Raen had hoped the laird and his lady would have returned by now, so they could decide what to tell the lieutenant. Instead he would have to guard her another night.

Tormod met him at the base of the tower stairs. “She’s gone from her room.” He grimaced. “She wanted to see where the river empties into ocean, but I told her ’twas too late for a walk. ’Twas why she sent me to fetch her bathing water, so she could steal away. A jötunn would be easier to keep penned.”

“She is bored,” Raen said suspecting that Diana had finally grown impatient with her confinement. “I’ll bring her back and watch her for the night. Go and get some sleep.”

“You’ll want chains for her,” the Norseman predicted. “And mayhap a large cudgel for yourself.”

Raen sent a guard to inform Neac he was leaving the stronghold, and took the path through the ridge peaks that led down to the river. Tormod’s solution to every problem with females involved fetters and raiding tactics, but if he could not convince Diana to cooperate, Raen might very well have to put her in shackles.

As he reached the edge of the estuary, he saw a torch that had been wedged upright between two large rocks beside Diana’s shoes. He stared at the odd footwear, for they made no sense to him. Why would she remove them here, unless…

“Diana.” He rushed to the edge of the water, yanking off his boots and vest as he peered out at the dark, cold waters. “Where are you? Call to me.”

He heard a splash as he stripped out of his trews, and looked over to see a pale figure sinking beneath the surface. He waded in and dove deep, dissolving into his water-bonded form that made him as fast as light. He streaked through the murky depths until he felt the warmth of her, and surfaced.

Several yards away Diana did the same, gasping as she wiped a hand over her face. “Boy, I’m glad I grew up by the Pacific. This water makes frigid sound cozy.”

Raen changed back and swam over to her, only to see her submerge and dart beneath him. He spun, blinking the sting of salt from his eyes until he saw her again. “You can swim?”

“You thought I couldn’t?” she said as her lips curved. “Aw, you jumped in to save me? That’s adorable. I should mention that I was a real jock in college. I lettered in distance swimming, softball and track.”

“I thought you were drowning.” That he shouted the words made him feel even more the fool. Clamping down on his temper, he said, “The sea is too cold. You cannae swim here.”

“I can’t swim, I can’t leave the castle, and I can’t walk around without a guard.” She made a rude sound. “What can I do?”

“No’ scare me like this. ’Twould be very good to do that.” He reached out and pulled her into his arms, and then stiffened the moment her skin brushed his. “Diana, why are you naked?”

“You haven’t invented the swimsuit yet. Or the wetsuit, for that matter.” She lifted her arms and linked her hands behind his neck. “You’re naked, too.”

“I was saving you, no’ seducing you.” He tried to put some space between them, but she curled her long legs around his. “We will sink.”

She leaned close to press her cheek against his and whispered, “I don’t care.”

Raen felt the lightning spirit awakening, and quickly turned his head to break the contact with her skin. “I ken what Cailean told you, but you are no’ my wife. You dinnae belong here. ’Tis a mistake.”

“Doesn’t feel like one at the moment,” she said but drew back a little. “We’re naked and alone, Big Man. We’ve both wanted this since you tied me to that bed.” She slid her palm up to cover his marked cheek. “Feel it? It’s like you’re already inside me.”

Raen clamped her against him and swam one-armed until he could touch bottom. Then he trudged out of the water. When he set her on her feet her breasts grazed his chest, and the soft curls of her sex clung to the throbbing base of his erection. He would do the decent thing and set her away from him, as soon as he had warmed her, as soon as she stopped touching him, as soon as the spirit subsided–

He dragged her up against him, glorying in the feel of her resilient, slender form as he kissed her. Her lips parted for him, and he ravished her mouth, the way he had wanted to since the night she had come to the castle. His hands found their way down to her buttocks, and he clasped the firm curves, pressing her against his throbbing cock and rubbing her against his shaft. She made a small, sweet sound and hitched herself up on him, her breasts dragging against his chest as she grabbed a handful of his hair.

He wanted to fack her so badly he shook with it, and he wrenched his mouth from hers. “Diana, we mustnae…”

“Please find a place where we can stretch out,” she said, sounding breathless and eager. “Grass, rock, glen, I don’t care. I need you.” She moved against him, letting him feel the slickness of her little quim. “See? You know you want it, and God, so do I.”

“We cannae,” he said, as he set her down and backed away from her. “I am no’ for you. I cannae have you.”

“You can have me right now,” she assured him. “I’m right here, I’m naked, I’m willing. Is there something else I need to do or say?”

Bright, hot power beginning to spark inside him. “Please,” he said through clenched teeth. “Go back to the castle. Now. Hurry.”

It was too late to stop it. He knew it as soon as he felt his face burn. The chilly air crackled around them as his ink came alive and spilled down over his heart, spattering her with its silver-white sparks of power.

“Oh, my god,” Diana gasped and covered the flow with her hands as if to stop it. “What is happening to you?”

“It’s awake now,” Raen said tightly as he wrapped his arms around her, pressing her long, lovely body against his. “Be still, or the spirit will take what it wants from us.”