The Wayfarer King by K.C. May

haircut. It’s a good thing we’re roasting today. I can fatten you up.”
    “I doubt you have enough food for that.” When he introduced her to Daia, he caught a glimpse of disappointment in Liera’s eye, or perhaps surprise. Whatever it was disappeared quickly, and she welcomed Daia into her home as though they’d been friends for years.
    Then a woman stepped out, a beauty who took Gavin’s very breath away.

Chapter 14

    When Feanna stepped outside, her attention was drawn immediately to a taller, younger, more muscular version of Rogan. His face was marred by two long scars, but she was captivated by his beautiful dark-brown eyes hooded by a prominent brow. This must be Gavin, about whom Liera talked incessantly. When their eyes met, time seemed to slow. The sound of her heartbeat filled her ears. Even across the dozen feet that separated them, she felt his presence loom large, dominating not only her attention but that of everyone nearby. A peculiar strength emanated from him, the kind that drew people in. The kind that engendered trust and confidence, that prompted a nod from passersby, that encouraged stray dogs to fall into step beside him. He was big, this man — not only in size, but in some intangible, indescribable sense that he was more, much more than he seemed.
    Liera’s voice seeped into her consciousness. “Feanna, meet Daia Saberheart.”
    Feanna tore her eyes away from Rogan’s brother and met the palest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Daia was almost as tall as Henrik had been, and manly muscles bulged from her sleeveless tunic, though her fine features would have made her a grand subject for a statue. Her face might have been comely once with such a perfect white smile, but she was too lean and her neck too thick and muscular, making her look alien. Was this Gavin’s lover? Daia stepped forward, offering a hand.
    Feanna shook it and immediately gasped. Like a flock of geese that had burst into a cacophony of honking, the feelings of everyone bombarded her at once. Never before had anything like this happened. She sensed Daia’s curiosity, Liera’s joy dampened by mild disappointment, Rogan’s relief edged with worry, Jaesh’s excitement, Trevick’s diffidence, GJ’s adoration, and from Gavin a longing so intense as to nearly break her heart. Something was intensifying her skill, like pouring water down her throat with a drenching horn, and she hadn’t even shifted . Anxiety started to well in her, building toward panic and a strong urge to flee. It had to stop. Stop. Stop! Shocked by the suddenness and intensity of the emotions, Feanna jerked her hand out of Daia’s. At once the feelings receded like a tide going out.
    Daia cocked her head with a curious smile. “Forgive me. I had no idea. Pleased to meet you, Miss Feanna.” She had a knowing look in her eyes and a gentle smile that was teasing yet comforting.
    “Nice meeting you too,” she managed to say before the words jumbled in her throat. What had just happened? Had Daia been somehow responsible for the sudden burst of empathy? Feanna sensed Gavin watching her, and she was right. Settled upon her, his brown eyes were like Rogan’s, but their intensity made them seem harder.
    Oblivious to what had happened, Liera said, “And this...” She put an arm around Gavin’s waist. “This is Rogan’s brother, Gavin.” She gave him a squeeze. “I intended to introduce you to Feanna last time you were here, remember?”
    Feanna straightened her posture, trying to draw herself up to be more like the woman he’d arrived with. If he preferred his women strong enough to wield a sword, she didn’t stand a chance, but she wanted him to know she was no field mouse. “Well met, Gavin,” she said boldly, trying not to seem overly demure. Her heart raced. Although she wasn’t close enough to touch him, she felt his longing still, as well as something else, though she wasn’t sure how to describe it other than... intent.
    “So you’re