Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Aye, I’m on watch until dawn.”


“Good, then I might just go for a quick walk, let my bear have a wee stretch before I head to bed.” He clapped Tor’s shoulder as he walked past him then bounded down the stone stairs and jogged out the gate under the raised portcullis. Allowing his bear his release, might just help to settle him down.

More fog swirled, the wind rushing around him. Within the churning haze, two women suddenly appeared, one of them Cherub. He’d never mistake the Fae Angel of Love, not when she’d visited him a time or two along with the odd patient from far in the past. The lass she held onto with one arm around her waist staggered on her feet and clutched her head. Blood oozed through the ivory strip of cloth bound around her head. She must be another patient, and with her velvet gown of cream sweeping to the ground, its sleeves draping over the backs of her hands, quite clearly a lass from another time. Aye, her clothing was from centuries past.

“Tavish, there you are.” Cherub waved out to him. Her creamy skin sparkled, the glimmer a physical attribute held only by the eldest child born within the ancient royal line of the fae. “My apologies, I lost my focus as I opened a portal and missed arriving in your medical rooms, although no’ by far. I need your aid.”

“What can I do to help you?”

“This is Julia. She’s close kin, and took a nasty fall from her horse and wounded herself. Could you take a look at her injury?”

“Of course I can.”

“You all right down there, Tavish?” Tor gripped the crenellation as he leaned over it, his black hair falling forward over his brow. His gaze darted to Cherub and he grinned. “Welcome back, Cherub. So you’re the one causing the air to stir.”

“Evening, Tor. I brought Dr. Tavish a patient, a very important patient from Gilleoin’s time.” Cherub smiled at his brother. For so long Cherub had hidden her true self from their clan, preferring to remain cloaked on her visits due to her sparkly skin, but no more, not since she’d become mated to Kirk, one of their chief’s three sons.

“Let’s get the two of you inside and I’ll see to this very important patient.” Tavish went to scoop Julia up so she needn’t walk but then stopped. She wasn’t from his time, might find his actions far too forward. Instead, he offered her his arm.

“Thank you.” Julia slid her trembling hand through the crook in his elbow and curled her fingers around his wrist, her touch so sweetly warm and making his bear stretch deep inside him, as if itching to get closer to her. That had never happened to him with a woman before.

He shook the thought off as Julia glanced all about, taking in the high curtain wall, the forest then the gravel driveway which led around to the back of the keep to a large parking area in the rear. “I take it this is your first time here?”

“It is, although I expected to see something…different. Particularly since I’ve traveled over eight-hundred years through time.” She watched her feet with each unsteady step she made.

“Just wait until you get inside.” He guided her across the stony ground. “You’ll see ‘different’ then. That I promise you.”

“Julia, you’ll love seeing all that this time offers.” Cherub led the way under the arch and into the bailey. “Like electricity and running water. I have a home in this time which is located not far from here at Angel Bay. I dearly miss being there when I flitter all about.”

The brisk breeze rose, swirled Julia’s scent around him, a sweet white rose fragrance that tickled his nose. She smelled so soft and feminine and he dragged in an even deeper breath to capture more of her elusive aroma. His bear fairly purred his pleasure from deep within.

Julia’s gaze lifted to his, her blue eyes as stunning as a clear summer sky and holding glittering sparks of gold around the edges. “Did you say something? I heard a purr.”

“That was my bear.” Although how she’d heard his beast deep inside him was intriguing. He hadn’t emitted any sound. Only he could hear his bear. “My other half likes how you smell, and so do I.”

“You do?” Her cheeks flushed an adorable pink. “I sprinkle rose oil in my bath, ah, water.” The pink bloomed even brighter as she lowered her gaze. “Goodness, I cannae believe I just said that.”

“I’m rather glad you did.” He halted in the middle of the bailey next to Cherub, right beside the center well with its swinging wooden pail and sweeping ivy.

“Oh dear, Kirk calls.” Cherub touched her head. “There’s another emergency. Our connection can cut in and out sometimes when we’re separated by time so ’tis fortunate he could reach me as he has.” She gripped Julia’s hands. “I must go, but just know I’m leaving you in the best of hands. I trust Tavish. He’s a wonderful doctor, so kind and caring.”

“If you need to go, I understand.”