Highlander's Faerie (Highlander Heat #5)

“It’s stunning, and I can see exactly why Lachlan MacLean battles for it. It’s such a large parcel of land with lochs and bens and grassy moors. We made camp along the beach when we first arrived, tramped and explored the reserve. It’s the perfect sanctuary for wildlife. You and I have to go there together, and soon, before autumn passes. The golden-bronze colors of the trees, and the thickness and beauty of the forest reminds me of the Gold Coast’s National Park. You remember that camping trip Mum took us on to the Park when we were fifteen, right?”


“I’ll never forget it.” Sweet memories stirred. The day they’d arrived at the park, Mum had popped the trunk, heaved out the tent and tipped it from its bag then stared at it in horror as she realized she’d left the setup instructions at home on the kitchen bench. So many poles, cords, and yards of canvas had spilled out, a jigsaw of pieces that had taken them hours and hours to sort through and put together. “Dad couldn’t make that trip and it was just us three girls.”

“We had the best time though.” Marie sat on the boulder Mary had vacated and tugged her down beside her. “Now it’s your turn. Tell me what you’ve been up to.”

“Well, I don’t quite know where to start.”

“At the beginning.”

“I spoke to Mum.”

“What?” Her sister’s eyebrows soared into her hairline. “You just can’t blurt something like that out. Are you serious?”

“Deadly serious. It appears time travel and visits from those in another realm are both entirely possible.” She heaved in a deep breath. Now her sister was back, it was time to confess the depth and truth behind her nightmares.

“Come on, spill. You can’t leave me dangling.” Marie gripped her hands. “We’ve never kept anything from each other, and we’re not starting now. What do you mean by you spoke to Mum?”

“I heard her voice and felt her presence, both while I was in the circle before I traveled here, and then again this morning, although I didn’t recall her presence in the circle at the time. It appears my nightmares have in fact been returning memories.”

“Start with when you were in the circle.” Marie jiggled her legs, clearly anxious to hear all.

“When I was waiting for you to complete your mission, I collapsed and bled from a wound on my neck that opened out of nowhere. As you suffered during the battle at the Rhinns, so did I, but in the future, or perhaps somewhere in between realms. Mum told me this morning that death came but couldn’t take me, not when the fae intervened. To ensure my survival the fae bound me to another here in the past and healed my wound. I must have been unconscious for parts of it since I only recall bits and pieces even now.”

“Who did the fae bind you to?”

“John. He now holds a piece of my soul and the fae have said I must keep him close. I cannot live if he doesn’t.”

“Oh my goodness.” She clutched her chest, her face paling.

“No, it’ll be all right. I’m certain of that.” She pulled Marie into her arms. “I’m alive now and here with you. That’s all that matters.”

“What else did Mum have to say?”

“That we hold fae in our blood and now we’re in this time and closer to the fae realm, it’s strengthened. Last night, I had two new visions and she told me to embrace and allow them to guide me. Dad’s with her, sis.” She touched the amulet at her neck. “Last night, the fae gave me a mission. I’m to wear Mary’s talisman so it will provide me with safe passage as I return to our MacLean kin on Mull. I’m to bring peace between the clans.”

“That doesn’t make sense.” Her frown deepened. “Peace doesn’t come for some years and we’re supposed to be keeping history on course, not changing it. Are you sure that’s what you were told to do?”

“Yes. I haven’t mistaken the fae’s words, but maybe I’ll get more clarity on my mission once I arrive on Mull. John actually said the same as you.”

“Where’s John now since you’re supposed to be keeping him close?” Marie studied the warriors surrounding Archie.

“He sailed out earlier this morning. Last night during one of my dreams, I had a vision of a warrior abducting me from a bay a few miles north of here. John’s gone in search of him, and to remove the threat.”

Farther down the beach, Archie left his men and strode toward them, his brown hair wisped with blond, brushing his broad shoulders. Although not identical, he and John both shared similar physical features and the same towering height.

He halted before her and crossed his arms. “My men just informed me of the threat against you, Katherine.”

“John’s dealing with it.”

“As he should, but you two are sitting out here when it will be far safer if you’re both behind Dunyvaig’s walls. John would insist on it, and so do I.”

“I doubt any MacLean warrior will get through you or your guards, no matter where we sat.” A fact he couldn’t dispute.

“Aye, but a storm brews and I cannae protect you from its fury out here.”

“What storm?” Only a peek of gray cloud sat on the far horizon.

“The weather can change in an instant in the isles.” Archie motioned out to sea. “The waves grow higher and foamier and do you no’ feel the heaviness in the air?”