Free Prince of Desire by Donna Grant

if he expected her to change her mind again.
    She nodded and found herself enveloped in his arms as he swung her around and around. He stopped and buried his head in her neck.
    “Thank you,” he whispered.
    She smiled up at the sky at his words, and she could have sworn the mark on her arm sizzled.
     
    * * * *
     
    Lucian secured a horse for Isabelle, one that was surefooted and steady. He wanted to leave immediately, fearing she might change her mind once more.   But every time he asked, she just laughed and kissed him.
    His heart was lighter than it had been in years.   He was going home.   With his mate.   Isabelle had made the impossible, possible.   He couldn’t imagine the anxiety within her, but he was going to be beside her forever.   He would help her through it all.
    He smiled at his mate, his Isabelle, as she stood with Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald.   That morning he’d combed her hair, hearing her sighs of pleasure.   The long strands of her hair were soft as down and cool to the touch.   Never had he imagined himself combing a woman’s hair, but he’d found he quite enjoyed it.   It was definitely something he planned to do often.
    One of many things he looked forward to once they were settled in Drahcir.  
    He finished tying off the bag holding Isabelle’s possessions to her horse.   It took everything he had to stop himself from dragging her away from the MacDonalds. They were the only family she knew, and she needed to say her farewells.
    “I'm going to miss you, dearling,” Mrs. MacDonald said as she hugged Isabelle for the third time.
    Lucian saw the moisture in Isabelle's eyes as she kissed Mrs. MacDonald's weathered cheek before turning to Mr. MacDonald.  
    “You were the daughter we never had, lass. I hate to see you leave, but know 'tis something you need to do,” Mr. MacDonald said. “We'll be here if you ever need us. Take care of yourself.”
    “I will,” she said.
    Lucian was surprised to find Mr. MacDonald walk to him. “I better no’ hear of you mistreating her.”  
    “Never. I pledge my soul on it,” Lucian answered solemnly.
    Mr. MacDonald seemed satisfied with the answer as he returned to his wife and pulled her into his arms as she cried. Lucian helped Isabelle on her horse before he mounted Elad.   At long last, he was finally returning home.   He couldn’t wait to see the gates of the kingdom or his family.
    But more than that, he couldn’t wait to show Isabelle her new home.
    “Ready?” he turned his head and asked.
    Her eyes were bright from unshed tears, but her smile was wide.   “Ready.”
    With one last wave to the MacDonalds, Lucian nudged his horse into a walk.  
     
    * * * *
     
    The weeks of travel had been decidedly hard on Isabelle, though she made a point to never complain. Lucian made sure to travel slowly, but it was obvious he was more than eager to reach his home. She was just as anxious about meeting his family.
    She heard tales of his childhood and his family, of the antics between him and his brothers.   Those stories kept her laughing as she came to learn about his brothers through the stories, as well as more about him.
    Isabelle had a growing respect for his parents to put up with such unruly lads.   It was apparent by the way his parents disciplined the boys and the wisdom they tried to pass down that they were good people.  
    Lucian spoke often of how his father would spend time alone with each of the brothers riding through their small kingdom, hunting, fishing, or just walking through the village.   All the while imparting some knowledge the boys needed to know about the kingdom, family, or life in general.  
    The king wasn’t the only one to spend time alone with the boys.   The queen did as well.   She also had things to impart to her sons, specifically how to properly woo a woman.   Isabelle knew she would have to thank the queen for that.
    After another hard day of travel in the mountains, she reclined in Lucian's