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If
she wasn’t looking directly at an ancient warrior, she would never have
believed it was possible. Melissa contemplated the thought that she had
stepped through the magical mist of Scotland to go back in time, and it
made her dizzy from sheer terror.
“Evan! See tae the lady.” Alex yelled.
The
warriors moved in slow motion. Pins and needles prickled against her
skin as Melissa reached out, grasping at anything to support herself,
and then gracefully fainted.
Evan
caught her before she hit the rocks as she fainted.
“I
found her first,” the Prince challenged.
“She
has already been claimed,” Alex roared with fury and landed a mighty
blow. “The victory and the points are mine!”
The
Prince conceded with an ominous growl of “revenge!”
Alex
commanded his warriors to follow the Prince to break his counter-attack.
Evan
followed his Laird’s orders and remained at her side. “I think she’s
coming around.”
Alex
dismounted and tossed his helmet and gloves on the saddle.
Melissa groaned, dazed and confused. There were men shouting in the
background and horses thundering past her. She remembered she was in the
middle of a war, had dropped to the cold hard ground, and wondered if
she had been mortally wounded. She opened her eyes and forgot about
being half-dead in a war with ancient savage warriors wielding swords. A
rider dismounted and sheathed his sword.
He
stood there sweaty and dusty, and she thought him to be the most
handsome male specimen she had ever seen. Even from a distance, his
striking gaze made her breath catch from a flash of tenderness veiled
under long dark lashes. Did she actually see him wink at her or was it a
trick of sunlight? The straight line of his nose was reminiscent of the
aristocracy and, oh that sensuous mouth! He had to be sprinkled with
fairy dust and stars glittered in the heavens to herald the moment he
graced the earth. He had to be descended from the ancients and graceful
as a willow branch, yet broad shouldered, tall, lean, and stunningly
elegant. He moved his head and thick wavy hair cascaded down his
powerful neck and graced his shoulders. She wanted to run her fingers
through his long, dark-as-midnight hair and then continue to slide her
fingers over that broad, muscled chest. Dangerous, wild, and exciting
all at the same time, he defined desire when he moved; muscled thighs in
ripcords of strength. Yet, he had total control of his masculine, smooth
body and walked with an arrogant swagger that exuded confidence and
announced to the world that he was master of his domain and defeat was
crushed into oblivion.
“My
God, what a beautiful horse,” Melissa said breathlessly. Her soft moan
had nothing to do with an injury.
Alex
looked over his shoulder at Yorath and frowned. He hoped the warriors
didn’t notice or he’d never hear the end of it.
Alex
crouched down next to the lady to check for injuries, and touched her
cheek to confirm that she was alive and breathing. He touched her bottom
lip with his thumb and noticed a slight cut. There were thorns embedded
in her foot that would need medical attention.
The
dark as-a-raven’s-wing horse touched her hand with his soft-as-velvet
mouth. She was certain he was a Prince who wanted to kiss her hand in
greeting.
Alex
had to push Yorath aside to continue his examination of the lady. The
stallion stood guard over her as if he had to protect her and snorted
warnings at anyone who approached.
Melissa finally noticed the shouting warrior in front of her. He wore a
kilt and a white saffron shirt. And then she noticed the most
penetrating, piercing jade eyes imaginable. Melissa suddenly realized—to
her horror, he was staring right at her.
Alex
lifted her head and gently held the back of her neck in the palm of his
hand. “Are ye my angel?” He asked in Gaelic.
Melissa shook her head. “I don’t understand what you said.” She hoped he
understood her. “I’ve never seen a horse like that. He’s beautiful.”
Alex
frowned. Well, at least she liked his horse.
Melissa carefully asked her next question. “Are you one of the legendary
Fenian warriors?”
Alex
had to bite his lip or he’d laugh. Her American accent had taken him
completely by surprise. “Why certainly, I am. And are ye one of the
mystical Merpeople?” he teased in reply.
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