Highlander's Claim: Time Travel Romance (The Matheson Warriors Book 2)

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “I’ll start the fire. I need to keep my hands busy.” She moved onto her knees and dug a small pit in the sand, picked up some of the bracken he’d set down and stripped the stringy bark off. She dumped the bark into the pit, then removed her dagger and a piece of flint. She struck the gray rock with her blade. Sparks caught on the bark, and she cupped her hands around the tiny flame and coaxed it into life.

  While she added kindling then a log to the fire, he spread his Matheson plaid from his shoulder onto the sand, then worked on creating a spit for the rabbit from some of the sturdier sticks Ailith had left to one side. He poked the rabbit into place and set it to cook over the fire, then eased onto his plaid, his back against the cavern wall.

  Ailith crawled into the V of his legs and leaned her back against his chest. “I need this, to feel your warmth surrounding me, to know you’re alive and well.”

  “Tell me what you saw.” He unhooked the skin from his belt loop and handed it to her. “Fresh water from the stream.”

  “Thank you.” Stopper unplugged, she brought the mouthpiece to her lips while the fire’s golden glow shimmered across her cheeks, then when she’d finished, she handed the skin back, curled into him and snuggled her cheek against his chest. “This last vision followed on from the one afore that. After my capture at the MacKenzie’s hands, I no longer found myself on board his war galley with your corpse, but instead restrained in one of his cells deep underground.” She cleared her throat, lifted her gaze to his. “The guard told me you’d been tossed overboard into the mud flats, left to sink into the muck and slime.”

  “I’m not leaving you. We’re stronger together than we could ever be apart.”

  “I couldnae reach Cherub telepathically, which means I’m too deep underground to do so, and from what Colin MacKenzie told me during our conversation, his intention is to speak vows with me, then get me with child. He wants a son who holds the strongest fae blood possible, but I would rather choose death over ever allowing his touch again.”

  “You’re an immortal.”

  “Aye, which makes it impossible to seek that death.”

  “We can fix this.” Her fear for his safety was something he intended on removing, as soon as he could. He leaned forward and turned the cooking meat over, one arm wrapped around her waist to keep her pinned close. “Your visions are warnings of what is to come, although they are fully interchangeable, correct?”

  “Aye, which is why I’m still here and have no’ deserted you yet. After the vision, I actually had an idea which might suit us both.” She slung one leg over his hips and straddling him, touched her lips to his. “An idea which I wish I’d thought of afore now. Likely the time has no’ been right though, but it is now.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “You and I shall remain together when we return to the past.”

  He frowned, canted his head to the side, suspicion rolling through him. There had to be a catch. “Why the sudden change in your position on this? What am I missing?”

  “Only those of the full-blooded fae can bind one soul to theirs, that of their soul bound mate. When we join together as one and I speak that spell, you too will be an immortal as I am.” She stroked a finger along his lower lip. “So, should you take an arrow to the chest in my coming battle with Colin MacKenzie as I’ve foreseen, then it willnae take your life.”

  “You finally believe we’re mated?”

  “I could continue denying it, but deep in my heart, I know that we are.” She lowered her voice to a husky whisper in his ear, then continued, “We shall complete the bond once we’re back in the past. ’Twill be best to do so there, where the coming battle is to take place. Our newly forged bond will be at its strongest. Do you agree?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  “Then I shall inform Cherub immediately. We need to leave within the hour.”

  “Thank you for changing your mind.” He gripped the back of her head, tipped it to the side and sank his teeth into her neck. He bit down, so hungry for her, his Goldilocks with her magical fae dust and enchanting charm, her ability to finally listen to her heart too.

  Chapter 17

  Ailith stood outside the tunnel to Faodail next to the forest of tall pines swaying at the edge of the cliffs. A fresh breeze blew in from over Loch Alsh and stirred the fallen leaves. Hunter paced the trail in front of her, his strong legs pressed against his jeans, his black tunic molding his broad chest and the hem fluttering loose. Every time the wind rose, it lifted the hem just enough to expose the lower set of his rigid abs, and when that happened she caught her breath. He knew why too, since he glanced her way whenever she did, the worry leaving his face for a moment and a sultry smile breaking out.

  “How far away are they?” He pulled her pouch of faerie dust from his pocket, strode back and handed it to her. “I almost forgot to give this back to you.”

  “Thank you, and they’re no’ far away.” She’d detailed her plan to Cherub telepathically, and she and Kirk had agreed that they could now return to the past where they’d complete their bond.

  The wind rose again, whipped about overhead and swirled the leaves scattered along the trail. Cherub and Kirk appeared out of the mist with satchels in hand. She bounded across and hugged Cherub. “Hunter is anxious to leave, and so am I.”

  “We grabbed some things afore we came, which is why we’re late.” Cherub squeezed her tight in return. “I’ve updated Cairstine too, and she’s going to remain here.”

  “Lilias is at the encampment, so I will have one of my sisters with me.” Since her vision of her and Hunter on board the war galley occurred during the daylight hours, Cairstine would be of little aid. Her sister was already aware of her vision, would be with her in spirit even if not in the flesh.

  “For you.” Cherub handed her one of the satchels she carried.

  “Wonderful. You have my thanks.”

  “I’ll carry it.” Hunter plucked her satchel from her hand before she could shoulder it.

  “I grabbed some things from your chamber as well.” Kirk tossed one of the satchels he held to Hunter.

  “Thanks. Much appreciated.” Hunter looped both bags over his shoulder, gripped her fingers and murmured, “I’m looking forward to meeting Lilias.”

  “Lilias finds the waters of Loch Alsh near the encampment rejuvenating. My sisters and I keep tents there.”

  “I’m glad you’re coming with us, Hunter.” Cherub squeezed Hunter’s arm, her white silk underskirts swishing between the panels of her ivy skirts. Laces bound the sides of her matching ivy bodice together, her ivy sleeves capped over long draping white under-sleeves that reached her wrists.

  Ailith leaned her cheek against Cherub’s shoulder, drawing in her solid and unwavering strength. She’d always felt more settled when her loved ones were close, and this moment was no exception.

  Cherub ran a hand over Ailith’s head, her gaze softening. “No mated pair should be separated, no’ once they’ve found each other. Have you forgiven me for my last spell?”

  “Aye, of course.” She kissed Cherub’s cheek and tightened her grip on Hunter’s hand.

  “We must all remain on high alert while we’re at the encampment.” Kirk clasped Cherub’s hips from behind, the sides of his war coat flapping over his dark pants and sword strapped to his side. “We can’t allow the MacKenzie to win any upcoming battle.”

  “Agreed. Is everyone ready to go?” Cherub extended one arm to Hunter and he grasped ahold of her aunt while she held Cherub’s other arm.

  “Dinnae let go of Cherub while we travel,” Ailith warned him. “Otherwise you’ll experience a far rougher journey than you should.”

  “Will do, Goldilocks.”

  “Then let’s be away.” Cherub swirled her fingers through the air and the wind rose and whipped all about. A portal opened and through the dark they soared, while high overhead stars blazed all about.

  Lightning flashed within the churning abyss and Ailith’s heart lurched as Hunter sud
denly pulled her closer and clamped his teeth on her neck. She pressed into him, her head tilted as she gave him what he clearly needed in this moment—to mark her.

  She remained close to him through the swirling dark, the heavenly skies lit with stars whizzing by.

  Slowly, the whirling wind eased and they bumped down onto soft grass, the forested hills of the Highlands rising high in the moonlit dark. Rolling fields of heather were awash with wildflowers spanning out toward those hills, and before her the jewel blues and greens of Loch Alsh shimmered a darkened hue under the late hour of the night. Along the curve of the bay where the warrior encampment sat, tents dotted the length of the grassy shoreline and flames glowed within the fire pit housed in the center of camp. At least sixty warriors slept around the fire’s warmth, the men wrapped in their plaids on the cushioned grass, while four warriors patrolled the shoreline. Others would be keeping a strong guard within the forest, their sentry high in number along their wooded land border with Colin MacKenzie.

  Splashing in the loch resounded, about a hundred feet out. More splashing, then a woman emerged from the waist-depth waves closer to shore and skipped out, her dyed red hair a curly wet mess. With her sea-blue tunic dripping water from the hem dangling near her knees, she squealed and ran the remaining distance between them. She got slapped in water and wet skin as Lilias hugged her hard.

  “’Tis about time you returned.” Lilias pulled Cherub and Kirk in for a wet hug too. “Welcome home, everyone.”

  “We didnae mean to be gone this long.” Cherub kissed Lilias’s cheek. “How’s the water this night?”

  “Beautiful and warm, and difficult to leave.” Lilias frowned at Hunter towering over Ailith from behind. “Pray tell, would you be the one called Hunter?”

  “You’ve already heard of me?” Hunter grinned wide.

  “Aye, from Cherub when she collected Cairstine. I wished to travel with them to your time, but Murdock’s vision didn’t include me, so I remained here.” Her sister eyed her with a wicked grin. “So, is he your mate then?”

  “Aye, he is, and we’ve come home so I can speak the spell to bind our souls together. ’Twill be best done here since there’s a battle to come, and I need our bond ringing at its strongest.”

  “That is a battle we’re all on high alert for. Patrols have doubled everywhere.”

  “That is good to hear.” Cherub cast her gaze between them all. “Although Kirk and I will still speak to the captain and his warriors tonight. We need to ensure a strong battle plan is in place for the days ahead.”

  “We’ll do that right now.” Kirk guided Cherub toward the campfire.

  “Do you need a plaid?” Hunter removed his from where he’d hooked it over one shoulder and handed it to Lilias.

  “I rarely feel the cold due to my skill, but aye, you have my thanks all the same.” Her sister tugged the sides of the plaid closer and rubbed her cheek against the warm wool. “Where’s Cairstine?”

  “Still in Hunter’s time. Going off my vision when I awaken on the MacKenzie’s vessel, the battle takes place during the daylight hours.”

  “Oh, I see.” Worry flittered across her sister’s face, then disappeared and firm resolution remained. “You have no’ yet seen the actual battle taking place though?”

  “Nay, but now I’m here in this time, I’m certain more will come to me soon. I shall let you know the moment I see anything.” She’d alert her sister and aunt as quickly as she could, as she always did when a vision struck.

  “Good, although with the hour growing so late, you should rest. ’Tis impossible to miss the dark shadows under your eyes. We’ll speak again on the morrow, after you’ve rested. I’ll run another search of this loch afore daylight since that is the route by which you’ve seen the Mackenzie sail.”

  “Aye, that would be perfect. Let me know if you see anything.”

  “I shall. Sleep well, dear sister.” Lilias brushed a kiss across her cheek and barefoot, dashed across the grass and ducked into her tent.

  She’d need to be in fighting form over the next few days if she wished to pinpoint the exact time of the MacKenzie’s coming attack, and sleep was most definitely needed. So was completing the bond, and ensuring it rang at its highest strength. She crossed the short distance to her tent, right alongside her sister’s, heaved the thick flap to one side and stepped inside.

  All was dark within, the clay lamp sitting on top of the wooden crate in the corner unlit, although she could make out the pile of brown fur pelts she used for her bed with no issue, and no doubt Hunter could too with his advanced shifter sight.

  Hunter closed the flap and surveyed her home at the encampment, one of his brows raised. “I’m glad you like roughing it in a tent.”

  “I’m a warrior.”

  “You’re also a Princess of the Fae.”

  “I’m also your mate.” Grinning, she crossed to the center pole, kicked off her boots and shimmed out of her black breeches, unlaced her leather vest, removed her weapons and in her cream shirt, crawled under the pelts and into the heavenly warmth of her bed. She stroked her fingers over the soft brown fur as Hunter remained standing just inside the flap. “That was a hint, in case you missed it.”

  “A hint for what?” A mischievous twinkle lit his eyes as he propped their satchels on the matting next to the pole.

  “When two are mated, there are plenty of beddings.”

  “I would dearly love to bed you, only I can’t just yet.”

  “Do you need to run a perimeter check?” Kirk always needed to upon returning here, to check the scents and sounds about, and to ensure all was well. A shifter thing.

  “Aye, because even though I know this land like the back of my hand, we’re still in a different time and things will be different. I need to know what fits and what doesn’t, both what scents to expect and any changes to the land. That’s the only way my bear and I can adequately ensure your protection.”

  Footsteps clomped outside the tent and Kirk poked his head through the flap. He eyed Hunter. “Do you need to take a run?”

  “Absolutely.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips remaining there as Kirk popped his head back out. “I might be a while,” he whispered in her ear.

  “If I fall asleep, wake me when you return.”

  “You can be certain I will.” With a wink, he snuck out the door.

  “Hunter?” She squeezed her eyes shut and wriggled within the warmth of the pelts. “I’ll remain in your mind while you run your perimeter check. That way if you encounter any problems, I can come to your aid far quicker.”

  “The MacKenzie doesn’t strike at night, and I have Kirk with me. He has a vicious bear.”

  “I can worry if I wish. Whereabouts are you now?”

  “We’ve barely left camp, haven’t yet shifted, but we’ll be scenting along our land border with Colin MacKenzie’s land first.”

  She pulled the top pelt right up to her nose and followed Hunter’s movement. He shucked his clothes and shifted, and she sensed the dual minds within him, of both him and his bear. They were separate, yet also one, his bear’s mind as firm and unwavering as Hunter’s. His bear wished to scent his surroundings. Track. Then memorize the land and when they came across their kindred Matheson warriors, his bear took another deep breath and committed each man’s scent to memory.

  “The forest is thicker in this time, Ailith, and rises upward toward the mountains far denser than I expected. There are guards everywhere, thankfully. We’re heading back to the loch then we’ll track alongside the waterway for a while.”

  “Be careful as you track.” The night wrapped around her as she settled even deeper within his mind.

  “I’m a tracker, and I can sense your tiredness along our link. Sleep if you wish.”

  “I cannae sleep when all I can think about is having your hands and mouth on me. I’m eagerly awaiting that moment.” She touched herself between her legs, her body already hot and eager for his touch. She longed for thei
r coming joining, to speak the spell to bind his soul to hers, to ensure he too was an immortal as she was, and to ensure he could never perish at their enemy’s hand.

  Chapter 18

  Perimeter check, aye, done.

  Speaking with the warriors around the campfire, aye, done.

  His cock still hard at Ailith’s last words, aye, aye, and aye.

  He jogged back to Ailith’s tent, while Kirk disappeared into the lodgings he shared with Cherub across from theirs. He toed off his boots as he entered, shucked his shirt and pants and naked, slid under the covers beside his mate. Her cute nose shone a rosy pink on the end, her cheeks touched with the same color too, and her emerald eyes flecked with gold had gone wide in the near dark as he’d joined her.

  “About time you got here,” she whispered.

  “I sensed you touching yourself along our link.” Her sweet curves were all warm, her legs bare and her tunic still donned and keeping him from the skin to skin contact both he and his bear desperately needed. He growled low in his throat, muttered, “I want to strip you off, then I’m going to put my hands and mouth on you.”

  “Go right ahead.”

  He didn’t need to be told twice. He lifted her tunic over her head and dropped the cotton onto the floor beside them. “Rub yourself against me. I need your scent all over me.”

  Nipples beading tight, she stroked her breasts back and forth against his chest, the movement like an elixir to his soul. “That better?” she checked.

  “It’s a good start. Run your hands over my sides and grip my butt.”

  She brushed her fingers down his sides, right where he’d asked, then clutched his backside and he shuddered from the intense heat she sent surging through him. She cocked a sassy brow and grinned. “Anything else, my big oaf?”

  “Cheeky wench.” His bear rattled about in his chest. “Tell me the date of your birth. I should know it before I bed you.”

  “Years pass differently in the land of the fae and we dinnae mark the days as such, but more the seasons or occasions when they fall. My sisters and I were born on the fourth Friday following the sowing of the spring seeds.”