"Izel," he whispered, looking into her eyes. "This night, it is you I want, above all else."

He thrust inside her, plunging to the hilt.

She let out a strangled cry of pain. "So tight," his voice broke from the effort it took to remain still, letting her body grow accustomed to his size. Transferring his weight to one arm, he dipped his head, suckling her nipple while reaching down to glide his finger over her clitoris. When she began rocking her hips he asked, "More?"

"Yes."

Carefully withdrawing, he slowly sank back into her again. She arched her back and gasped. He looked down at her, praying that God granted him the strength to cease hurting her.

"No, Kel, it's good. Keep going!" He eased out and eased inside her again, flexing his hips to hit her even deeper. "Yes, yes. Don't stop. Please, don't stop!"

"Never."

She felt so good. Her hot sheath gloved his cock so tightly he was already struggling not to come. When he stirred himself inside her, she thrashed her head against the pillow. She clawed his hips and Kelvin knew she was on the brink. Felt her tight little sheath tense.

He needed more. Needed to fuck her deeper, harder. Sitting back, he clutched her ass and raised her hips up, holding her flush against his. With a quick pump, he surged home. Biting out a curse as she screamed for more.

He moved in and out of her faster, harder. Eyes riveted to her round breasts bouncing with each searing thrust. Her pink nipples were so hard, begging to be sucked. The sound of skin slapping and hips knocking maddened him. A sheen misted her skin as her lush lips parted, panting, as she looked up from underneath long lashes.

Mine.

"Come for your male." He yanked her body into his as he surged forward, hitting the end of her sex.

"Ah, yes!" He felt her spasm around his aching shaft, demanding what he had yet to give. It was too much. Helplessly, he followed her. Throwing his head back, he roared to the ceiling as he came hotly inside her.

Still joined, he collapsed atop her and she wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck. Clinging to him, she showered kisses over his brow, ears, and neck. He found her eyes, with an apology on his lips. He'd tried to go slow, hadn't meant to take her so roughly, but her gaze was one of hunger. She nipped at his lip and scratched her nails down his back. He groaned, loving the feel. He was still hard within her, though their recent pleasure was already a memory.

"Is that all you've got, Pookah?" she pulled on his hair, tasting his lips.

"You, you can handle this? Me... like this?"

She kissed him again. "It's taking me over, too. I need you... fiercely... more."

Could this be real? Could the night really be affecting her, too? Her eyes were shining like green fire and her lips were swollen from his kisses. So beautiful. So passionate. So mine.

"I hope you're no' tired, little human." He rocked his hips inside her. "I am nowhere near finished with you."

She smiled against his lips. "Good."

Chapter 21.

Kelvin had exhausted his woman. Hour after hour he'd commanded her body to come over and over again. Although he was certain he may never truly get enough of her, finally he allowed her to rest. With sunrise a half hour off, he looked at the lovely female sprawled across his stomach, her dark hair fanning over his chest like chocolate syrup.

Absently sifting fingers through her locks, he took a deep breath. Peace.

Such a feeling was quickly replaced with soul-crushing guilt.

Do no' ruin this, he told himself. He was confident that when the sun rose, the last bit of denial would fade and he could finally have his fated female. These past hours had by far been the best of his long life. Suddenly the weight he'd been carrying didn't feel so heavy. Choices didn't seem so hard. There was no way he could ever let anything harm this woman. She was his first and foremost; everything else was secondary.

He would find a way to be with her, for a lot longer than a few measly decades. There had to be some magic that could change her. Kelvin wouldn't give up until his human was immortal.

But will she want me when she finds out we're enemies? Finds out what I've done...

Her wee shoulders lifted with a sigh and her exhaling breath tickled his abs as she nestled her soft cheek against his navel. She was so small, so fragile. Her green gaze looked up his body and met his eyes. A sad smile stretched across her face.

Kelvin clenched his jaw.

Come sunrise, he'd explain everything, and she would forgive him. She had to. Whatever struggles they faced, he knew that with her at his side, nothing could overcome them. Surely she'd understand. Yes, he hadn't been honest. His initial intentions had not been noble, and he'd attempted to push her away on more than one occasion. But she was his. And although he may have handled this situation poorly, it was the only way he'd known how.

He could fix this. Come clean, tell her everything, and move on... together. Yes, she would forgive him. Letting her go was simply not an option.

Izel stretched, loving the feel of the Pookah's hard body beneath hers. She was sore, starving, and utterly spent.

But it hurts so good.

Kelvin's big hands twined through her hair as he stared down at her. Never in her life had she been looked at like this, like she was treasured. A tinge of sadness pierced her heart. The night had gone too quickly. She was running out of darkness, and soon she'd have to relinquish her Pookah and never again would he look at her like this. Or worse, he would be bound to her and her frailness forever, sentencing him to an early death.

As if reading her thoughts, he palmed her jaw. "Do no' fret, lass. I am no' going anywhere."

She adjusted her position and rested her chin on the ridges of his abs. His eyes were like looking into the daytime sky as she searched his face for answers.

"It's still dark," she whispered.

A sly grin spread over his gorgeous face. "Aye. Which means I am no' done with my human yet." Lifting her, he pulled her mouth to his and she smiled against his kiss.

"Well, your human needs food." God, she loved the sound of that. Of course she didn't want to leave his side, but her hunger bordered on becoming painful. If she wanted to make these last few moments count, she needed a quick burst of energy.

She kissed him once more and scurried off the bed, yanking his shirt over her head and hopping into her jeans. "I'm going to run down, grab an apple, and be back in thirty seconds." She had just fastened the button on her pants when he grasped her wrist and pulled her back to bed.

"Just need one more taste," he said, teasing her lips open with his tongue. She loved his hot mouth working hers and soon got lost in his firm kiss. Hands splayed over her backside, he lay on his back and anchored her over his hips. She moaned with pleasure even as her stomach growled loudly.

A playful groan escaped his throat and vibrated against her lips. "Hurry," he said, kissing down her neck while gently coaxing her away. "Get your apple and get that ass back ta me." She smiled, biting her lip, nodding frantically. Just as she ran out the bedroom door, he called after her. "You have sixty seconds, else I'll come after you and take ya where ya stand."

Her smile widened when she thought, Promise?

Once Izel stepped outside, the cool breeze rushed over her and she already missed Kelvin's warm skin. Adrenaline surged through her veins and she skipped to one of the smaller trees. Up on her tippy-toes, she reached and grabbed a few pieces of fruit while her mind replayed the last several hours.

The way he looked at me... the intensity.

Please God, let him want her. Last night was too good for her to not be his.

Or maybe I'm grasping at straws.

It was possible, wasn't it? She could be his mate, right? Even if she was, would she really want such a thing? Could she be that selfish?

He brought all her emotions out. When he was near her, inside she felt alive. Complete. Wrapped in his arms, she was safe. He had already protected her, fought for her. Now, she just needed to find her grandfather, and everything would be okay.

Euan had to see that this was how she was meant to live-happy, alongside Kelvin. All this talk of power and whatnot was just silly. And even if she did for some reason "come into magic" or whatever, it didn't matter. For once, a future seemed possible. Everything would work itself out. She had to be Kelvin's mate; she just had to be.

Guess I'll know for certain in a few minutes.

With apples cradled in one arm, she glanced at the forest beyond as she opened the tower door. Her motion was halted by the most hauntingly gray eyes she'd ever seen glowing amongst the forest's early morning shadows. Fear raced through her. Dropping the fruit, she screamed.

The blazing silver eyes stayed locked on Izel as a figure emerged from the shadows. "It's all right, Izel. I am of your kind, your clan." Her eyes went wide when the being came into view.

He was tall, lean, and sitting on the most massive horse she'd ever seen. The man's black hair was neatly combed off his face, and his dark brows drew together as he examined her. He had a strong, clean-shaven jaw, and his thick lips pressed into a harsh line.

She froze under his scrutiny. He was of her kind? No frickin' way. Rumor was that beholding the face of a Warrior Fionn, one could become entranced by their beauty. Good probability the man before her was such a Fionn.

Not getting off his horse, he drew closer, stopping right in front her. It was then that four other Warriors emerged from the shadows, also on horseback, flanking behind the gray-eyed immortal currently peering down at her. Seeing the men, she realized she'd never thought to ask for a horse.

She ran a shaky hand over her opposite forearm. Aside from wearing a man's shirt, her tangled hair and throbbing lips may as well have screamed, "Just been fucked."

"We've come to take you home," the Fionn said.

Izel heard the rumbling steps of a pissed-off Pookah barreling down the tower stairs. All eyes swung to the shaking pillar. The gray-eyed Fionn let out an exaggerated breath and dismounted his horse. Rolling his eyes, he unsheathed his sword.

Holy God, he must be seven feet tall!

Her Pookah was tall, somewhere around six nine. He was also packed with large muscles and ruggedly handsome. The creature before her was lean, almost graceful in his movements, with starkly angelic features.

Kelvin burst through the door, heavy sword in hand, wearing only his jeans. He snatched Izel's arm and pushed her behind him. The four still-mounted Fionns moved to descend upon them, but the silver-eyed leader held up his hand, signaling for them to remain mounted. She peeked around Kelvin's heaving back. The Warrior who faced them was oddly calm, his demeanor calculating.

"Do no' think ta take her, Fionn," Kelvin snarled.

The Fionn tilted his head. "She's my betrothed, Kerr."

What!

"And our chief." He glanced over his shoulder at the men behind him.

These immortals were part of the Campbell clan? She went to step around Kelvin, but his arm shot out, refusing to let her pass. "Kel," she touched his steely bicep, "is this my clan?" Never taking his eyes off the Fionn, he gave her a quick nod.

Well, that had been easy. Here she thought she'd have to track them down. She stepped forward, but Kelvin's arm held firm. "Pookah? Stop. You said you'd help me find the Campbell clan, and here they are." She'd barely finished her statement when he shot her a deadly glare over his shoulder.

"Did he now?" The Fionn said, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes darted between the two men. Obviously she was missing something. It hadn't been a big secret that Kelvin didn't particularly like her grandfather, but now that they were together- Together? We're not "together." The sun isn't even up yet.

The Fionn smirked at her, as if about to say something.

"Hold your tongue, Thompson, or by Christ I'll chop it off." Kelvin hissed.

Thompson?

The Fionn smiled and kept his eyes on her, ignoring Kelvin's threat. "Izel, I am Andrew Thompson, the Battle Chief of the Campbell clan and acting Head Chief. However, now that we've found you, we can take you to our castle wherein you'll be sworn in as our leader."

Her grandfather had told her to find Andrew Thompson and the clan. She'd been worried they were going to lock her away, but apparently they wanted to make her their chief. Maybe they feared this supposed power she held. Andrew obviously knew something. Between the combined lack of sleep and a general understanding of what the hell was going on, she stuck with her previous internal thought. "Ah, what?"

"He thinks ta take you only ta use you," Kelvin interjected quickly. Her shoulders scrunched, she remained behind him. She trusted Kelvin, and if he said that this man was trouble, she would believe him.

"Lying to the woman, Kerr?" Andrew tsked with a sarcastic laugh. He bent at the waist, leaning in slightly. "Don't look now, Pookah"-he tilted his chin at Izel-"but you're defending a Campbell."

A deep rumble came from Kelvin's chest.

"Izel." Andrew spoke to her as if the massive immortal shielding her body was invisible, "I've known you were human since your birth. I was there. Your grandfather enacted our betrothal and took you to the States the night your parents"-his gray eyes flickered in Kelvin's direction-"died."

Her mouth hung open as she stared at her supposed husband-to-be. None of this made sense.

"This is all in the journal he left you," Andrew finished.

Frick! Suddenly she felt like she was two weeks late with her homework.

"I haven't had a chance to read all of it." Her excuse sounded pitiful. The Fionn's eyes raked over her.

"I see. Well"-he pursed his lips and looked at Kelvin before his critical gaze landed back on her-"it seems the Pookah has been occupying your time with other matters."

Kelvin snapped his teeth at the remark and she flushed with embarrassment. "She is no' yours, nor will she go with you."

Andrew brandished his sword. "I grow tired of this, Kerr. You've already caused enough damage. She's our chief, and we're taking her."

Peeking her head around Kelvin, she attempted to swallow back any awkwardness. "I want to stay with Kelvin. Maybe we can work something out? Kel can come with us." Andrew glared at her just as the Fionns behind him roared with laughter.

"Stop it!" she yelled. She'd had enough. First she'd had to deal with Kelvin's moods about this tiff between clans or whatever, and now these oversized Fionns were laughing at her? "If I'm your chief, then you must listen to me, right?"

Everyone fell silent and she caught sight of Kelvin's smirk. "And you," she shoved at his arm, "need to let me face them." She looked at Andrew, ready to pitch her idea of peace, but the Fionn cut off her words before they even left her mouth.

"The Pookah cannot come with us. And you cannot stay with him."

So sick of people telling her what to do, she opened her mouth to argue but once again was cut off by the domineering warrior.

"Why would you want a dishonest beast exploiting and extorting you any longer?"

His words smacked her ears like a painful flick of fingers. Sure, Kelvin was moody, but he had saved her. Protected her and helped her.

"Kel hasn't been dishonest. He told me about his kind and how-"

"How he's taking you to his castle to be tortured and killed?"

Her stomach dropped. The Fionn was lying, had to be. She scoffed at Andrew. Looking up at her handsome Pookah, she smiled, shaking her head. "Kelvin would never." But her face fell when she saw Kelvin's blue eyes look down at her, a pained expression washing over his face.

"He's used you, Izel. You have a prophecy-you're powerful. You're also the head of our clan." He inclined his head toward Kelvin. "He hates Campbells. Hates Fionns. Hates you."