“Fiora, manners,” Lord Oaken admonished.
“I know, do you believe she keeps yawning in front of us?” Fiora said and circled Kaelan’s head before stopping in front of his face. “No dallying, let’s go.”
Kaelan rose, his eyes on the fairy, smiling slightly. “Are you sure you can fly straight? You’ve spent a lot of time in the one tankard.”
“I can see where I am going perfectly fine,” Fiora said and turned abruptly smacking into Marek’s shoulder. She righted herself quickly enough and shook her head. “Watch where you’re going, you big lug.”
Marek laughed. “Good luck following her.”
It was a challenge following a crooked- flying fairy but she managed to get them to a cottage.
Once inside, Kaelan took his wife in his arms and brushed a faint kiss across her lips. “Are you alright? It cannot be easy, learning what you did about your parents or meeting a great-grandmother thought dead to you, or having it confirmed you truly are part of the Wise.”
Bria rested her hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart and his concern for her.
“I should have told you what Winnie said to me,” she said.
“We were still new to each other.”
That he made an excuse for her, brought a gentle smile to her face. “That was not why I kept it to myself. I feared for your life.”
His brow wrinkled. “Why would you fear for my life? It is you who would be in danger.”
“And you who would risk your life to keep me safe.” His heartbeat quickened beneath her hand.
“Aye, you are right about that.”
Her hand went to rest at his cheek. “Promise me you will not do that.”
“That is not a promise I can make, Bria, nor will I. I love you.” He took her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. “I will do whatever is necessary to protect you.”
He didn’t expect her to walk away from him, but he let her go, knowing this time could not be easy for her and not wanting to add to her worries. But he would not lie to her. He would protect her with his life.
Bria walked over to the hearth to stare at the flames. “My life was so simple in Willowmere and now…” She shook her head slowly.
Kaelan came up behind her, his arms going around her waist, easing her back against him, and resting his cheek against hers.
“Yet you followed me into Driochmor without a thought. Something must have called to you, though I would rather believe it was me you chased after.”
She laughed softly. “I will admit that I very much dislike the empty ache I feel when we are apart. It is like I am missing a part of myself, and nothing feels right until we are together again.”
“I feel the same, which is why I will make sure time apart is far and few between for us.” He kissed her cheek. “I believe your parents would be proud that you found your way home to your people, your tribe, and that their sacrifice was not in vain.”
Bria turned around in his arms. “I am eager to speak with Wynn tomorrow and learn more about the Wise, about myself.”
“I am glad for you but know now I will not take a chance with your life and Wynn agrees with me. When we finish here, we go home to my tribe.”
“What about Braden? You came to Scotara to find him and bring him home.”
“My tribe will understand that my wife’s safety came before my mission. Another will be sent to deal with him.” He restedhis brow to hers. “I want to kiss you so badly but if I do, I will want more and you are exhausted from this tiring day and need to sleep.”
She brushed her lips across his, surprising him. “I am not that tired, especially when we have a proper bed to sleep in tonight. Not a cell or a cave but a fine bed we can take our time and make love in.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, “because I fear I may exhaust you further.”
She grinned. “Promise?”
Kaelan chuckled. “Aye, wife, you have my word on that.”
