"Nay," he said. "One legend says the fairies built it. Another says 'twas the ancient ones—a race of people who lived here before our own—who built it thousands of years ago."
A sense of wonder and mystery suffused her as she tried to imagine what had happened on this site in the past and how people could have erected such large stones.
"Does it possess magic?" she asked.
Neacal shrugged one broad shoulder. "The elders claim it does, and most of our clan members steer clear of it for fear of being cursed. But when Maili and I were children, we'd often slip off and visit this place to see if we could see fairies. I've never noticed anything unusual hereabouts."
Anna walked toward the middle of the ancient monument. "Why did they build it?"
"No one knows, but we believe this is a sacred site."
"'Tis lovely," Anna breathed, shivering at the sharp prickle that raced over her body. Was this merely because she was standing beside a most handsome and tantalizing Highlander? Or did these rocks contain a spell?
Something compelled her to touch the central stone, which was more than twice her height. When she did, an even more intense tingle shook her.
"Saints," she breathed.
"'Tis an ancient stone." Neacal brushed his fingers over the surface.
"Aye," she whispered. Beneath her hand, the stone felt polished by the wind, rain, ice and snow, but part of it was covered in rough lichens. "I wonder what the world was like when these were erected."
"Probably far different from now." He lowered his gaze to hers and held it there. What was he thinking? Although she knew she should look away, something wouldn't allow her to take her gaze from his. His eyes had turned the color of a midnight sky. She could not fathom his expression but 'twas captivating and forceful.
After a long, tense moment, he slipped a hand around her neck, leaned forward and brushed his warm lips across hers. Her breath fled and she was instantly lost to sensation. Wondering what he would taste like, she flicked out her tongue. He tasted of potent, luscious male and she wanted to savor him for eternity.
He growled deep in his throat, bent and lifted her against him. Oh, heavens! Her head spun from the movement and his disorienting kiss. She threw her arms around his neck and desperately held on. He consumed her mouth with a compelling hunger she had never before experienced. What on earth caused such sharp passion? Something about him heightened her senses, made her profoundly aware of him. His bewitching scent, his delicious taste, and the hardness of his muscles melted her inside.
He overwhelmed her with devouring kisses and she craved a deeper connection to him. His hands beneath her derriere, her legs encircling his waist, he leaned her back against the smooth hard surface of the stone and took the kiss to new heights. She could no longer think; she could only feel all the wondrous sensations he was raining down upon her, body and soul.
"Anna, you drive me mad," he breathed against her mouth.
What could she say to that? She had no response, except to seek out more mind-stealing kisses. And he indulged her, moaning against her mouth.
After a blissful moment, he rasped, "Saints." He lowered her to her feet. "I must stop this."
Nay!She wanted to yell, fisting her hand on his sleeve to steady herself, lest she topple to the ground.
What was wrong with her? She was neither a loose woman nor a tavern wench.
He affected her so strongly, her knees were weak. Why did she allow this to happen?
Mortified at her own overly enthusiastic response to his affections, she crossed her arms and stared at the ground… but she sensed his attention focused on her. Her rational thoughts returning by slow degrees, she felt almost as if she'd been tipsy.
"Where were you headed at gloaming, alone?" he asked.
He would not leave that question alone, would he? Since she had no ready answer, her lips remained sealed.
"You must tell me," he persisted. "I'll tell no one." His voice was huskier than it had been before the kiss. "Do you trust me?"
"Aye, I told you I do." She glanced up at him, realizing how profound her trust was for him. He'd saved her life, twice. Still, she didn't know what he would do when he learned of her secret past. She had never told anyone about it. The only people who knew were the ones who'd been with her when it happened.
She could tell him where she was headed, at least. He'd likely already figured that out anyway. "I was going to Acharacle."
"Why?"
She blew out an exasperated breath and decided to lie. "I had a disagreement with the other minstrels." She could think of no better excuse… except for the truth, which he could never find out.
"Disagreement about what?" he asked.
