Page 10 of Kissing the Kelpie

Safra circles my legs, then stands statue still in front of me, causing me to stop walking and impeding my progress. This move I’m familiar with. This isn’t a direction she wants me to continue in.

“Please, girl, I can’t go home without my daughter.” My voice cracks. The thought of being there all alone hurts too much.

Again her mouth opens, displaying her long, sharp teeth with a long, deep growl. I take a tiny step forward. She lowers her head and chest into a stretch with her front paws out, like she’s ready to pounce.

“Fine,” I shake my head at the beast. “I’ll stay away from the river. I’ll go to the spring instead. Besides, the warm water will do more to calm and settle me than the cold water of the river.”

She answers with a short moan I’ve come to understand as agreement. Maybe I have learned how to communicate with the animals after all.

“Search the perimeter,” I tell my cougar bodyguard when we get to the spring. She does as she’s told, and once she returns and I believe it’s safe, I undress, leaving my clothes in a pile a few feet from the water.

Even coming to my favorite place in the forest hurts. Without my daughter, the colors are dim, and the water stale. I didn’t think to go home and pick up a loofah, either, or anything to towel off with. Whatever. None of it matters anyway.

The moment I step foot into the spring, I feel like I can breathe a little easier. Before settling on the smooth, hard notch that acts like a bench, I stand in the deepest part and fully submerge myself in the comforting warmth.

“Okay,” I say to myself, smoothing my hands over my wet hair. “I needed a little perspective. This is my fault. All of it. I overreacted, and I need to fix this.”

The purpose of going to Em was to tell him about the mysterious man, the gifts, and the fact that he got so close to my house undetected. That’s the unnerving part. Instead, I got defensive about this stupid bracelet and blew the whole thing out of proportion. That’s unlike me.

I pull my wrist from the water to examine the bracelet. The stones drip with water and glisten in the dimming light. They are beautiful. Hypnotic. Shit. With one look, Em said it was enchanted. Is that my problem? Am I under a spell?

Magic comes with a price. I know that. Magical things are notoriously bad. Have a windfall of money, and you die of a terrible disease. Find the love of your life, only to watch them suffer, losing everything.

Is that why I freaked out and forgot everything else when Em questioned me about the bracelet? Does it hold power over me?

Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice the white horse approaching the spring until his head dips into the water next to mine. I jump and screech as his warm breath puffs against my neck, sending a strange warmth vibrating through me.

When I see that it’s him, I take a few calming breaths before leaning back and closing my eyes. My heart is racing, but not because of the horse or the scare. It's taking off in anticipation of seeing the man the horse belongs to. Part of me, okay, all of me, hopes the tingly warmth came from him.

With the horse behind me, I lean back against the makeshift wall and reach my hand up and around the side of his face. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a horse, let alone pet one. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever touched a horse before.

He leans against my neck and face as I pet him. I can’t tell if his mane was already wet or I’m dripping water on him. Either way, he doesn’t seem to mind.

“You’re such a sweet boy.” He nuzzles against my neck, tickling me. Calming me. Feeling better, I forget my distrust of his owner and wish the man was here, too.

I look up. Perched on a tree branch, Safra watches, looking as alert as ever. I thank my lucky stars that she hasn’t come down and attacked the horse. That must mean the animal poses no threat; if that’s the case, neither must his owner.

“Hey, boy, I enjoy the company.” I worry my lip between my teeth as I release my hold on him. “Can you get your owner? It’s past time we speak.”

I watch, awed, as the horse backs away and walks into the surrounding trees.

“Did it understand me? How is that possible?

Chapter 8

“Ballerina.”

My heart leaps and my breath catches in my throat at the sound of the rich velvet voice coming from behind me. I don’t turn to look at him. It’s better if I don’t see him. I sit straighter, pretending I have an ounce of self-control when this man is near.

“I hope you like the gift I left. I hoped to see the look on your face when I gave it to you, but you never came.”

I should tell him off, give him hell about sneaking over to my house. I don’t. Instead, I smooth my wet hair down and turn to face him.

I stare open-mouthed at the fair-haired man kneeling at the edge of the spring. My heart flutters, and my breath stutters. He’s so handsome close up. Perfect skin. It’s like porcelain.

Losing myself in his large blue eyes, I forget my suspicions and concerns about his intentions. I don’t remember that I’m angry that he violated my space. My brain short circuits, and my mind numbs of all the emotional pain wreaking havoc in my life. Without thinking, I force out a breath and stretch my hand toward his face. He doesn’t say a word as I trace the lines of his high cheekbones.

After a few breaths, his hands cover mine. He turns his face, pressing his soft lips against one palm and then the other, raising my body temperature to the point that my blood simmers.

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