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When Haley woke in a tangle of warm limbs, she couldn’t help the smile that came to her lips. Didn’t want to. Her night with Conall hadn’t provided much sleep but her muscles, which should have been sore, were loose and satisfied.

She turned to look at him and quite liked the transformation. His hair covered them both. The blue markings on his shoulder and wrapping around his biceps were very sexy. His body hadn’t changed but she felt the metaphysical difference right off. The air between them hung heavy with sex and magic. She wasn’t a virgin by any stretch of the imagination but never, even in longer term relationships, had she felt so connected to anyone. It wasn’t just that they both had magic, but that their magic was unified in some sense, tied together.

She didn’t know what the future would bring, but for that moment, she let herself enjoy it.

His eyes fluttered open and his sexy-wicked smile curved his lips. Unable not to, she leaned in and kissed him. She’d meant for it to be quick but he took over and was very thorough before he released her.

“Good morning, Irish witch. And how are you today?” Sitting, he reached up over his head to stretch and Haley watched the subtle play of his muscles as he did.

“Mmm, very satisfied. And you?”

He kissed her again, hard and fast. “Very nice answer. I feel good. My magic is back, all of it. I need to go to the hill today.”

Suddenly the huge differences between them settled into her brain. Regret sliced through her, even though she was happy he’d be reunited with his family.

It must have shown on her face because he pulled her into his lap, facing him. She had no choice but to wrap her legs around him and let him bring her close.

“Haley? What is it, love?”

“Nothing. I’m happy you’ll be reunited with your people. Living apart from them for all this time, well, I can’t imagine the isolation.”

“Yes. Fae are big on family. I’ve missed my sisters growing up, and my brother Riordan who was my closest mate. I’ve got three. I expect at least a few of them will have married, possibly even mated by now. They’re going to love you.”

“Me? You’re taking me?”

He stilled, cocking his head. “Did you think I’d fuck and run? Did you think last night was just bedsport?”

“I don’t know!” She tried to wriggle free but he held her to him.

“Haley, I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you. I knew you. And after last night, my magic knows yours too. Can’t you feel it? The connection between us? That’s not I-like-you connection, that’s heart-and-soul connection. That’s rare. You do realize that?”

“What are you saying?” she whispered.

“Oh, sweet witch, I’m saying you’re my woman as assuredly as I’m your man. When my family meets you, it’ll be as my woman, as the mate of my soul. Surely you can feel the metaphysical bond between us?”

“Oy. I’m your magical mate? Like in some romance novel?”

He laughed and kissed the tip of her nose. “I don’t know. I’ve never read one. Do they have sex in them?”

She rolled her eyes. “Some. But back to the question at hand.”

“For some things there are words, explanations. The scientist in you knows that. But for others, it’s all here.” He kissed her chest, above her heart. “You know some things, even without the words to express them, you know them. Like the Ogham. The closest word is alphabet but you know it’s more than that. If you were all human, I’m sure I’d still be attracted to you, still want you and want to be with you. But you’re more. You’re Fae and your magic and mine resonate, as our hearts do and now our souls. You have an old soul, Haley.”

Haley blew out a breath. “So like this is a Faerie gig? The mate thing? Only one person in the whole world is your other half or whatever? What happens if you never meet them? Are you single forever?”

“No. Well, it is a Fae thing, yes. But it’s rare, as I said. In most cases Fae are like humans. They meet someone and fall in love and share their lives with someone. A mate bond is unique. I don’t know the statistics, but less than one in four. My parents are mated but no one else in my family has a mate although there are loads of marriages and kids. Or they didn’t when I was taken from them.” He took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “What you and I have is a miracle, Haley.”

Her heart softened. The man was so charming he was an absolute menace.

“I’m guessing your grandmother will have something to say about all this as well. Shall we go see her first and then head to the hill?”

“You want to meet my gran?” Her voice squeaked at that thought. “My grandmother isn’t some sweet old matron who’ll make tea you know. She’s formidable. Sharp. She’s going to give you the third degree and expect you to answer every question fully. It’ll be like the scariest interrogation you’ve ever seen on television. Only she’s the bad cop with better hair. And,” she hesitated, “well you know there are a lot of unanswered questions so she’s going to be very personal and possibly hostile.”

He grinned. “I look forward to meeting another of The Gentry. Come on. You shower and I’m going back to my flat to grab a bag. I’ll be back here in a few minutes. Now that I don’t need to drive, it makes things much simpler.” He stood and put her down gently. “You do want to come with me to meet my family, don’t you? I’m not imagining this thing between us?”

The look on his face was so vulnerable for a quick moment all her defenses against him simply crumbled. “God, you’re totally irresistible aren’t you? I’m in so much trouble.”