Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“I didn’t have a choice.”


“You do now.” He tipped his head toward Mary. “Eric has James. Stay as low as possible and follow my path. I have to get you two out of here afore I can give the signal for the others to attack. We’ll weaken their numbers here, and you must be away so I can.”

“Lachlan isnae here, and he has more men waiting at Gruinart.”

“John already sails ahead. I’ll deal with MacLean. You must go.”

Mary nodded, hoisted her skirts over her knees then crawled as fast as she could away.

“Your turn.” Archie nudged her to follow.

“You can’t kill MacLean. Please. I know you don’t believe I’m from the future, but I am.” Goodness, he had the most beautiful molten gold eyes and they were focused solely on her. “You have to be careful too, or I won’t be happy.”

“You’re here to aid me in my war against MacLean, not partake in it. His death is imminent, a mere matter of time.” Those stunning eyes narrowed.

How would she get him to believe her? She was running out of time. “I won’t leave you until you give me your word he won’t die.”

“Nay. You’ll go as I command. I need you away from here. Now.”

“Are ye ladies finished?” The warrior was close, and no, she wasn’t even halfway done. As it was, there were far too many hotheaded men in this clearing. Any upcoming battle would be brutal.

“Go, or you risk bringing danger down upon Mary and James’s heads by your actions. Do you wish that?”

“No.” Damn it. And Mary had stopped to wait for her. She couldn’t endanger her or James. Whipping back, she faced Archie. “You don’t fight fair, and we will have a stern word about this the moment you get done here. An argument I’m going to win. You got that?”

“Aye, lass. I look forward to battling with you.” He tipped her onto her belly then raised his dirk. “Stay low, and dinnae make a sound as you go.”

“Don’t kill MacLean. If you do, I’ll be really angry.” She scuttled after Mary. Angry, and perhaps even dead.

She crawled, trying hard not to slap her hands down. Yuck, was that blood? A trail led to a body half stuffed underneath the brush at the side. It was the warrior who’d guarded James, his eyes now glassy with death. A chill raced down her spine. Oh, what she wouldn’t give to be back home and strolling her Gold Coast beach. She’d be guaranteed no death and disaster awaited her there.

No. She could do this. She had to keep moving.

“Marie, this way,” Mary whispered as she motioned her forward. “Dinnae look, only move.”

She met Mary’s firm gaze and found the remainder of her strength. She kept crawling until a warrior with thickly furred boots stepped out from behind a tree and scooped Mary into his arms. It was Will. Mary was safe.

As she made the same tree, another warrior drew her to her feet. Eric. What a sight to behold. She clutched his shirt and swayed into him. “Eric, I love you.”

“Thank you, lass, but dinnae tell the captain, or I shall be in more trouble than it’s worth.” His bushy red eyebrows fringed determined blue eyes. “You’re safe now, as are Mary and James.”

“Yes, but I left Archie alone.”

“Dinnae worry about—”

A fierce battle cry rang out. Archie had been discovered.

“Hold tight, lass. The captain needs to be assured of your safety. You can no’ be here.” He slung her over his shoulder and her belly thumped into his rock hard shoulder as he raced them away. She clutched his pumping arms and tried to search for Archie. The trees were too thick.

Archie had to survive this battle. He couldn’t fight the sheer number of MacLean’s men in that clearing on his own.

The ground blurred, make worse by the speed Eric moved as the trees whizzed by.

“I smell the sea,” James cried out as he sprinted alongside them.

“We’re almost there, lad.” The warrior cleared the tree line then halted on the beach. He lowered her to her feet.

Everything spun and she squeezed her eyes shut then shoved them open again. The stunning blue-green waters of the loch glistened. Freedom. And Archie’s birlinn anchored offshore. She would rejoice, except— “Mary.” She spun around.

“Here.” Mary wriggled out of Will’s arms then grabbed James. “We’re all safe.”

“I left Archie alone.” Marie stumbled across and hugged the two of them. “How could I have done that?”

“Our men were close.” Mary patted her back. “Dinnae fret.”

“I still left him.” Tears misted her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. When had Archie come to mean this much to her? Her heart squeezed tight. “I shouldn’t have left him, no matter what he said.”

“Nay. He’ll be able to fight without fear now we’re all away.”

“He’d better.” He damn well better.

The battle raged so close, yet too far away.

“Be safe, Archie. Come back to me.” She sent her wish flying free.