Chapter 1

Scottish highlands, 1232:

"Come, come Aislinn lass, you'll be late for your lessons", said the tall redhead warrior standing beside his beautiful mistress.
"I care not for my lessons right now, I wish to go and swim in the loch", replied the lady Aislinn MacKendrick, as she raised her scintillating golden eyes to her steward. Her eyes were a rare color, not amber, but gold. Her long red-gold hair hung to her waist.
"Alright, lass, go swim in the loch if ye so wish it, but be careful!" he warned.
Aislinn laughed. "Ye know good and well, Lyon that I am the best swimmer in all the highlands."
"Aye, I know lass. But ye are like the daughter I have not yet had. I just want ye to be careful, sweeting."
"And I will, Lyon. Thank you very much for that compliment. I lack nothing except-" she broke off, embarrassed.
"But for what, sweeting?" Lyon questioned.
"Love. I have never found a young man nor warrior who has taken my fancy. That is the only thing I wish for. And my swim."
"Ye'll find love someday, lassie. But for now, go on yer swim and think about it for a while."
"I'll see ye later then."
"Just go, lass."
With that, Aislinn left and walked the short distance over the dales to the rocky and rustic beach where loch ness met the shore. She sighed in resignation. She seemed to have everything. She could not help but keep thinking that she would never find love despite what Lyon had said. She stripped down to her chemise, then dove into the waves. Suddenly, the waves became stronger, the sky darkened and thunder rolled in the heavens. Then she heard a shout for help, turned and saw a figure struggling in the white caps a few feet further out than she was. Fighting the strengthened current, she swam with surprisingly powerful strokes toward the drowning figure. The figure suddenly vanished into the deep. Diving under, she caught the man and pulled him to the surface. Determined that he would not die, she fought the current, and the power of the loch with her long strokes, and finally reached the shore. She pulled the stranger up beside her, and suddenly the sky suddenly lightened and she saw he was unconcious.

Shocked, she stared down for a moment upon this beautiful creature any woman might call immortal. Sunny blond hair, darkened by the wet, clung to his head. He had fine facial features, straight nose, strong jaw and the most sensual mouth she had ever seen.

Then, she snapped into action, breathing life into this handsome golden adonis. He sputtered, spitting out water before taking his first big gasp of breath. Gratified, she looked down on him, smiling her relief as he opened his eyes briefly, mumbled something, then his eyes closed again. Even for that brief moment, she had to catch her breath. His eyes were the brightest most crystal blue she had ever seen!


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