Highlander's Faerie (Highlander Heat #5)

“Katherine.” A voice floated all around and a light shimmered. “I am one of the fae and have heard your wish. If your desire is to join your sister then you must survive. Your paternal ancestor is wounded, just as you are. Hold strong.”


“I need Marie.” She fought the descending fog.

“I know. You’ve always needed each other.” Another voice, and not one she’d ever forget, not when it belonged to her late mother. She blinked and forced her vision to clear. A glowing form made of mist and moonlight materialized and took the shape of the woman who’d given birth to her, the woman she’d mourned since her death only a few months past.

“Mum? Am I dead?”

“No, but I’m here. Your father and I never wished to leave you and I’ve always been close, as is he.”

Another form shimmered to radiant life next to her mother.

“Dad?” On her knees, she tried to grab them but met nothing but air.

Thunder rumbled all around and lightning hit the rippling waves of the bay with a sizzling crackle. The veil thinned and her parents and the faerie fluttered away.

The dark consumed her.





Katherine and Marie’s Parents


Inside the faerie circle, a day later.



“We need to do something.” Marianne MacDonald lowered to her knees in the faerie circle next to her husband. Her daughter was so close yet still beyond her touch, right where she’d fallen the day before. She called to the fae, “Marigold, please, we need you.”

“I’m here.” She shimmered into sight and kneeling, pressed her palm against Katherine’s chest. “Wake, my child. ’Tis I, one of the fae.”

Katherine stirred and coughed. Slowly, she opened her eyes then fumbled for the fae’s hand. “Help me,” she croaked.

“I have already promised to give you aid, although to survive your soul will need to be bound to another who already walks this Earth.”

“Do something. Anything.” Blood dribbled from Katherine’s mouth.

“You will need to join your sister in the past. That is now your place. Look. She comes.”

Marie snuck across the stony courtyard and passed under the arched entrance.

Marianne soaked in the sight of her firstborn child, as did her husband who gripped her hand.

“I’m here, Katherine.” Marie slipped between two of the perimeter stones, knelt before the center stone and eyed Mary’s amulet sitting upon it. “Where are you, sis?”

Katherine gurgled on blood and her eyes fluttered shut as she breathed her last.

“They can’t see each other. Quickly, do something,” Marianne urged the fae. “Katherine can’t die.”

Marigold closed her eyes and murmured, “I hereby bind Katherine MacLean’s soul to the one man who should have always been hers. He lives in this time, her warrior protector. Send a piece of her inner light to him, so that he might guide and watch over her, throughout all time.”

A bright light shimmered around Katherine’s prone form and tendrils separated from her body and floated beyond the circle. As the fae swept her hands over Katherine, the wound on her neck closed and the blood drew away until not a drop remained. Marigold breathed into Katherine’s mouth then stroked her cheek. “Wake, my child, but without fear. You shall no’ remember what has happened here until you’re ready.”

Marianne held her breath.

Katherine gasped and dragged in precious air.

“’Tis done.” Marigold nodded at Marianne. “In healing your daughter, her memories of the past day in this circle will be gone, but she will recall what is needed in time. ’Tis best that way.”

Tears trickled down Marianne’s cheeks. “Thank you.”

“Come.” Marigold drew her and Locky away. “We can no longer intervene or be seen.”

“She needs to know we’re here.”

“Nay. For now, ’twill be too much for her to bear.”

“Please, let Katherine come,” Marie cried out to the fae as she thumped the short center stone. “I need her.”

“I’m here.” Katherine shook her groggy head and crawled closer to her sister. She swished her hand through Marie’s form. “No. I can see you, but not touch you.”

Marianne grasped her husband’s hand. “They have to find each other, Locky.”

“They will. Trust in the fae.” He squeezed her hand in return.

“I can hear you, sis.” Marie sagged forward. “I saw to Archie’s wish. Lachlan MacLean lives and he’s been taken by the king’s men to Edinburgh as history has foretold. Our paternal line continues on. You and I will survive.”

“Then come home to me. I’m between times.”

“Marie!” Archie shouted her name as he raced down the trail, his white shirttails flying free behind him. The MacDonald warrior hit the edge of the circle, bounced off and slammed onto the ground. Stunned, he shook his head then staggered to his feet. “Hell, the veil’s up.”

“Take the amulet, sis.” Katherine pleaded.