Warrior of the Isles by Debbie Mazzuca

his companions took their leave.
    Tension banded her chest, making it difficult to breathe. “No,” she answered, her voice little more than a whisper. She chewed on her bottom lip, wishing she had the ability to read minds. His interrogation grew painful, and he appeared to grow frustrated with her. Remembering what her father’s response had been when she frustrated him, she took a wary step back.
    Emotion flared in his eyes, and he muttered something under his breath. He gathered her in his arms. “I’m sorry, lass, this can wait. All that matters is ye’re safe now.”
    The words rumbled deep in his chest soothed her fears and warmed her heart. She tipped her head back, unable to keep a smile from her lips. “You were worried about me?”
    â€œAye.” He returned her smile, and stroked her cheek with his knuckles. “We’ve been searchin’ fer ye ever since I found yer wee shoe.”
    Syrena sucked in an alarmed breath. As carefully as she could, without drawing his attention, she slid her foot from her slipper and tried to squish it into the soft, wet earth.
    â€œI’ll get it fer ye.” He released her and strode toward Fin, rummaging through his saddlebag.
    Syrena squeezed her eyes closed and murmured the words she prayed would make her slipper disappear. An odd sensation prickled from her foot to her knee, but she had no time to discover if her magick had been successful. Aidan stood before her, slipper in hand.
    He bent down on one knee and carefully lifted the hem of her gown. She scrambled for some explanation, but her mind went blank, panic scattering her thoughts.
    Aidan raised a quizzical brow.
    Syrena looked down to see she wore an oversized black boot. Oh, for the love of Fae. “I . . . I found it over there.” She pointed in the direction of the woods.
    He removed the boot and tossed it aside, holding her bare foot in the palm of his hand. Syrena grabbed hold of his broad shoulders to keep from falling over while he warmed her foot in his hand. He blew a heated breath across her icy cold skin and she gasped inwardly at the sensation. Warmth unfurled deep in her belly then spread to the core of her femininity. She curled her fingers into the soft fabric of his brown jacket, resisting the urge to run them through the dark waves on his bent head.
    He lifted his gaze, watching her as he slid her slipper onto her foot. He slowly came to his feet and, without a word, lifted her into his arms. Syrena clutched the back of his neck, inhaling his masculine scent, trying to understand the emotions he awakened in her. No one had ever made her feel as protected as he did, or aroused a desire for their touch. She shivered, afraid if she spent too much time with this man she’d leave a piece of her heart behind when she returned to the Enchanted Isles.
    Aidan settled her carefully on top of Fin, treating her as though she were a fragile piece of crystal. He swung into the saddle behind her, tugging her against his chest. She snuggled into him. He leaned over and pulled a blanket from his pack.
    She wrinkled her nose at the smell of damp wool and horses, but swallowed her complaint once Aidan had tucked her within its heavy warmth.
    At the sound of Donald and Gavin’s return, he twisted in the saddle. “Any sign of them?”
    â€œNay, they’re long gone,” Donald said as he brought his horse alongside them. “How’s the lass?”
    Syrena was about to tell him she was fine, but then thought better of it. She didn’t have the answers to the questions that would surely follow. She wriggled deeper beneath the blanket.
    â€œAs good as can be expected after what she’s been through.”
    â€œYe doona think they—”
    â€œNay,” Aidan said gruffly, tightening his hold on her. “Nay, but I’ll question her further once she’s rested.”
    â€œShe’s verra lucky. Remember what happened to