See Me (28 page)

McKale’s eyebrows came together and he was quiet a moment. “I did not get away with anything, love. I don’ wish to recall a single moment of it, but ye should know. I hope ye can forgive me.”

“You kissed her?” He nodded once. His eyes were strained. “
Really
kiss her?” Another nod.

Jealousy reared, but I didn’t feel angry at McKale. I knew he did what he had to do to get the FFG to believe him and go back to the portal. But the thought of his mouth on hers… I buried my face in his neck, trembling. “How is your mind so clear after that?”

“’Twas strange, it was,” he whispered. “I thought only of you. I kept ye at the front of my mind, noticin’ how fragile she felt compared to your strength. I imagined ye stealing the ball from the lads, and wrestlin’ me in the waters. As her magic o’ercame me, the focus of my passion was no’ her. It was hard, I’ll no’ lie. And I was no’ completely meself when I stumbled to the Clour land.”

Amazing. I lifted my head and looked at him. “Do you think the plan will work tomorrow?”

His face became grave. “It must. Let’s no’ think on it anymore this night.” He kissed me with tenderness and I put aside my fears. We had this night, if nothing else.

Together we untied each knot at our sides, making a neat pile of cloth bindings on the floor beside his bed. By the time he pulled the last strip from our thighs my heart was pumping rapidly. We were both sitting up. I almost made a move to untie our ankles, but I waited, remembering how he’d taken the initiative with our wrists like it was his job. Sure enough, he bent at the waist, undoing our last two bindings with graceful, gentle fingers.

He dropped the scraps of cloth on the floor and came right at me, slowly, never hesitating.

“Kale,” I breathed.

“Aye.” He was laying me back and I was breathing too fast.

“If I would’ve known we were binding tonight I would have cleaned up for you.” And shaved, and worn the pretty bra and panty set I’d picked out in hopes of a happy binding night. But McKale only laughed and pulled his shirt over his head, throwing it to the corner. I swallowed.

“Ye can be certain, Robyn, I’ll not be complainin’ about the state of ya.”

And then he kissed me without an ounce of tentativeness, like a man claiming what was his. A barbaric analogy, maybe, but in my heightened state of nervous expectancy, it felt crazy good to be claimed. My hands were all over him. Well, not
all
over yet, but all over his bared skin. I loved the way his lean biceps and triceps bulged as he held himself over me.

“You are so hot,” I whispered onto his lips.

He pulled back. “Are ye too hot?”

I laughed and reached for him. “It’s just a figure of speech. I meant that you’re really… good looking. Come here.”

He kissed me again, but this time his hand found the bottom of my t-shirt. His touch, unlike his kiss,
was
tentative. My insides fluttered as his hand inched upwards, caressing my stomach and waist. I was insanely nervous about what he would think.

“Yer so soft,” he said. He kissed me again and moved his hand up a little more. “Is this all right with ye?”

“Yeah. It feels good when you touch me.” It was strange to hear myself say that, but the grim reminder that we might only have this night kept me from holding back. We had no time to be shy. I wanted to show him how I felt.

When his thumb brushed the underside of my breast, it was on.

I wiggled and tugged my shirt over my head, tossing it aside and propping myself up on my elbows as if presenting him a gift. I watched as his expression changed from the amazement of a boy to the need of a man. A sound of triumph rose from my throat as he pressed me back with a deep kiss, and the exploration of one another began. We took our time learning each other’s skin, the sensitive spots, savoring each pleasurable response that our touches elicited. We refused to be rushed, not caring if we didn’t sleep at all that night.

And we didn’t.

When the sun dawned on the wide Irish sky, a crackle of magic split the air and a horn sounded. We jumped from the bed, stumbling for our clothes and laughing. Yes, laughing. The blasting horn should have scared us, but we were giddy in our newfound selves—our
bound
selves—not yet willing to let go of that exquisite feeling. With a parting kiss I ran for the door, only to be gently tugged back. He took my chin so I couldn’t look anywhere but in his eyes.

“I love ye, Robyn of the Leprechaun.”

It was his first time saying it. Moisture sprung to my eyes.

“I love you, too, Kale of the Chaun.”

He grinned and let me go.

I got as far away from his bungalow as fast as I could. The cool morning air felt as fresh and crisp as ever during the mad dash back to my room.

It was prospectively the most terrifying day of my life, and yet, I’d never been happier.

THE HORN TURNED OUT
to be a false alarm. It was only the Fae gatekeeper giving a message that the Summer King would, indeed, be honored to attend the binding ceremony this afternoon with several of his court officials. At that news, the mood in the clan became festive once again. The ovens blasted heat, cooking piles of mouthwatering pastries and savory delicacies. Wild flowers were strung together and strewn along tables. Tall, hanging lanterns with candles dotted the perimeter of the clearing, transforming it into a beautiful reception area.

I was smoothing out a large, round sheet of cotton in the middle of the clearing with Leilah, Cassidy, and Rachelle when I heard McKale whisper my name from the wooded area. I sat up on my knees and peered toward the sound, spotting him in the trees. I looked around, but only my sister and two friends seemed to have noticed. The girls snickered as I stood up and jogged to him, unable to keep the smile from my face.

He grabbed my hand and led me into the confines of leafy shade before pulling my face to his for a kiss.

“I’ve missed ye,
Bláth mo chroí
.”

Flower of his heart
. It had only been five hours since we were snuggled warm together, but I’d missed him, too.

I let him walk me backward until I was against a tree. I savored the feel of him, and the taste of licorice on his tongue. I wanted to stay there all day and forget about what awaited us.

We broke away with reluctance at the sound of Cassidy calling from the entrance of the woods.

“Dad’s looking for McKale!” she whispered. “It’s time to get wired up.”

“Okay, thanks,” I answered with a sinking nervousness.

“Happy birthday, Robyn.” He bent to kiss me one last time, nipping my lower lip between his teeth before pulling away and leaving me there to melt back against the tree, weak-kneed. Cassidy came walking into the forest, raising her eyebrows at the sight of me.

“Something tells me our little McKale’s not so shy anymore.”

“Not so much,” I said with a sigh. Cassidy laughed.

“Well, come on, if you can manage to walk.” She held out her hand and I took it.

We passed Leilah and Rachelle who were busy spreading flower petals all around the circle of cloth where McKale and I would bind again. They waved as we went by.

Mom, Dad, and McKale stood at the “technology station.” Dad pinned something on McKale’s shirt as we approached. A wire connected on the inside, snaking around his torso to the back where a thin device was clipped inside his pants.

“This is a video recorder. It should be the right height. Just make sure you remain facing the Faerie. What are you going to do when she gets here?”

“I’m going to pull her aside, Mr. Mason, sir, and get her to divulge her plan once again.”

“Perfect. Really play it up. Get her to show how she feels. Make sure she states every sordid detail. Don’t feel bad going for the kill. Flirt with her. Whatever you have to do to make her look bad.”

“Except kissing her, right?” Cass asked, making a face. “Gah, please don’t kiss her.”

“A
little
touching might make it believable,” Mom said. I glared at her and she quickly backpedaled. “Of course, avoid it if you can, but like Leon said, do what you must. Robyn will understand.”

McKale cleared his throat, opening his hands straight at his sides and then balling them into fists—open, closed, over and over. I took one of his hands, interlocking our fingers. We both held tight.

Dad had given everyone a brief test performance of the technology earlier in the day, video-taping people, and then showing snippets on the large screen. Very amusing for the clan, indeed.

“Let’s all stay positive,” Dad said, adjusting the wires at the back of McKale’s pants so they wouldn’t show.

“We are,” I whispered.

McKale nodded at me. I knew his pulse was working overtime, just as hard as mine. The time was approaching.

The plan was for McKale to get footage with FFG as soon as possible after the Fae arrived. Then, once everyone settled, the fake binding would commence, followed by the “special entertainment.” Cue video footage of FFG revealing her master plan to Leprechaun and Fae alike. And then it was up to the Summer King to decide what to do.

My stomach hurt. I had to let go of McKale’s hand to bend over with my hands on my knees.

A hushed whisper began throughout the clearing, growing louder.

“Oh, great,” I heard Dad mumble.

I stood and looked toward the woods where everyone else was staring. It took a second to make out the lost boys blending in with the trees until they all took a further step out and stopped. All except Rock, who continued toward us.

He seemed like a different person. His face was made of stone. Around his waist was a leather band with what appeared to be an iron dagger sheathed at his side. Upon inspection, all of the Clour at the tree line looked to be carrying different iron weapons, their faces equally severe.

“Ronan!” Cassidy called. Mom took her by the arm, stopping her from running to this.

“We don’t have time for this today,” Dad said to Rock as he neared us.

“I will not be in the way for long, sir.” Rock stopped within arm’s reach of Dad.

“Rock,” McKale said in a warning tone. “Don’t do anything foolish, mate.”

“It’s the least foolish thing I’ve ever planned, Kale.” He looked back at Dad. “I will no’ let yer daughter be taken into Faerie, sir. Nor my best mate. Me lads an’ meself are prepared to fight. I will offer me own self as a substitute fer Cassidy if it comes to that.”

Cass’s hands flew to her chest. “Ronan, no! You can’t!”

“I can.” His eyes seared into hers. “And I will.”

Mom and Dad stared, shocked.

“It will no’ come to that,” McKale tried to assure him.

“Indeed, I hope it does no’. But if it does, I will be there.” He pointed to the woods where his clan stood at attention. “Waiting.”

Dad said nothing, just sort of balked as Rock turned and headed back to the woods, seeming to disappear out of sight.

Cass tried to tug from Mom’s grip, but she held tight. “I need to go to him!”

“There’s no time,” Mom said.

I turned Cassidy to me and hugged her. Mom let her go and I felt Cass’s arms grip around me for dear life. She let out a sob.

“Nothing will happen to him. Or you. This is going to work. Everyone will be okay.”

Please let us all be okay.

What if the Summer King didn’t care what shenanigans his daughter was up to? The whole plan could backfire if he was offended that we tried to make a fool of the princess. So much could go wrong. I lay my head on her shoulder and rubbed her back, taking as much comfort from the embrace as I was giving.

Someone rubbed my shoulder, and then a finger was under my chin, lifting my face. Mom. She gripped both of our shoulders tenderly.

“Cassidy, please take Robyn to the room and help her get ready while we finish preparing out here.”

Cass gave a final glance toward the forest before swallowing hard and nodding.

McKale reached out for me and I wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in the scent of his skin and hair. I didn’t want to let him go.

“I’ll see ye soon,” he whispered, holding me tighter.

“Yes. Good luck,” I told him.

We pulled away and gave each other one last peck before I left for my room with Cassidy. I really wasn’t feeling well, but I had to be strong.

Pulling the gorgeous dress over my head lightened my mood a fraction. The silk was so smooth. Mom joined us, and she and Cassidy fastened tiny clasps and buttons up my back, then stepped away and “Ooooed.”

Leilah and Rachelle showed up with a basket of flowers and hairpins. Together the four of them brushed, tweaked and twirled. I was a little worried for a second. I didn’t want to be transformed into a giant flower-head, but Cassidy wouldn’t let me walk out of the room looking bad. When they finished and Cass handed me the mirror, I smiled. It was pretty. They’d twisted strands of hair from my temples and hooked them together in the back. Flowers lined the twists of hair, looking like a peasant’s crown, and waves of brown tumbled around my forehead and neck.

“
Áillidh
.” Leilah surveyed me with her hands on her hips. “Beautiful. McKale will surely be thanking his lucky stars he gets to bind with ye twice!”