Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

Feet braced wide, Archie gripped the birlinn’s ropes alongside Eric, one of his best warriors. The storm had filled the sails and this close to the shore ’twas necessary to keep a tight rein on their direction to ensure they didn’t go aground.

MacLean would pay if he were behind the current attack, which he didn’t doubt. Once he found MacLean, he’d make certain the man understood he’d never be laird over any portion of Islay. ’Twas MacDonald land, and no one else’s.

He’d given James his promise as the lad had raced after him to the sea-gate. His father would be returned to him, right after he’d disposed of his treacherous uncle. James was strong. He’d survived a tortuous abduction and come through it. Once the boy became a man, he’d aid his father in leading their clan, and he’d make a fine warrior, one Angus would be proud of. For now though, Islay was under his care, and he wouldn’t fail his chief, or Mary.

“Do you smell that, Captain?” George kept a look out from the bow.

The salty scent of the sea tickled his nose, and there, a hint of smoke. They were almost at Ardbeg where Will remained on guard. He turned the sail a touch and caught more wind. These past five years, MacLean had taken every opportunity to pillage and burn their lands, but he’d never gotten this close to Dunyvaig. MacLean may have heard of Angus’s imprisonment, or if not, he was taking his chances at striking so nearby. “To the village,” he called to his men. “With haste.”

Muscles flexed, he wrestled with the ropes as the waves churned. The scent of smoke thickened as they rounded the tip.

“Look, Captain!” George motioned toward land.

A thick, ashy plume smothered the horizon. Ardbeg burned. They had to move faster. Longhouses blazed, and his people formed a living line from the burning buildings to the water’s edge. Each swung a pail, one to the other.

“Oars,” he bellowed as he dropped the sail and bounded to the bow. They crested the waves and fifteen feet from the rocky shoreline, he leapt over the side and landed hip-deep in the water. He shoved through then jogged toward Will.

“Captain.” Will jabbed a hand toward the forest path. “MacLean’s men snuck in like the cowards they are, attacked and left the winds to fan the flames. I would have made chase, but all hands are needed here.”

A woman blackened with grimy soot carried a bairn toward the line and joined her kinsmen. They damn well better not have lost any lives. “We save the village first.” He signaled to his men as they bounded onto land. “The fires must go out. Aid as you can.”

Everything within him raged to go after MacLean. Instead, he strode across to the woman, swung her bairn onto his shoulders and joined in the battle to save what they could. “Hold on, young one. MacLean willnae win this day.”

“Fire bad.” The child wrapped pudgy arms around his neck. “Men bad.”

“Aye, they’ll be brought to justice.” He hefted the next pail along. Marie’s magic wouldn’t go amiss. Some rain wouldn’t either. If only those storm clouds would release their burden. Lifting his face to the skies, he sent his wish free.

A fat drop splashed his cheek then another landed on his nose.

The heavens opened and the rains came. Aye, his faerie was a magical charm he’d wish for again should he have need.

All around his kinsmen cheered, hands lifted to the sky. They waited for the rain to work its wonder. Slowly the flames hissed and died.

Drenched, he called out, “No MacLean will ever dishearten us. We rally together.”

MacLean would be held accountable for this destruction.

He’d make certain of it.





Chapter 3


“Load the cart with whatever we can spare.” A booming male voice filtered through the window.

Marie jerked awake on the soft mattress, scrubbed her gritty eyes and climbed out of the covers. She was still in the past and Archie hadn’t returned. Hopping across to the window, she tugged on her white leather boots. Dawn pierced the horizon, casting a silvery-pink hue over the loch. After last night’s torrential downpour, the skies had finally cleared and the grassy moors glistened.

The circle looked no different this morning, her amulet still lying untouched across the center stone. Katherine hadn’t come. Her heart heaved for her sister. No, she had to remain strong. She had a wish to see to so she could return through time, and she couldn’t do that without the man who’d made the wish in the first place.

“We’re almost there, George. The cook will bring the loaves of bread she’s prepared and ye can set out.” John stood below in the courtyard, one hand braced against the wooden sides of a cart overflowing with blankets, clothing and tools.

His voice had first woken her.

Two lads dashed from the side entrance and tucked armfuls of bread into the rear of the cart.