Briac’s cry bellowed from down the hall. Tara stood and walked to the door.

“At the very least we should try and cast a circle outdoors and attempt to find Grainna that way.”

“Agreed.” They nodded together as one before walking out the door.

Chapter Four

The sun heated their ride as they made their way past the village and far away from prying eyes.

Fin glanced over toward Simon who rode his mount with ease. Every once in a while Simon would appear deep in thought, then a grin would spread over his features. Fin couldn’t help but wonder if Simon spoke with the horse he rode. What does a horse think? He wanted to ask. Perhaps he could find a moment alone with the lad to find out.

With her dress hiked high, Elizabeth rode with confidence. He remembered her first attempts on a horse. Her concern for her son’s safety took precedence over her desire to ride properly. Now, her back stood rod straight, her eyes focused on her destination. Her br**sts bounced with the gait of the animal between her thighs. Fin’s chest tightened with the memory of her br**sts pressed against him.

Their one brief intimate encounter in the stable so many months ago etched into his memory as if it were a defining moment in his life. No, he thought.

It wasn’t anything more than a mistake. Yet somewhere in the back of his confused mind, he knew she thought about that kiss, that embrace, as much as he. Perhaps more.

Sensing his stare, Liz glanced over at him, lifted her chin, and sat straighter in her saddle. Fin couldn’t help but laugh. Her subtle dare and determination simply made him desire her more. He wondered if she knew that.

Then there was Todd, a complete surprise to all of the MacCoinnichs, Myra’s husband, savior, and when he sat down and thought about it, lover.

Thinking about his sister in terms of someone’s lover had his back teeth grinding. Yet on occasion, like at this very moment, Fin realized his sister was a beautiful and desirable woman. One day she would be a competent mother and mistress of her own home. What he didn’t see was the warrior he saw in Liz. But they were just that…warriors. Battle bound fighters for the good of all.

The sound of the waterfall redirected his focus and had him pulling ahead of the others. “We’re almost there,” he called and signaled for their band to follow him.

After diverting into the thick wood, Fin found the clearing and small shelter the family considered far enough off the route to anyone’s land, including their own. He slid from his horse and raised his hand to Simon. “Can you sense any other domestic animals?”

Simon closed his eyes and appeared to count.

“No, only ours.”

Fin took the reins of his horse and brought them to a low-lying bow of a tree.

“What are you doing?”

Fin narrowed his eyes at Simon. “We don’t want them bolting.”

Simon patted the neck of his horse. “They don’t want to leave. Do you, boy?” He lifted his chin to Fin.

“Don’t tie them. They want to graze over there in the tall grass under the trees. They won’t run away.”

Liz bit her lower lip. Fin had to give her credit when she kept her comments to herself. Simon’s ability to speak with the animals concerned her a great deal. Watching him morph into one would probably give her nightmares for months once it finally happened.

The men relieved the horses of their saddles while Liz and Myra finished opening up the small cabin’s shutters and door to air out the shelter. Once finished, they glanced at each other waiting for the first to speak.

“I guess I should start,” Myra said.

“You’ve practiced your power more than any of us,” Fin pointed out.

“Well,” Myra waved her hand over a fallen log and the leaves upon it scattered under the wind she called to clear a place to sit. “My power is convenient. Not like yours, Fin.”

Liz brought her eyes to his slowly. “What is your greatest power?”

Fin let one side of his lips turn up into what he was sure resembled a smirk. His fingers spread wide and the ground started to shake. The horses neighed in protest when the ground under their feet rumbled. Simon turned and calmed them with a few words. Liz’s mouth opened wide along with her eyes.

Fin closed his palms and the earth quieted once again.

“That is so cool, Fin,” Simon said.

“Impressive,” Liz offered. “I’m not sure how helpful it’s going to be, but I’m sure we can work with it.”

Fin’s ego took a dive, as did his smirk. He bit back his retort and glared at Myra when she chuckled.

“Where should we start?” Simon asked.

Liz stepped to the bank of the stream. “I thought it would be best for us to flex some of our firepower here, where Myra can use her skills to put out any flames that may get out of control.”

“How do you suggest I do that?”

“Well, can you lift some of the river water out of its path?”

Myra bit her lip and glanced over to the pounding current. “I’ve never tried.”

“Well then, now’s a good time.”

Her eyes narrowed when her palms reached toward the water. Fin noticed the small twitch in her left eye as she concentrated on her task. A gust of wind blew past him, leaves whipped from the forest floor, but the water seemed unaffected by her efforts.

Her arms dropped. “I don’t think I can do it.”

“Try this,” Liz scooped water into her palms and tossed it in the air. “When it’s in the air, move it.”

She repeated the action and Myra studied the airborne water. A few drops slid horizontally before falling to the ground.

“Again,” Liz commanded.

This time a larger amount of water fell under Myra’s command.

“Fin, call a flame in a ball and toss it over here.

Myra, try and put the flame out with the water I throw.”

Nodding, Fin surged heat from his thoughts and his palm rounded the flame the size of his fist. He tossed the orb lightly to aid Myra in her task. Her aim was off and the fire bent to the river to put itself out. “Again,” Liz called out.

Within a half an hour, the front of Liz’s dress dripped with water and Myra stood noticeably taxed from her efforts. Yet as his flames reached over the water, Myra successfully extinguished them.

“I think she needs a break,” Todd placed an arm around his wife and kneaded her shoulders between his large hands. “You okay?”

“Aye.” But she leaned against him in obvious exhaustion.