GRAHAM HAD NEVER experienced so much pleasure in his life and told Christina as much. Then he just kept holding onto her. They stayed that way, totally spent, for a good while before they gathered enough strength to move again.

She wore a soft, dewy expression, as her lips curled up ever-so-slightly and she met his eyes. “Well, I’m definitely just as impressed by you, darlin’.” She almost seemed a little dopey and he well understood. “It’s not every guy that would be up to the challenge not only once but three times.” She chuckled. “Impressive.”

He met her smile and shrugged. “’Twas the least I could do considering you did all the hard work.” Now it was his turn to chuckle. “I verra much like the aftereffects of your magic, lass.”

“Why, thank you.” She pressed her lips together and blushed. “Any chance we could wash up somewhere?”

“Aye, there’s a small stream not far from here.” His eyes narrowed on a nearby satchel that hadn’t been there before. “I would imagine we’ve a change of clothes in that.”

She glanced at it and arched a brow before her eyes met his again. “Grant left that, didn’t he?”

“Aye.” He adjusted his trousers then helped her up. “My guess is he figured you would be ready for a change of clothes after being imprisoned.”

“That makes sense.” She gave him a knowing look. “Among other things.”

“This did seem somewhat planned by him,” he admitted as he strapped on his weapons, grabbed the satchel and pulled her after him. “We’ll only speak within the mind now lest anyone happens upon us, aye?”

When she didn’t respond, he stopped and whispered, “Did you hear me within your mind, lass?”

She shook her head, frowning. “Should I have?”

Aye, she bloody well should have, but he didn’t tell her that. “Nay, ‘tis all right.” He squeezed her hand. “When we talk it should be whispered just to be safe.”

Christina nodded before they continued. Why couldn’t she hear him but he could hear her? Especially after lying together? It made no sense. Though frustrated, he made no further mention of it as they came to the stream and began undressing. The eve was warm enough that it should not be too uncomfortable bathing.

Though there was only half a moon and plenty of tree cover, he could still make out her nude body. A trim, athletic but curvy body that made his mouth water. His eyes trailed hungrily over her high, firm breasts, toned stomach and long slender, shapely legs.

“Aren’t you coming swimming?” she whispered, grinning at him. “Or am I on my own?”

His eyes glued to her the whole time, he nodded then began stripping down. In the meantime, she watched him just as avidly.

“Son of a gun,” she whispered. “Just look at you, handsome.” Her eyes trailed over him with appreciation, lingering on his cock before she winked. “Every inch the man I knew you were.”

Before he could respond, she sauntered into the water, giving him the view of her backside he had wanted to see since the moment they met.

“Oh, this feels like Heaven,” she whispered as she waded in. “I run so dang hot.”

Understandable considering the energy she just exuded. By the sounds of it though, she meant all the time. He joined her, grateful for the chill as well. The water wasn’t too deep. Waist high for him.

“So I suppose we should talk about what that meant back there,” she murmured after she dunked beneath the water then surfaced and met his eyes. “What that meant for us.”

“What do you want it to mean?” he asked, still trying to sift through his own emotions. He hadn’t looked much beyond being with Kenna lately, so he wasn’t sure. Before his promise to her, he had never considered commitment but enjoyed many lasses. On occasion, at the same time. 

“Well, for starters, we better darn well stay friends,” Christina said in answer to his question. “As to the rest, I hadn’t thought much beyond steering clear of a relationship.” She shook her head. “And now you know why.”

“Because of your sexual prowess?” He grinned. “Truly?”

It was hard to imagine any man not thoroughly enjoying what she was capable of.

“Yeah, well, you might’ve taken me like a champ, but most guys can’t quite handle it.” Frustration and hurt flickered in her eyes. “I learned a while back, that loving ‘em and leaving ‘em was the best policy for me...and them. In and out.” She flinched. “And I mean that literally. Half the time, it was wham, bam, thank you man on my part.”

He might not be from the twenty-first century, but he understood her meaning. “I thought it was bloody amazing being with you, lass.” He shook his head, never more serious. “Like nothing I’ve ever felt before.”

“I know. You said as much.” She smiled softly. “And believe me I’m thankful for the praise.” Her brows drew together as her lips tilted down. “Though I’ll admit having the tables turned a bit wouldn’t be so bad.”

“You would like to lay with a man with your stamina.” He smirked. “Your extraordinary energy.”

“Oh, I think I’ve just found a man with plenty of stamina.” She smirked as well. “As to your energy levels, we’ll just have to wait and see.” Her brows flew up as she drifted closer. “If you’re up for friends with benefits that is.”

“I’m up for being any kind of friend you need me to be, lass.” And mayhap more, echoed through his mind.

“Because it’s just a friend thing for now, all right?” she murmured as she drifted even closer. “Until we figure out what’s going on with Robert the Bruce and I guess, Bryce now.” She shook her head. “Not that I see me with either of them.”

Yet she did the moment Robert the Bruce came around and well he knew it. Magic was at work. As to Bryce? Never. He refused to let that happen.

“I wasn’t going to mention it because I’m not entirely sure what I want it to mean,” she murmured. “But we said we’d be straight with each other so you should know that I think I heard you speak into my mind once at MacLomain Castle.” Her eyes stayed with his. “Then again when we were in the throes of it back there.”

“Aye? ‘Tis good.” He offered a reassuring smile. “And it doesnae need to mean any more than you want it to.”

As she nodded, he couldn’t deny a spark of hope. More notably, what that hope likely said about how he truly felt. Mayhap he was not all that confused when it came to what he truly wanted.

“But you cannae hear me now, can you?” he said into her mind.

When she offered no response, he knew she could not. Why was this happening so randomly? Though frustrating, he supposed he should be happy that it had at least happened twice now rather than not at all.

Graham did his best to keep a light expression on his face as he took full advantage of ‘friends with benefits’ and reeled her closer. Almost as if she was waiting for him to do it, she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders as their eyes held.

He bit back a groan at the feel of her soft skin against him as he cupped her arse. Lessening his brogue was impossible. “Bloody hell, yer well made, lass.”

“So are you,” she whispered, still smiling as she dropped several kisses on his lips before she groaned and a few kisses became many then deepened. He became so lost in the taste and feel of her, that he almost didn’t catch the slight vibration that ran through the water.

He gently broke the kiss and peppered more along her jaw until he could whisper in her ear. “We’re not alone, lass. Follow my lead and dinnae act like anything’s wrong.”

Clearly able to keep a level head despite the circumstances, she kept kissing him while he carried her out of the water. As though caught in the throes of passion, he lay her down close to his weapons. Then he wrapped his hand around the hilt of his blade, focused the best he could with her beneath him and whipped the blade in the direction of the intruder.

Though it was barely audible, he didn’t miss a woman’s grunt of pain.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered as he leapt to his feet, peered into the darkness and thought he saw a shadow.

“Was that a woman?” Christina exclaimed as she scrambled into her dress. He didn’t bother with clothes, but raced into the forest, terrified that he had hurt some lass happening through. Yet even as he ran in that direction, he knew no average lass could have stirred his magic like that.

Not one without her own magic.

A great deal of it at that.

Yet when he arrived where he knew she had been, there was no sign of her. No scent left behind or even tracks. More than that, there was no blood trail. He frowned as he stared through the woodland. It was as if she had never been here.

“Graham,” Christina whispered before she came alongside him, concerned. “What’s going on?”

He nodded thanks as she handed him his breeches then shook his head as he yanked them on. “I dinnae know. But there was someone here...and I hit her with my blade.”

“Oh, no,” she murmured, frowning as she looked around. “No sign of her then?”

He shook his head and pulled her after him. “’Tis best that we get back. I need to speak with Grant.”

A short while later, he was doing just that, having woken Grant from a sound sleep.

“So ‘twas a lass’s magic you felt then?” He yawned as Bryce fed a small fire in the cave they were resting in. “Are you sure, Graham?”

“Aye.” He nodded. “At first, I thought ‘twas the warlock, but I saw her...then felt her.”

Bryce frowned. “Felt her how?”

“’Twas as if...” How to phrase this? “’Twas as if I had felt her close before. As if I was familiar with her.”

Christina shook her head. “I still can’t figure out how I didn’t know she was there from the get go.” Her troubled eyes were trained on the fire. “I was there the whole time, and I didn’t see, hear or sense anything.” Her eyes met his. “And I’m pretty good at that sort of thing. Better than most.”

Graham nodded, not doubting her in the least. “’Tis bloody odd, then.”

“Aye,” Grant murmured as he contemplated it. “’Twas almost as if she put out a frequency to attract Graham alone. One connected solely to water.”

Christina frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means whoever that was didnae want you to know she was there,” Grant said softly as his eyes met hers. “I also tend to think she wasnae from around here.”

Everyone’s eyes widened at that as Bryce said, “Do you mean to say you think she was from the future?”

“Mayhap.” Grant’s eyes stayed with hers. “The last time you saw Jessie, she was sitting in front of the fire in New Hampshire, aye? Then there was nothing but a cryptic note.”

“A picture, actually.” Christina crossed her arms over her chest and nodded for him to continue.

“I wonder about your friend Jessie more and more,” Grant said gently. “How much do you actually know about her?”

“Less and less by the day it seems,” Christina muttered. “Care to share what you’re gettin’ at?”

“You know full well what I’m getting at,” Grant said. “Lindsay told you everything, did she not? About her strange feeling that the healer that cared for me at the Action at Happrew felt familiar before she vanished. Then what the warlock said about a wee witch controlling him.”

Graham slipped his hand into Christina’s when she tensed and frowned. “Yeah, I’ve followed everything, and I don’t know what to make of it. What I do know is that Jessie isn’t evil.” She shook her head. “She might be strange as all get out but she’s not evil. Not in the least. Just different.” She rolled her shoulders a little. “I tend to know these things.”

Grant nodded. “Aye, I know you do, lass, and I meant no harm by my words.” His eyes met Graham’s before they returned to hers. “I just think ‘tis best to be vigilant and not overly trust anything or anyone right now...no matter how well you think you know them.”

Christina’s frown only deepened as her eyes stayed with Grant’s. “So you’re telling me not to trust one of my closest friends if we cross paths again?”

“He’s asking you to be careful,” Bryce said. “And I agree with him.”

Her eyes shot to Bryce. “Agree with him?” Indignant, her head whipped back. “You know nothing about Jessie.” She shook her head again. “You might not like hearing it, but it needs to be said because I have a bad habit of saying what’s on my mind whether people like it or not.” Her eyes remained on his cousin. “While I’m thankful for what you did for me and what you’ve done for Milly and Lindsay, as a whole, I keep wondering about something.”

Bryce had no chance to talk before she continued.

“Who do you really care about in all this outside of yourself and your kin?” She kept shaking her head. “Because I don’t think it’s so much my friends. Not beyond saving a damsel in distress. No, I think all you really care about is getting out of some marriage pact.”

Disappointment flashed in her eyes as she went on. “What kind of man tries to skip out on his obligations? Who is this woman you’re hurting so much? Because her feelings have to be hurt by your actions...” She clenched her jaw. “Unless she doesn’t know, which is even worse.”

Graham tensed and shifted closer to Christina, not because of his cousin’s reaction but possibly the dragon within. If he were going to protect anyone, it would be her.

“Careful, Cousin,” he said into Bryce’s mind. “I see the beast flaring in your eyes.”

“Aye, but not for the reasons ye think,” he responded. His eyes never left Christina’s as he responded. “The way of dragons is verra set, lass. We have one mate, be she human or dragon.”

“So it’s cut in stone by some higher power?” She kept frowning. “If that’s the case why would you ever agree to marry someone if you didn’t know for sure they were your mate?”

“’Tis complicated,” Bryce said softly as he clenched his jaw but never looked away. “And unfortunate.”

Still frowning, she shook her head.

Graham bit back a sigh, knowing full well the truth behind Bryce’s vague words. That he wasn’t quite as callous as he sounded.

“You should get back to sleep, Uncle Grant,” Graham said. “All of us should.”

Grant’s eyes flickered between Bryce and Christina before they met Graham’s and he nodded. “’Tis a verra wise suggestion, Nephew.” He settled back. “Rest well, all. May things be clearer on the morn.”

That was Grant’s way of saying nothing more would be discussed.

“Come, lass,” Graham said softly as he spread a plaid on the ground. “Rest with me.”

“My pleasure,” she grumbled, still eying Bryce with distrust as she did as Graham asked. His cousin scowled, clearly not pleased as Graham lay down beside her. Yet it was also clear he wasn’t all that willing to battle it out right now.

That what she had said bothered him.

“I’m sorry, Cousin,” he said into Bryce’s mind. “She doesnae ken...”

“None of ye truly do,” Bryce muttered as he rolled over and cut off all contact.

The truth was Graham did. He knew what it felt like to be committed to another, whether or not it was truly what he wanted. While yes, in Bryce’s case, it might be a bit more extreme due to an inherent need to be with his mate, it was still very difficult for anyone going through it.

Graham pulled Christina back against him, covered her with a blanket and rested his chin on the top of her head. He had never felt so content as she pressed back against him.

“You feel amazing just like this...all wrapped around me,” Christina’s unintentional words floated through his mind. Then other words, scattered and whisper soft as she drifted off to sleep. “I hope it’s you...if anyone’s meant for me...”

In total agreement, he pulled her tighter against him, more at peace than he could ever remember as he drifted off to sleep. As he slept, he returned to the river with Christina and held her in his arms once more.

This time he sensed no other magic but brought her onto the shore as he had before but this time, nothing stopped him from coming together with her. Yet as dreams tend to do, it only came in snippets. Images of her arching in pleasure beneath him, groaning, finding release.

Then they were lying together much as they did in the cave with his front to her back as they eyed her ring, wishing it would shine the color of his eyes. No more pretending. Yet as they stared, it remained a clear gem.

Moments later, his eyes were drawn to the forest. The very spot he knew his dagger had hit a lass. Though he couldn’t see her shadow this time, he could hear her whispered words. “No more pretending.”

Seconds later, Christina’s gem began glowing brightly.

Gold.

The exact shade of his cousin’s eyes.

Startled from sleep, he bolted upright at the same moment as Christina. They frowned at each other before their eyes went to her ring.

“Oh no,” she whispered. “Tell me you don’t see that.”

He did. Her gem remained golden.

“Even if my cousin doesnae,” Bryce said softly, his eyes trained on her gem. “I do.”

As if aware of the sudden discontent in the pre-dawn cave, Grant’s eyes opened and he frowned at the ring. “This doesnae mean anything until it means something.”

“Och, it means Christina’s my lass,” Bryce growled, his eyes narrowed on Graham. “And well ye know it, Cousin.”

“Nothing can be trusted when it comes to the ring, and you both ken that by now,” Grant muttered as he sat up and yawned. “Dinnae forget that Milly’s gem glowed the color of both of your eyes at first.”

“Aye, but she heard Adlin’s voice in her mind first,” Bryce reminded. “Just as Christina heard mine.”

“Which could verra well happen if she’s already found her one true love and connected with him,” Grant reiterated.

“Which she hasnae because she has not heard Graham’s voice within her mind,” Bryce stated bluntly.

“But she has,” Graham retaliated.

Grant perked up. “She has?”

“Aye, twice now,” he supplied. “Surely that means something.”

“Just twice then,” Grant said softly, a speculative look on his face as he contemplated Christina. “Yet Graham hears your voice all the time. ‘Tis strange that.”

“How so?” she asked.

“I cannae be entirely sure yet but what I do know is that something is amiss.” His eyes went to Bryce. “All aside, that Graham heard her within his mind first is telling. It means something. ‘Tis hard to know what but seeing how they clearly desire one another, ‘tis worth paying attention to.” He shrugged. “And there is the fact they passed through one another under the influence of Conall and Lindsay’s magic before they ever met.”

Bryce frowned. “What difference does that make?”

“It could make all the difference,” Grant explained. “Mayhap it scrambled their signals, and that’s why Christina cannae hear Graham more frequently. Or mayhap Christina’s evident brushing with a warlock within her mind when she first met the Bruce is affecting her.” He shook his head. “Or it might even have to do with the residual effects of the wound inflicted on Graham by Conall and Lindsay’s warlock.”

Grant’s eyes stayed with Bryce, his brogue thickening as he grew sterner. “Either way, ye’ll not assume Christina is yers until we know for certain.” Before his cousin had a chance to respond, Grant continued. “And if ‘tis somehow proved she really is yer true love, ye’ll do nothing about it unless she feels the same and comes to ye.” His eyes narrowed. “Do ye ken, Nephew?”

“Aye,” Bryce grumbled, obviously displeased.

Graham was never more grateful that Grant was here. Otherwise, things might have gone considerably different between him and his cousin.

“Come, we should travel a bit further before we double back on the morrow,” Grant said as he stood. “’Tis not good to stay in one place overly long. We’ll hunt and eat along the way.”

As they packed up their belongings, Grant’s eyes went between Graham and Christina. “I sensed you two awoke at the same time. Tell me about the dream you shared...what you saw.”

Christina glanced at Grant, surprised. “How do you know I had a dream...and what makes you think Graham had the same one?”

“Uncle Grant is verra powerful,” Graham explained though she likely already knew as much. “Like Adlin, he tends to know things others dinnae.”

It didn't shock Graham that they might have shared a dream. Yet he was curious about her take on it. 

Christina’s eyes met his. “I’d like to hear about your dream first if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” So he told them what happened. “’Twas most certainly the same lass I may have wounded earlier though I dinnae quite ken how I know that.”

“It was,” Christina said softly, worry in her eyes. “Because I saw her...every feature.”

“And?” Grant replied.

“It was definitely Jessie.” She swallowed hard. “And she wasn’t alone.”

Tension made his muscles tighten. What put that sudden flash of fear in her eyes? “Who else did you see?”

“Two tall hooded figures dressed from head to toe in black,” she whispered.

Bryce frowned, troubled. “So the warlock’s have her?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Sadness and concern met her eyes. “I think she has them.”