Page 101 of An Enchanted Spring

Aidan met Emma’s sad eyes and realized that his brother had it right. He didn’t know how much longer Emma had in his time, but he needed to fix things between them, starting immediately. He wanted her to have good memories of him, if nothing else.

As Brianaghreassuringly patted her hand and Aidan served her the best bits from the trencher in front of them, Emma thought she might be sick.

She was a fool, and it hurt.

He never declared love, or any sort of feeling, really. He kissed her like he meant it, but that was just lust. Maybe when he kissed her, it was the same for him as when he kissed a different woman. Maybe he kissed different women all the time.

Maybe she really and truly couldn’t read men.

She was so weak. She mentally kicked herself. She should’ve walked away from Aidan back in New York. She could’ve paid off Ben, given enough time. She would’ve figured out how to escape him, somehow.

Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.The three words she had vowed, the day Ben went to jail, to never say again.

“Perhaps we might have speech after we dine?” Aidan murmured. He refilled her wine cup. “I fear I may have misled you.”

Emma ground her jaw to avoid replying in haste. She managed a nod. Misled her? That was an understatement. But he had clarified his intentions mere hours earlier. She had no idea why he wanted to rehash that conversation, but if she could survive a marriage ceremony, she could survive another round of business talk with her husband.

Emma needed a quick distraction to avoid tears, so she focused on Brianagh. “I was thinking about the publicity plan for Celtic Connections. I love what you’ve done here with the ball and tournament…maybe we can incorporate a modern version of those in the company, and tie it back to these roots?”

Aidan stiffened next to her.

Bri nodded. “Oh, that’s brilliant. A ball would be easy enough. But the tournament…let’s see.”

As Bri brainstormed, Emma tried to focus on her future. How soon could Reilly bring her back? Would she really be stuck with Aidan, so close yet so far from him, for weeks or months or possibly even years, watching helplessly as he held the broken pieces of her heart in his rough, strong hands?

Her future, no matter which way it turned out, seemed bleak indeed.

Aidan closedthe chamber door and slid the bolt home. He paused a moment, hoping that he could right his wrongs, then walked toward Emma.

She stood by the window, her arms wrapped around herself as the breeze teased the golden tendrils of hair that escaped her pins. She gazed to the ocean, the moonlight reflecting clearly on the deep waters. The sounds of theirboisterous, happy clan drifted through the window as the main castle door opened, then closed.

He started to speak, but she beat him to it.

“It’s a beautiful land, isn’t it?” Her voice was wistful, far away. “These people…they celebrate life unlike anything I’ve ever seen. With all of the wars and famines, it’s easy to see why they live openly and joyously.” She rubbed her arms, the silk that covered them rustling. “There’s a simple beauty in it, but there’s such hardness as well. I’m grateful I’m not experiencing the terrible side of the Middle Ages.”

He remained silent, unsure as to how to respond.

Emma returned her eyes to the sea. “You once told me that if I were to cast my wish into the ocean, it would remain safe until my soul mate could return it. Do you still believe that to be true?”

He took another step, captivated by the longing in her words. He was next to her now. “Aye.”

Emma pressed a kiss into her palm, then gently blew her wish into the night.

Aidan pulled her into his arms. “I’ve been a fool, Emma.”

Her eyes swam with unshed tears. “No, Aidan. I’ve been a fool. I understand how you feel now. You were trying to show the Monaghans that I was an unsuitable choice, to save Brianagh’s reputation. And I allowed myself to believe you cared about me, even though I’m certain I knew deep down that it wasn’t real. You’re right—we can’t have a relationship. Who knows when Reilly will return me to the future? We can’t—”

He reeled back, shocked at her words. “What? Nay, Emma, Idocare about you. More than I’ve ever cared about anything—”

“Aidan, please. Stop. I can’t do this anymore.” She pulled away. “One minute I’m thinking that we are something more than two people bound by a business contract. I don’t want that.”

Her words lightened his heart, but she stopped him with her next ones.

“Then next I think we’re just two lonely adults who see an opportunity to be less lonely, if only for a little while. But that’s not what I want, either.”

“What do you want?” he asked, stepping towards her. Before she could answer, he grasped her face gently with both his hands and threaded his fingers into her soft hair. Her sweet smell, her voice, her beauty and wit and everything in between called out to him, and he needed to kiss her. More than he needed to eat, or sleep, or breathe.

He lowered his lips to hers, his entire being centered on their mouths. He traced her lips with his tongue, silently asking her to open for him, and when she finally sighed and granted him access, his body celebrated.

---