Craved the same, however upset it made her.
“Yes,” he whispered back. His grasp tightened, and he angled her head, ready to kiss her, only to stop short when a deep growl sounded nearby. Then closer. Then right beside his head.
It seemed Wolf had followed her to the past.
“Don’t you dare.” She narrowed her eyes and put her hand over Liam's when he started to unsheathe his dagger. “I would never forgive you.”
“What makes you think I would want your forgiveness?” Perfectly calm where most would be terrified, his gaze never went to the sharp teeth bared inches from his head but stayed on her. “’Tis you who long for me, not the other way around,ta?”
“Maybe in another life.” She yanked her head from his grasp. “But not this one.”
This time when she got up, her legs worked, and she stood without everything tilting. She nodded at her protector. “Thank you, Wolf.” A strange sensation rolled through her. “Tréan.”
“That means strong and powerful in my language,” Liam commented.
“I know.” She just had no clue how she knew.
Tréan never took his eyes off Liam as he stood, and she couldn’t be more grateful. It would be good to have him here, keeping a close eye on things. Even though it had been hard for her to accept all that had been happening between New Hampshire and here, she could admit to having been curious if Wolf was her familiar. She had no idea how to speak telepathically, so she had no real way to ask him.
“’Tis simple enough,”Liam muttered without his lips moving.“Just focus on the person or, in this case, the animal and think what you want to say rather than voice it aloud.”
She blinked, startled by the sensation of hearing him in her mind. Almost as if it were her inner voice, only masculine. Enticing in a way that felt far too close. As though he were part of her.
“Come,” he said aloud before she could respond. “I don’t sense the strife Riona’s sketch implied, but we must get to my castle. My people have been too long without their king.”
It had been easy to forget he was a king in the twenty-first century, but now, seeing the way he carried himself as he strode into the woodland, it was more than apparent. He had a bearing about him. A natural air of authority that worked for him and undoubtedly any woman he’d ever come across.
“What am I supposed to do when I get to your castle?” Never a huge fan of too many people, never mind people nearly one thousand years in her past, she grew tenser with every step.“How should I introduce myself? And what of Tréan? Will he be in danger there?”
After all, it was a different day and age. He would be far more valued for his pelt here than he ever would have been back home. She tried to speak to Tréan to see if he might be her familiar and talk back, but there was only silence. Perhaps she was doing it wrong? So she focused on Liam and gave it another shot.“It’s clear he’s not a fan of you. What happens if he manages to find a way into the castle to protect me from you again?”
Liam slowed but didn’t stop. Almost as if he were caught off guard when he heard her in his mind for the first time. Because he clearly did, given he glanced her way and replied aloud. “Then there is a very good chance my men will kill him.”
“They’d hurt Tréan even if you gave them orders not to?” she wondered.
“Why would I do that?” He tossed her a pointed look. “When he’s the only thing determined to keep us apart?”
He did seem eager to do that, and she couldn’t be more grateful.
“Then I’ll stay with Tréan beyond the gates,” she said.
It might be chilly, but the woodland was beautiful. Enchanting. In fact, it called to her so much she would feel privileged to sleep out here.
Liam chuckled and shook his head. “You will do no such thing.”
“Why not?” She shrugged. “Aren’t I a druidess? Likely an Unnamed One? Seems to me it would make perfect sense to sleep in the woods.”
“Sleep? Mayhap if you’re lucky.” His eyebrows shot up. “You said it yourself, and I’ve seen you researching this time period tirelessly for days, so even you must realize how foolhardy that would be. Our evil queen to the south aside, ‘tis not apeaceful time in this country. Whilst I’m allied with my brothers’ kingdoms, there are still rogue tribes. Miscreants who roam about looking for opportunities.” His gaze raked over her. “And I promise you this. Until your magic ignites, you are the very best sort of opportunity for men in these parts.”
“I have Tréan,” she reminded. “And youcouldlend me a few of your warriors.”
“’Twill not be happening.” He shook his head again. “I won’t have my men risking their lives because of your foolish behavior. You will sleep in my castle, and that’s the end of it, Shannon.”
It suddenly struck her how strange her name sounded on his tongue. As if he should be calling her something else. Something warmer. More endearing. Why would she think such when that was the last thing she wanted?
At least in this life.
She was about to cut back that her desire to sleep beyond his clutches wasn’t foolish when a large dark chocolate brown horse with a black mane and tail appeared ahead.
