Highlander's Magic

by Joanne Wadsworth

  More. He wanted more, and not just to have his hand against her. He had to taste her. He eased the shirt over her shoulder and licked her nipple. Perfect. He rolled his tongue around the peak and sucked.

  “Archie.” She moaned and curved into him. “That feels sooo good.”

  “Aye, delicious.” He gave her other breast equal attention. He lapped the tight bud, gorging himself on the faerie he’d wished for.

  “Captain?”

  Hell. Will’s voice penetrated the fog in his head. Pulling back, he fought for a breath.

  “Don’t stop.” Marie clutched his shoulders, her eyes hazed with desire.

  “I must. One of my men approaches.”

  “What?” She gasped and yanked up her shirt. “I didn’t hear him.”

  “We’re no’ done.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “No’ by half.”

  A fire now raged, and his faerie had enflamed him.

  Damn his man for intruding.

  Chapter 4

  Her Highlander could certainly kiss. Marie fanned her face as Archie guided her outside. What an enticing mission she had ahead, and in more ways than one.

  “There ye are, Captain.” Will tramped toward them. “We have everything we need to begin work on the walls.”

  “Good. The beams on this one are sound. Allow me to introduce Marie.”

  “Good morn, my lady.” Will bobbed his head.

  “Nice to meet you.” She moved toward him, but Archie stepped in front of her as though she shouldn’t trust his man.

  “Marie is under my protection. Inform all the men ’tis so.” He crossed his arms, and his back muscles rippled.

  “Aye, Captain. Word has already spread of your faerie, although I’ll pass your instructions along.”

  “Has the patrol returned with aught more?”

  “There’s still no sign of MacLean. He likely arrived from the sea then left the same way. I do though bring a message to the lady from Mary.”

  “Speak it.”

  “Mary’s down on the beach. She asked Marie to join her.”

  She eased around Archie. “Thanks. Message received. It’s truly nice to meet you.”

  “You’re welcome, and ’tis nice to meet you.” Whistling, he strode away.

  Archie continued to watch Will, not turning. “Mary isnae the only one who holds deep knowledge of MacLean. Ask me what you wish of the scourge.”

  “How soon do you expect MacLean to return? To attack again.” She hooked a finger into his waistband and tugged.

  He spun around, caught her hand. “Knowing we’ll seek our revenge, he’ll fortify his defenses against us first. ’Tis a deadly game we play, one he knows well.”

  “He fights for his clan, as you fight for yours. There must be a way around all this warring.”

  “Angus attempted to speak to MacLean at the beginning of this feud and his brother-in-law wouldnae listen. Instead, the feud exploded. The MacLean chief must die in order for us to win this war, and I intend to see the deed done, with the aid of your magic.”

  “I never promised to aid you in killing him.” Not caring for that idea at all, she tugged her hand free. “After touring the ruins of Dunyvaig, Katherine and I intended to visit MacLean’s marker. A monument was erected in the churchyard of Kilchoman, close to where he died in battle. Although it doesn’t happen for several years yet.”

  “You’re saying he dies? At Kilchoman?” He scrubbed a hand along his jaw. “That’s on the west of Islay near Loch Gruinart. Had MacLean died on our land then his men would have taken his remains and buried him at Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull. No warrior leaves his chief behind.”

  “The battle was grave. It took him, and many of his men.”

  “Tell me the date of this battle.”

  “If I did, will you believe I’m from the future?” Maybe she was finally getting somewhere.

  “Nay. You’re fae, but mayhap have the sight.”

  Did he mean foresight? Great. What would it take to make him believe? She tapped her sides. “And here I thought we were about to make some inroads. Well, I can’t recall the exact date, but it’s before the turn of the century.”

  “I willnae wait another decade to see to MacLean’s death.”

  “Too bad, because I won’t change history so you can kill him any earlier. I have to bring about a resolution to this war, not encourage it.”

  “His death is assured. You cannae halt me from seeing to that.”

  “MacLean is young and still fathering his children. Should you kill him before his time, my paternal line might be extinguished before it even begins. I’m a MacLean, remember? Not good for me.” Yes, and since she had no intention of dying before she’d even been born, he had to concede.

  “You’re no’ from the future.”

  “We are not going back there again.” The man was impossible, and they could probably go in circles with this conversation. She had to uncover a way to make him believe her, which she would. Somehow. “Let’s move on for now. Why don’t you tell me more about the Rhinns. Mary said that particular piece of land is in dispute.”

  “Aye, but it still belongs to the MacDonalds.”

  Sure, he’d say that. He was a MacDonald, which meant maybe Mary was the only one here partial to conveying the full and honest truth. “Angus MacDonald was taken by the king’s men because of his fight with MacLean. I need you to think about winning this war without causing his death. In my time, wars are fought and people lose their lives far too often. I want to use my magic to its best advantage, ensuring a change for the better, not worse. What about the king? It’s James VI, right?”

  “Aye, ’tis he.”

  “He was known as one of the greatest kings in history. He certainly has my vote for fixing this. Surely he holds the most impartial view of all.”

  “The king willnae be permitted to rule us. Our form of fighting has served us well and we have no intention of changing it.”

  “Ah-huh, and you also need to keep an open mind. Your wish brought me here, so now let me do what I’m supposed to and impart some magic, in the form of knowledge. What happens if the king is right in the way he’s addressing this situation? He wants to bring all three chiefs involved in this feud together, to settle this dispute by ensuring they atone for their actions. A sound move if you ask me.” She paced back and forth. “Archie, peace should always prevail over war.”

  “I want MacLean’s death, no’ his imprisonment at the king’s hands.”

  “And I’d like a fighting chance to live.” She had to make him look past his absolute need for death. “You can’t kill the man who’s yet to father my paternal line. It’s not going to happen on my watch.”

  “It will, and since you’re no’ from the future, ’tis a moot point you argue.”

  “You want to take that risk? Condemn me to death?”

  His gaze hardened “You stand afore me. His death willnae cause yours as you already live. MacLean must be held accountable for his continued attacks.”

  “I get that part.” Yet all three chiefs needed to undergo the same accountability. For now, they’d have to disagree, until she could really work some magic on him. Obstinate man. “Can we talk about Will and your men? Do I need to take care for some reason?”

  “Nay.” He frowned something fierce. “Why would you even ask?”

  “You warned Will to pass along your message. Then you shielded me from him. I got the impression there might be a problem.”

  “Will enjoys the lasses too much, and you’re no’ his to enjoy.” He glanced toward the bay. “The fishermen have come in. Mary and the women will need aid with preparing the meal. Ensure she does no’ overtax herself.”

  Near the water’s edge, the fishermen knelt before flat stones, cleaning their catch. A lad whose loose-legged breeches were hitched with a thin belt at his waist, heaved a pail of fish as he trudged uphill toward two white-aproned women cooking over a fire. Mary sat propped on a stone close by, her skirts
spread about her as she mended a shirt.

  “No problem. My mother was much like Mary, always wanting to be where help was needed. I had to curtail her movements near the end of her sickness, so she conserved her strength.”

  “I’m sorry about your mother, Marie.” He stroked the back of her head.

  “Thanks.” She fought back tears as she stepped away. “I’ll go look after Mary. In the meantime, you go and slap some stones and clay around and consider my point of view. That’d be really handy.”

  He chuckled. “Lass, you are an amusing faerie.”

  “Yes I am.” She followed the trail toward Mary. Ahead, the women added the fresh fish the lad had brought them to the bubbling pot.

  “There you are.” Mary extended a hand toward the rock next to her. “You and Archie appeared to be in a deep discussion.”

  “He’s determined to kill MacLean.”

  “Aye, my brother’s been a thorn in his side for years.”

  “But he wants his death.”

  Mary’s blue eyes misted. “I understand, even though I’m saddened to say so.”

  “Tell me more about MacLean. If I’m to work my magic, I need as much information about him as you can give me.”

  “Lachlan was my father’s only son, his heir and successor.” She slid her needle through the shirt, repairing a hole. “My sisters and I adored him, although Lachlan grew up well afore his time since Father passed when he was only fifteen.”

  “Are you saying he was still a minor when he had to lead his clan?”

  “Aye, but we called him Big Lachlan. Fifteen he may have been, but no one could miss him in a crowd, no’ when he towered over them all. His skills were immense, and he excelled with the sword.”

  “What of his mind?” A seagull squawked as it circled overhead. It followed the lad swinging his pail as he dashed back toward the fishermen.

  “Naught ever slipped his notice, no’ from the beginning.” She looked skyward with a shake of her head. “He’s a strategist, as Father never was. Father enjoyed his pleasures and burdened our clan with large debts in his five years as chief. Lachlan wars as he does in order to return to our clan all Father lost. The boy I knew disappeared when he became our clan’s chief.”

  “I’ve read—I mean, doesn’t he have some redeeming qualities? He can’t be all bad.”

  “Aye. He loves his people, except he’s ruthless in his endeavors. I fear these past five years have hardened him beyond reproach. His actions certainly speak so, and there’s nay telling what he’ll do next.”

  “What of his family?”

  “He wed Lady Margaret, the Earl of Glencairn’s daughter afore our feud began. They have bairns.”

  “Which makes him how old?”

  “Two and thirty.”

  She tapped her fingers on her knees. He was too young to die. Even the turn of the century was too soon. Archie simply couldn’t go after MacLean, a decision her Highlander had already made. She’d definitely need a ton of magic to sort this.

  “What worries you, Marie?” Mary tucked a lock of Marie’s blond hair over her shoulder. “You appear so burdened.”

  “Fairly much everything, and I miss my sister.” The future existed, and with her here in the past, she could easily alter it if she wasn’t careful. Time to cover her bases. “I need you to do something for me. I can’t afford to mess up whatever magic brought me here, or the fact you bequeathed your amulet to me. I realize you don’t believe I’m from the future, but please, ensure your keepsake is passed down your maternal line, to your eldest daughter and so forth, until it once again comes into the possession of a MacLean.”

  “’Tis a special kind of magic belonging to the fae to make such a request.” Mary slowly nodded. “If that is your wish, I shall hold fast to it.”

  “I more than wish it.” Good. One problem down. She was glad to have taken care of that necessity. She breathed deep, taking in the heavenly scent of seafood stew wafting along with the salty sea breeze. “Tell me what I can do to help, Mary.”

  Giggles floated toward them.

  “The midday meal is almost ready.” Mary seized a blanket folded at her feet and spread it out. “Oh, and there are the rest of our helpers.”

  Along the path, a group of girls carried the fresh loaves of bread they’d brought on the cart from Dunyvaig.

  Mary nodded at the girls as they set the food down. “Go and call the men. The sooner they arrive, the sooner we can all eat.”

  After bobbing their heads, they raced off.

  “Marie, you slice the bread and pass it out”—Mary pointed to a knife near a stack of bowls—“while I aid the ladies in serving the stew.”

  “Will do.” She got to work.

  Before long, the men arrived. Serving girls brought flagons of ale from a nearby longhouse and moved through the men as they relaxed on the grass and low boulders.

  Weaving among them, Marie offered the bread.

  Archie strode in and a serving girl dashed to his side and handed him a bowl of stew. Still he wore no shirt, and the girl tending him ducked her head, her cheeks flushing. He seemed oblivious to it all.

  She wound around the others toward him and held out her tray. “Help yourself, but don’t eat it until you’ve put on a shirt.”

  “I would but you’re wearing it.” His grin was wide as he swiped a thick slice of bread, dunked it in his stew, and took a hearty bite.

  Her belly rumbled as he chewed.

  “Have you no’ eaten yet?”

  “No, and I won’t until you put on a shirt.”

  “This tastes good.” He dipped his bread and held it toward her. “Come, my faerie. Take a bite.”

  “I’ll bite you if you don’t get dressed.” She stalked away. The man shouldn’t be showing off so much flesh, not unless she was the only one ogling the wondrous sight.

  His chuckles followed her as she clomped toward the fire. Yes, those were totally irrational thoughts, but he’d kissed her, and she’d relished kissing him back. He was her Highlander, for now.

  After plunking her tray down, she accepted a bowl of stew from Mary then marched along the shoreline to find a quiet spot to eat.

  She was here for a reason. To perform some magic, and to get her Highlander to listen to her.

  Stubborn man.

  * * * *

  “Here, I’ve mended this one.” Mary tossed Archie a clean shirt. “Now behave, and go look after your faerie. She appears put out, and I’ve no doubt you’re the cause of it.”

  “My thanks, Mary.” He pulled the tunic over his head then followed Marie. Such a spitfire, although her frustration clearly matched his own which had ridden him hard since they’d kissed.

  Past a clump of bushes, she set her stew on the grassy edge, sat and tucked the sides of his shirt under her knees. She glared at him, her lush lips tightening. Feisty too. Just how he liked his women.

  “You didn’t have to follow me, not unless you want to apologize.”

  “I apologize, and I missed your agreeable company. Did you glean any further information from Mary?” He eased in beside her.

  “Yes, that you’re up against a warrior chief of immense strength, both of body and mind. He’s also a man I still can’t allow you to kill. Now I have to find a way to convince you too, a task which would be infinitely easier if you just went along with me.”

  “I see.” He’d never agree to her request. He stretched out and lay on his back, hands clasped behind his head. Now to make her understand his position. “You willnae succeed in swaying my mind. I know MacLean, and he’ll continue to attack unless I dispose of him.”

  “Do you truly love to war this much?”

  “’Tis my life.” He’d never veer from protecting his clan and seeing to his duty.

  “Life should be treasured, not tossed away.” She eased onto her back next to him, sighed and stared at the sky. “If you’re going to be this obstinate then so am I. When you leave for this war, I’m coming. We need to sti
ck together.”

  “Nay. Our women arenae permitted to travel into battle. I need you here.”

  “You made your wish, and I can’t aid you from a distance.” She rolled onto her side and faced him. “I’m coming. You, Mr. Highlander, have met your match.”

  “No amount of persuasion will change my mind.” But damn, he liked her tenacity.

  “Persuasion doesn’t even come into it.”

  “You’re a contrary lass.” A spirited woman drew him in as no other could.

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” She leaned in and touched her nose to his. “I have a feeling contrary women appeal to you. Am I right?”

  “Resilience is a worthy attribute, but so is abiding by a man’s word.”

  “I only cared for the first part of your answer.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “You don’t currently have a resilient woman do you?”

  “Nay. I would no’ have kissed you otherwise.”

  “I liked your kisses.”

  “Would you be agreeable if I offered more?” He wanted to take what they’d done earlier, further. He cared far more for this turn in their conversation too.

  “I could be persuaded.” She brushed a finger along his lower lip. “Where I come from women speak openly about these sorts of things. We also care for ourselves, ensuring we’re protected.”

  He’d given her his word he’d protect her, unless she spoke of getting with child. Aye, that was likely it. “I would protect you against all things.”

  “How do you propose to do that?”

  He settled a hand over her hip. “When I was old enough to understand why my mother had passed after giving birth to John and me, that she’d lost all strength from blood loss, I made a vow. I’m content with finding pleasure in a woman’s body, without allowing my seed to take root.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing.” Frowning, she stroked his chest. “I’ve spent years with my mother, cherishing every single moment. We never knew when or if her illness would ever take her, or at least not until the end. It’s awful you never even had any time with your mother.”

  “My brother and I were never without love. Our clan cared for us, and now we guard and protect them.”