Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

“I’m a warrior, Layla, and you were the one I wanted in my bed. I had a great need to procure a signed betrothal agreement with you, and I did, very successfully at that.” He dunked his hands into the water then splashed his face and wiped all trace of the blood from his skin away. “You’re also well aware I repudiated my vow when I had no desire to.” He rose back to his feet and loomed over her. “Do you wish to make clan MacDonald your enemy?”


“Nay.” She shook her head, forced herself to remain standing strong and not show any possible weakness to him. His arrival here was unexpected, yet also expected, which meant she’d been given another chance to make amends, however she could. She certainly wasn’t allowing him anywhere near her mate. She’d deal with Donnan on her own this time, her mind connected with Tor’s and ensuring she knew exactly where he was. “There must be a way around our current issue, Donnan.”

“Only marriage between us will suffice. Your ability is one of the strongest of the battle skills. I want my sons carrying your blood.”

“I spoke handfast vows last eve with Tor.” She met his gaze, ensured hers remained unwavering. “I will never be your wife.”

“Your spirit is strong and rather commendable, although handfast vows can be broken.” He narrowed his gaze on her. “Did you consummate those vows?”

“Aye, we did, and I’ll never break those handfast vows.” She gave him her sternest look to ensure he was left with no doubt of her current intentions, that she would not bow down to him or allow him to hold any sway over her. “You may no’ have my fae blood in your line, but you still have the aid of my kind when you go to war, provided you dinnae allow our broken betrothal to cause the alliance between our clans to falter. My father will see things made right. He’ll fight at your clan’s side, just as he’s always done and always will. You’ll have lost naught if you but allow it.”

“That fact is the only thing keeping me from stealing you away right this moment.”

“No one can force one with my skill to go anywhere we dinnae wish to go.” She lifted herself up, swept backward out over the water and hovered beyond his reach.

“Magnificent.” He smirked, hands firm on his hips. “I’m no’ an ogre or a tyrant, Layla. My temper is fast to rise but I would never have laid a hand on you during our earlier argument. You are safe with me, likely as safe as you are with your warrior, whether you believe it or no’.”

“My warrior holds the other half of my soul, just as I hold his. There can be no separating that which will always be destined to be.” Now that she’d joined in all ways with Tor, she had a true sense of exactly how deep the bond ran. She’d always known of course, having seen the mated bond taking form between couples within her own clan, but to experience it for herself was something quite different.

“I speak the truth.” Frowning, he scrubbed a hand over his whiskered jaw. “My actions during the battle on the beach clearly alarmed you, and for that I humbly apologize. Over the hours since, I’ve had time to consider all you’ve spoken of and in truth, I wouldnae wish for a wife who yearned for another. You are right in that regard, although I do demand remedial payment for the broken betrothal. I want a wife who holds fae blood and your father must provide me with another lass in your place. There will be no other satisfaction otherwise. When I leave your land, ’twill be with the fae lass I’ve wed. A bride for a bride, you could say.”

“My father is the one you’ll need to speak to on this matter. He is one of Gilleoin’s captains, as well as one of the leaders of the village, and he will need to meet with the others to determine if there is a suitable lass for you amongst my fae kind.” She hovered back toward him and lowered herself onto the embankment. “Your enemies are still our enemies, the ties between our clans having been in place for an age. Dinnae allow that to falter.”

“You are the one who allowed the ties to falter.” He slid one callused finger under her chin and slowly leaned in. “I now ask for your aid. Return with me to the keep and stand at my side as I speak to your father.”

“I cannae leave my husband behind.” Although waking Tor and explaining all she and Donnan had just spoken about would likely rattle him. Tor had already proven he had no tolerance for Donnan, would likely rally against any attempt of negotiation. She’d also been the one to cause this dilemma, and now she’d been given the chance to rectify it, she would. She also needed to ensure the most suitable lasses from the village were chosen for him to pick from, that those lasses were willing to wed him, knew all they needed to know about Donnan before they agreed to speak vows. His bride would certainly need to hold a skill that would allow her to stand strong in her own right alongside him. That she could ensure if she did agree to go and stand at his side as he spoke to Father.