She peered at the woman and pondered her. Finn was handsome but his heart was set on staying unmarried. It would prove a task to unite two souls at the right time. Unfortunately she knew little of the woman yet. All the sidhe council told her was that she was a lady who would need help. Whatever that meant.
She flexed her wings and sighed. Dealing with mortals was most tiring but the sidhe council had commanded it so she had little choice. And she had so hoped she’d be returning home after bringing Alana and Morgann together.
But it appeared she’d used one trick too many. Her weather spells had caused some disturbance and pushed forward the Norse invaders’ campaign. Had all gone according to plan, Finn would have met Catriona at a later date and under no guise.
Curses. She could swear the council liked making her life difficult. You’d think they’d be happy she’d achieved her original goal of uniting Morgann and Alana and the two clans. The bloodshed had ceased and the laird and lady were undoubtedly happier than ever.
As the vessel ground to a halt in the sand and a highlander jumped out to secure it, Tèile dodged out of the way and set her hands determinedly on her hips. She would prove to the council she could do a good job. Then hopefully she would finally be allowed to return home and enjoy the luxuries of the fae world once more.
Her tongue felt dry just thinking of the fae wine she was missing. But she had a job to do. She needed to focus. Soon everyone would be speaking of the Green Faery’s great deeds. A grin teased her lips and she thought of the dreams with which she’d already taunted Finn. He might not have realised it yet, but he had met Catriona before. Hopefully the seeds of desire were already planted.
Not quite yet though. She needed to hold them at bay for a little while longer. When the time was right, they would come together in such a clash of love all would be right in the world once more and Tèile could return home.
She let her wings drop. Experience had taught her that mortal hearts were not so easily governed. Tèile prayed she’d learned enough from her last try at matchmaking.
***
As they made their way up away from the beach, Finn glanced at the lass in his arms. He had to keep repositioning the furs as a glimpse of leg or the curve of a breast would peek out. It made concentrating on where he was going more difficult than it should have. Though milky light dotted the hills, the ground was uneven. Thankfully they saw no more of the inclement weather, the green hills remained dry and the clouds had broken apart. A woman in his arms and muddy ground surely spelled trouble so he uttered thanks for the dry grass.
She slept soundly. Over the rush of the sea that whispered through the air, he heard her steady breaths. Katelyn seemed to trust him now which made his chest swell with pride. And then a stab of reality hit him. He did not want or need her trust. Their journey was short enough and then he’d hand her over to his sister—and Katelyn’s betrothed—and be on his way. A woman had trusted him once and…
Finn shook his head and glanced at the following men. They walked swiftly, all too aware the Norsemen had probably discovered the lady of the keep was now missing. She would have made a fine prize and a useful bargaining tool with the king. If they wanted her badly enough, the seas were easily crossed. Finn intended to make camp far away from the coastline where their fire could not be seen.
They continued on for several miles until the salty air gave way to the lush scent of heather and grass. With the beach far behind, Finn paused and waited for Logan to catch up. The dark-haired man came to his side and hefted his leather satchel off one shoulder for a moment.
“Are we to make camp?”
Finn nodded. “Aye, we are far enough away I should think. We’ll find no shelter here,” he glanced around the bare hills, “but we can see many a mile. No thief or bandit will be able to sneak up on us.”
“Indeed. The moonlight is strong too. ‘Twould be easy to spot a stranger.”
“We must count our blessings the skies have cleared. The lass has taken a soaking enough.”
“Well the weather is mild enough. She’ll no’ catch a chill now. Though Lorna willnae be happy ye handled her so.”
“What would ye have me do? Ye were the one who suggested removing her garments, or had ye forgotten?” Finn drew back his shoulders and forced aside memories of soft skin beneath his fingertips.
“Aye, but Lorna would tell ye that ye shouldnae have let her get wet in the first place.”
“Ach, ye are worse than her, Logan. Too much time at my sister’s side, that is yer problem. Ye sound like a nagging lassie.”
Logan bristled. “Someone had to stay by her side.”