Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“I—ah—” Oh goodness. He was far too close and the breeze swirled with his deliciously warm and spicy scent.

“All will be well. We’ll find him.” Gently, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, stepped back and shifted. Black silky fur sprouted where there had been beautiful golden skin and his bear lumbered around her, brushed against her legs and nose to the ground, he continued across the meadow to the far side where the forest once again rose high.

She followed then halted as he did at the tree line. Several fresh track marks, both from horse and man, marred the ground and the sooty remains of a recently doused fire sat within a roughly-made stone fire pit. Kirk stuffed his muzzle into Joseph’s breeches which she still held then trod around the area in ever-widening circles. He halted, let out a fierce roar that sent her pulse skittering right out of alignment before he shifted in a burst of brilliant light.

Fury darkened his face as he strode toward her. “This is the place where Joseph’s scent disappears, and at a good guess, I’d say whoever was here on horseback took him with them. MacKenzies have made camp on Matheson land and damn well gotten away with it.”

“What do we do?”

“They’ve left, not heading toward the village but back the way they’ve come.” He pointed toward the MacKenzie’s lair that lay some distance across rugged terrain and the inner channel of the loch to the northeast. “They’ve gotten what they wanted.”

“Nessa saw in a vision that the MacKenzie was after a woman from the fae village, not a lad.” She bunched her arms tighter around his clothing and weapons in hand.

“You told me Joseph holds the skill of foreknowledge. He’s aware of events before they occur, correct?”

“Aye, but he would’ve told Amelia or Olaf of the trespassers had he seen them in a vision. He’s so young, wouldnae have gone off on his own without leaving word with someone.”

“Yet he clearly veered off the trail and came directly here. He had to have seen something to make him suddenly change course. Although why the MacKenzie warriors would grab him instead of the woman they’re after is a mystery.” He laid his hands on her arms, stroked slowly up and down. “Would Joseph have told them what particular skill he held?”

“He may have if he wished to protect his village kin. His protective urges are strong for one so young, and his is a sought after skill.” Anxiously, she stepped back and paced the grass as a hawk swept the air currents high above. “Although no matter why he was taken, the MacKenzies have him and I need to get him back.”

“Not just I”—he held out his hands for his clothes and weapons—“but we. We need to find him and return him to his parents. You’re not alone anymore, Cherub. You have me, and my brothers as well if you wish. There isn’t anything any of us wouldn’t do to aid you.”

“I’m sorry. I misspoke.” She passed his clothing to him, reached up on her toes and kissed his chin. “We it is. Thank you, my tempting bear.”

“You’re the tempting one.” He juggled his belongings into one arm and with his free hand, wrapped it around her waist and drew her closer. Smiling, he rubbed his body against hers, his delicious scent encasing her. “I hope you don’t mind. The need to ensure you hold my scent is strong.”

“I dinnae mind in the least.” She slid her fingers into his silky hair, his armful of clothes and weapons now squished between. With her palm firm around the back of his head, she brought his mouth to hers. She kissed him then whispered against his lips, “Be careful and dinnae allow that sword to slice off anything I might find useful later on.”

“Never, and you are such a tease.” He chuckled and kissed her back, his laughter reaching right inside her heart. Soon, they’d complete the bond and naught would ever keep them apart again, not even her earlier resolve to forego all that should be. How she’d even believed that might be possible dumbfounded her. She, the Fae Angel of Love, should have known better.

“I cannae wait,” she murmured as his arousal poked her in the belly, “to join with you in all ways. Thank you for being my mate, and for dealing with my earlier uncertainties as well.”

“Certain parts of me can barely wait either, and no more apologies are needed. Now, we need only focus on finding Joseph and nothing more.” He pinched her bottom then stepped back and pulled on his tunic. “Can you collect my brothers and bring them here as quickly as you can? Since there appear to be a number of warriors in this party, I’ll need all the help I can get.”

“Aye, I’ll bring them back.”

“I’ll run a wider perimeter search while you’re gone.”

“I willnae be long.” She became as one with the air, swept around him then brushed one last lingering kiss across his lips before she flew high on the breeze toward the castle.





Chapter 5