Page 102 of An Enchanted Spring

Home.

He deepened the kiss, tasting every inch of her mouth. Emma’s arms wrapped around his waist, and she melted into him, her body fitting against his. He removed her hair pins, his mouth never leaving hers, and their tongues tangled in a sweet, lilting melody only they knew.

Because she’s the one, his soul whispered.

Aidan pulled back momentarily, searching the depths of her eyes. Her face, softened with wonder, rested in his hands, and he knew he could never let her go.

But her expression changed swiftly and she staggered back. She shook her head vehemently. “No, Aidan. This isn’t what I want. I’m—you’re—this is business only.”

He stood frozen, unable to move in the face of her declaration.

“What did you wish for when you sent your kiss to the sea?” Aidan demanded, his voice hoarse.

Say me.

She looked at him with wet eyes. “To go home.”

Chapter 20

“Something’s wrong.”

Late in the evening, Aidan stared down into his still-full cup, disgusted at himself. He couldn’t even drink himself into a proper stupor to forget his colossal mistakes. “Aye,” he muttered. “I’m a bigger fool than even you thought.”

Nioclas slammed his hands down, causing the table to shake and Aidan to look up, startled.

“Nay, brother. Your wife has gone missing.”

“She must have left with O’Malley.”

“Nay, she hasn’t,” Nioclas shot back, his patience wearing thin. “O’Malley sits with my own sweet wife in my solar. Cian is with them, distraught, and herentire guardis searching the grounds.”

Aidan shoved back his chair and pushed Nioclas out of his way. “What the hell?”

Together, they ran to the solar, as Nioclas told him that Emma hadn’t left their chamber after Aidan. When a chambermaid entered to bring her dinner, the room was empty, and her entire guard swore up and down that she hadn’t left the room.

“The passageways?” Aidan surmised.

The castle had winding tunnels that connected the rooms, but they all eventually led outside, deep into the forest. Many times it proved a wise way to hide people and precious items when the castle was under attack.

Nioclas pushed open the door to the solar. “Aye, it’s the only logical way. She must have found it, though I don’t remember where it is in that chamber. The window is too high, and she’s angry, not suicidal.”

“How do you know she’s angry?” Aidan asked. “Eavesdropping, Nick?”

He glared at Aidan. “You left your bedchamber not more than fifteen minutes after entering it. You either shirked your duties to consummate the marriage, or you angered the lass. Either way, the entire clan is less than pleased with you.”

“That’s enough,” he snapped. “Are the guards on their way to the forest?”

“Nay. They’re searching the passageways, but she could have left hours ago,” Cian reported.

Aidan opened the door. “I’m headed for the forest.”

“We all are,” Reilly agreed. “I’ll have Bernard saddle the horses.”

“No time,” Aidan called over his shoulder, halfway down the hallway. “We’ll do it ourselves.”

“I’ll join you,” Nioclas called. He gave swift instructions to the guards, then kissed Brianagh. “Stay, in case she returns.”

She nodded. “I’ll stay. Come back safely.” She looked at Reilly. “The same to you. Bring her back. To whenever she wants to go.”

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