and even though we didnae follow his trail, we’ve found where he’s been taken all the same.”

“Which means we willnae have to traipse all the way back to the meadow and follow my brother’s tracks to reach where he’s being contained.”

“Aye, I can easily take us through the skies once we’ve found your father. Let’s stop here for a short rest. You should attempt to locate your father again in the dream realm. Duncan cannae keep him awake forever. Meanwhile, I’ll disperse those rain clouds.” Cherub raised her hands to the sky and with a flick of her fingers, called forth her ability to control her element. Her olive skirts beat against her legs and her pale hair whipped back and the brewing clouds swept higher then swished back out toward the sea. Cherub brushed her hands against her sides. “There, that should do for a wee bit.”

“Thank you. I’ll go and find a quiet place where I can rest.”

“Kirk and I will keep guard here while you do.”

Leaving Kirk and Cherub behind, she backtracked into the woods with Alec lumbering along beside her, his bear ever watchful of their surroundings.

“This spot should do well.” Alec halted a furlong in where the grass grew thick between the trees and the canopy opened up overhead, the breeze stirring the leaves and making them rustle, the vibrant colors of dark green and warm yellow, relaxing her.

“This is perfect.” She dropped her sack next to the tree, laid down and patted the space beside her. “Shift.”

“I’m coming.” With a hungry growl, he made the Change in a blaze of red and orange sparks, his bear gone and her man now standing before her, his beautiful body thick with muscle and rippling with strength. Satchel and weapons in hand, he placed them on the ground then eased down next to her, flipped the top leather flap open and pulled his black leather pants, white tunic and steel-studded gray jacket out.

“Wait.” She caught his hands before he could don his clothes and shook her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Naught is wrong.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him down on top of her, his delicious scent floating all around. “Rub against me.”

“If I rub against you, I’ll likely want far more.” Yet he did exactly as she’d asked, his warm and fresh pine scent swirling around and embedding itself deeply within her. Aye, naught could satisfy her more, of being held within his strong embrace.

She slid her fingers into his silky black hair, palmed the back of his head and brought his mouth to hers. Need rose strongly within her and she kissed him, tasted his passion and shared her own. “There is nowhere I wish to be right now than right here with you.”

“I can’t believe I ever thought I could turn you away.” He tangled his fingers in her hair, brought the golden mass to his nose and breathed deep. “My life won’t be worth living without you by my side. I give you my oath, Annella, that I’ll keep you safe, never bring harm down upon your head. I’ll only ever cherish and adore you.”

“’Tis about time you believed in the bond, and right now, I’m in a fierce mood to cherish and adore every inch of you. I also wish to request my favor now. I want to be loved by you, afore I go, but in my own way. Are you prepared to trust me?”

“You’ll always have my trust.”

“Thank you.” Feeling a whole lot naughty and glad they currently had sufficient privacy, she slowly closed her eyes, allowed herself to drift toward the dark of the dream realm, set her spiritual body free of her physical one and floated overtop of her and Alec, her physical body slumping beside his and her head tipping to one side.

“Where did you go, my annoying sprite? I can’t love you if you disappear.” Alec sat up and swept his hands through the air as she swirled around him.

“My way, remember?” Gently, she touched her wispy lips to his, no more than a light brush of her inner essence streaming over him then she swirled against his bare chest, traced her tongue over each of his tiny and hard male nipples before licking down over each rigid band of tight flesh covering his stomach.

“Annella.” He groaned her name as he fell back on the grass and patted the air in search of her. “I can feel you all over me but I can’t hold onto you. Solidify your spiritual body.”

“Brace yourself, my mighty bear. I’m about to have my wicked way with you.” She stroked his hips with her essence alone, his cock rising high and firm from within the lush black curls at the V of his groin, and too tempted not to take what was on offer, she solidified herself, wrapped her lips around his full length and gasped at the deliciousness of having his cock in her mouth. With her hands on him, she softly caressed his balls as she tickled her tongue over the head of his shaft and sucked him deep.

“Ah, hell.” He clutched fistfuls of grass, his breath coming harder and faster. “That feels incredible.”

Taking his length even deeper into her throat, she bobbed up and down on him until a hot burn sizzled through her. No more could she wait. She wished to give him the ultimate pleasure, as he’d only ever experience at her hand.

“You’re a minx. I want to be inside you, now.” Raspy words as he shoved his elbows behind him, heaved her tunic up and suctioned onto one of her nipples.

“Me too.” She shoved her black rawhide pants off, straddled his hips then sank down on top of him. Impaled on his cock, she kissed him as she rode him hard and fast. “I’m going to come.”

“I’m right here. Come as you please.” With one flick of his finger over her nub, her channel tightened something fierce and she pulsed around him, over and over and he held onto her firmly with his hands on her hips.

As she slowed her pace, he grasped her physical body’s hand which lay limp next to them then rolled her onto her side and trapped her between him and her physical body. “I have to bite you, where I know the mark will remain.”

“Do whatever you wish to either of us. Both are me, just as both you and your bear are you.”

“Thank you.” He leaned over and past her, sank his teeth into the sensitive skin at the hollow of her true body’s neck and bit down, the connection remaining in place between both her forms making her gasp with pleasure as his bite sent her flying once more to the stars, her channel sucking greedily at his length and making him lurch.

“I’ve got to come, can’t wait any longer, but within the other you.” He pulled himself from her, whipped her physical body’s pants down to her knees and grinning at her spiritual body still convulsing next to him, moved over top of her limp form and thrust deep inside her once more. He grunted and shuddered and so did she, his orgasm coming swift and fast, his seed spurting deep inside her true form where it could take. “Woman,” he muttered as he pulled both of her into his arms and squished the three of them so deliciously together, “I can’t believe I get two of you.”

“Well, I get two of you, man and beast, so I believe we’re even.”

“I get the far better deal.” He kissed her and she kissed him back, then he nuzzled the neck of her limp body, his shaft still embedded deep inside her true self, the thickness of him something she sensed dually even though in her spiritual form.

“Are you going to come again?” She wriggled to her feet even though sensations still stormed through her, straightened her tunic and stood over her chosen one as he thrust inside her body below him again and again, every fierce push making both of her contract around him. What he did to either of her, she sensed and while he continued to pound, she gasped and tried to pull her breeches back on. Dressed, she stood over her mate and her naked limp self, stroked down his back and cupped his balls from behind as he thrust heavy and fast, his passion flaring strongly, his need for her intense.

He bellowed and sank even deeper inside her, then he came, shooting his essence within her before he rolled to his side and onto the grass. A wide grin lifted his lips as she stepped in between his spread legs and crouched. Even her limp self somehow had a smile curving her lips.

“You are making both of me very happy.”

“I’m beyond happy right now.”

“Aye, you appear so.” Gently, she wrapped one hand around her chosen one’s spent cock and raised a brow. “Might I recommend that you have some more fun with me while I’m gone. Even though I’ll no’ be here in spirit and soul, I shall clearly be here in body.” She swiped her thumb over his slippery head.

“You’re going to make the perfect wife, but I’ll wait to do that again for when you return.” He picked up her limp body’s hand and nibbled on her fingertips and as he did, she blew him a kiss and returned to a wisp before allowing the dream realm to take her. She soared through the dark of the heavenly skies and breezed in and around the twinkling stars.

Aye, theirs would be a most heavenly loving each time they came together, with twice the fun it seemed.