Highlander's Faerie (Highlander Heat #5)

“We’ll sail right into their sea-gate and request a place to rest for the night.”


Archie raised a speculative brow. “An interesting plan. I take it you intend to force them into honoring the Highland code of hospitality?”

“Aye. I hardly need to raise my sword when Katherine’s wish is to bring about some peace.” As much as he detested having to request hospitality, he had to consider Katherine’s feelings. He had to give her a fighting chance at seeing to her mission, whether he believed in it or not.

“Even if they allow us entry, they could easily slaughter us in our sleep. The MacLeans are well known for extending that form of hospitality, or have you forgotten what Lachlan so recently did to John MacIan?”

The MacIans of Ardnamurchan were their kin, and in times of war, they stood by each other’s sides. When John MacIan had accepted an invitation from Lachlan to Duart Castle only a few years past, it had ended in the cold-blooded killing of eighteen of MacIan’s men at Lachlan’s hand, and following that, John MacIan had been locked in Duart’s dungeons for a year.

“Lachlan isnae here and two of Lachlan’s captains saved MacIan’s life that night and stayed Lachlan’s hand when he would have beheaded him. That at least gives me a little hope that not all the MacLeans are a bloodthirsty lot.”

“We’ll need to remain alert, to be prepared to attack if they raise arms against us.” Archie leaned forward, elbows to his knees as he clasped his hands. “’Twill be an interesting night ahead.”

“I have Duart in sight,” Josiah bellowed from the bow, their warrior on lookout. “A guard awaits us.”

“Dinnae raise your sword unless ’tis in defense.” John gripped the rudder and turned them inland where the castle rose out of the misty dark with forbidding height into the night sky. “We’ll be seeking the MacLeans’ hospitality this eve. Although, everyone is to remain armed and prepared.”

At the edge of the sea-gate, a warning shout hailed from one MacLean warrior to another then echoed up the trail to the guardsmen patrolling the barbican.

“Now, ’tis time to make it past their welcoming party.” John strode to the front of the birlinn and as they neared the shore he called out to the MacLeans, “We’ve come at Finlay MacLean’s invitation.” Or close enough. “He traveled with one of our kin, and we wish to ensure Katherine MacLean arrived safely.”

Four MacLean warriors waded into the water and gripped the sides of their birlinn. The head man’s penetrating gaze drilled into him. “Ye’ll need to await confirmation from our captain afore being permitted on our land.”

A warrior with black hair and a two-handed claymore strapped to his back stormed down the trail and bounded onto the stone landing. ’Twas Arthur MacLean. He’d met him on the battlefield a year past, an adversary he’d never forget. Arthur had a strong sword arm and neither of them had been able to gain an advantage over the other.

Arthur’s green eyes glinted. “Well, if it isnae John MacDonald,” he bit out. “What takes you so far from your shores and brings you to Duart?”

“You have one of our kin, a woman by the name of Katherine. We seek your hospitality, and to ensure she’s come to no harm during her unexpected trip.”

“You can be assured she is safe and well. The chief’s wife tends her.” He jerked his chin toward Islay. “Feel free to leave. None here will bar your way.”

“That I cannae do.” He grasped the edge of the birlinn and heaved himself into the water. Surging through it, he slogged toward Arthur. “I ask that you honor the Highland code of hospitality and allow us to rest here for the night. We in turn will not raise our swords after the obvious abduction of one of our kin.”

“Katherine assured me she came willingly.” His gaze slid over John’s men on the boat then came to rest on his brother. “Archie MacDonald. ’Tis unusual for both of Angus MacDonald’s captains to leave Dunyvaig unguarded. Your trip must have been in earnest.”

“After the way Katherine was taken from our land, surely you didnae expect us to sit idly by.” Archie jumped into the water and splashed toward John.

“The lass is still a MacLean.” Arthur rolled one sleeve and exposed the dagger sheathed at his wrist.

John hauled himself up onto the landing and planted his hands on his hips as water sluiced down his body and pooled at his feet. Gaze on Arthur, he growled under his breath. “Katherine is under my protection and until I see her with my own eyes, I willnae leave.”

“You MacDonalds are a stubborn lot.”

“That we are.” John waited, holding steady.