Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, but I had to check how this immortality now works.” Facing the looking glass once again, he carefully swiped his blade down his neck and in the small space between his nose and lips then done, washed the remaining suds away. “Are you truly well?” he asked as he peered over his shoulder at her, concern deep in his gaze.

“No long-lasting harm can ever come to me. Rest is all I’ve ever needed to restore any lost energy.” She scooped up a clean white shirt from his bag, returned to him and stroked down his healed arm. She’d make sure he never cut himself again.

“Do you feel well enough rested after last night?” He leaned his leather-clad butt on the edge of the side table, snagged her around the waist and tugged her in between his spread legs. “I kept you up for far too long.”

“I am very well rested”—she hauled his shirt over his head—“although still mad.”

“Then I’ll just have to kiss you until your mad spell dis—”

A rap sounded. “It’s Nessa. I ordered a tray and brought it up.”

“Just a moment, Nessa.” She freed herself from Kirk, unbolted the door and opened it.

Nessa bustled in wearing a forest-green gown and a white lace shawl, her red hair wisped with gray pulled back and contained within a low bun at her nape. She placed the tray on the table and glanced at Kirk. “Your brothers wished to see you. They both await you downstairs in the chief’s solar with Gilleoin.”

“Then I’d best join them.” He strode toward Cherub, his gaze a heated one as he caught her hands in his. “Don’t remain mad at me for too long.”

“Then dinnae cut yourself again. Go and join your brothers.” She motioned toward the door.

“I’ll go but only because I must.” He popped a kiss on her forehead, swiped his deerskin padded cotun from his bag and strode out the door, his next words whispering through her mind. “Just so we’re clear, you’re not to go anywhere without me. No rushing off to aid your kin unless you take me as well.”

“We shall see. Let me know how your meeting with Gilleoin goes.” Yesterday when she’d spoken to Nessa about needing to ferret out information on Colin MacKenzie, she’d gotten sidetracked with meeting the ladies and then speaking with Kirk. Now, that need to find out exactly what Colin MacKenzie was up to, rolled through her with fierce strength.

“I mean it, Cherub. Where you go, is where I go.”

“You need to have more faith in my abilities.”

“I have the utmost faith in your abilities, but consider my request an order. I won’t be parted from you, not for any reason.”

“I have no’ been ordered about in over a thousand years. I dinnae intend to be ordered about now.” She plunked into the seat across from Nessa, her heart an aching mess as the distance between her and Kirk grew. “I miss you.”

“I miss you, too.”

“Are you well, my dear?” Seated, Nessa poured tea from the pot then nudged a cup toward her. “I’m always here if you need to speak.”

“The mated bond is so very strong and illogically all-consuming. I must care for my people as needed, which I willnae be prevented from doing.” Legs crossed, she selected an oat cake from the tray and munched on it. “Have you seen Amelia this morn?”

“She is breaking her fast with Olaf and Joseph in the great hall. Dinnae fear for them. They are here behind Gilleoin’s walls and will remain so until all has settled and their safety assured. I also give you my word, that I’ll remain alert for any visions, although there have been no more since the last regarding the MacKenzie chief. I certainly wish I’d had forewarning of Joseph’s kidnapping.”

“You cannae control your visions any more than I can control all that happens throughout time. People have freewill, and as such things are always in motion.”

“Aye, we can only watch what we ourselves do and ensure the choices we make are sound.” She lathered a slice of bread with raspberry jam and took a bite.

“Cherub?” Another knock. “It’s Isla. Arabel’s with me.”

“One moment.” With a swish of her silk skirts, she rose and opened the door.

Isla gasped, her gaze going wide and her jaw dropping. “Wow. Your skin truly does sparkle. Iain told me it was an incredible sight to see, and it surely is.”

“Oh, how striking you are.” Arabel clutched her cherry colored skirts and swept around her. “You’re so wondrous to behold. Of course I’ve heard the firstborn within the royal line holds glittering skin, but to see it—well, this is a first.”

“I’m also the last within the firstborn line to hold such skin, although I wish to be my true self amongst both of you and your mates.” She motioned them toward the table. “Nessa and I were just breaking our fast. Have either of you eaten?”

“We’ve just done so in the great hall, although I’m still rather peckish.” Isla bustled inside, pulled out a chair and sat before the table. “It seems I’m growing very hungry cubs.”