He snorted. "He fears you? Why ever would he fear a small girl like you, and his own daughter?"She napped her eyes back up and whispered, "Because, I know of magic."Killian smirked. "Of course you know of magic, everyone knows of magic. We live in Ireland. Everyone knows of fairies and druids, and the like. Magic cannot be disputed, even if the priests do not take kindly to these beliefs.""Aye, but I can do magic.

What is it I can do to repay you for your deeds?" He watched a sweet smile spread across her rosy lips, and in those unforgettably magical blue eyes, he caught a mischievous sparkle he'd not noticed before."I will think of something, Killian O'Brien. One day, I am certain, I will think of a way.

He fawns over ye like flies to a dung pile.

Tis a proud battle's scar you possess, Killian O'Brien," she murmured. He sat up higher at her praise. "But you've lived through the battle and now you must live on past the battle, for that is what warriors do.

Her eyes met his and he no longer thought of the unusual shade of blue as strange, but simply enchanting.

I am a contradictory creature, I think," Alainn continued, "for the witch and druid in me can create fire, the fairy in me is drawn to it yet cannot tolerate it, and the woman is in a constant state of torrid fire within me whenever I think of my strikingly virile husband.

You were so intent on what your purpose would be. I remember it nearly word for word.""Recite it for me then, my Lainna."She smiled a warm, soft smile, and her eyes filled with light."You would waken in your bedchamber with your lady beside you...

As she glanced down at the great distance to the ground below, she whispered in his ear, "You have obviously taken the heights of passion to an entirely new level, Killian O'Brien!

Our place is here, our time is now!" Killian firmly declared.