Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

“I willnae have your handfast husband disrupt my upcoming negotiations. We leave now, you and I, and as swiftly as you first brought me here, through the air. The negotiations will take place, and then I’ll leave with my bride once she’s been chosen, to both my satisfaction and hers.”


She couldn’t pass this opportunity up. Carefully, she touched her mind to Tor’s, found him still blissfully asleep. She nodded at Donnan and gestured toward his horse. “You’ll need to leave the horse behind if we’re to take the route through the air which you’ve suggested.”

“You have my thanks.” He bowed his head in acknowledgement and she lifted them both up, swept them out over the shimmering pool of water then higher still until they soared above the forest’s treetops.

With each mile she placed between her and Tor, her heart squeezed tighter. Leaving him hurt, and far more than she’d expected. “Which tree is Gerald restrained within?”

“I managed to persuade him to stop about a half mile from the keep. I’ll alert the guards upon our return and they can fetch him, bring him back to the castle.”

She’d make sure the guards were alerted as well and not leave it just to Donnan to do.

Once well beyond the sight of the camp’s guardsmen patrolling the perimeter of their encampment, she breezed down and across the grassy moors abloom with wildflowers and clumps of purple and pink heather. Along the horizon, a shimmer of red hazed into the lightening blue. ’Twould soon be dawn and the beginning of a new day, one she intended now to make right.

“Layla?” Tor stirred and touched her mind. “Where are you?”

“Good morn, my fierce steward.” The sun breached the horizon and rose higher. She picked up her speed, her hair whipping about her face as she kept her mind partially closed off to him.

“It would be a good morning if I awoke with you still in my arms, and you haven’t answered my question. Where are you?”

She followed his movements through their merged link. He donned his pants and loose black shirt then slung his war coat studded with bits of steel over top. “There’s been a…development.”

“What kind of development?” With his weapons strapped on, he snuck out of the tent and breathed deep. He followed her scent through the forest toward the loch and prowled the area.

“Tor, I am no’ at the encampment, but on my way back to the castle.” She couldn’t allow him to worry over her. Alongside the stream, she swept then blazed down the trail toward the woods surrounding the castle.

“Donnan’s scent is all over this place and there’s blood.” His low growl rumbled down their link.

“The blood belongs to a wolf, and Donnan and I have spoken. Our broken betrothal is my fault and I must make amends and ensure the alliance between our clans does no’ falter. He wishes to speak to Father and if another bride of fae blood can be provided in my place, he’ll accept that as satisfaction.”

“Damn it, Layla. How could you leave with him when he made his intentions yesterday so very clear? He wants you as his wife and not another.” Fury swarmed through from him then fear roared to glaring life. “Tell me you’re all right.”

“I’m fine. Truly, I’m fine. I’ve already informed Donnan that we’ve spoken handfast vows. He has accepted that we are wed and I will never leave you. He cannae make me. One with my skill isnae so easily restrained.”

“Anyone can be restrained. Don’t take your eyes off him. I’m coming.” He was on the move, racing back to camp. He grabbed Tavish from where he sat breaking his fast near the fire and the two of them bounded onto destriers and galloped from the encampment. Tor withheld naught from her, not as she had done with him while he’d slept and guilt consumed her.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Promise me that there’ll be no more secrets between us.”

“I promise.” She opened her mind fully to him and a blast of warmth and reassurance flowed through from him. Along with it, he swamped her in his love.

“We’ll get through this, Layla. I’m catching up fast.”

“There is naught to worry about. Honestly, I wouldnae have left without you if I’d thought for one moment that there would be any danger in bringing Donnan to my father.” She was almost home, a peek of the castle showing through the trees ahead.

“Set us down here, Layla.” Donnan gestured toward the end of the pine-covered trail as he opened his belted sporran.

She halted at the edge of the forest and gently set them both back down. The House of Clan Matheson rose tall and strong before her and the morning sunshine beamed across the land and lit the fortified stone walls of the keep a glittering gold.