Highlander's Beloved 02 - A Highlander's Passion Read online

  “We actually have fourteen months, since she was a year old when Fauste made his deal with the devil, or, in this case, Warlock Morpheus. He will do all kinds of cunning things to turn her to the dark side. He will assume false identities, hurt those she loves, charm her as another man, or simply capture her and drag her off somewhere to convert her. We don’t know how, only that he will.”

  Bryce leaned forward and pierced Effie with a determined glare. “I am a Matheson. The name means ‘son of the bear.’ Centuries ago, when we bears ran over the Highlands, free as the deer and rabbits, the Vikings traveled to our shores. They killed every male bear in our sleuth. Then the black-hearted bastards captured the mumma sows and cubs and buried them in one of the caves along Mathe Bay. Our ancestors were kept prisoners in a cave for years, drinking from freshwater pools and eating roots of trees and plants. When the Vikings, led by Olaf the Yellow, returned and rolled away the stones that blocked the entrance to the cave, to their great surprise, men and women walked out. Humans, yes, but humans who could shift into bears. After surviving all that, do ye think one fukin’ bat-shit-crazy, soulless man can take someone who belongs to us? Ta me?” His shouts reverberated off the walls. “This woman is mine and, as such, is part of our clan. I love her, do ye ken?”

  He glanced at Kenzie, despondency and determination mixed in his features. His lips formed a thin line and his hand rose to cup her cheek. “I love this woman.”

  He brought Kenzie’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “Since she belongs to us, she has our protection, as does Paisley, as do ye. Make no mistake about it, Effie. I will bloody hell kill the fukin’ bastard who lays a hand on her. I willna think twice. I will do it.”

  “If you can see him.” Effie’s eyebrows rose in warning before she stood and extended her arms upward. The white embroidered robe jetted from her thin form toward the ceiling, where it neatly folded and vanished in a puff of golden smoke.

  Bryce shook his head in disbelief, as if his recent shifting from one species to another had been no big deal. Evidently her words finally registered, fer his dark eyes narrowed. “What do ye mean, if I can see him?”

  “Because of his covenant with the devil, Kenzie’s father is more than a man. He’s a force.” Effie sat and shoved some throw pillows behind her back. She struggled with catching her breath. “He…he can make himself invisible, change shape from human to gas to liquid. Like you, he can shift, but to any animal or human form. Make himself look old, young, male, female.” She extended her hand, opening it for emphasis. “He is of the devil and, as such, can turn himself into anything or anyone.” She exhaled a shaky breath.

  “Effie, are ye all right? Yer out of breath.” Kenzie stood. “Can I get ye anything?” Had all this excitement been too much fer the old woman?

  She pointed toward her bedroom. “On my nightstand is a metal container with some pills in it. Bring them here, Sparrow, and some water.”

  Kenzie hurried to get the pills and water, her mind jogging down the road of fear. If what Effie says is true, Fauste could take me before anyone knows what’s happening. Kenzie’s stomach clenched and a chill slithered through her system like the evil snake her da was. I canna dwell on this. I willna turn into a nervous numpty. I must be strong. I canna let this man who sired me ruin me life.

  When she stepped back into the sitting room, Bryce was on the settee, his arm around Effie, his hand gently pressing her head. “I’m concerned, Kenzie. Her breathing’s not slowing any.”

  Effie sat straight, reached for the small metal canister, and removed a pill. “Of course I’m breathing heavy. I’m in the arms of a half-naked Scot and I want to flick my fingernail over his nipple so damn bad.” She palmed the pill into her mouth and drank the water Kenzie offered her.

  “What water ye dinna drink, I’ll pour over your head to cool ye off.”

  “Sparrow, it’s not my head that’s hot.”

  Bryce’s eyes widened before he moved to the chair he’d sat in earlier. A blush covered his cheeks.

  Kenzie had a question for her Wiccan instructor. “Effie, I’m confused. After being safely hidden in the Highlands all these years, how will he ken where I am, when, or even if, he comes for me?”

  “Oh, he’ll come, Sparrow. He needs your blood to renew his pact with Morpheus.” Her eyes barely opened when she spoke.

  Bryce enveloped Kenzie against his warm, strong chest. “I’m guessing the storm isolated over this estate tonight is sure to cause some major attention, especially from those who watch for strange climatic events, kenning what they could signify.” He aimed midnight eyes toward Effie. “Why did ya hold yer ceremony here? Why not travel somewhere to throw Fauste off track? London, the white cliffs of Dover, Stonehenge. Even yer home in Virginia. Pardon me for being damn blunt, but ye didna think this through where Kenzie’s safety is concerned.”

  Effie appeared somewhat revived, and nodded. “That’s one way of looking at it, but we typically hold the naming ritual in the witch’s home.”

  Bryce’s muscles tensed as if he were a wild animal ready to attack. “But this is no normal circumstance, is it? I wager none of the other witches have a relative who has sold his or her soul to the devil. A da who is desperate to find his daughter and steal her blood like some demented vampire.” Even as he snarled his negative opinion, his hand gently stroked Kenzie’s cheek and neck in comfort.

  Effie sat on the edge of the sofa. “I’m being watched, Bryce. Warlock Morpheus has sent some of his minions to keep track of me since I’ve moved from the States to Scotland. I’ve upset the balance he likes in his Wiccan world, both the good and the evil fragments.”

  “What?” Bryce’s gaze zipped from Effie to Kenzie, his eyes narrowed. “This Warlock guy…are ye saying he has control over both the wicked and the virtuous sides of witchcraft? He rules it all?”

  Effie nodded. “He used trickery and any devious means his brilliant mind could concoct to eliminate the rulers of both sides.” Her arms made a large arc. “Yes, he commands it all. Talk about a control freak.”

  Bryce pulled Kenzie closer in his embrace. “Bloody hell.”

  “I could sense evil in my presence, but couldn’t see these entities since they hid behind me. Kenzie saw their force field and later their dangerous tentacles as Morpheus increased their capabilities. You see, the minions were sent to disable my powers and then kill me. By doing away with a witch now and then, the old man keeps the rest in line; fear can be a powerful motivator. Plus, he didn’t want the two of us together. United, we carry more power within than he can comfortably handle.” She snorted. “As if a woman, natural or Wiccan, isn’t powerful in her own right.

  Effie’s gaze swept affectionately over Kenzie. “She chanted olden words to those minions the other night and, in a fury, they disappeared. No doubt they’ve reported back to their high sorcerer about the young witch living with me. If Morpheus has investigated and learned Kenzie’s identity, he’s passed along the information to Fauste.”

  Kenzie sat on Bryce’s lap and told him about the specter, how it had grown and changed over the last few days. Then she stared into his eyes. “I still dinna understand why ye were here? I was so shocked when I looked out the window and saw ye and the lynx. How did ye ken something was about to happen?” She glanced at the spotted cat sitting next to Effie on the sofa, his azure eyes focused on her. “I must thank ye for being here, too.”

  Remember what I told ye about yer strength. I will be hiding and watching, as will the shifter who wants to mate ye. Dinna worry.

  “Ye asked how I ken to come as a bear. Our owl flew to the lodge. He fluttered against the dining room window to get our attention while we were having dinner, pecking the glass and flapping his wings. He claimed the lynx ordered him to come get me and I should shift first. No one orders the owl to do anything, so he was right pissed.” Bryce scowled at the lynx, who nonchalantly raised his leg and licked his arse as if to offer his silent opinion on the owl’s sour mood.

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nbsp; Effie stood and pointed toward the hallway for the lynx to leave. “Kids, I’m exhausted and heading to bed; I need my beauty sleep. Bryce, you’re welcome to spend the night. I suspect you and Kenzie have things to discuss about her safety.” She waggled her eyebrows. “I’m sure I won’t hear a thing, except for your fixing my back door in the morning.” She hugged them each good night before she entered her bedroom and closed the door. Suddenly, Bryce and Kenzie were hearing the lyrics to “Get Down Tonight”—loud and a shade off-key.

  Bryce threw his head back and laughed. “That woman is one of me favorites in this entire world. God’s blessings on her rapscallion soul.”

  “Ye are not spending the night.” Kenzie popped off Bryce’s lap. “Even if ye are, ye are not sleeping with me. I need time alone to think, to process all this. Besides, I ken how ye behave around a woman. Ye have no condoms and we arna having unprotected sex.”

  That slow, sexy smile she had no defense against spread, and he removed his ball cap. Taped inside was an assortment of foil packets. “I came prepared.” He swatted her bottom once. “Now, let’s get out of here so our bonnie singer can sleep undisturbed. Ye need to rest too, and I’m thinking you’ll relax better if I’m with ye fer protection. No doubt yer fairly freaked out with all this talk of yer family and evil.”

  “I’m in no mood fer sex, Bry.”

  “I ken that and didna expect ye would be. But with me lying next to ye, ye can talk, and I’ll listen. Perhaps I’ll have some ideas to offer. A man needs to take care of his woman. Allow me to do that, luv.”

  He wrapped his arm around Kenzie’s waist and escorted her from Effie’s quarters, down the long hallway, and into another corridor. Any other time her mind’s and body’s reactions would have been in tune with those of the man beside her, but tonight she couldna focus on anything for longer than a few seconds.

  She had an evil father and a twin brother she couldna remember. What had driven her da to the dark side? What had Rune looked like? Were they identical twins? Did he like to paint like she did? Was he afraid of snakes or allergic to shellfish too? Her steps faltered. Was her real name even Kenzie? Twins were often given close-sounding names, like ‘Jamison’ and ‘Jennifer,’ or names starting with the same letter, like ‘Angus and Amie.’ Wasna ‘Rune and Kenzie’ an odd combination fer twins?

  Bryce’s arm tightened around her. “Are ye all right, luv? Do ye want me to carry ye to yer rooms? All this horrific news has to have played ye out. Let me take care of ye.”

  “No, I’m fine. I just canna stop all this thinking.” Would Fauste really come looking fer her? If so, how would she recognize him? What kind of man would use his young son’s body to stay alive, and what plans did he have for her? Surely he wouldna hurt anyone she cared fer just so he could capture her, would he?

  Maybe her leaving Mathe Bay as quickly as she could would be best. Where would she go? She had no passport, so she’d need to stay in Scotland. One of the many islands, perhaps. Nay. That wouldna be far enough away from Bryce and his family. She had to protect them. Thank goodness he’d fixed her car so it ran smoother. She’d have to do some research online to decide what part of the country would serve her purpose.

  Bryce pulled her closer and kissed her hair. “I can hear yer brain buzzing from one thought to another like a hungry bee from flower to flower. But ʼtisn’t hunger that drives ye, ʼtis fear.” He stopped and backed her against the wall, cupping her face with his broad hands. “Look into me eyes, sweetheart. Out of all the things I’ve done wrong, have I ever lied to ye?”

  “Ye’ve kept things from me.”

  He exhaled an audible sigh. “Aye. Ye and I both have. In me case, I was keeping a promise I made to me da—the last one I ever made to him. Plus, I thought I was protecting ye. But have I ever out-and-out lied to ye?”

  She shook her head. What he spoke was true. She’d known him since he was five. Bryce was no liar. “Nay.”

  “Dinna be afraid, me luv. Ye have me assurance that I will protect ye with me verra life. ʼTis important ye believe me words.” His lips covered hers, almost in reverence.

  Tender, yet tenacious.

  Sweet, yet strong.

  Generous, yet greedy.

  His eyes were obsidian with bright golden flecks when he pulled away. “I will honor ye in every way, protect ye in every way, love ye in every way. Of this ye can be damn sure.”

  Aye. And I will protect ye, yer family, and Effie.

  Chapter 12

  Once inside Kenzie’s suite of rooms, Bryce glanced around, tossing his ball cap on the back of her light green love seat. “Ye’ve got this place looking as though ye’ve lived here for years. In some ways, the rooms are smaller than what ye had at the apartment, yet it feels roomier.” A snigger rose from his throat. “Creighton told us how he begged Paisley not to have him hang wallpaper in here. Claimed Effie had horrendous taste in paper. He was quite pleased when Paisley chose this sage green paint.”

  A strange expression came over Bryce’s face, and he strode to Endless Heather Mist, the large painting that once covered the spot where Duncan had shoved her head through the wall. He pointed at it with his thumb. “I’m surprised ye kept this. I mean ʼtis beautiful, since yer such a damned good artist, but it must have bad memories for ye after what happened…” He inclined forward as his words trailed off. His head tilted and he squinted. “In the rays of the sunlight drifting through the Highland mist, it almost looks as if there’s…”

  “ʼTis Blaine.” She leaned against Bryce. “Thank goodness, Duncan never looked at it close enough to see the bairn. He’d have destroyed the painting.”

  In so many ways, it was all she had left of her first bairn. To her, the artwork was priceless. When her grief was so sharp it had sliced bits off her heart every day, she’d gone to her special spot behind Aunt Una’s to paint the early-morning mist. Each day, before her desolate mind could comprehend what she was doing, the bairn appeared between the first morning rays of the sun. She’d painted him in the blind, for her eyes were flooded with tears. And yet, when she’d finished, the tiny bairn was beautiful and whole, with an ethereal quality that had him or her glowing as brightly as the sun’s rays.

  Bryce’s trembling fingertips lightly touched the infant, almost as if he were caressing the bairn. “When did ye paint it? In the short time since ye’ve told me about our bairn, I’ve thought about the wee sweet child often, especially in me quiet moments. Blaine looks just as I’ve thought of him or her. Tiny, fragile, so sweet and perfect.” He palmed his eyes and pivoted away, gulping deep breaths and wiping tears.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her cheek against the middle of his back, relishing the warmth of his skin and, though it covered hardened muscles, its softness. He was grieving. Surely she could offer comfort. If not fer Aunt Una’s arms and cooing noises, the loss of Blaine would have done Kenzie in. His calloused hands covered hers, whether in gratitude or a sharing of grief, she didna ken. Nor did she care.

  Finally, he cleared his throat as if to signal he was more composed. “Creighton is considered the more dominant of our brothers, the alpha. As laird of our clan and head of our bear sleuth, he has to be. Ronan can be friendly enough, charming in his own way. Even so, he prefers the solitude of his cabin, hidden deep in the Highlands, over the constant flow of strangers in and out of the clan’s castle we now run as Matheson Lodge. The family considers me the most tender of the three, the most emotional.” He stalked to the window, glancing out into the night. “Aye, they do. I resent it at times. It makes me feel”—he sliced the air with the edge of his palm—“less of a man. Like I’m still a mumma’s boy, the way I was when I was a young lad. I hide how much it pisses me off. To complain would only make me seem a whining bastard, so I pretend to ignore it. I tease them a lot to keep their minds on something else and off of me.”

  “I dinna ken.” She stepped behind him and ran her hands over the tense muscles of his shoulders. “Yer as much of a man
as yer brothers.”

  He shrugged as if he wasna sure he believed her words. “Disna help being the shortest of the three. I’m merely six-one. Even so, I ken me strengths. I’m no weakling—physically or emotionally. Being Colleen’s da has brought out me affectionate side. Fer that reason alone, I tolerate the unofficial title of the tenderhearted brother. I love me little girl with a fierceness. Aye, she kens how to melt her da’s heart.” Both pride and humor wrapped around his words.

  Fer a man who always projected arrogance, Kenzie was surprised by his honest admissions. She had to boost his morale a little. “Ye are probably the strongest man I’ve ever met.” She slid her hand around to stroke his thigh through the pink towel. “Ye’ve got the biggest, most powerful thighs I’ve ever seen on a man.” His towel tented.

  “Dinna toy with me, Kenzie. The blood is still flowing hot through me veins from all Effie told us. I am so damn angry that someone wants to hurt ye, woman, ye have no idea how I want to destroy the feckin’ bastard. That powerful kiss we shared in the hallway moments earlier didna help either.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. “I want ye so badly right now, to show ye how much I will protect ye, I dinna need a bed or a sofa or a wall. Hell, not even the feckin’ floor. I will hold ye against me and wrap those luscious thighs around me hips while I take ye standing. Then I will bend ye over the arm of that chair by the fireplace. I’m warning ye. I’m so fukin’ horny fer me intended right now I can barely think straight.”

  “Ye sound as if we have an understanding, which we dinna. Honestly, Bry, ye keep calling me yer woman, yer luv, yer intended. I’m a little tired of it. Words need said. Feelings need shared. An important question needs asked.” After all she’d been through with this man, she deserved a proper proposal. But that would mean staying in Mathe Bay, and she’d already decided she was leaving. Hadna she?