Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“And we won’t let you lose her either. We’ll help you find her.” Iain crossed his arms. “What else have you got on the elusive Fae Angel of Love?”


“I’ll detail all I’ve learnt.” Kirk slid one hand into his pants pocket and removed the strand of hair he’d taken from her, his gaze softening. Around one finger, he curled it. “Amelia is another time-walker, a close friend of Cherub’s. Amelia lives here at the village and is wed to a man named Olaf. They have a son named Joseph who holds the skill of foreknowledge. Amelia and Olaf are soul bound and when they joined, Amelia spoke a spell that ensured Olaf’s soul became tied to hers, so for however long she lives, is however long he lives. Amelia also gave up her mantle when they joined as one, which means Cherub is the only time-walker here on Earth who can continue to do what must be done.”

“Wait.” Finlay frowned. “Are you saying that once you catch your mate and you join together, you’ll be an immortal as she is?”

“Aye, except Cherub has no intention of joining with me. Too many of her fae kind rely on her, even more so now than ever before. Since we saved the fae village, both our clan and Murdock’s have seen a new wave of unmated males sensing their chosen ones, and even though I assured her I’d never halt her in her duty, would do all I could to aid her, she’s still seen what’s happened to Amelia and has no intention of trekking down the same path.”

“Then you’ll need to keep on reassuring her, until she believes you, and we’ll do whatever it takes to make certain she knows you speak the truth.” A fiercely determined look crossed Finlay’s face.

“Here, here,” Iain decreed. “We may be the ‘power of three,’ but we aren’t complete until we’ve all joined with our chosen ones.” He squeezed Kirk’s shoulder. “Let’s train and then begin our search for her. Take comfort in the fact that since you’ve found her once, you can find her again. Even the Fae Angel of Love can’t hide forever.”

“Searching for her will be a mission since she can flitter about unseen.” Kirk pocketed her strand of hair then swung his sword free, his determination once again soaring. “I’ll never give her up though, not until my dying day. I just have to figure out a way to convince my mate that I speak the truth, that I’d never fail her.”

“Your intentions are pure, your word always true.” Finlay swung his blade in a wide figure eight. “She’ll come to learn that as well. We’ll make sure of it.” He motioned toward the training area and the three of them strode back to the battling warriors and joined the fray.

Could she possibly have it all? Would Kirk truly aid her in her duty and not halt her in the least? His brothers had stated empathically that he would. Olaf had certainly never made such a promise to Amelia. He was a gentle man, a fisherman and not a warrior. Amelia too was a sweet and tender woman, a nurturer who longed to care for her husband and son. Amelia had been deliriously happy when the bond between her and Olaf had taken form. Olaf was her match in every way, and when she’d given up her mantle, Amelia had been more than ready to settle down in one place rather than travel through the endless streams of time.

She would never be able to settle in that way, not when she thrived on the coming hunt. Finding those who were soul bound and bringing them together across time was a thrill she’d never relinquish. A level of doubt in her decision to forego their bond rolled through her.

Kirk twirled his blade, his shoulders and arms so thick and strong and packed with muscle. Her fingers tingled with the need to touch him again, to stroke those muscles then slide her fingers through his silky black hair and tousle those gorgeous locks into complete disarray. She’d been gifted with a soul bound mate she completely adored and she couldn’t halt the rush of hope that rolled through her. Mayhap she should talk to Nessa about her decision and see what she thought. A seer could see so much more than any other and she certainly trusted her friend and her wise judgment.

Below in the yard, Kirk advanced on Iain, his weapon held high. The two swung and their blades clashed, steel ringing loud against steel. Finlay jumped into the fight and the three battled, each landing one hard blow after another. They trained swiftly and without hesitation, so in tune with each other’s strikes that they moved gracefully yet powerfully as one.

“My lady?” A knock sounded. “It’s Effie. Are you in?”

“I’m coming.” She opened the door and uncloaked her form. Only two maids ever served her when she stayed here, Effie or Maggie. Both lasses held a touch of fae blood and were loyal kin. They certainly tended to her needs and did all she asked of them. “How did you know I’d be here this morn?”

“Nessa said you arrived last eve at the village and to bring you a tray and a bath.” Effie carried a tray holding a steaming bowl of oats and a trencher of sliced meats inside and set it on the side table. “She’ll be up shortly.”