Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Alive and well, and the arrow gone. Megan and Connor are looking after him, two of our clan’s other medical personnel. Tell me exactly where you are.”


“At Red Point, on the moors near the beach, along with a good thirty of MacKenzie’s men, although I dinnae intend to be here for long. I wish to leave, and with all haste.”

“As I intend for you too as well. We’re close. I’m with Cherub, Kirk, and Tor on the mountains. I can see Red Point from here.”

“I know where my parents are being kept, that’s if Colin MacKenzie is telling the truth. They’re at his holding at Loch Broom. He sent Jeremiah ahead of him and he should already be there. His desire is to ensure my grandmother’s strongly skilled fae line mingles with his own. I’m to wed Jeremiah once we reach his holding.” She strode past two warriors lighting a fire within the protection of the tree line. With her violet skirts in hand, she hurried deeper into the forest along the scrub-lined path. “I’m in the forest now, with a pesky guard.”

“Wait a moment while I relay everything to the others and we formulate a plan.”

Snuggling deeper into his mind, she stopped beside a wide trunk and gestured toward a thicket twenty feet to one side through the thick bracken. “Gordon, if you dinnae mind, I wish a few moments of privacy.”

He scrubbed his hand over his bristly jaw then nodded. “Go no farther than that thicket. You have two minutes and no more.”

“How gracious.” This time she did roll her eyes. Although she’d take those two minutes and make them work. She hurried through the brushwood, scrambled onto her knees behind it then skirts bunched up, crawled through the dense undergrowth deeper into the forest. Once she was assured she was out of his sight, she jumped to her feet and weaved through the trees. Up ahead, the sound of gushing water traveled to her. A stream. The thick copse gave way to a river that cut through the forest toward the sea. Rocks lined the bank on both sides and three of MacKenzie’s men knelt at the edge filling their skins. Grrr, how annoying. Colin MacKenzie’s warriors were everywhere.

She backed up a step, as quietly as she could. “Tavish, I cannae see a way out of here.”

“Cherub has us cloaked and soaring your way. Give me your location, and be as specific as you can. I’ll ensure there’s a way out.”

Hope soaring, she clutched her chest. “There’s a river running through the forest, one with three warriors filling their skins. I’m backing away from them now. My guard will be searching for me soon.”

“We’re over the woods and I can see them. Keep moving backward, slowly and carefully. Don’t draw any unwanted attention to yourself.”

The wind lifted, breezed all around and with it brought an intoxicatingly warm and fresh scent, one holding a sweet tease of apple. It swirled about and saturated her senses. “I miss you.”

“As I miss you.” An arm wrapped around her waist from behind and drew her back against a solid body. Warmth infused her, and her mate’s presence calmed and settled her deep inside.

She curled her fingers around his firm forearm and turned around in his tight embrace. Cherub had him cloaked, his form not visible and she dearly wished to see him.

“Cherub’s to your left. Grab ahold of her so her cloaking extends over you too. Kirk’s behind her and Tor’s on her other side.” Tavish nipped her ear. “Hurry, love.”

A bellow sounded. Gordon. She patted the space around her and found Cherub. As soon as she slipped her fingers around Cherub’s arm, Cherub covered her with her cloaking and they lifted up.

Gordon stormed along the path and shouted to the warriors at the river, “The Matheson lass has escaped.”

“That was close, too close,” she whispered in Tavish’s mind.

“You should never have been taken from me. I’m sorry I allowed such a thing to occur.” He nuzzled her neck. “Tell me you’re all right.”

“I am now.”

Cherub took them higher, over the treetops and onward as she breezed toward Gairloch. The forest gave way to the rockier terrain of the Highlands as they swept toward the high mountain peak with its sheer stony sides.

She clung to Tavish as he scraped his teeth back and forth over her sensitive skin. “Please, bite me.” She stretched her neck. Nothing else would settle her quite like his possessive touch did. “Now.”

“I shall never let go of you again.” Tavish sank his teeth into her flesh and she whimpered for more. “Where you are, is where I need to be, whether there is a battle raging or not.”

“I agree.”

“The moment I get you all to myself, expect a damn sight more than just a bite. I intend to ravish you, right after we rescue your parents.”