Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

After shedding her clothes, she eased a clean shift over her head and donned a rich burgundy velvet gown that shimmered over her hips and swished to her ankles. The low neckline, embellished with white crocheted detailing, was mirrored with the same adornment along the ends of the sleeves that draped over the backs of her hands. She added a matching white crocheted girdle, belted it at her waist and adjusted the tasseled ends sweeping down to her knees. Her hair was likely a mess, so she quickly ran her fingers through it and tried to tame her long locks as best as she could.

Slippers on, she gripped the edge of the screen and peeked around it toward the door. Tavish’s broad back blocked all sight of Cherub in the passageway, so she stepped out and swished in behind him. Her mate, her fierce protector. She leaned against his back, rubbed her cheek against the soft cotton of his black tunic and tried heartily hard not to slip her hands underneath the flapping hem and stroke over his warm skin.

Over his shoulder, he glanced at her, such hunger in his gaze and his smile wide. He set two bags down just inside the door and tucked her underneath his shoulder. “Cherub brought me my medical bag and some clothes. I hope you don’t mind if I leave them here in your chamber?”

“Not at all. Come inside, Cherub.” She motioned her in. “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me, particularly for taking me to Tavish’s time and introducing us. ’Twas wonderful that you did.”

“You’re most welcome, and does this mean you’ve actually accepted that the two of you are soul bound?” Cherub’s plum skirts brushed the floorboards as she stepped inside.

“It means…” She looked into Tavish’s eyes, and likely with the silliest smile on her face. “I have. I trust my mate and his word. He has fully convinced me I am his.”

His golden gaze flared brighter and almost scorched her with its heat. “I want to kiss you again.” Sensuously hot words that nearly melted her on the spot. “And you’ll need to cease looking at me like that or else all completely forget Cherub’s standing in this room with us and do exactly as I please.”

“If that was a warning, ’twas a very bad one.” She twirled a lock of her hair around her finger. She wanted his kisses, however she could get them.

“Oh, this is good news.” Cherub beamed then grasped her hands and pulled her attention back to her. “I also come bearing more gifts than just Tavish’s bags. I’ve had the chance to speak to Nessa and she asked me to impart a vision she saw regarding you. Are you ready?”

“Aye.” Her grandmother’s words always rang true, her visions a gift each and every one of her clansmen embraced. “Tell me what she said, word for word.”

“I shall.” Cherub squeezed her fingers and began, “Live as you’ve never lived afore, my dear. There is warmth and an all-encompassing heat at the end of the tunnel. That is the place you seek. All your heart longs for will soon come to light and from that sacred place, your journey shall begin.”

She mulled over Nessa’s words, considered them from every angle.

“That’s interesting.” Tavish turned her by the shoulders to face him. “What do you think Nessa means by it?”

“The first part must refer to my parents. Since the day I lost them, I ceased living, and no matter how many times Arabel and my grandmother tell me their death wasnae my fault, I still cannae release the burden that it was. It didnae help too that I saw such hope shimmering within Father and Uncle’s auras the day they met with Colin MacKenzie. They both hoped to strengthen the ties between our two clans and ensure we were allies. I’ve always sensed that I let them down.”

“You didn’t let anyone down.” He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed her fingertips. “So too your parents’ death isn’t your fault, but that of the man who took their lives. You were only trying to do what was best for your clan.”

“Yet what if they’re truly alive and we cannae find them in the fortnight of time given to us? What if I’m left with no other choice but to wed Jeremiah in order to save them?” ’Twas a very real possibility and one that frightened her greatly. “My head and my heart are often at war, and in truth, I fear giving into their demands.”

“I’ll never allow you to walk away from me, or wed the enemy. Trust me to take care of you, to ensure that it so.”

She nodded. She would trust him, and fight for what was growing between them. “I wish to see our bond deepen.”

“We’ll deepen it.” He kissed her forehead. “That I can assure you.”

Cherub cleared her throat. “What of the last part of Nessa’s vision? There is warmth and an all-encompassing heat at the end of the tunnel. That is the place you seek. All your heart longs for will soon come to light and from that sacred place, your journey shall begin.”

“I’m not sure what she refers to with that.” But she’d keep Grandmother’s words close. “Was there anything else she said about the vision?”