Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“Nay. You’re fae, but mayhap have the sight.”


Did he mean foresight? Great. What would it take to make him believe? She tapped her sides. “And here I thought we were about to make some inroads. Well, I can’t recall the exact date, but it’s before the turn of the century.”

“I willnae wait another decade to see to MacLean’s death.”

“Too bad, because I won’t change history so you can kill him any earlier. I have to bring about a resolution to this war, not encourage it.”

“His death is assured. You cannae halt me from seeing to that.”

“MacLean is young and still fathering his children. Should you kill him before his time, my paternal line might be extinguished before it even begins. I’m a MacLean, remember? Not good for me.” Yes, and since she had no intention of dying before she’d even been born, he had to concede.

“You’re no’ from the future.”

“We are not going back there again.” The man was impossible, and they could probably go in circles with this conversation. She had to uncover a way to make him believe her, which she would. Somehow. “Let’s move on for now. Why don’t you tell me more about the Rhinns. Mary said that particular piece of land is in dispute.”

“Aye, but it still belongs to the MacDonalds.”

Sure, he’d say that. He was a MacDonald, which meant maybe Mary was the only one here partial to conveying the full and honest truth. “Angus MacDonald was taken by the king’s men because of his fight with MacLean. I need you to think about winning this war without causing his death. In my time, wars are fought and people lose their lives far too often. I want to use my magic to its best advantage, ensuring a change for the better, not worse. What about the king? It’s James VI, right?”

“Aye, ’tis he.”

“He was known as one of the greatest kings in history. He certainly has my vote for fixing this. Surely he holds the most impartial view of all.”

“The king willnae be permitted to rule us. Our form of fighting has served us well and we have no intention of changing it.”

“Ah-huh, and you also need to keep an open mind. Your wish brought me here, so now let me do what I’m supposed to and impart some magic, in the form of knowledge. What happens if the king is right in the way he’s addressing this situation? He wants to bring all three chiefs involved in this feud together, to settle this dispute by ensuring they atone for their actions. A sound move if you ask me.” She paced back and forth. “Archie, peace should always prevail over war.”

“I want MacLean’s death, no’ his imprisonment at the king’s hands.”

“And I’d like a fighting chance to live.” She had to make him look past his absolute need for death. “You can’t kill the man who’s yet to father my paternal line. It’s not going to happen on my watch.”

“It will, and since you’re no’ from the future, ’tis a moot point you argue.”

“You want to take that risk? Condemn me to death?”

His gaze hardened “You stand afore me. His death willnae cause yours as you already live. MacLean must be held accountable for his continued attacks.”

“I get that part.” Yet all three chiefs needed to undergo the same accountability. For now, they’d have to disagree, until she could really work some magic on him. Obstinate man. “Can we talk about Will and your men? Do I need to take care for some reason?”

“Nay.” He frowned something fierce. “Why would you even ask?”

“You warned Will to pass along your message. Then you shielded me from him. I got the impression there might be a problem.”

“Will enjoys the lasses too much, and you’re no’ his to enjoy.” He glanced toward the bay. “The fishermen have come in. Mary and the women will need aid with preparing the meal. Ensure she does no’ overtax herself.”

Near the water’s edge, the fishermen knelt before flat stones, cleaning their catch. A lad whose loose-legged breeches were hitched with a thin belt at his waist, heaved a pail of fish as he trudged uphill toward two white-aproned women cooking over a fire. Mary sat propped on a stone close by, her skirts spread about her as she mended a shirt.

“No problem. My mother was much like Mary, always wanting to be where help was needed. I had to curtail her movements near the end of her sickness, so she conserved her strength.”

“I’m sorry about your mother, Marie.” He stroked the back of her head.

“Thanks.” She fought back tears as she stepped away. “I’ll go look after Mary. In the meantime, you go and slap some stones and clay around and consider my point of view. That’d be really handy.”

He chuckled. “Lass, you are an amusing faerie.”

“Yes I am.” She followed the trail toward Mary. Ahead, the women added the fresh fish the lad had brought them to the bubbling pot.

“There you are.” Mary extended a hand toward the rock next to her. “You and Archie appeared to be in a deep discussion.”