Highlander's Bride: Medieval Romance (The Fae Book 1) by Joanne Wadsworth Read Free Book Online

even though every curved inch of her remained on glorious display. He wanted to kiss her, to know her taste and touch, just as he’d desired the same during his captivity.
    Memories surged, of the moment when he’d sensed the depth of their bond taking form and the strands between their souls weaving more firmly together. Deep underground behind iron bars, he’d yanked on his cuffed hands chained back against the wall, while she’d stood on the other side of his cell in the darkened passageway with a guard at her side.
    “ Stand aside, Gordon .” Kyla had swished into the cell after Gordon had unlocked it, a bowl of steaming stew and a tankard of water in hand. In a sleeveless teal gown and a cream under-tunic, a heavy silver-chained girdle clasped around her tiny waist, she’d scraped a wooden crate from the corner forward and set the food and drink on top of it.
    He hadn’t been able to get his fill of her, his gaze devouring his chosen one as he’d searched to ensure she remained unharmed since their first meeting the day before. That had been when he’d learned her new name. Known as Kyla, the Chief of MacKenzie’s foster daughter, she’d lived within his enemy’s household since her abduction and had arrived here recently to visit her two favored foster brothers.
    “ Are you well, Kyla? ” His voice had been a mess as he’d spoken to her, all raspy and dry.
    “ You need never fear for me, Ronan. I am amongst my own kin here. ” She shot a look at Gordon. “ Leave. He willnae eat with you present. ”
    “ You pander to him and shouldnae. I shall give you five minutes and no more. ” Gordon had snorted as he’d walked out the door, closed it after himself with a loud clang and marched down the corridor.
    “ You must eat and drink if you wish to maintain your strength. ” She’d picked up the chipped tankard she’d brought and held it up to his chapped lips. “ Now, afore I am forced to leave and you miss the chance to do so. ”
    “ Cease using force against me. ” He’d taken a hearty swallow of the water. She’d unknowingly used force, her fae mind-walker skill rising as she’d issued her command, her mind naturally seeking out his due to their bond. “ I can sense your fae skill, your subtle yet clear push within my mind to make me obey your orders. ”
    “ I have no idea what you speak of. I hold no fae skill. I am a MacKenzie, the foster daughter of my chief, a fact you’d best no’ forget. ”
    “ Trust me, you hold a fae skill whether you wish to acknowledge it or no’, although it likely lays buried somewhat inside you since you have no’ had the chance to be guided by our people in the full use of it. You can do more than touch another’s mind. You can also delve deeper and sway our thoughts. I too am part fae and can sense your ability. ”
    She’d touched her head, confusion swirling within her gaze.
    “ Listen to me well, Kyla. Twenty years ago a young lass was taken from the fae village farther along the loch from the House of Clan Matheson. Her name was Christina and she was the first and only child born to Isaiah and Grace. In the middle of the night, under the cover of darkness, she disappeared without a trace. Kidnapped, the elders of the village said, although they couldnae find her, and no one had demanded coin for her return. I remember the lass well even though I was only a lad of eight at the time. The wee one always intrigued me with her mass of golden-red curls and blue eyes. ”
    “ I cannae possibly be this lass you speak of. ” With an obstinate shake of her head, she’d dipped the spoon into the stew, held the mouthful to his lips, her beautiful blue eyes narrowed with frustration and anger. “ I know who my kin are, and ’tis no clan Matheson. Eat. Now. ”
    “ You’re doing it again, using your skill against me. Touch your mind to mine with more strength then issue the command you wish obeyed. It’ll force me to your hand far faster than how you