Page 94 of The Highlander's Accidental Wife
“Is this your father’s hunting lodge?” she asked in a soft voice.
Damien’s throat tightened, but the ache had a strange, pleasant echo to it, as though his grief had changed, allowing him to sip pleasure from his memories of his father again.
“Maither told ye about it, did she nae?” Helena nodded. “Aye, this is it. I havenae been here since he passed, though I’m sure me maither told ye that she keeps it clean and furnished—tryin’ to get me to come here.”
Helena nodded and bit her lip. “We had ideas to trick you into bringing me here in summer.”
Damien chuckled and reached for the horse. “Of course, ye did.”
He brought the horse to the river, let it drink, and then secured it in the small stable, with an overflowing amount of hay. He shookhis head, knowing that his mother ensured that someone made use of the lodge.
Yet, as though he’d planned it, no one was currently there.
Helena waited at the door, and Damien glanced at her, then shook his head. She gave him a puzzled look but obediently followed him around the lodge, through a thicket, and down to a pool of water tucked in a circle of pines. It had the air of a secret place, one that someone could only find by stumbling upon it.
It also seemed to be a part of the river, until one got closer and noticed the wisps of steam rising from it.
“A hot spring?” Helena asked. “How?”
“Aye. ‘Tis a strange thing that we found one on the way here. I kenned of nay others but this one. I dinnae think it’s quite as warm as the one ye found—I’ve never seen flowers in winter. But it’s a lovely place to swim in on a cold winter night.”
He held out a hand, and Helena took it, then moved closer, biting her lip. Pressing a kiss to her hand, he murmured, “Would ye join me?”
CHAPTER 36
“Yes,”Helena answered immediately.
He dropped her hand slowly, pulling in a breath as she stepped back and reached for the clasp on the cloak he’d given her. She unhooked it and handed it to him, and he found a stout, sturdy, and mostly dry branch to hang it on.
When he turned back, Helena’s hands hovered on her stays, before she began to slowly take off her soaked, ruined gown. She’d never looked more lovely as she took it off and let it fall to the ground, then glanced up and flushed when she saw him staring.
“Are you going to disrobe?”
“Och aye,” Damien said and turned. “Perhaps it’s best we meet in the water, me love.”
“Alright,” Helena said.
Damien pulled in an uneasy breath. Helena seemed fine—physically, at least. But she also seemed too quiet. Was it shock?
Then, he heard a splash of water and turned to see a slim, bare form, with dark hair rippling out behind—a bloody selkie come to life. He sighed, some of the tension leaving him, and dropped his kilt. As he approached the water, Helena gasped and stood up. Her dark hair draped around her and covered her lovely breasts, but the water just lapped at the apex of her thighs, shadowed with curls.
“I sometimes think you cannot be real,” Helena said in a shaking voice that sent a frisson of heat through Damien. “That I have read too many myths and legends and conjured a warrior from the beautiful gods and demi-gods.”
Damien smiled and eased into the water, moving toward her. His body was flooded with relief as the warmth stole into his muscles and soothed his pain.
“Love, ye ken better than to compare.”
“Not compare. You would honor them,” she said and took his face. “I—you scared me, Damien.” Her hazel eyes were filled with reproach. “I know what you almost did.”
Gave up Morighe for ye, aye.
He rested his forehead against hers and then wrapped his arms around her, their bare bodies brushing.
“I dinnae regret it.” She tensed up. “I told ye, I love ye.” He paused. “And ye were the one who saved me—saved Morighe this time. Ye gave me the strength and distracted Lachlan. It’s all thanks to ye.”
“No, I…” Helena’s body shuddered with a sob. “You would’ve sacrificed everything. I…”
“Shhh, come here,” Damien said and sank into the water with his love.
