“Ladies,” he said, inclining his curly head and flashing a cute grin.

I looked at McKale and caught him studying my face again. I gave him a small smile. To my surprise he flashed me a quick one in return before looking away again. It was the first time he’d smiled at me and it sent a buzz of warmth through my body.

Rock stepped nimbly down from the table, past McKale. The Clourichaun was my height, I couldn’t help but notice. Rock bowed to me first before turning to my sister. He took Cassidy’s hand and kissed her fingertips. Definitely a charmer. Then without asking, he leaned down and kissed her on the lips. She did not pull away. Instead she went up on her toes. Thankfully the kiss ended before I started to feel embarrassed, but it left Cassidy with a dreamy look on her face.

Her dream-state was quickly shattered when Brogan broke through the crowd, swinging his arms at Rock, who jumped back. Brogan’s assault kept coming, landing punches anywhere he could on the Clourichaun. Rock cupped his hands over his crotch, laughing as he begged Brogan to take it easy. McKale shook his head and chuckled as his friend climbed up and over the table, escaping Brogan’s wrath.

“What are you on about, old man?” Rock asked, extending his arms in question from the safety of the other side of the table. He had a mock-pained expression on his smooth face, underscored with amusement. McKale’s father was pink in the cheeks and had his small hands balled into fists.

“Our guests have hardly been ‘ere an hour and yer already making advances at their youngest? I think not! Keep your no-good hands to yerself and don’t be causing trouble among us. Do ye hear?”

“Aye, crystal clear. I’ll be a good lad. Promise.”

Brogan gave a deep, barrel laugh. “You don’t know how ta be good. Gather yer troublesome clan and leave us be. Go on!”

“All right then,” Rock said with an easy shrug. Brogan eyed him with distrust and put his fists on his hips.

“I’d best be off, then. Night everyone.” Rock bowed to us and put two fingers between his lips, ripping an ear-shattering whistle. With a wave of his arm the tiny Clourichaun came bounding over from their various places. All of them but Rock had stayed small. They climbed him, some going up to his shoulders and others swinging on handfuls of his tunic. He gave Cass a stealthy wink before ghosting away into the field with the others. Once satisfied, Brogan turned to us.

“Please forgive his indiscretion. Their ways are not our own. ‘Tis getting late and I know yer both travel-weary. I’ve shown yer folks to their rooms, and I’ll show the two of ya to yers as well. We’ll be having more festivities on the morrow. Everyone’s itchin’ to meet ye.”

“Thank you,” I said.

McKale stood, rubbing his palms down his pants again.

“Good night, McKale,” I said.

“G’night, then, Robyn.” He watched my face.

I liked when he really looked at me, as if he didn’t want to stare, but his eyes would get stuck against his will. When he became aware he tore his gaze away and scratched his cheek self-consciously.

As Cassidy and I left to follow Brogan, clan eyes turned toward us. I realized then that nobody approached us while we sat with McKale, out of respect. I smiled and nodded at the people as we passed, excited to find our room and return tomorrow to meet them.

I peeked back at the shy guy who was staring at the ground, deep in thought. Lots of girls didn’t care for the quiet type. Even Cassidy, who was a smart girl in so many ways, often lost all proof of intelligence when it came to guys. Most girls I knew wanted boys like Rock: the confident and outgoing “bad” boys. But there was something endearing to me about McKale’s quiet, introverted demeanor.

I looked forward to gently cracking his shell and seeing what lay hidden underneath. We had to gain one another’s trust before we could bind. I welcomed the challenge.

WE FOUND MOM AND Dad coming out of one of the bungalow rooms.

“We were just looking for you girls,” Mom said.

“Are the accommodations satisfactory?” Brogan asked.

“Oh yes,” Mom answered. “Everything is wonderful. I wish we could stay up later to enjoy the party.”

Brogan assured her with a scrunched-faced grin. “Rest up. Things are winding down fer the night. There’ll be plenty festivals to come this summer.”

My parents gave him an appreciative smile. They both had circles under their eyes and looked like they might collapse.

“You girls okay?” Mom asked. She searched my eyes.

“We’re fine,” I said, giving her a hug. “Don’t worry.”

“Enjoy yourselves and get some rest tonight.” Dad hugged me next, squeezing me extra long before whispering goodnight.

I waved as they went back into their room. Brogan led Cassidy and I to another bungalow and opened the door for us.

“’Tis a guest room,” he explained. “Ye have yer own washroom over there. Someone’ll come around each day to refresh the water and clear out the waste. Of course, Robyn, this room is only temporary since ye’ll share McKale’s abode after the binding, whenever that may be.”

My face lit on fire as I nodded my understanding.

Cassidy poked me in the back, but I refused to look at her. She was, no doubt, holding back her humor about Brogan’s frankness regarding sharing McKale’s “abode,” a thought that thumped around inside my head. Soon I would share a room with a boy and… and… ack!