“And King Raghnall and his sorceress adhere to this?”
“Thus far, yes.” When they reached the end of the path, he leapt down from a rock ledge and held his hands up to her. “If ever they do not, they face our deities’ wrath.”
“Gods you so recently warred against,” she reminded, yet again losing her breath when he caught her around the waist and set her down but didn’t let go. His warm hands sent pleasure spiraling everywhere. The heat of his body made her ache like she had in her dream last night.
“Yet you are here,” he said so softly she barely caught it. His gaze dropped to her mouth and lingered. “Which means my gods were not angered all that much.”
“So it seems,” she said just as softly, as caught by his lips as he was hers. What would it feel like to kiss him beyond a dream? Taste him? Lose herself in him? Just this one time. Before anyone knew better?
“But someonewillknow better,” he managed hoarsely. “Uswhen we have to say goodbye. When we have to let go of this for the greater good.”
He stepped away yet didn’t let go of her hand as they continued on.
“You’re reading my mind that easily?” she marveled, trying to find her footing when her knees felt so weak.
“More so by the moment.” He pointed out where to step when they traversed another small drop. Though he sounded hesitant, he went on. “Soon enough, if not already, you will be able to do the same. ‘Tis part of our growing connection.”
“A connection that can only be platonic.”
“Correct.”
Truly? Somehow that didn't sit right.
“Then why does it feel anything but?” she asked before she could stop herself. “If your gods meant for us to only be friends, why not design our connection like that? Like your friendship with Aisling? Mine with Oran?”
Normally, this would be the last thing she would ask a guy she’d met hours before, but hell, she had known him far longer. She was certain of it. Even if in dreams, he felt as familiar to her as her own sisters. Part of her, in a way she couldn’t explain.
“I wish I knew,” he replied.
When they broke from the woodland, she stopped short at the astounding sight, baffled by how it made her feel. Majestic cliffs ran along a glittering, frothing blue ocean as far as she could see. Green, rolling hills gave way to lush forests. The sound of crashing waves drifted on the wind. The scent of brine and ocean drifted on air so fresh she wished she could bottle it.
“Ireland,” she whispered.
She felt like she had come home and bit back tears. It all felt so familiar. Welcome.Hers. Where she was meant to be.
“Ireland.” He gazed at it with equal adoration. “A place we might at least find friendship, yes?” His gaze drifted her way as it so often did. “Because I have to have that if I can have nothing else.”
“Why?” She met his eyes, caught in a moment that seemed as old as time. “Why do you need my friendship, Cian?”
“Because you are part of me,”he said without moving his lips. Because I’m lonely. More lonely than I realized.
Her breath hitched not just at his words but at how he felt in her mind. In her heart. Her very soul.
“I just heard you...in two different ways.”
“You did.” A smile curled his mouth again. “Both my words and thoughts.”
“It felt amazing,” she replied honestly because she wanted that between them.
Only honesty.
“I agree.” He squeezed her hand. “Might it be the start of a great friendship? A means to bond and work together against our enemy?”
She had experienced a lot of surreal moments in her life as a psychic but none as unique as that one. Denial because she wanted more and acceptance because nothing had ever felt so right. So meant to be. As though it had been waiting for her, her whole life.
Hehad been waiting for her whether she could have him or not.
“That sounds good.” She nodded and smiled in return. Truly smiled for the first time in longer than she could remember. “Friends soundreallygood, actually.”
