Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“We have, and we’re here to aid in the search for Aleck and Adair.” He stroked Julia’s arm. “I’ll never allow my chosen one to wed another man.”


“Neither will we ever allow it.” Finlay nodded. “And on the search front, this morning I sent an additional twenty men to our warrior encampment on our eastern border with Colin MacKenzie, while another twenty will head out tomorrow. I’ve been considering the encampment as the base point from where we could begin our search. Not only do we have a strong presence there but the camp sits in just the right position to allow for multiple search routes to be taken, across land and sea, and also with Cherub on board, through the skies as well.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Arabel sat next to the fireplace and raised her hands to the sizzling flames.

“I agree. The encampment offers us a prime position.” Julia leaned her cheek against his shoulder. “So too I would like to be included in the search team. I can hear the gentle hum of my parents’ auras when I’m close to them.”

“Exactly how close do you need to be?” Finlay asked her, his gaze flaring with interest.

“Within a hundred yards.”

“Well, that’s a hundred yards more than what we currently have in pinpointing their location.” Finlay perched on the arm of Arabel’s chair, rested a hand on her knee as he said to her, “I can’t be a part of the search team since I need to remain here. I’d also rather you stay with me. I’m not sure I could handle having you too far from my side. Your help too in ensuring the keep runs smoothly, is invaluable. Do you mind staying?”

“Aye, I’ve no wish to be parted from you either, and I cannae aid in the search quite like Julia can.” She squeezed his fingers. “We’ll remain together.”

“Then Cherub and Kirk, Tavish and Julia and Tor will make up the first search team,” he instructed as he glanced at each of them in turn. “You’ll make the camp your base and join with Cherub as she takes you through the skies. Another team can head across MacKenzie’s land via horseback, and yet another via the loch. We can sort out the finer details once Cherub and Kirk return. I take it they’ve continued on to see Gilleoin and Nessa?”

Julia answered him, “They have. When do we leave for the camp?”

“Tomorrow, with the team of warriors I have leaving at that time. That’ll give Tavish and Tor some time to become familiar with this keep.”

“I’ll show them around.” Julia slipped away from his side and opened the door.

“I’ll join the tour later, brother.” Tor patted his back.

“Thank you.” Tor understood him as no other could. Right now he needed time alone with Julia and their coming discussion really couldn’t wait. He followed her as she led the way out of the chief’s solar and around the perimeter of the great hall toward the stairwell at the far side. As they climbed the winding stairs, he set a hand at the small of her back. Touch was vitally important to shifters, and even more so between mates. His need for her roared even stronger since they’d yet to complete the bond. “Where are we headed to first on this tour?”

“My chamber. I can see you have a need to talk, and so do I.” She strolled along a darkened corridor that remained bare of any other, each of the doors leading from it firmly shut. Before the fourth door on the left, she gripped the knob and glanced over her shoulder at him. “This feels like a monumental moment.”

“It is, and it’ll be one we’ll forever remember.” He covered her hand with his, turned the knob and steered her inside then closed the door after him.

She crossed the room and opened the shutters over her window. Sunlight beamed in and played over her four-poster bed with its sweeping golden bed curtains and plush white pillows stacked against the carved headboard. A three pronged candelabra stood on the bedside table next to a red-leather bound book. He wandered toward the side table where an oval mirror was propped behind a dish overflowing with silk hair ribbons in an array of vibrant colors.

Julia swished in behind him and his bear rose and prowled under his skin. “Your bear is growling. I can hear him.”

“He wants to meet you, to ensure you know that you’re ours.” His claws sliced out and back in as he faced her.