Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“No, tell me about your parents. You don’t keep information from a hunter.”


“Sorry, but this time it’s best I do.” He leaned in and rubbed his nose to mine, a smile on his lips. “Relax.”

He couldn’t be serious? He wanted me to relax when any number of warriors could turn up. I motioned toward Silas. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten where you are. Silas would lose that pretty head of his if his true identity were discovered by a warrior not in the know. I don’t need you losing yours too.”

“Aw, thanks, Lieska.” Silas chuckled. “You think my head is pretty? Did you hear that Hope?”

“She meant your head is big. She got her words mixed up.” Hope passed Silas her horse’s reins and popped a kiss on his lips. “Why don’t you go and tend the horses and I’ll sort out the bedrolls. Take Cole with you.”

“Sure thing.”

“Hold on. Let me grab my gear first.” I snagged Cole’s jacket from my saddlebags and tugged it on. The days were hot, but the nights could be cool. I’d need this later.

Cole zipped the jacket to my chin. “You seem rather attached to this.”

“It smells good.” Like spice and all things nice. On my tiptoes, I kissed him. I just couldn’t help myself. “I’m looking forward to getting the sweater though. I promise.”

“You are the worst liar.” Grumbling, he guided our horse away. Silas followed with his and Hope’s mounts.

“Come on.” Hope led the way toward the gear. “I hate it how they can sense every lie we speak, but still, I think you’ve got Cole sorted.”

“Hardly. Sorted would be him, ah, leaving.” Although did I really want him to leave? It would be for the best when he’d only get hurt by staying with me. I flapped out the bedrolls while Hope foraged through the food and set snacks and a bottle of water on each.

“You don’t sound so sure. If you ask me, he looks both frustrated and smitten. I don’t think he’s leaving anytime soon.” Hope sat on her makeshift bed. She kicked off her boots and eased her jean-clad legs out “Which means, totally sorted.”

“Being mated to the enemy is asking for trouble.” I removed my sword belt and Stetson then set them beside my bed. “It’s best I not go there.”

“Or you can accept it might be for the best. Just try not to overthink it, and give yourself time. You wanna make the right decision.”

Except we didn’t have time on our side. He’d be gone the moment the fires were under control. Great. I was going to make myself crazy with all the what-ifs if I didn’t let this rest. I picked up one of the snacks, a plastic wrapped chocolate cookie. There was nothing quite like chocolate to bump my mood. A morale-booster if ever I needed one.

“You’re supposed to eat the sandwich first.” Hope picked up hers then her cookie and looked from one to the other as if weighing her choices.

“I would, but there’s chocolate. Go for the cookie.” I flopped onto my back, munched and stared at the array of stars. Nature at its most beautiful, even with the threat of fires so close.

Silas jogged toward us, unstrapped his sword and plunked down next to Hope. “Move over, love.”

“You’ve got your own bedroll.” She nudged his shoulder. “Over there.”

“I don’t think so.” He tipped up her chin and kissed her. “Mmm, chocolate. Hope, why are you eating the cookie first?”

“Because Lieska is, and she’s a bad influence.”

Cole strode in, tucked his sword near his bedroll then settled in beside me. “What’s this about chocolate cookies? I’m certainly aware my mate’s a bad influence.”

“I’m not nearly as bad as you, and you’re on my bed.” I should enforce more space. I shoved his shoulder, his immoveable shoulder. “Are you going to move?”

“Maybe later. You look like you need a little company.” He heaved his bedding closer. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on. Did you miss the soul-bond lesson on thou cannot lie? Because you suck at speaking the truth.”

“Okay, everything’s wrong then. Is that better?” Sheesh. Were his thoughts as tangled as mine?

“Right, where shall we start then?” With his snacks and water in hand, he relaxed on his side and smiled at me. “I’m listening. Tell me what you need.”

“I need you to zap home, so I can stop overthinking everything. You’ve got the image for this place now. You could drop back and pester me at any time. Think of the excitement and danger with that.”

“Wrong answer. And I prefer to pester you now, which I’m getting rather good at.” He unwrapped his sandwich and bit into it. “You want a sandwich?”

“No. But feel free to give me your chocolate cookie.” I shot a look at Hope, hoping to give her a signal that I could use some help, but she and Silas were quietly talking, their heads bent together. She truly needed some serious wing-woman lessons.

“Here you go.” He handed his cookie over.