Highlander's Kiss (19 page)

“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.”

“Of course. I have rested up enough, and seeing my kin safe and well has given me an added boost of energy.” Cherub swished into the center of their group and twirled her hands through the air. “Everyone hold onto me. We’re heading to Kirk, Tavish, and Tor’s time.”

They all did as she bid and the air churned.

Tavish caught Julia close as they fell away into the dark and breezed through the endless streams of time. Gently, he stroked the back of her head, each soft and loving caress warming her through from the inside out.

She snuggled deeper into his embrace, her parents either side of her. Wonder and love filled her heart. She had her parents back and she’d never let them go again, or the man she’d been gifted with as a mate. She opened her mind more fully to his and shared every one of her thoughts. “
Thank you for returning my family to me. You’ve given me the greatest gift.
”

“
They’re safe and I’ll ensure your father is soon well.
” He kissed her forehead. “
The day you arrived with Cherub to be tended, is the day I received my heart’s desire. I now live for you.
”

“
I need to kiss you.
”

“
I need to bite you.
” He chuckled as they bumped down inside his medical rooms. “
Soon,
” he promised as he aided Father across the room and onto the white-sheeted medical bed. Mother whipped to Father’s other side as he lay down and rested his head on the pillow.

Cherub, still standing beside Kirk, swirled the air once more. “We’ll be back soon. Arabel and Finlay need to be here.”

“Travel safely.” Excitement bubbled inside her. Soon her sister would be here and their family would once again be complete.

Tavish tossed his jacket onto the side chair, washed his hands in the metal sink, dried them then pulled a tray of utensils forward. He returned to Father’s side, removed the bandaging around his wounded arm and eyed the pussy mess. “Let’s get you all cleaned up. I’ll have you back on your feet as soon as I can.” He struck a look at Tor. “Could you bring the IV pole over here?”

“Sure.” Tor did so and her mate took charge, cleaning the wound then stitching it closed.

“Well, this is rather handy.” Blue eyes twinkling, Father’s mouth lifted in a smile. “Glad I am to now have a healer for a son.”

“My profession certainly comes in useful at times.” Tavish inserted what he called an IV into Father’s wrist then fiddled with a bag he hooked up onto a pole.

“I’ve always had such a love of the healing craft.” Mother watched him, her interest piqued, just as Julia’s was. “What does this bag of liquid do?”

“This bag holds fluid which contains some wonderful nutrients, including pain relief as well as the necessary medication to heal your husband’s festered wound. With all of that medication combined, and with it traveling straight into his blood, his fever should begin to recede fairly quickly.”

“And the stitches?” Mother quizzed.

“They’re dissolving ones. Aleck may bathe if he wishes, although afterward I want you to ensure he keeps his wound dry and out of the water until the stitches have gone, which will be in about a week’s time.”

“Did your mate say dissolving?” Mother asked Julia as they both aided Father into a seated position on the bed.

“He did. This time is so very different to our own and great medical advances have been made.” A time she couldn’t wait to embrace.

“
You should tell your mother how we met.
” Tavish winked at her then said to Mother, “The wound was shallow and even though infected, only three stitches were needed, although if you feel your husband’s wound looks worse and isn’t healing as it should, then call out. My chamber is just one door farther down the hallway from this medical room. I’ll make sure you’re given rooms on the same floor.”

“Thank you.” Mother hugged him, her smile bright. “I shall adore having a doctor for a son as well.”

Megan breezed into the room in a red woolen skirt and white blouse with a ruffled neckline, her dark wavy hair bobbing on her shoulders. Surprise lit her eyes. “Well, hello one and all. Tavish, you’re back. I wasn’t aware you’d arrived.”

“Meet Julia and Arabel’s parents, Aleck and Adair.”

“Oh my.” Megan clapped and beamed then rushed across and hugged them. “This is such an incredible surprise. I’m Iain, Finlay, and Kirk’s mother, which means we’re all now very close kin.”

“There’s an awful loud ruckus coming from in here.” Barefoot, Matthew clomped in, his IV pole in hand as he wheeled it alongside him. His great plaid was belted at his waist and a peek of the bandage wrapped around his upper body showed through the thin white linen of his loose-sleeved tunic.

“Matthew.” Julia raced across the room and gathered him in a hug. “You’re walking about and oh, you look so very well. The arrow is gone. ’Tis incredible what Tavish has done.”

“Aye, your mate removed the pesky thing, and all while I slept. Just dinnae ask me how he did that. Make sure you keep your mate close, lass. He’s a keeper.” He shuffled toward Aleck and Adair with a grin on his face. “’Tis about time you two returned. Your daughters have been quite the handful to watch over of late, both of them whisking here and there and without nary a word of where they’re going.”

“’Tis so good to see you, Matthew.” Father gripped Matthew’s forearm and Mother embraced Matthew, as gently as she could with his wound.

A rush of wind swirled and Cherub and Kirk arrived with Arabel and Finlay.

“I cannae believe what I’m seeing.” Tears flowed down Arabel’s cheeks as she dashed toward their parents and clutched them to her. “You’re both back and alive. You’re alive, truly alive.”

“We have our parents back.” Julia wrapped her arms around Arabel and their parents. A fresh wave of tears fell, soul-cleansing tears. From the day Gilleoin had told her and her sister the devastating news of their parents’ death, a piece of her heart had died, but now her heart was once again alive and bursting with so much happiness and joy. This moment was one she’d cherish forever.

A click sounded from behind her and she glanced over her shoulder.

Tavish blew her a kiss, his clever device in hand. “Smile, love.”

She beamed as he circled their group and snapped pictures of them.

Chatter abounded, each of them talking over the other in their rush to share all their news.

An hour or more passed before Megan declared the evening meal would soon be served, and for those who wished to join the rest of their clan downstairs in the great hall, could do so after they’d had time to bathe and change. Megan grasped Mother’s hand. “I’ll bring all you might need to your chamber, clothes and such for you and Aleck. The one a few doors down shall be all yours, and for as long as you need it.”

“You have my most grateful thanks.” Mother squeezed Megan’s fingers in return. “I cannae wait to see more of this time since my daughters will soon be living in it.”

“Then I hope you and Aleck will consider Ivanson Castle your home just as your daughters soon will. You are both welcome here whenever Cherub brings you for a visit.”

“Aye, I will gladly bring one and all.” Cherub twirled around with a giggle. “This is a most wondrous day.”

“It surely is.” Julia nabbed Arabel’s hand, caught Cherub’s hand too, and the three of them all danced around in a circle together.

Dizzy, Arabel stopped and grabbed a breath. “All right, time to show Mother and Father to their chamber.” She kissed Julia’s cheek then Cherub’s. “I’ve never been so happy.”

Neither had Julia. She opened the door for everyone and Matthew padded out then her sister led their parents down the hallway to their room.

Kirk swiped a blue pen from Tavish’s countertop and tossed it to Finlay with a grin. “Here’s your pen, as promised.”

Finlay chuckled and pocketed it, one hand on the doorway. “Thanks ever so much, but now I’m leaving you in charge of Gilleoin’s accounts and ensuring the rents are received, as well as watching over his lands and clan. I’m going to stay here for a few days with Arabel and get to know her parents while they heal. Are you up to holding the fort while I do?”

“Absolutely.” Kirk glanced at Tor. “Want to give me a hand back on the other home front?”

“Of course. That’s where my mate resides and where I’ll need to be to find her come the next full moon.” Tor clapped Tavish on the back. “Will you remain here for a bit too?”

“Aye, until Aleck and Matthew are all clear to return. We may even take some time out to show Julia’s parents and Matthew the sights.” Tavish pulled his brother into a hug. “I’ll see you when we return to the past. I don’t want to miss your journey in finding your mate.”

“Aye, I long for the next full moon when I can begin the chase. I’ll stop at nothing to find her.”

“Then let’s be away.” Cherub held out her arms for Kirk and Tor and the two men joined her. The wind swirled and the three of them disappeared through time.