Current Impressions (6 page)

I turned with a scream in my throat. When I
saw what it was, I relaxed. The male Selkie, still in his seal
form, lay on the pebbled beach. He lowered his head to the ground.
His eyes held mine. This was why Ula ran? Who was it?

Uncertain, I called to him. “Uh… thank you?”
If Ula was scared, maybe I should be, too. Then again, this Selkie
just saved my life. I spoke again, trying for more sincerity.
“Thank you for saving my life.”

The Selkie’s image shimmered and stretched
vertically. As I watched, a familiar figure blossomed. With it, my
temper grew.

“What are you doing here, Kieran?” I tried
to sound mildly curious, but my trembling voice gave me away.

“Helping you, of course.” He shot me a sexy
grin. “Did you not just say you were grateful?”

I bit back a nasty reply. He was right. He
did save me, but damn, did he have to look so good? Drops of water
ran down his smooth, tanned skin. I was all too aware of his
muscled physique. He hadn’t felt the need to put on a shirt. At
least he wore shorts. My eyes were drawn to the way they hung low
on his hips.
Eyes up, Meara
.

Although his weathered baseball cap shaded
his eyes, I could see the look on his face. He caught me checking
him out. Great.

“How’d you get here?” I asked, eager to get
my mind on something else. “I thought you lived in California.”

“Near California, yes.” He shrugged. “I like
to travel.”

I raised an eyebrow, but otherwise did not
respond.

He stepped closer. “I wanted to make sure
you were okay.”

“I’m okay,” I said quickly.

It was his turn to look skeptical. “Clearly
not, since you came close to being a shark snack.”

I snickered. “Is that like a Scooby
snack?”

Now he looked confused. “I have no idea what
you mean.”

“Scooby Doo?” His face remained blank. I
sighed. Pop culture was lost on Selkies. “Never mind.”

His gaze fell to my top, and I realized too
late that I picked white. White was not the best choice when wet. I
cleared my throat, and his eyes jumped to my face. He grinned, and
I realized the shark was not the only dangerous thing around here.
I switched the shirt to black. No seeing through that.

“Does my dad know you’re here?” I asked.

“Not yet.” Kieran glanced in the direction
of the fortress. I couldn’t see it from where we stood in the cove,
but clearly, he knew his way around the island. Then, I remembered
what Ula told me about him. My eyes narrowed and pinned him down.
“You were engaged to my aunt!”

He held his hands up in surrender. “Hey… we
were betrothed. In the past.”

“You broke up with her and had the nerve to
come on to me.” The anger built in my chest. It felt good. I’d take
anger over the other confusing things he made me feel. I pointed my
finger at him and scowled. “How dare you!”

He went from defensive to laughing. He
laughed so hard that his eyes filled with tears. I tapped my foot
and waited. Really, this was amusing to him? Why did everyone keep
laughing at me?

“I broke it off over twenty years ago.” He
wiped his eyes, amusement gone as fast as it came. “You weren’t
even born yet.”

“That’s weird… I mean…” My thoughts
scrambled. Why was Ula so upset about him? Did she still love him?
“Why did you break up with her?”

“She is not powerful.” His tone was
matter-of-fact. “I need a partner who can help me rule, not one who
needs protection.”

“That’s cruel,” I said. “Doesn’t love
matter?”

He shrugged. “You think like a human.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I am a
human!” I seethed. He had a way of getting beneath my skin. What
was the matter with me? Why was he affecting me so much?

My bracelet! Brigid had my bracelet.

Kieran saw me glance at my wrist. “I’m not
doing anything to you right now. If that’s what you’re
wondering.”

“How’d you know I was thinking that?” I
searched his eyes. Was he lying? Was he reading my thoughts? “How
can I trust you?”

He lifted his shoulder with indifference,
and his muscles rippled. I wished he wouldn’t do that. “You can
take my word or not, but I’m telling you the truth.”

I resisted the urge to touch my lips when
the memory of him kissing me breathless returned with a vengeance.
It was the first and only time I betrayed Evan. He forgave me, and
we moved past it. Our relationship was stronger than ever, but I
had not expected to see Kieran again so soon. Or maybe ever.

“Did you do it then?” I asked, thinking
about that night. That kiss. “Did you persuade me?”

His gaze grew hot, and his smile bitter. “It
would make it easier for you if I said yes, wouldn’t it?” Though
flames engulfed my cheeks, I held my head high and waited. One
second, two… then, “I didn’t, Meara. Honest.”

My breath caught. I turned to go, but he
clasped my arm. His touch was gentle.

“Don’t be angry,” he said. “I won’t try
anything again. I promise.”

Those were the words I wanted to hear, so
why did I feel so disappointed? It wasn’t going to be easy with
Kieran around. “How long are you staying?”

“That depends.”

“On—”

“How quickly you learn.” He grinned at me.
“I’m here to teach you.”

“You… what?” He caught me off guard. I
didn’t know what I was expecting him to say, but this wasn’t it.
All I could think to ask was, “Does my dad know?”

“He’s the one who requested me.” Amusement
rang in his voice and slid down my back like nails on a chalkboard.
My dad asked him to teach me? What was he thinking? Ula told him
about Kieran and the dance club. My dad and I were going to have a
little talk later.

“Why you?” I blurted.

“I’m young. I’m strong.” He leaned in and
whispered, “And I’m much more personable than Brigid.”

I couldn’t argue with him on that, but I
wasn’t backing down. “Ula helps me.”

His teasing expression softened. “Yes, she
would. Unfortunately, she’s not very strong or well versed in your
gifts.”

“How would you know?” I asked. “What gifts?”
I didn’t even know what I could do. Did he know more than I
did?

“I can feel it. Your potential.” Once again,
he leaned in. He breathed deep, as if he could smell it on me. “You
will be very powerful one day.”

My heart raced with his words. I didn’t know
if it was fear or anticipation. What kind of powers would I
have?

“If I’m so powerful, why am I still standing
in wet clothes? For that matter, why are you?” I laughed to hide my
nervousness.

It didn’t work. He smiled at me indulgently.
“You will be powerful; you just need to learn to use your powers.
Which is why I’m here.” He gestured to my clothes. “As to your wet
clothes, just visualize yourself dry. It’s that easy.”

I did as he said and felt much more
comfortable.

“As to why I’m still wet…” His hand swept
past his chest and down his washboard stomach. I swallowed. When he
laughed, my eyes flew to his. “Clearly, you enjoy it.”

Face burning, I stomped away from him.

“Meara?”

I stopped and spun back. “Yes?” I bit
out.

He tilted his head to the side. “Ronac is
this way.”

I seethed as I walked back to him. He held
out his hand. “Shall we?”

I could refuse and walk back, or I could
take his hand and transport like I did with my dad on my first day
here. I couldn’t do it on my own yet. I didn’t know how. My muscles
ached now that the adrenaline wore off. With a sigh, I placed my
hand in his.

****

“Fraternizing with the enemy?”

Brigid stood at the entrance to the fortress
with her arms crossed. She’d changed out of the velvet dress to
fitted, leather pants and a blood-red blouse that billowed like
silk. Something seemed different. I realized it was the first time
I’d seen her in pants. She looked beautiful. And dangerous.

I dropped Kieran’s hand and stepped
back.

“Hardly an enemy.” Kieran’s voice was calm.
“David invited me.”

“Did he?” She slinked forward and wrapped
her arm around his. Her lips curled up, but it was more sneer than
smile. “Let’s just see about that.”

She flipped her hair and peered back over
her shoulder at me. “I trust you can find your way from here,
niece?”

As I watched them walk away, I couldn’t
decide if I wanted to laugh or weep, smile or scream. The day
wasn’t even half done yet. I thought about finding Ula. She was
pretty upset. Would she want to see me? She looked so hurt before
she left.

In the end, I decided to retreat. My room
sounded like the perfect place to be.

There was a knock at my door, followed by a
polite, “May I come in?”

The voice was deep, masculine. I didn’t
recognize it. I rubbed my eyes and glanced around the dimly lit
room. Had I fallen asleep? The sun was about to set. I must have
napped for a few hours at least.

The knock was slightly louder. “Meara?”

Clearing my throat, I called out, “Come
in.”

A man with wavy, dark blond hair shouldered
the door opened. I realized his hands were full, holding a tray of
covered dishes. I bounced up and held the door back.

“Sorry,” I said. “Had I known your hands
were full, I would have opened the door for you.”

“No worries.” He set the tray on the chest
at the end of the bed and turned to me with a smile. Something
about his face looked familiar…

“I’m your uncle, Padraic.” He offered me his
hand. “You can call me Paddy, if you like.”

“Nice to meet you.” I studied him as I shook
his hand. His coloring was completely different from my dad’s, just
as Ula’s was different from Brigid. It made me wonder what my other
uncles looked like. Uncle Ren was visiting, so I’d probably meet
him, but I wasn’t likely to meet the remaining two any time soon.
Ula told me that they’d married into other clans and moved
away.

He gestured to the tray. “I thought you’d be
hungry. You missed lunch and dinner.”

I smiled sheepishly. “I guess I was a little
tired.”

He didn’t seem like he was in a hurry to
leave, so I asked, “Would you like to have a seat?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” He positioned the
pillows against the headboard and flopped down on my bed,
stretching out his long legs. For some reason, he made me want to
laugh. Once again, he gestured to the tray. “Go ahead and eat
before it gets cold.”

I perched on the end of the bed. Crossing my
legs underneath me, I reached for the tray and rested it in my lap.
The smell had my mouth watering. Before I lifted the lid, I
knew.

“Scallops!” I cried happily. They were Dad’s
favorite dish and quickly becoming one of mine, too. When I popped
a scallop in my mouth, it melted like butter. I closed my eyes and
hummed in pleasure.

“You’re a fantastic cook,” I said when I
reopened my eyes.

Paddy blushed and ducked his head. “I’m glad
you enjoy it.”

“Could you teach me?” I asked and
immediately regretted it. I was probably unteachable. Who burned
jarred spaghetti sauce? Taking another bite, though, I decided that
if anyone could teach me, Paddy could.

“I’d love to,” he answered.

I made a face at him. “You haven’t seen me
cook yet.”

He looked amused. “How bad could you
be?”

I stabbed another scallop and waved my fork
at him. “Like a fish out of water.”

He laughed, but promised to teach me anyway.
While I ate, he told me about his kitchen, the staff, and his
favorite dishes. We agreed that I would help with the meal
preparations when I wasn’t training.

When I finished eating, he stood and took
the tray. I offered to help clean up, but he waved me off and said
I was still a guest. He was just about to close the door when I
remembered that I wanted to talk to my dad.

“Have you seen my dad?”

Paddy nodded. “He had dinner in the family
commons with Brigid and Kieran.”

“Are they still there?”

Paddy’s brow wrinkled while he considered.
“I don’t think so. That was over an hour ago. I believe I saw
Kieran go to his room.”

His room? Was he here in the castle? I
wanted to ask my uncle where Kieran’s room was, but I didn’t want
him to get the wrong impression. I hoped it wasn’t next to
mine.

“And my dad?” I asked instead.

“He’s probably in his chambers,” Paddy said.
“You’re welcome there, of course.”

“Thank you.”

Balancing the tray on one arm, he reached
out and touched my cheek. His hand was comforting. “No need to
thank me. We’re happy you’re here, Meara.”

After Paddy left, I shuffled over to my
mirror. The reflection made me sigh. If I found a bird in my hair,
it wouldn’t surprise me. What a mess! I wish Brigid taught me how
to conjure instead of shield. I could use a brush right about now.
I tried to visualize straight, Pantene-worthy hair, but when I
opened my eyes, the rat’s nest stared back. With a growl, I
resorted to dragging my fingers through the snarls. What good was
magic if you couldn’t even use it to make yourself presentable?