Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Who goes there?” Aleck rasped, his voice weak and his gaze cloudy. He rattled the chains, his hands fisted as if he were fully prepared to fight even though immobilized. “I demand you bring my wife back to me.”


“Aleck, ’tis Cherub.” She rushed to Aleck’s side and pressed one hand to his forehead. “You’re hot, very hot.”

“Cherub?” He blinked, his body burning with a fever and the heat easily reaching Tavish. They’d arrived just in time. He waited one step back as Aleck got his bearings and understood they were here to help him, not hurt him. “Is it really you, Cherub?”

“Aye, ’tis me, and Adair is safe and waiting for you on the hills beyond this castle. I’ve brought my mate, Kirk, and his cousin, Tavish. They’re Mathesons, from Gilleoin’s future clan and Tavish is mated to Julia, your Julia.”

“Nessa’s prophecy has been unveiled?”

“Aye. You and Adair have missed a great deal during your imprisonment. Are you ready to leave?”

“Aye, and quite some time ago.” His pale hair, dirty and long and shaggy, swayed about his sunken cheeks as he shoved his wrists out.

“Here, I’ve got the key.” Tavish knelt before Aleck, rustled through the keys and slotted one that appeared the right fit into the lock. With one swift turn, he released the lock and the cuffs clanked open and fell away. Aleck tried to hold himself up, but he swayed. Weak he might be, but strong of heart he was. “I’ve got you.” Tavish heaved Aleck up and slid his arm under the man’s shoulder. “Brace yourself against me as needed.”

“I’ll un-board this window.” Kirk slid his blade between the wooden slats over the window and cranked one of them off then tore the rest free with his hands and flung the window open.

Tavish whistled at the sheer drop that would see any man who tried to escape this way end up a mangled mess on the jagged rocks below. The sea crashed in and sprayed high. “There isn’t a chance we can all fit through this window, Cherub.”

Footsteps thumped up the stairs.

“I dinnae need the window, Tavish, just the fresh air.” Cherub stepped through the door into the darkened passageway, twirled her fingers and sent the wind streaming through the open window whooshing past her and slamming into the warriors pounding their way. Grunts and bellows sounded. Hands dusted, she closed the heavy wooden door and shoved the bolt home. “My apologies, there is a need to lock us in since I dinnae wish for any of our enemy to jump into the portal I open. This will be a trip for four and no more.”

“A sound idea, my imp.” Kirk clasped Cherub around the waist. “Grab ahold, Tavish.”

Supporting Aleck at his side, he nabbed Cherub’s other arm and motioned for Aleck to do the same.

Once they were all connected to her, the Fae Angel of Love grinned then did as she was born to do, her duty, that of protecting and guarding her kin. A more dedicated protector of their people, Tavish had never known. With a flick of her fingers, she swirled the fresh air tunneling around them and sent them falling away through the most blessed portal ever.

A few moments later, they reemerged in the clear light of day on top of the rise overlooking the inn, the wind churning all about and his mate sitting astride a horse with her mother behind her and Tor atop a second horse. Relief poured through him.

“I love you,” he whispered then sent that love swarming down their link.



“I love you too.” Fresh tears streaked down Julia’s cheeks as Tavish’s love saturated her along their link. She tossed one leg over her horse, jumped to the ground and bounded into his arms. She ran her hands over him, checking him for any sign of an injury. No nicks or even one scrape. She grasped her father, his body gaunt and hot but oh, he was alive and that’s all that mattered. “I cannae believe I have you and Mother back,” she cried as she hugged him. “I’ve missed you, Father, more than my heart could bear at times. I see you’ve met Tavish. He’s my mate and handfast husband. We’ve no’ long spoken vows.”

“I’ve missed you too, cannae believe you’re here.” Father held out his hand for Mother and she dashed across and joined them, snuck under Father’s other arm and helped to hold him up as Tavish did too.

Jiggling about, she hugged both her parents and allowed her sheer joy and happiness its release. “Father, Tavish is a healer in his time, and you must allow him to look after you. He’ll rid you of your festered wound and fever.”

“All I desire is to have my family close and to be together once more.” Father glanced at Tavish. “Thank you for coming to my rescue. Glad I am to see my daughter has such a courageous and loyal husband.”

“I would do anything for you, for both your daughters or your kin.” Tavish glanced at Cherub. “Have you enough strength to transport us back to the future? The sooner I tend to Aleck, the better.”