Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

A breeze made her hair tickle her face. She closed her eyes, hoping the faeries were at play. “Please, let Katherine come,” she cried to them.

Her sister was close. Every cell in her body sensed it. She should take the amulet and make a—

“I’m here.” Katherine’s voice whispered all around her.

She sagged onto the stone. “I saw to Archie’s wish.”

“I knew you would.” Another wisp of air brushed her cheek. “Come home to me.”

“Marie!” Archie shouted her name as he raced down the trail, his white shirttails flying free behind him.

“Ahh, your Highland warrior comes.” Katherine’s voice curled with mischief.

“Marie!” He hit the edge of the circle, bounced off and slammed onto the ground. Stunned, he shook his head then staggered to his feet. “Hell, the veil’s up.”

“Marie, take the amulet,” her sister crooned.

She patted her hands through the air, searching for her.

“Is she in there with you?” Archie shoved against the veil. “Dinnae go to her, no’ yet. I need to hold you, one last time.”

“Sis, every day since you disappeared into the past, I’ve returned and waited for you,” Katherine revealed. “I’m right here, and I’ve watched those ruins and wished for the castle to reappear. Pick up the amulet. It must be the only way you can get back to me.”

Yes, she had to get back to Katherine. “I don’t want to leave him, but I’ll never leave you.” Archie’s eyes had darkened, losing all light. “I have to go,” she pleaded to him.

He thumped his chest. “I love you.”

“I can’t live without my sister.”

“I would never ask you to. Pick up the talisman.” His voice broke. “Go to her.”

Hands shaking, she slowly reached for it. She could do this. She had to. She wrapped her fingers around it and slipped it over her head. “I love you too, Archie.”

A rumble of thunder boomed and her Highlander slithered to his knees. “Guardians of Dunyvaig,” he rasped. “Keep my loved one safe.”

“Marie.” Katherine shimmered into view and grabbed her. “Oh my goodness, you’re back.”

Hot tears scorched her cheeks as she clung to Katherine. “We’re together again.”

“You truly love him?” Katherine searched her gaze.

“Yes. Knowing him has been a moment of magic, an adventure unlike any I’ve ever known.” Keeping hold of Katherine, she staggered to the edge of the circle. They were still between times, and Archie was beyond her reach, but there. She slumped to her knees, not losing her grip on her sister who dropped down beside her. “He stole my heart with one simple wish.”

“He said he loves you, Marie. How can you leave him?” Anguish crossed her sister’s face.

“Archie!” John raced down the trail. “What’s happened?”

“She’s gone.” Archie clutched the grass then ripped handfuls free. “She’s gone.”

John lowered to his knees. “Then wish for her back, as you wished for her in the very beginning.”

“This is what she wanted, and I willnae make her choose between her sister and me.” He seized his brother’s arm. “I must give her up.”

Katherine squeaked. “Oh my goodness. He really does love you.”

Yes, but her Highlander was lost to her for all time.

“We have to find a way to get to him.” Katherine tugged on her hand.

“It’s impossible.”

“Nothing is ever impossible. C’mon, Marie, neither of us have anything tying us to the future except each other. If you’ve traveled to the past using the amulet, then why can’t it happen again? Don’t you remember my wish? It was for both of us to find a moment of magic, to live and to have a ton of adventure along the way.” She swiped the talisman from around Marie’s neck, joined their hands together and wound it around both their wrists. “Let’s do this, sis, but this time, together. You’re not leaving me again.”

“The clans will always be at war.”

“Yes, but they’re our clans, and you know as well as I do how hard it’s been without Mum. Do you want to lose another person you love too?”

“No, I want him.” Everything within her cried out to return to him. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. When one finds love, one should never let it go. I want to do this.”

“But how?” Before her, Archie pressed his hand against the barrier and she settled her hand over his. He was so close, yet so far away. “He’s still beyond my reach.”

“Do you hear that, John? Whispers from within.” Archie looked straight at her, and her heart near flew right out of her chest.

“He can hear me. Archie,” she cried.

“I heard.” John gaped. “Marie calls for you.”

“John.” Katherine thumped the veil. “It’s Katherine, Marie’s sister. Tell Archie to make a wish, for both my sister and me.”

John pressed his hand over Katherine’s as if he knew exactly where she was. “Make a wish, brother, for both of them. Katherine asked it.”

Archie blew out a breath. “Are you sure, Marie? What if this doesnae work?”