Forged in Dreams and Magick (Highland Legends #1)(51)
I admired my man as he approached. He represented the perfect specimen of how I’d always imagined a Pict warrior. Long, black hair flowed beyond his shoulders. Tribal symbols etched into his skin in the most battle-injury-prone areas shone bright cobalt against a tanned surface. Broad shoulders and a trim waist highlighted a lean, muscular body crafted from surviving in an unforgiving wilderness. His proud carriage displayed health and vitality. I smiled as my heart leapt at the sight of him.
The care and patience he’d shown me during my integration into his world had been rivaled only by the carnal passion he unleashed between us at night until we both collapsed from exhaustion. Fragile strands of love had developed between us, forcing me to accept that, in all probability, Iain had been correct: the box did bring two soul mates together. But Iain had no idea at the time there could be more than one, and neither had I.
Velloc strode up and dropped the sets of reins, embracing me as he lifted me off the ground in a crushing hug. He set me down as I kissed him, laughing.
I pushed him away and shook my head as I pressed my hands onto Malibu, swinging onto her back and settling astride her in one of the many pair of deerskin pants I’d insisted upon being made. She whuffled softly.
Velloc smacked the hindquarters of his stallion as he jumped onto his mount, the animal taking off to the south. I urged Malibu by squeezing my thighs, and we raced after them toward the afternoon’s hunting grounds.
We’d talked about the day’s plans late into last night. Although I’d accompanied him hunting a few times, I’d not actually participated in the capture or kill. Instead, I’d hung back, observing. Their success on the outings I’d attended relied on their innate ability to commune with animals. I wanted to learn the skill.
When I’d asked, he’d chuckled, kissing me.
“Isobel. It’s not mastered. Not taught. It comes from your heart.” He pointed at my chest.
I grabbed his wrist, kissing his finger, adjusting my body atop his into a teasing position. “Yes, but what do you think about when you’re out there? How does your heart feel?”
His gaze grew distant as I dropped my chin onto my folded hands on his chest. “I show and cause no fear. When I face the animal, he’s not my prey. I become the rabbit. Its frantic heart beats in my chest. I slow my breathing and focus on calming his beating heart. Deer, rabbits, birds, squirrels . . . all creatures coexist with no threat. I become nonthreatening.”
“They sense fear?” I asked. “Can they smell it?”
He shook his head. “No. Everything has vibration.” He flattened his palm on my back, vibrating it imperceptibly. “I match my pulse of life to his.”
“I understand.” I’d said the words, but I truly hadn’t grasped what he’d meant, or how I could possibly learn something so metaphysical in a conversation in the middle of the night.
That late-night discussion led to our afternoon lesson.
Malibu galloped along our usual path past a thicket by a pond. I flattened to her back, opening my heart, trying to become the horse, feeling every breath she took with each stride she made.
I closed my eyes, trusting she would protect me. Her body went rigid with tension as she slowed, negotiating a tricky turn. After the challenging terrain passed, her muscles eased.
Malibu’s inhalations became mine. Labored breathing from the exertion of her ride fused into my lungs. Together we slowed, coming down to a trot, a walk, and taking two more slow steps before halting. I ran my hands and arms across the shoulders and neck of the magnificent animal, my body humming with an energized buzz I’d never experienced before.
When I pressed my body upright and opened my eyes, we stood at the edge of the same clearing where Velloc had run me to ground so many weeks ago. Our destination had to be by design—nothing Velloc did ever fell to coincidence.
I turned and found him off his horse, walking toward my side. He grinned up at me, a look of proud understanding in his eyes. He knew. The sense of accomplishment from my epiphany radiated from deep within me, and I beamed down at him, smiling so wide my cheeks cramped.
He slid me off my mare, taking my hand into his larger grip. We strolled together across the open glade toward the stream. Unlike my original Disney visit, no animals were anywhere to be seen.
Velloc dropped onto a dry patch of dirt adjacent to the stream and pulled me between his legs. His broad chest served as my backrest, and he folded his strong arms around me. Our breaths merged into a single gentle rhythm. I closed my eyes becoming one with him, absorbing every nuance of his essence into mine.
After my intuitive ride, I effortlessly opened to the environment around me. My mare had been an excellent tutor, throwing off vibrations at such a high level, I’d only needed to be receptive and listen.
Energy hummed from Velloc’s body, combining with mine, ebbing and flowing between us in beautiful waves. I sighed, giving myself over to the amazing feeling.
Suddenly, the current rippled, taking on a new dimension. I opened my eyes at the change and saw that we weren’t alone. A doe had stepped into view on the opposite shore. She approached in slow steps, coming to a stop only a few feet away. Curious ears twitched forward, then they swiveled back to check for threats before homing in on us again.
I relaxed further, tapping into Velloc’s powerful aura. Together, we strengthened our connection and expanded outward, tapping into the energy of the deer. She dipped her head, submerging her muzzle under the surface of the water. I nearly felt the cool liquid as she took deep swallows. Amazing, impossibly slow seconds passed before the creature lifted her head and turned, leaving silently the same way she’d come.