A Warrior's Perception (32 page)

Darten stared in wonder at the beauty before him. She slept peacefully and her long enchanted hair shimmered in the sunlight. Her skin was bronze and adorned with nothing except a bracelet. His eyes ravished her from head to toe. She was utterly the most perfect woman he had ever seen. Andra was gorgeous and exotic by all rights, but this girl was an angel. She must have fallen from the heavens.

Haley opened her eyes and stared into the most perfect face of the most beautiful man she had ever seen. She gritted her teeth and jumped from the boulder, grabbing her white silk gown. She covered her body and stepped back as she surveyed the situation.

“
I am Darten McKregan. Who may ye be?
”
The man leaned against the boulder and crossed his ankles as he leaned onto his elbow.

“
I am Haley. Haley Joaquanna Douglas and I do not enjoy being spied on,
”
she gritted.
“
Take yer leave and ye will not suffer my wraith.
”

Darten grinned at her strange accent,
“
Seems I can'na find my friend Haggart. He often enjoys these springs. Ha'e ye happened to seen him?
”

Haley narrowed her steel blue eyes,
“
Haggart is my uncle and he will not be returning any time soon.
”

Darten stared into her ever changing blue eyes and wondered what they looked like in the heat of the moment,
“
Perhaps ye can help me then.
”

Haley noted his lusty demeanor and replied,
“
What makes ye think I would help a stranger who spies on women. What is it they call men of that nature? Heathens?
”

Darten laughed as he turned his back to her, allowing her to dress herself,
“
Heathen I am then in this case. Yer beauty is enchantin’ and I must confess, I enjoyed ye...bounty.
”

Haley picked up a rock and hit him squarely in the back,
“
How dare ye?
”

Darten winced and turned to her,
“
I only compliment ye.
”

“
Compliment me! Ye brute! Had I not awoken, ye would have done horrid things to my body,
”
she accused as she picked up another fist sized rock.

Darten laughed as she flung it at him,
“
I truly mean ye na harm and I am sorry I offended ye.
”

Haley stiffened her back and walked past him towards the cottage her uncle had lived in. She kept her guard up as Darten followed her to the front of the cottage. She ran her fingers through her thick hair and quickly braided it down her shoulder to her waist. She grinned as Darten watched from behind. She seductively ran her fingers across the door and turned to him.

“
What is it exactly that ye need of my uncle?
”
Haley smiled as Darten stepped within inches of her reach.

She could smell the scent of strength and raw hunger rolling off of him. It was finer than any wine ever consumed and much more intoxicating.

Their eyes locked; steel-gray and sky-blue coursing through each other like lightning rods. Haley felt the chaotic pull. It was the distinct chemistry that she knew her mother had felt when she first saw her father. For the first time in her twenty two year long life, she looked upon a man she desired. Darten felt it too. He wanted to kiss her perfect lips and drown in her clear defiant blue eyes.

“
I need a potion of sorts to clutter a man's mind and make him appear deranged,
”
he whispered as he edged closer to the honey and vanilla scented woman.

He knew the scent, Andra had the same smell. Somehow this scent was different. He could smell her skin, he could smell the sweet fragrance of orchids and ripe melons, and he could smell the fire that burned under the surface of her eyes. He could smell the fire and ice that her soul possessed.

“
Come inside and I will see what I can do,
”
she said as she opened the door and led him in. She closed the door behind him and brushed his arm with hers. The heat scorched her skin and it tingled with pleasure.

Darten took a deep breath as she moved past him in the dark. He gritted his teeth as his shaft hardened at her light touch. His jaw tightened as he thanked Dagma for the darkness of the room. His eyes adjusted and he watched her as she mixed a few liquids to make Darten's elixir together over a dim light. She turned and handed him the small bottle of green liquid. He took it and held her hand as he pulled her to his chest.

“
How do ye want to be paid? Barter or coin?
”
His voice was low and seductive.

Haley tried to tell herself to get a grip but he was so intoxicating she could barely find her voice,
“
I do not want any payment.
”

“
I'm going to kiss ye woman,
”
he whispered as his head bent,
“
Your lips tease mine with their sweetness.
”

Haley stood on her tippy toes and stretched her five foot ten inch frame to accept her first kiss. His lips were hot and wonderful. She leaned into his chest as his hands crushed her to him.

And it felt so wonderfully right.

Her heart blazed with desire as his tongue parted her lips and sent sparks of electricity to her core. She had watched men and women kiss, but now she knew why Andra went weak kneed when Kagan kissed her.

Haley pulled back and stared into his warm gray eyes. Her eyes were wide with wonder and told her plight. Darten groaned as he kissed her again and again. Her hands ran up his chest and sent showers of heat through his body. Her fingers trembled against his skin as she welcomed his hands to her full hips. She cried out as he released her and stepped back.

Darten growled as she stepped back to recover. He wanted her and his loins ached with a hunger that was new to him. He turned to the door and hoped she would beg him to stay. He turned the knob and waited for her invitation.

None came.

“
I will stay if ye wish it,
”
he growled with passion.

“
If ye think I will fall for ye that easily, ye are mistaken McKregan!
”
Haley held her ground. If he wanted her, he would have to work very hard to get the reward. Her body ached and sizzled with need as he turned to face her.

The silence that passed was deafening.

“
When will I see ye again?
”
His question sent shivers of excitement through Haley's heart.

“
I go to McKregan Keep to visit my cousin in the morning. I am sure we will see each other again soon enough,
”
she collectively stated.

“
Time is an enemy to a man in need,
”
he whispered as he fled the cottage and prayed she would still be at the keep when he returned to his brother's side with news of his mission.

He mounted his mighty warhorse and swore to hurry to his destination. The faster he could return home, the faster he knew he could see her again.

Haley Douglas. Perfection.

Andra walked into the parlor and stared at her cousin in bewilderment. She had not seen her face to face ever before, but she knew her name was Haley, her aunt’s daughter. They smiled and hugged each other fiercely as if they were old friends. Andra instinctively knew that Haley understood her and her rigid spine relaxed as she sat down with Haley at her side. Andra felt the presence of a greater loving force and allowed it to flow through her conscious.

“
You are much taller than I expected you to be,
”
Andra whispered in Fae tongue as she surveyed Haley.

“
I get it from my father,
”
Haley held Andra's hand and smiled as she took Haggart's orb out of her pocket.

They both placed their fingertips on its surface and closed their eyes. Their minds spoke freely with one another as they sat in silence. It was a new experience for Andra and she clutched Haley's hand to her breast as a lifeline.

“
Do not fear the power of Vacrey. She is a part of you and will always protect you.
”

“
She did not protect me from...him.
”

“
She gave you the strength to fight back and the power to hold your head proudly.
”

“
Have you come to take me home?
”

“
No. I came to accompany you until you are ready to go.
”

“
Then you will stay.
”

Haley smiled as she opened her eyes and dropped her hand,
“
Yes, I will stay for a while.
”

Andra released her hand and stiffened as Kagan spoke her name. She turned to the door and spoke,
“
I am here.
”

Kagan walked into the room and glanced at Andra's guest questionably,
“
Welcome to McKregan Keep.
”

Haley stood and bowed slightly as she realized he must be related to Darten. They had the same eyes, hair, and distinctive air.
“
I am Haley Douglas, Ell'andra cousin.
”

Kagan knew her accent and hid his sudden intrigue,
“
I am sorry ye were'na gi'en a proper welcome...but the lands are in great turmoil and readily seeks my attention.
”
He turned to Andra,
“
May we speak in private 'fore I depart?
”

Andra stood and nodded as she walked to the door with Kagan at her side. She turned and smiled as Haley went to the window. Andra did not like the foreboding look in Kagan's eyes as he pulled her into the hall.

“
Gi'e me yer solemn word that ye will'na lea'e the keep ‘til I know it is safe in the highlands,
”
Kagan growled as he looked at Haley's back. Fear of
losing
Andra clutched at his heart and he suddenly wanted her oath she would not ever leave him.