Page 55 of Dark Embrace

“Cowards,” he hissed. “Show yerself an’ let us seal our bargain!”

The wind roared, whipping his leine. The wolves growled, hackles raised, and then, abruptly, the autumn night was still and vacant.

That was an answer if he had ever heard one.

AIDAN LAY UNSLEEPING on the bearskin beside her bed, and Brianna was acutely aware of him.

Dying in that nightmare had been terrifying, but when she’d awoken, she’d been in Aidan’s powerful embrace. Her fear had vanished instantly. There had been only him and her and the magical pull between them.

Brie smiled grimly to herself, aware that it might be some time before she ever found herself in his arms again.

He wasn’t frightening anymore. He had rescued her—twice, if she included his rescuing her from Moray in her nightmare. His bark was really loud and sometimes scary, but he hadn’t bitten, not even once. She was coming to believe that a friendship was forming between them.

She had been so terrified for him earlier. The extent of his wounds had convinced her that he was as mortal as she was, but, thank the gods, that he had been healed.

He was no longer such an enigma. His wounds ran soul-deep, and she understood why he had forsaken his gods. He was furious about his son’s murder, and his answer to Ian’s fate was to turn his back on the Innocent, as if to say, to hell with everyone. That did not make him evil, or even close to evil, no matter what he claimed.

He lay on his back, eyes wide-open, staring up at the tent ceiling. He had stayed with her because she was afraid. He had chosen to comfort her, although not in the way she truly wished. He could be in the women’s camp, carousing or worse, but he was not. He was with her to protect her. And it wasn’t just because she was his link to Ian’s ghost. Something had begun for them, and in spite of the evil facing them, she was thrilled.

She glanced down at him, and he pretended not to see. Two lanterns remained lit—she had asked for the second light—and his beautiful face was illuminated. He had his hands beneath his head, his biceps bulging. One day she was going to be brave enough to entice him to bed.

He thought he was doomed if they made love. How clearly she recalled that now. She couldn’t quite figure out why. After all, he had so many lovers.

“Can ye be quiet?”

She hid a smile. “Stop listening to my thoughts.”

“Stop thinking so loudly.” He turned over, away from her, grunting.

She looked at his back and wished she had the courage to slip onto the fur beside him and snuggle up with him. Of course, cuddling wouldn’t last long because her pulse was high and racing, and every fiber of her body throbbed and ached. God, she would settle for touching him all over, and kissing him everywhere….

He turned onto his back and glared at her. “Are ye tryin’ to seduce me or infuriate me?”

“I am not going back to sleep.”

Their gazes held, and his eventually softened. He knew that she was afraid to go back to sleep. Moray had terrified her as no demon ever had. Moray wanted far more than her death or Aidan’s. She had been acutely aware of his sadism when he’d appeared in her sleep. He had delighted in the confrontation.

She sat up. Thinking about Moray made her feel violently ill and really afraid.

Did Aidan have enough power to triumph over his father? Moray had been vanquished once, years ago. How the hell had he come back?

Aidan threw off his covers, standing. “The sun is risin’ anyway,” he said grimly.

She was pleased to notice he remained as hot and bothered as she was. She was still somewhat amazed that he wanted her, when he had his choice of beautiful women. She had meant her earlier words. He needed lovemaking and love, not sex. She had no doubt, not after all that had happened since her arrival in the past.

Their eyes met.

“Dinna plot to destroy him, Brianna. Ye have no power, and ye’ll be the one destroyed,” he said.

She sat up. Maybe his constant invasion of her thoughts wasn’t that bad. “What will happen next? You won’t sleep and I’m afraid to sleep, because your father has returned and he said that the two of you will meet today.”

A sick chill swept through her when he didn’t answer. She added, “You told me he possessed that giant completely, imbuing it with his will, his words, his voice. He thoroughly disguised his evil, so you didn’t even know it was him at first. You could walk out of the tent and speak to Will, only to realize Will is now Moray.”

“I dinna have the Sight. Mayhap ye should look into the future, to see what my father will do next.” He gave her a dark look, buckling his sword belt and throwing his plaid on.

Brie was still snug under the covers and fur. “I wish I could see at will, but I can’t.”

He made a harsh sound. “Ye sound like MacNeil.”