Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

Layla thumped the lush green grass where she lay in the meadow dotted with tiny yellow flowers under the leafy umbrella of the cherry tree her mother had planted so many years ago, the prophetic poem Nessa had written and dispatched to her via messenger from Stirling Castle fisted tight in her hand. If only her godmother was here and not halfway across the Highlands with their chief, Gilleoin, as they visited the king. This poem raised more questions than it did answers.

Her betrothal to Donnan MacDonald, the Chief of MacDonald’s son, had been settled upon this past month. Father had wished to ensure she wasn’t soul bound to another first and so he’d waited three long years following her coming of age. A soul bond hadn’t formed for her amongst her own kind though, a fact she was quietly thankful for. Her parents had been soul bound and following her mother’s death after she’d labored with her, Father had mourned Mother to the depths of his soul, would have taken his own life so he might join Mother if it hadn’t been for her. He’d chosen that day he’d returned from the battlefield on Skye to raise her with all the love her mother would have, yet had been cruelly denied of. Aye, guilt, in a way, had always gnawed at her over the years, that her birth had brought such heartbreak to Father. She’d witnessed his sorrow throughout her childhood, had no intention of wishing for such a bond when the death of one could bring such pain to the other. Although never could she have asked for such loving parents, that both in their own way had given their lives for hers.

She gripped the thick parchment and traced one finger along the line which haunted her the most.



Dinnae cast aside that which is freely given,

for your happiness is all I seek.



Cast aside what exactly?

She thumped the ground again, breathed deep and forced her mind from the missive back to Mother. During her life, she’d honored her lost parent however and wherever she could, and ’twas in this most sacred place, underneath the cherry tree Mother had planted, that she felt closest to her, wished for that connection, and a moment to silently thank her for all she’d done.

In the canopy high above, the deep red of the ripening cherries bobbed jewel bright against the glossy green leaves and a gentle summer breeze blew. “I miss you, Mother.” She sniffed, tears close to the surface, just as they often were when thoughts of her lost parent consumed her as they did this day. “Father misses you too. I wish you were here.”

“I miss your mother as well, and wish she were here too.” Cherub’s voice wisped about her within the breeze then she appeared from the mist and took her full form, her white fur hooded cloak flapping back from her shoulders over top of her regal red gown, her blond hair whipping about her waist. The air settled and the Fae Angel of Love walked toward her with a soft smile, her sparkly skin catching the sunlight and reflecting it back with stunning brilliance. Cherub was an immortal time-walker and the faerie king’s daughter. She’d lived over a thousand years and during that time had aided those of her fae-blooded kind who walked this Earth, no matter what century or time that drew her toward. Never had they had such a dedicated guardian to their people as Cherub.

“I cannae believe you’re here.” She pushed up from the grass and grasped Cherub’s hands, her heart a heavy weight in her chest. “I’m sorry if I’ve called you away from your duties.”

“I will always come when you need me. What has you feeling so sad this day?”

“Sometimes there is great pain in having never known someone, of having missed a lifetime of being with them, that I cannae help but be sad. I miss my mother, miss having never known her, miss her touch, seeing her smile, learning at her knee and a thousand other little things I’ve been denied of. That is what brings me such sadness.”

“Aye, yet we must also embrace all that we have been given, including those who love us, and ensure we never let them go. Is it no’ better to have loved than to have never loved at all? Your mother, while she walked this Earth, loved you dearly, from the moment she conceived you to the day she brought you into this world. She will love you forever, even though she resides beyond the veil.” Cherub pulled her into a hug, her warmth and love encompassing her. “What else worries you? Your need calls to me on the very deepest level, and I sense there is more.”

“This morn I received a prophetic poem from Nessa, one she sent by special messenger all the way from Stirling Castle. It has me quite confused.”

“Nessa would never have sent you one of her prophecies without good cause. Would you like to share it with me?”