Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

The girl dipped her head and closed the door behind her as she left.

Cherub pushed her hood back and picked up a drying cloth from the side table and dabbed her wet cheeks.

Julia pulled the garden door shut, slid her sapphire jeweled hairpins from her tangled hair and set them on the side table.

“Here, let me aid you with your hair.” Cherub patted the chair before the looking glass. “We’ll need to get rid of the spots of blood at the back if you wish to keep Tavish calm.”

“I cannae believe I hit my head again. ’Tis just as well I didnae hurt myself too badly.” She sat and Cherub carefully cleaned the blood away. Sighing, she sank even deeper into Tavish’s mind and rolled around within the exquisite space. “The chamber is lovely and looks right out over the loch toward the castle. There’s a door leading to a private garden.”

“I’d rather you be right here with me in this main room. Hurry it up, love.”

Cherub set the washcloth aside then gently worked the comb through her hair and detangled the knots.

“I’m not quite sure what I did afore this merged link took form.” She smiled at Cherub over her shoulder. “Although now I’m mated to Tavish, I hate to think of only living in the future and completely leaving my kin here behind.”

“You’ll never have to leave them behind. I’ll gladly bring you and Tavish back and forth through time as needed. My duty is to my people and I will never forsake any of you, no matter what time or place you reside in.” Cherub finished tidying her hair then brushed her own and set the comb down. “All done.”

“Thank you.” She hugged Cherub, squeezed her extra tight. “Never have our people been so lucky as to have you as our princess.”

“’Tis my pleasure to aid my people, however and wherever I can.” Cherub squeezed her back. “You are my sister, just as Arabel is.”

“Julia, how much longer will you be? I can’t stand this separation.”

“I’m coming.” She walked to the door with a grin. “Tavish is getting anxious.”

“So is Kirk. Mated men are quite the handful at times.” Grinning and with her hood back in place, Cherub swished past her and led the way along the corridor to the main room.

Julia followed, weaved past a score of patrons seated at small tables then alongside a fire roaring within the wide hearth. Each table was separated from the other by wooden screens, and farmers and travelers all partook of the stew and tankards of ale while they chatted. In the far darkened corner, the men sat with a clear view of everyone within the room and the front door. She joined Tavish as he stood, his gaze sweeping over her.

“Do you feel better?”

“I do.” She sat down and Tavish slid in next to her, securing her safely between him and Tor. Leaning against him, she pressed her cheek to his shoulder and allowed the peace of the moment to roll through her. Being this close to him soothed her very soul. “My mate,” she whispered in his ear. “Always mine.”

“Aye, always yours.” He slid one arm around her back, and stroked his thumb in a slow circle over her hip.

Mmm, she wriggled even closer, almost purring under his delicious touch. She’d missed him terribly while they’d been parted. Thankfully she’d been out of it for most of that time, would never have wanted to experience the endless hours of fear as he unfortunately had. “Thank you for saving Matthew’s life. I cannae wait to see him.”

“He’ll make a full recovery, and I don’t doubt he can’t wait to see you either. As soon as he woke up from surgery, he told me what had happened to you. Until then, I’d had no idea.”

“I never want to lose our link again.”

“Agreed.”

“Here we go, my lovelies.” A barmaid flounced in, a tray of tankards in hand and her bountiful breasts almost spilling from her blue kirtle’s low neckline. “My apologies for the wait.”

“Thank you.” Tor accepted a tankard from her.

“One of the lasses will be out shortly with your meals.” Raising an appreciative eyebrow at Tor, she leaned in and gave him a rather stunning eyeful of her wares. “Be sure to holler out if ye need aught more. I have a willing hand, no matter what ye might need it for.”

“Cheeky, lass. Go on with you.” Tor swatted her bottom, which sent the lass giggling as she sashayed away.

The serving lass who’d shown them to their chamber hurried through the kitchen door and across to them with a platter of breads and cheeses. She set it on the scratched wooden tabletop while another lass with an apron tied around her waist brought out a tray holding bowls of stew. She passed one to each of them, laid out spoons then whisked back to the kitchens.

Kirk slid his dirk from its sheath, sliced the bread and handed them each a piece.

Julia dunked hers in her stew and bit into the end. Delicious. The richly flavored beef juices danced on her tongue and the hot meal warmed her belly.