Highlander's Faerie (Highlander Heat #5)

“If Archie says a storm’s on its way, there’s one on the way, sis. Let’s go inside.” Marie’s belly gurgled and she laughed and rubbed it. “I’m also starving. Archie insisted we set sail at dawn and I didn’t get the chance to eat breakfast.”


“I would have fed you, but we ran out of time when you had other ideas than breaking your fast in mind.” Archie’s golden eyes glimmered as he extended his hand toward Marie and tugged her to her feet. “Come. The midday meal now awaits.”

“Great.” Marie reached back for her, nabbed her hand and hauled her up too. “Come on. I really am hungry.”

Teal skirts lifted, she walked beside Marie up the grassy rise as Archie kept guard at their back. A tingle of unease chased up her spine. John had promised to return by midday and though he only sought one man, she was suddenly anxious. Squeezing her sister’s arm, she said, “If you don’t mind, I might just see if I can spot John’s birlinn from the battlements. I’ll be inside soon.”

“That’s fine with me.” She glanced at Archie. “Is that okay with you?”

“Aye, that willnae be a problem.” He nodded then motioned the tower guard to lower the portcullis. The clunky sound of its chains reverberated throughout the keep as the metal grate lowered from within the stone-arched entrance gate.

“Make sure you come inside before it rains.” Marie slipped her arm through Archie’s and cuddled into his side as she walked into the keep.

Katherine trotted up the stairs to the battlements and gripped the thick stone crenellation. Past the bluff, the northern waterways remained clear. No birlinn and no John, or at least that she could see. The headland would provide an even better view.

A cool breeze blew over her and she shivered as the distant gray clouds thickened and covered the skies. If she wanted to get to the bluff, she’d have to sneak out since Archie had now secured the castle.

Hustling, she headed downstairs and skirted the curtain wall. The sentry guard paced the ramparts above and as he marched in the opposite direction, she snuck through the postern gate.

Into the forest, she dashed then followed the thin winding path to the headland. The wind whistled through and the autumn leaves lining the trail swirled in a whirlpool of russet and burnt orange at her feet.

Breathing hard, she finally stumbled onto the craggy bluff’s cliff-top point. The bay she’d been taken from should be just visible, yet still there was no sign of John’s birlinn. “Where are you?” she whispered into the wind.

Thunder boomed and the sea crashed hard against the jagged rock wall. Spray flew and drenched her. She slipped, made a grab for the cliff but only managed air. Screaming, she plunged toward the sea and hit the frigid water. Down she went, her breath lost at the hard impact. Her skirts dragged and the murky waves tossed her about. So deep.

What had she been thinking to stand so close to the edge? Goodness. She shouldn’t have left the castle without a guard. John would certainly be furious to hear she’d snuck out. Kicking, she strived to get to the surface.

Her back slammed into the cliff and black hazed her vision. She shoved the dark away, seized the cliff’s edge and held on with her life as the waves pounded into her from behind. No giving up. Along the rock face, several grooves appeared deep enough to use to pull herself up. Death wouldn’t take her, not again, not when she had everything to live for. All she had to do was scale this cliff and reach the top. Then sneak back into Dunyvaig before anyone realized what she’d done. Totally doable. Or it better damn well be doable. She didn’t want to consider the trouble she’d be in if John discovered what had happened.

Grunting, she heaved upward, intent on using whatever crack or ridge the rock offered. Determination spurred her on and as she passed the halfway mark, she clambered onto a thin ledge twenty feet from the top. Breathing hard, she flopped onto her back.

Above, the storm clouds continued to bubble and brew, whipping into a frenzy of vicious black. With frozen fingers and shaky legs, she gathered what strength she had and patted the rock above her head where a scraggly clump of bushes protruded from a crevice. Her hand sank through the brush and into a dark hole. Gasping, she scraped dirt and grit from around the edge and discovered a thin shaft leading inward. It appeared too small for her to fit into, unless she could scrape more of the dirt—

“Katherine!” At John’s fierce shout she almost fell off her precarious perch.

Below, he stood at the bow as he cruised toward her, savage fury etched on his face.

“Wait right there!” He tore off his belted plaid, tossed it to one of his men then sprang into the raging waters, boots and all.

Oh great. So much for sneaking back in.





Chapter 4