Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“He’ll have more men there, otherwise he would have made for the coast. Duart Castle on Mull is his stronghold, but he has homes on neighboring Jura and Coll. Archie will come. He’ll no’ fail us.”


She shuddered, recalling exactly how intent Archie had already been after the attack on the village. His thirst for MacLean’s death drove him, and now, she truly didn’t blame him. Even she would be happy to see MacLean fall with how ruthlessly he’d killed. No. Slaughtered. So barbaric.

This was such a mess, and MacLean couldn’t die. The king’s men had taken Angus and Donald MacDonald. MacLean was the loose end to the blood feud, and she had to ensure his capture.

Goodness, how did she manage to get herself into these kinds of predicaments?

Some faerie magic truly wouldn’t go amiss.

Mary panted as she slogged, each breath a struggle. And what kind of man made a heavily pregnant woman hike through such demanding terrain? So much for her ensuring Mary rested. At least James remained strong. He’d stayed close to his mother’s side, encouraging her whenever she’d faltered.

Maclean had pushed them on throughout the long night, not taking a break.

It should have been a relief when dawn finally broke, but she had no idea how much farther they had to travel. Birds twittered, although one’s trill seemed slightly off compared to the others.

“Halt.” MacLean lifted a hand then responded to the bird’s call with an identical answering of chirps.

Mary took a deep whiff. “There’s a touch of salt in the air, and with the distance we’ve tread, we should be close to Loch Indaal.”

Loch Indaal cut into Islay’s southern end. She and Katherine had driven around the coastline, passing the sparkling waters of the loch from the ferry terminal the first day they’d arrived.

A man slid between the trees toward MacLean, his beady brown eyes surveying all as he came in alongside the chief. “My laird, there’s no sign of any of the MacDonald galleys at sea.”

“Yet,” MacLean grunted. “Angus’s second will come once he hears of my attack. Archie MacDonald willnae allow the capture of his kin to pass. We must continue on to our men who wait, drawing MacDonald toward Loch Gruinart where I wish to make a stand, on the land which is mine.” MacLean scowled at Mary then strode toward her, flattening the underbrush as he did. Feet planted wide, he examined her. “How do you fare, sister?”

She turned her back and pressed out her bound hands. “Untie me. Unless you’re scared I can best a man like yourself.”

“I fear naught, but aye, I’ll no’ forget you besting me at sticks as a bairn. Your small hands aided you in the game. I could never halt the sticks from toppling.” He loosened her knots, turned her around then rubbed her hands between his. “You still have an insolent mouth.”

“I might, but I imagine it rivals your own.”

“Aye, and you’re as feisty as ever. Good. That will see you through.” MacLean eyed the warrior closest to them. “They’ll no’ escape. Unbind the lad and lady too.” His gaze slid away from Mary and over Marie. “So, we have one of the fae in our midst. Tell me of the little folk.”

“They’re rather annoying.” Really annoying. His guardsman removed her rope, and blood pulsed down her arms and stung her fingertips. She shook her hands.

Mary stepped in front of her, moving eye to eye again with MacLean. “Marie was delivered to us after Archie made a wish. ’Twas a shock to discover she was a MacLean, but ’tis what happened.”

“Yet she appeared from the circle of stones, nay surprise at all.” He crossed his thickly muscled arms. “Which proves Dunyvaig Castle belongs to the MacLeans since a MacLean came forth from the guardians’ circle.”

“Aye, but she is of both clans, her mother a MacDonald.” Mary gripped his arm. “You forget so quickly, brother. ’Twas you who agreed to my marriage with Angus. Why cannae you put your differences aside? Why cannae you return to Duart Castle and worry about the lands you already hold instead of fighting for those you do no’?”

“I fight, because eleven years ago the king and council commanded Angus and I settle our dispute by your marriage to him. You were forced to wed MacDonald, to patch a feud which has never been resolved, no’ in all this time. Father gambled MacLean lands away, but I will fight until I get them back.”

“You battle for the wrong reasons. You stole James from me when he was but five, and now you think to steal us both. There’s been so much bloodshed and loss of life, on both sides. You will lose it all if the king states it so.”

“The king willnae take my land from me. He can send as many summonses as he likes, demanding I present myself at Edinburgh, but I willnae bow to him, no’ after I lost my sister to his so-called ‘settling of the last dispute.’” He slammed a hand against his thigh. “Tell me how Angus was taken.”

“He went to visit Donald MacDonald on Skye. They were both captured there, when they least expected it.” Mary didn’t quail, but told him straight.