A Valentine’s treat for you…Another excerpt from Fire’s Ice

First Happy Valentines Day to my husband Jackie.
I hope all of you have a wonderful day. Here’s something to make it just a little sweeter…
Excerpt from Fire’s Ice
Arianne felt Devin’s power ripple on the wind, buffeting against hers as he crossed the threshold of the standing stones. He didn’t bother with the ceremony of asking permission to cross the circle. His eyes skimmed over her, heating her skin with just his gaze. 
“You came.” Oh, how she wanted to run into his arms and cling to him. Why was he just standing there?
He frowned and crossed his arms over a wide muscled chest hidden in a black shirt. “I need your help, Ari.” 
There was a sense of urgency in his step and desperation in his voice when he spoke. He hadn’t come for her.Nothing he could have said would have surprised her more. “I beg your pardon?”
“I don’t have time for games, Ari. I need your help.”
“The child is ill? Allaina told me.”
“What?”
“She visits me. I’ve been teaching her about healing herbs.”
“I see. That makes things easier. Do you know what a phoenix is?”
“I am looking at one. An extraordinarily powerful witch with fire magic. I may not be as skilled as my sister was, but I know a great many things Brie never took the time to learn about lore and truth in myth.”
“Raine Roarke is a phoenix. She’s three and her powers are emerging early. Allie and I can’t bind them any longer and she’s too young to control them on her own.”
“Allie said as much.” Her heart jerked hard in her chest. Her niece, Sorca, had been only half that age when she had last seen her. Regardless of the hate she felt for her sister, she hadn’t been able to scorn the child, and loved her dearly. “The fevers have started?”
“Yes.”
She saw the grief in his eyes, the ache he felt for the child and her parents. How could she turn him down? Perhaps the truth would be kinder than a lie that wouldn’t come true. “The child will die, then. What can I do that you cannot?”
“You can drain her excess magic. Link with her as you did to steal Briella’s powers.”
“I had reasons for what I did. And you would be the resident expert on the subject of thievery.” She bristled.
“I’m not trying to judge you. My past isn’t the issue here and neither is yours. Would it work?”
“I suppose, but it would be a temporary solution at best.”
“And more than anyone else can do to help her right now.”
“You are forgetting one vital truth. I cannot leave the circle. My sister’s beloved demon saw to that. I would have to go to the child. And even then, the link might not save her and could kill both of us.”
“Agree to help Raine and I will free you from your prison.”
“And then what? Send me back here after a taste of what I’ve lost?”
“No. That would be beyond cruel. I think you’d find Scotland much more pleasant.”
“Where in Scotland?”
“I want you to stay with me at Glen McLoch, Ari. I want you with me. There is a circle scorched in fire and blood surrounding the castle. As long as you are within that line, you’ll be free to do as you please if your actions don’t harm others.”
“So I’d merely exchange one prison for another, then.”
“Until another way is found.”
“I turned down your offer once.”
“I would give everything I have, do whatever in my power to save that child, Ari. Understand? Whatever you want, it is yours. Anything.”
“Dangerous words, lover.”
“I mean them. I don’t give my word lightly.”
“The Corrigans fear me because of the legend. They might turn you away if you show up with me on their doorstep. “She turned her back on him, crossed her arms to stave off a shiver. She was afraid. Afraid of how they would treat her. And how would she be able to give him up when it was time for her to return? There would be no happily-ever-afters for her.
Devin’s hands rested lightly on her bare shoulders. Rough, not smooth or pampered. “No one will harm you, Ari. I protect what is mine.”
Turning under his hands, Ari touched his cheek and looked deep into those tawny eyes. Searching them for the answer, she asked, “And am I yours, then?”
He smiled. “You’ve always been mine”