Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

A cloying mist rose up and swirled all around them. Lights flickered, as if the stars themselves had escaped the sky then an unearthly force sucked them all apart and they plummeted into the frosty depths of a loch.

Chilly water closed in over Tavish’s head and he kicked through the murkiness in search of Julia. Her cream gown glowed under the water and he grabbed her around the waist and powered upward. They broke the water’s surface right alongside Tor. White-capped waves crashed over them and he gulped in air and held Julia tighter to him in order to protect her from the rougher waters as best as he could.

“Look, land,” Tor yelled as a seagull squawked overhead then flew down and skimmed the choppy waves toward shore.

“Welcome to my home, and to the year twelve-hundred and ten.” Julia motioned toward a four-story castle a hundred feet or so inland. Its massive gray tower house overlooked the loch and the castle’s fortified walls were topped with battlements and guardsmen roaming the ramparts. A forest rose tall and strong behind it, the wooded land sweeping around toward the entrance of the loch where it jutted to a point. Smoke curled into the air from thatch-roofed houses cloistered tightly together and surrounded by a high stone wall. “That’s the fae village, Tavish.”

“I almost can’t believe I’m here.” He shook his head as he tried to take it all in. This was where their shifter clan had first begun, so far across the Highlands from his own home at Ivanson. At the sea-gate landing, four moored birlinns bobbed with the incoming tide, and on the tip of the landing Cherub and Kirk stood, both waving out. “I see we have a welcoming party.”

“Oh no.” Gasping, Julia clutched the back of her head.

“Is something wrong? Are you hurt?”

“Nay, but I got my head wet and you said I wasnae supposed to.”

“It could hardly be helped.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Do you care to show me your home?”

“Since you’ve arrived for a visit, it would be rude of me no’ to. Let’s swim in.” She slipped out of his arms, caught a cresting wave and rode it in toward land.

“Wait up, woman.” Hell, she was a slippery lass to hold on to. He took off after her and he and Tor caught the next wave and cruised with it into land. Once his feet hit the sandy sea floor, he slogged through the water and scooped Julia off her feet before she made the beach. “No more disappearing with Cherub, or swimming away from me. For a mate, you’re certainly a handful to keep in my sight.”

“Julia.” Cherub rushed from the landing onto the pebbly shore and hugged Julia as he held her in his arms. “You should never have let go of me. Are you all right?”

“I’m absolutely fine. Dinnae worry over me.” Julia snuggled into him and his chest pumped out. As much of a handful as she was, he wouldn’t want her any other way. Her feistiness drew him toward her, her devotion and love for her clan as well. Lucky didn’t even begin to describe how fortunate he was to have been gifted with a mate such as the woman he held in his arms.

“At least you’ve all arrived safe and well.” Cherub glanced at Kirk. “Since everyone has arrived without any issue, you and I should continue on. We need to update Gilleoin and Nessa about the MacKenzie’s decree, then get started on a search plan. There’s little time to waste.”

“I agree. We’ll go now, head to Stirling then return.” Kirk eyed him and Tor. “It’s great to have you both here. I’ll catch up with you as soon as we’re both back.”

“You do what you need to.” Tavish nodded, his grip on Julia firm. “Travel safely.”

“We will.” Kirk wrapped his arms around Cherub and the two of them disappeared in a rush of wind.

Julia tapped his chest. “You can put me down now. I need to find my sister and assure her all is well.”

“I prefer to carry you.” His bear growled at the thought of releasing her. “That way I’ll know exactly where you are. We’ll find her together.”

“Julia!” A woman hurried down the winding castle trail toward them, her golden locks streaming behind her in the fresh breeze, a lass who looked identical to his mate in every way.

“I take it that’s Arabel?”

“Aye, please, set me down, Tavish. She’ll believe I’m injured if you’re carrying me about.”

“I’ll set you down on one condition, that you promise not to disappear on me again.” He’d keep her within arm’s reach, no matter what she promised.

“I’ll do my very best.” She kissed his cheek and smiled. “I can see you’re going to be a very demanding mate.”

“You better believe it.” Warmth rushed through him. Had she actually acknowledged their mated bond? Carefully, he set her on her feet, knelt and wrung her soggy skirts out.

“Look at you,” Arabel tsked as she arrived and hauled Julia into her arms. “You’re soaking wet. How’s your head?”