came out it alive. “Ian, find Lucan and report what we’ve done here.”
“And where are you going?” Camdyn asked.
“I’ve got something else to tend to.”
Duncan crossed his arms over his chest, a half smile on his lips. “Does that something have cold blue eyes?”
Hayden snorted disdainfully. “I’m going for a swim, Duncan, if you must know. The sea is big enough for both of us, but use another beach if you were thinking of doing the same thing. I doona want to be disturbed.”
He turned and walked away before anyone could comment. Laughter and Ian teasing Duncan followed as Hayden strode away. He walked around the side of the castle to the path beyond Cara’s garden.
Hayden knew he should be looking for Isla, but if he followed her everywhere she went, she would know what he was doing. He would give her a little time to herself, then he would seek her out.
Until then, he was going to enjoy a nice long swim.
*
Isla was glad she was allowed to find her own way around. No one followed her, no one asked where she was going. Did the MacLeods truly trust her?
She had a notion they might. A little. But if they were as intelligent as she thought they were, they would nevertheless be cautious regarding her. It was the practical thing to do, especially when pertaining to evil like Deirdre.
Isla found the path that lead to the beach beside Cara’s garden. It was steep, and a couple of times she nearly lost her footing, but the view was breathtaking.
The smell of the sea was invigorating, the feel of the spray as the waves crashed into the cliffs was stimulating, and the razorbill’s calls that filled the air only added to the splendor.
She could stand where she was looking down at the churning blue sea and the white foam waves and be content for hours. Days even. The constant push and pull of the waves soothed her and eased the ache that made her muscles in her shoulders bunch with apprehension.
Isla made her way to the bottom, careful to watch her footing so she didn’t break something on a loose rock. She’d heal, but it would still smart when it happened.
Once she was on the beach, she kicked off her shoes and tugged down her thick woolen hose. She stood just at the edge of the sea so that the waves rolled over her feet and wet the hem of her gown.
The water felt so delicious, so freeing that she lifted her gown to her knees and moved farther into the sea. It was cooler than she’d imagined, but the feel of the water tugging and pressing against her fed her magic in ways she never expected.
The sea was just as conductive as the earth to a Druid’s magic. For the first time in centuries, Isla opened herself up to the pure magic, testing herself and the evil inside her.
Her chest expanded as joy and magic filled her, surrounding her until she was lost in it. Immersed. Entranced. Delighted.
Nothing had ever felt so right, so satisfying to her magic before. She swayed with the waves, became one with the wind. Her magic swelled within her like a bright light ready to burst from her chest.
In that moment, the evil inside her disappeared, hiding, but not gone forever.
Isla was so absorbed in the magic that it took a moment for her brain to register that something was in the water with her. She opened her eyes in time to see a man rise from amid the foaming waves like an avenging deity. He turned to face her, and Isla’s breath caught in her throat.
She couldn’t tear her eyes from Hayden, his blond hair slick against his head and falling past his shoulders. He was a striking silhouette against the bright sunlight and dark waters. Nothing but hard, lean muscle. And man.
Water ran in rivulets down his face, over his shoulders, and wound its way across his chest and abdomen to disappear back into the sea. He stood with his arms held away from his body, aggressive and commanding, as if he were ready for battle.
With the sun shining upon him, he looked like a god rising from the water, waiting to take his vengeance on anyone who dared to disturb his tranquility.
Isla tried to look away, but his body held her transfixed. She could see every muscle in his stomach, they were so defined. She wanted to run her fingers over them, to feel the power of his arms surround her.
He moved toward her, the sea lowering with each step, teasing her with more of his skin until he was bared, beautifully and stunningly naked. Her gaze traveled lower to his rod, thick and enlarged, as it jutted upward. She’d seen men before, but she’d never seen one like Hayden.
Her response was visceral. She forgot to breathe, forgot to think as her heart pounded erratically in her chest. Her reaction to Hayden was shocking and … wonderful. He finally halted so close to her she could lean forward and kiss his chest.
She remembered what it felt like to touch that hard muscular body, to have him close, his heat surrounding her. And God help her, but she wanted it again. She was desperate to caress him, to feel like the woman she had always wanted to be.
“If you stay, I’m going to take the kiss denied me last eve.”
Isla shivered, not from the cool water or the breeze, but from the absolute and thrilling truth of Hayden’s words. Nothing could make her move now.
She would have her kiss, consequences be damned.
SIXTEEN
Hayden knew he was a fool. He should never have gotten near Isla, near her scent and her enchanting lips. But once he had, there was no turning back. He hadn’t lied to her. If she didn’t leave, he
And damn the consequences.
As soon as the magic, the seductive, lulling magic, had surrounded him in the sea, he’d known it was her. Isla’s magic had a different feel to it than other Druids, stronger, steadier, more powerful.
With his powers he could have stayed under the water and swam away. She’d never have known he was there, but Hayden had risen out of the waves without a second thought.
For her.
He had to see her, had to touch her. And saints help him, he had to feel her.
Her gaze, hot and curious, had raked him from head to foot. Lust had taken hold of him with the first brush of her magic, but upon seeing her, watching the desire darken her eyes, his hunger had consumed him.
Swarmed him. Urged him. Impaled him.
Now, as she looked at him with a need that matched his own, Hayden knew he was lost, adrift in ice-blue eyes that haunted him. He couldn’t turn away from her now if he tried, though it would be for the best.
Just one kiss, one small kiss. It would be sufficient to satisfy the yearning, the hunger enough to fill the void inside him. One kiss wouldn’t harm anything.
With his decision made, Hayden didn’t hesitate. He speared his fingers through her sleek midnight locks and dragged her against him. A small gasp tore from her lips and her hands came up against his chest, to push him away or hold herself up, he didn’t know.
And didn’t care.
A breath rushed past her lips as she stared up at him, waiting. Already he had lingered too long. This longing, this craving that rode him was bottomless and uncontrollable. So much so that he didn’t think to even try and deny it once he had hold of Isla.
He bent his head and placed his lips over hers. The instant they touched, Hayden felt her magic again, this time blended with passion and desire.
It struck him full in the chest. Sunk deep into his skin, to the soul he thought had long ago forsaken him.
He pulled back, startled. He shouldn’t have felt even that with only a quick kiss. What would he feel if he licked her lips or delved his tongue into her mouth to truly taste her?
