Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“Nay.” She wiped the tears away but more rose and slid free.

“Damn it. You are. I can sense your lies.” He traced across her cheeks and growled again when he encountered the wetness. “Please, don’t cry. I never meant for my words to bring you any pain.”

“They are good tears.”

“No tears are good.” He shoved to his feet and lifted her to hers. “What can I do to bring those giggles back?”

“Mayhap ’tis what I can do for you instead that will lighten my mood. Clothe yourself and I’ll take you somewhere special.” She stuck her slippers on, swung her cape over her shoulders and tied it in place.

He donned his clothes, boots and weapons, and she tried desperately not to sneak a long look at his deliciously hard body while he did.

Once he was dressed, she stepped up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist and settled her cheek on his wide chest. “I’m about to take you for a look at my world, and when I do, you’ll experience a sense of weightlessness as we move through the sky. I’ll also extend my cloaking to cover you. I can do so with others when needed.”

“Wait.” He shook his head. “I just realized. You must have been the one who opened the portal that brought me and my brothers through into this time. Isla too.”

“I was. You never once thought it was me?” He’d said he’d heard the legend of the Fae Angel of Love.

“I didn’t put the two together until right now. I didn’t see you within the portal.”

“Aye, just as you cannae see me in this moment.”

“Right. The legend remains strong.” He nodded. “Will this experience be similar to that trip through the portal? There was a ton of wind swirling about and a whole lot of freefalling.”

“I’m sorry that occurred, but it willnae this time. When one holds onto me while traveling through a portal, there is only the enjoyment of the flight. There will be no need for a portal though right now, just a pleasant night drifting through the sky. You will soar as I will, as if on the wings of a bird.”

“Well, that sounds like the kind of ride I wouldn’t want to miss out on.”

“Then make sure you dinnae let go of me, otherwise there will most definitely be a whole lot of freefalling involved.”

“Letting go of you right now will be impossible, not now that I’ve finally found you.” He dipped his head, planted a kiss on her ear then groaned. “I was aiming for your mouth.”

“My mouth is here.” She lifted onto her toes and touched her lips to his. “Kiss me, Kirk, and we shall soar to the stars together.”

“Mmm, and I only wish in more ways than one.” He kissed her with a wild passion she couldn’t help but respond to, and slowly, she lifted them higher and dipped and dived through the air, as in control of her element as she could be when he continually sent her thoughts awry.

Aye, the mated bond was a precious thing, and she only wished she never had to lay hers with him aside. Her mate was her match in every way, a man she could so easily fall in love with.

She bobbed over the village and drew in a deep breath. Below, smoke curled from several of the thatch-roofed houses and wisped into the night sky. Children dashed about the cottages, barefoot as they played tag, their squeals reaching her and tugging at her heart. Around a fire pit in the center of the village, both young and old chatted. Her people would always need her, just as she’d always need them. She wasn’t just a time-walker but their princess. That she could never forget.

One night. She’d continue to enjoy this one night, cherish and hold it tight.

That she could do.





Chapter 2


High on the castle’s battlements, Nessa stood, her plaid wrapped around her as the dawn sun peeked over the ocean’s horizon. A radiant haze of red speared through the lightening blue sky and the twinkling stars above disappeared one by one until only one star remained. Eyes closed, she made a wish on it for Cherub—that the Fae Angel of Love who’d now been soul bound to another, just might find a way to make things work so she’d need never be alone again.

Aye, Cherub had said she couldn’t take a mate. She’s been gifted with the greatest of their fae skills, one that required every ounce of her time and intense dedication. Bringing soul bound mates together brought her great joy and she reveled in all she did. So too would Kirk. He was a man who’d stand by his mate and aid her in whatever way he could. He would protect and care for her, ensure her safety and that her dedication to her duty never faltered. Cherub needed Kirk just as much as Kirk needed her. If only her friend would open her mind to all the possibilities, then her joy in all she did would grow even stronger and deeper.