smaller portion. With her plate filled, Tavish set a hand at her back and guided her across the room to the dais and pulled out a chair for her next to Cherub. She set her plate down while Tavish sat next to her and Tor sat on his other side.
Cherub smiled and squeezed her hand, the sleeves of her regal plum gown accented with gold satin fluttering over her wrists. “How do you fare this morn?”
“I’m very well. Tavish stitched my wound and I felt not a pinch of pain as he did.” She leaned closer, lowered her tone. “Although I’m afraid Tavish seems to be under the impression that we’re mated, even though his aura tells me otherwise.”
“His aura does no’ tug toward yours or vice versa?” she whispered back.
“Aye, that is exactly what I’m saying.”
“How strange.” Cherub appeared confused. “Do you feel aught toward him? I ask that because the air itself brings me the secrets it holds, including the call of those who are soul bound. A few days past I actually caught Tavish’s soul’s need for yours, and I’ve yet to be led astray.”
“You did?” She snuck a look at Tavish. He and Tor spoke to each other and she breathed out then leaned back toward Cherub. “Well, I must admit I do feel desire for him, but I cannae tell him that. ’Twould only raise his hopes. One’s aura does no’ lie, or at least not an honorable man’s aura. Tavish is clearly honorable.”
“Hmm.” Cherub patted her hand. “Let me think on this new development a little and I’ll see what I can uncover.” She straightened then motioned toward Kirk’s parents. “You’ve met Michael and Megan afore.”
“Of course.” She smiled at them. “Thank you for the clothes, Megan, but with Cherub’s return for me, I shall no’ be needing them. Michael, I would love to see your home but I fear I willnae be here long enough to do so.”
“Since you’re mated to Tavish, I’m sure there will be here plenty of time over the coming days and weeks ahead for you to see everything.” Michael cut into his sausage and took a bite. “You’re always welcome at Ivanson Castle. I hope you’ll now consider it your home.”
“I heartily agree with that welcome.” Smiling, Megan picked up the tea pot in the center of the table and filled a cup and passed it to her. “I can’t wait to show you and Arabel around, that’s when Cherub finally brings my new daughter-in-law here for a visit. There’s honey in the bowl before you if you wish your tea sweetened, my dear. Milk is in the jug.”
“Thank you.” It seemed everyone believed she and Tavish were soul bound, his word alone ensuring it was so. And Cherub too had sensed the bond. She added a spoonful of honey to her tea and sipped the sweet brew as she mulled it all over.
Cherub nudged her knife and fork toward her. “You need to eat, then we need to talk further about why Kirk and I are actually here. There’s been a development since you last left, one regarding Colin and Jeremiah MacKenzie.”
“I can eat while we talk.” She picked up her fork, speared a bacon slice, chewed and motioned for Cherub to continue. If there’d been a development with their enemy, she wished to hear about it.
“I’m afraid I bring some quite startling news. We received a missive from Colin MacKenzie and in it he states”—she cleared her throat—“that your parents are alive.”
“Surely you jest?” She dropped her fork and it clattered against her plate. “What kind of game does Colin MacKenzie think to play?”
“Those were my thoughts exactly when I first read the missive.”
“What’s going on?” Tavish slid an arm around her shoulders, his full attention on her. “You’re very tense.”
“Cherub has received a missive from Colin MacKenzie and in it he states my parents are alive. A lie for certain.”
“There’s no chance his words could be true?” He glanced at Cherub for confirmation.
“’Tis unlikely, Tavish, although we cannae discount
Cherub smiled and squeezed her hand, the sleeves of her regal plum gown accented with gold satin fluttering over her wrists. “How do you fare this morn?”
“I’m very well. Tavish stitched my wound and I felt not a pinch of pain as he did.” She leaned closer, lowered her tone. “Although I’m afraid Tavish seems to be under the impression that we’re mated, even though his aura tells me otherwise.”
“His aura does no’ tug toward yours or vice versa?” she whispered back.
“Aye, that is exactly what I’m saying.”
“How strange.” Cherub appeared confused. “Do you feel aught toward him? I ask that because the air itself brings me the secrets it holds, including the call of those who are soul bound. A few days past I actually caught Tavish’s soul’s need for yours, and I’ve yet to be led astray.”
“You did?” She snuck a look at Tavish. He and Tor spoke to each other and she breathed out then leaned back toward Cherub. “Well, I must admit I do feel desire for him, but I cannae tell him that. ’Twould only raise his hopes. One’s aura does no’ lie, or at least not an honorable man’s aura. Tavish is clearly honorable.”
“Hmm.” Cherub patted her hand. “Let me think on this new development a little and I’ll see what I can uncover.” She straightened then motioned toward Kirk’s parents. “You’ve met Michael and Megan afore.”
“Of course.” She smiled at them. “Thank you for the clothes, Megan, but with Cherub’s return for me, I shall no’ be needing them. Michael, I would love to see your home but I fear I willnae be here long enough to do so.”
“Since you’re mated to Tavish, I’m sure there will be here plenty of time over the coming days and weeks ahead for you to see everything.” Michael cut into his sausage and took a bite. “You’re always welcome at Ivanson Castle. I hope you’ll now consider it your home.”
“I heartily agree with that welcome.” Smiling, Megan picked up the tea pot in the center of the table and filled a cup and passed it to her. “I can’t wait to show you and Arabel around, that’s when Cherub finally brings my new daughter-in-law here for a visit. There’s honey in the bowl before you if you wish your tea sweetened, my dear. Milk is in the jug.”
“Thank you.” It seemed everyone believed she and Tavish were soul bound, his word alone ensuring it was so. And Cherub too had sensed the bond. She added a spoonful of honey to her tea and sipped the sweet brew as she mulled it all over.
Cherub nudged her knife and fork toward her. “You need to eat, then we need to talk further about why Kirk and I are actually here. There’s been a development since you last left, one regarding Colin and Jeremiah MacKenzie.”
“I can eat while we talk.” She picked up her fork, speared a bacon slice, chewed and motioned for Cherub to continue. If there’d been a development with their enemy, she wished to hear about it.
“I’m afraid I bring some quite startling news. We received a missive from Colin MacKenzie and in it he states”—she cleared her throat—“that your parents are alive.”
“Surely you jest?” She dropped her fork and it clattered against her plate. “What kind of game does Colin MacKenzie think to play?”
“Those were my thoughts exactly when I first read the missive.”
“What’s going on?” Tavish slid an arm around her shoulders, his full attention on her. “You’re very tense.”
“Cherub has received a missive from Colin MacKenzie and in it he states my parents are alive. A lie for certain.”
“There’s no chance his words could be true?” He glanced at Cherub for confirmation.
“’Tis unlikely, Tavish, although we cannae discount
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