Highland Thirst by Lynsay Sands, Hannah Howell

whole truth, for she had
never traveled very far.
    “Nay.
If we had horses, I might consider it, but we will be walking, mayhap have to
run and hide at times. I believe Thor will do just fine, but nay the cat, nay
when ye have to carry him all the time. If naught else, ye could lose him along
the way and that would grieve ye, aye?”
    “Aye,
but I cannae leave him here. If he was caught by my cousin, all of Hervey’s
anger would fall upon Havoc.”
    “We
will leave him with my mother,” said Colin. “The laird willnae recognize one
cat from another outside of the keep. The beastie will be weel cared for, I
promise ye. My sister Fiona will be that pleased to have him and care for him.”
    Knowing
what a sweet girl Fiona was, Brona reluctantly agreed. When they slipped up
behind Colin’s home just outside of the village, his mother hurried out to
greet them and readily agreed to care for Havoc. Feeling a little foolish for
her urge to weep like a bairn, Brona ignored the men as she explained to Havoc
why she had to leave him behind and advised him to stay close to Fiona until
she returned for him. She then stiffened her spine and walked away with the
men, silently promising herself that she would return even if it was
only to collect her cat.
    Brona
turned her thoughts to what she now faced. She was about to go on an adventure
at the side of a man who made her blood run hot. She would see things she had
never seen and might even have to flee danger a time or two. A part of her was
terrified while the greater part of her was excited. When Heming took her hand
in his and smiled down at her, Brona decided that whatever she faced in the
days ahead, it would all be worth it for she would be sharing it all with him.

Six
    “I
miss Havoc.”
    Heming
smiled as he latched the door to their room. It was going to be very fine
indeed to spend the next few hours until sunset cloistered in a locked room
with Brona. Feeling that they were safely secured inside, he walked over to the
small table where Brona sat staring at the food the maid had brought them. They
had only been traveling for two nights and as much of each day as he could
withstand without weakening. Except for a few short respites from the company
of the others, this was the first time he and Brona had been left completely alone
and Heming had every intention of taking full advantage of it.
    Glancing
at the heavy blanket Brona had hung over the window as he sat down, Heming
realized that he was still surprised at how accepting of him the Kerrs were. He
knew the trust of the men was still a little tenuous, but, to his delight,
Brona appeared to fully accept him just as he was. With every step they took
toward Cambrun the feeling that he was walking beside his mate grew stronger.
    “Havoc
will be fine,” he said as he helped himself to some of the still warm bread. “Ye
could see that Colin’s wee sister liked the animal.”
    “Aye,
and he liked her.” Brona smiled faintly. “I ken that he will be weel cared for,
but I am used to having him about.”
    “Ye
will again have him leaving piles of fur all o’er your gowns verra soon.”
    Brona
laughed and nodded, but quickly grew very serious. “Aye, once Hervey is gone. I
understand that ye must end the threat to your clan, but Hervey is my cousin—“
She stuttered to a halt when he placed his hand over hers.
    The
fact that his slightest touch could affect her so was a little embarrassing.
Since leaving Rosscurrach he had kissed her again, several times, and each time
she had felt far more than her body heat and melt at his touch. Her wits
appeared to do the same and it was always Heming who knew someone was
approaching, ending the kiss before they could be caught acting so wantonly.
Each kiss left her aching for him more than she had before. Brona knew what
that aching meant, what her body wanted from him, and the fact that she was not
terrified by that both stunned and worried her.
    Sir
Heming MacNachton was not