Free Mist Warrior by Kathryn Loch Page A

so quickly place herself in front of her and send Richard flying warmed a secret place in her heart. He had always been her defender.
    Branan sat with his elbows on his knees, his shoulders bowed and his head lowered. He squeezed his eyes shut, his long black hair streaming around his face. She placed the cloak over Branan’s shoulders, then gently stroked her fingers through his hair, tucking a few of the cascading locks behind his ear.
    Branan still fought to catch his breath.
    She remained silent, knowing from experience , her touch helped pull him out of the pit he had fallen into. She turned her hand and lightly caressed his cheek with the back of her fingers.
    He made a soft sound, a choking gasp, then suddenly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest. He pressed his lips against the top of her head, stroking her hair with one hand, the other firmly gripping her waist.
    Catriona also wrapped her arms tightly around him. The shock at the changes of him assailed her. No longer was he a lanky lad , but a giant of a man. She felt the hard mass of muscle which now comprised his body. His broad shoulders seemed to surround her, his heavily sinewed arms engulfed her. She could not stop her hand as it traveled lightly over his chest down to his flat stomach and narrow waist.
    Branan didn’t move, he only clung to her.
    Her other hand moved up his back and she marveled at the power she felt there too. Long muscles, corded tight, stretched upward and outward across his shoulders. Never had she imagined the wounded youthling she had found in the woods would become such a Goliath.
    Slowly , his grip eased on her, his breathing growing more steady , but his limbs still trembled . He backed away enough to look down at her. His eyes shimmered, chaotic and turbulent, as if a tempest had struck the core of the sea-green depths. He lifted his hand to trace along her jaw with a calloused finger. It moved lightly up to her temple , where it paused for a long moment , then continued to stroke through his hair. His touch was so tender, so full of compassion , that it proved a complete contradiction to the power she sensed within him. The warmth of his skin sent a tingle through her where it radiated into the deshe into tpths of her being.
    “ Are... are ye sure yer all right, lass? ” he asked. His voice, a bare whisper, grated harshly in his throat and his Scottish burr sounded almost as thick as Duguald’s.
    She smiled up at him. “ I am fine, Branan. ”
    He closed his eyes again, inhaling another deep breath. The shaking of his limbs lessened considerably. “ I... I thought he’d strike ye, ” he said as if trying to explain his actions not only to her , but to himself.
    Catriona understood exactly what had happened and why. “ I know, Branan, ” she said and impulsively traced her fingers over his well-shaped lips.
    For an instant , Branan remained frozen , but then caught her hand. He brushed his lips across her fingers then softly kissed her palm. She gasped at the sudden shiver that shot through her.
    Branan seemed to come more to his senses, releasing her hand and gazing down at her. For a long moment he stared, his eyes moving over her face as if to memorize every detail. Then he pulled her against his chest again.
    “ Catriona , forgive me. ”
    “ Forgive you? ” she asked. “ Richard was being a beast for no reason. ”
    A low chuckle rumbled through him and Catriona breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he was once again in control. All she had to do was keep him away from Richard.
    Branan continued to hold her, remaining silent. Catriona didn’t move, simply enjoying the wonderful peace and the warmth they shared without words.
    She heard voices approaching and silently cursed as aray curseBranan pulled away. She straightened and looked at the gates.
    Gavin and Duguald entered and Catriona was grateful to note Richard was not with them.
    “ Are ye all right, laddie? ”
    “ Aye, U ncle.