Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“A wise decision.” Finlay kicked the weapon into the brush. “Now take your wounded and leave. With all haste.”


Iain hauled his blade free of the warrior he’d impaled and the man seized his bleeding arm and stumbled to keep on his feet. “Grab those two and be gone with you,” Iain snapped.

The two warriors heaved their downed men over their shoulders and lurched down the trail toward the bay. Iain followed them, his sword pressed to the back of the one at the rear.



With the battle over, Cherub ran her hands over Kirk’s body once more. No nicks or cuts. He was clear, had told her the truth that he hadn’t been harmed. Needing a moment to calm herself, she clung to him.

When he’d left her sight to deal with the warrior on the beach, she’d been unable to remain in the tree and had instead breezed after him. At the bay, he’d struck the MacKenzie with a perfect stone’s throw then a blow to the head that had knocked the warrior out. Although instead of leaving his enemy to drown, he’d hauled him from the surf and saved his life. So too, none of his brothers had killed the men they’d fought against. They’d unarmed them as quickly and efficiently as they could. They honored a man’s life, no matter who he was, as did she. “I cannae lose you, no’ ever.” She buried her nose in the V at the top of Kirk’s war coat and dragged in his deliciously spicy scent, one that had become essential to her senses.

“I’m not going anywhere, other than wherever you go.” Gently, he stroked the back of her head, each soft caress tugging at her heart and opening it ever wider to draw him inside. Her very soul rejoiced at being this close to him, of having him all to herself, and she desperately wished to tell him of her growing feelings only this wasn’t the right place or time.

Iain returned and nodded. “They’ve left, all of them.”

Slowly, she pulled away then knelt next to Finlay as he checked Joseph over.

Finlay affectionately rustled the boy’s mop of dark curls. “These scrapes on your knees and palms should heal fairly quickly.” He eyed her. “What do you think, Cherub?”

“Aye, they’ll heal within no time at all.” She held Joseph’s hands in hers as she looked into his wide brown eyes. “Why is it you allowed yourself to be taken by the MacKenzies?”

“I saw them in a vision. They wanted Mama.” He sniffed and tried to hold back tears pooling in his eyes. “They knew she could take people backward and forward through time. I told them she couldnae anymore.”

“You sought them out on purpose?”

“So they would leave.” A tear slipped free and trailed through his dirt-smeared cheek. “Instead they took me and said they’d make certain Mama got her skill back.”

“Oh, Joseph. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all of this.” She held the boy close, rocked him gently against her chest. “You are as loyal and as protective as your mother is, but should you have another vision, you must tell her and your father all.”

“I will.” He wrapped his scrawny arms around her. “I’m so sorry.”

“You’re safe now, and that’s all that matters.” She kissed his damp cheek.

Kirk squeezed Joseph’s shoulder then drew her back to her feet and into his arms. In her ear, he murmured, “He’s well and now it’s time to go home.”

“Aye, home we shall go.” She spread one hand over his heart. Her mate, the other half of her soul. He was a gift she completely adored and would keep safe, just as she kept her people safe.





Chapter 8


After returning to the castle and collecting Amelia and Olaf along the way, Cherub walked into the dark of her chamber as night fell. Such relief filled her. Her closest now remained safe behind these castle walls. Through her open window, moonlight streamed in and played over her golden canopied bed while a gentle breeze blew and lifted strands of her hair. All remained quiet within her element, no stirring of need from even one soul.

She stepped in behind her silk dressing screen propped in the corner, removed her gown and tossed it over the top. In her shift, she crawled into bed and rolled under the fur bedcovers.

“Cherub?” A rap sounded at the door. “It’s Kirk. Can I come in?”

“Aye, of course.” She’d left him below an hour ago while he’d been speaking with his brothers and Gilleoin. Plumping her pillow, she sat up as he strode in, his war coat and fur vest tucked over one arm and a traveling bag swinging from his hand. “Is all well?” she asked him.