Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“That’s the best news.” Finlay called out as he battled with Kirk. “Iain and Isla too will be thrilled.”


“All I can say is I’ve never felt so at peace. Now, it’s time to set out and find Aleck and Adair and if they’re alive, to bring them back home.” Tavish landed one hard blow after another and Tor met each of his fierce strikes with one of his own. “My mate needs her parents returned to her, and without delay.”

“Once the cart is loaded, we’ll head out with the traveling party.” Tor swung and Tavish caught his high strike and pushed back.

Tavish glanced at her. “Go and pack if you wish.”

“Just keep your eyes on the fight.” She blew him a kiss.

“The sight of you is far more appealing than the sight of my brother.”

“Watch out.” Chuckling, Tor swung and Tavish caught his hit. “She might be more appealing but I‘m the one with the weapon.”

“Then let’s battle.” The two fought, both moving with such grace and stealth. Sweat glistened on their brows and dampened their tunics while the clash of their blades ricocheted all around the yard.

“Julia!” Arabel dashed out of the keep and hurried toward her, the white ribbons tied around her corseted blue gown rippling in the breeze. Her sister swamped her in a huge hug, her sweet vanilla scent encasing her. “I’m so glad you and Tavish are back. Is all well?”

“Very well.” She touched the mark Tavish had given her and smiled. “There’s been a development.”

“You completed the bond?” Her sister jiggled from foot to foot as she spotted the mark.

“We did, and we now have a merged link of the mind.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you.”

Cherub shimmered into view near the cart, her skin sparkling in the morning sunshine. She waved out to them and walked across. “I’ve been out looking for you, Julia, well you and Tavish.”

“We spent the night at the underground caverns farther along the loch. We completed the bond and as we did, our auras finally behaved and came into alignment.”

“That’s the best news.” The wind lifted, fluttered Cherub’s navy skirts and blew a lock of her blond hair across her cheek. Smiling, Cherub hugged her. “Congratulations. Once you’ve packed, we’ll ride out. Kirk enjoys roaming the countryside on horseback when he can, rather than having me whizzing us through the air all the time.”

“I cannae wait to leave.” She kissed Arabel’s cheek. “I’ll keep in touch with you during the mission, however that can be arranged.”

“I’ll be waiting for news.” Arabel tipped her head toward the keep. “Go and pack.”

“I shall.” With her burgundy skirts in hand, she rushed inside and bumped straight into Matthew. She gripped his shoulders to keep herself from toppling over. “I’m so sorry, Matthew. I wasnae watching where I was running.”

“Little has changed since you were a bairn.” In his brown tunic and trews, his gray hair thinning at the top, he plucked a red-skinned apple from the woven basket he carried over one arm and offered it to her. “For you, my wee Julia. I’m driving the cart to the encampment and glad I am you’ve returned in time. Tor told me about your mate, a clever man that Tavish is, a healer of great ability. Tor said they call him a doctor in his time.”

“Aye, that is true.” She snuck the apple from his hand, rubbed it on her skirts until the red skin gleamed. She took a bite and the sweet apple juice ran down her chin. Wiping it away, she murmured, “Mmm, delicious. Thank you, Matthew.”

“You’re most welcome. I’ve heard about the plan to find Aleck and Adair. All within the keep are speaking of it.” He tipped his head toward the stairwell. “Be quick now. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can find your parents and bring them back home.”

“Save me another apple for later.” Munching on the sweet fruit, she dashed up the winding stairwell. Yesterday, she’d stood on the MacKenzie’s battlements with Cherub as they’d confronted Jeremiah, and now she was to join their warriors at the encampment and begin searching for her parents. Jeremiah’s words echoed through her mind. They’re alive and far from here. When they first arrived, I was the one to personally escort them to their new accommodations, and they’ve remained there the length of their imprisonment. You can be certain though that when the deadline expires and Julia hasn’t been brought to me, then their death will be assured. I’ll see to it myself.

She had to believe her parents lived, that they’d find them in time. No other thought would she consider.