Highlander's Sword: Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance (Clan Matheson Book 3)

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “Aye, Captain.” With a sly smile, she rose to her feet, so gracefully then rubbed her body against his and whispered in his ear, “Thank you for last night, this morn and all the hours in between.”

  “Get dressed, now. Orders are meant to be followed.”

  “Some orders are also meant to be broken, although this one I’ll agree with following.” She blew out a long breath, hauled her traveling sack closer and tugged on black breeches then pulled on a loose-sleeved tunic of rich red, the hem fluttering over the snug black leather molding her bottom. Her tunic’s laces swayed at the neckline and his reddened marks dotting her skin made his bear preen deep inside him. He bore the same marks from her and gladly did so. With one hand held out, she eyed him. “I need my hair ribbon.”

  “Pardon?” He picked up her knee-high black boots that curved gloriously around her calves and tugged them on her feet.

  “You pocketed my hair ribbon last night, then mere minutes ago switched it from your discarded pants pocket to your shirt pocket. I need it back.”

  “I like your hair down.”

  “’Tis more easy to control when braided.” She belted her sword at her waist and her jeweled dagger at her wrist then held out her hand once more. “I’m still waiting. Pass it to me.”

  “You’re not getting it back.” He twined one of her long locks around his finger.

  “When I leave my hair unbound, it flutters all about my face and draws too much attention to me when I’m amongst my fellow clansmen. I prefer to blend in, or at least as well as I can.” She braided her hair, held out her hand yet again. “Give it to me, please.”

  “Having something of yours that holds your scent is important to my bear, and by the way, you could never blend in.”

  “You are impossible.” She tsked under her breath then released her braid and it unraveled as she bent over and stuffed her discarded clothes into her bag. “I shall give into your request to keep it, but you owe me a favor for doing so.”

  “Name your favor and I’ll grant it.” He smoothed his hands under her tunic’s long hem and cupped both firm cheeks of her pert bottom. “I want to bite your backside as well.”

  “You arena biting my bottom.” She swatted his hands, tossed him her bag and pinched his butt as he caught it. “Let’s move out. I’ll claim that favor later, as soon as I can think of a worthy one.”

  “Aye, my annoying sprite, let’s move out.” Tartan folded, her scent entrenched within his plaid, he stuffed it inside his satchel and with his catch in hand, marched back toward camp while his chosen one skipped along the bush-lined trail ahead of him.

  Birds twittered within their nests high above in the leafy green canopy, the sun peeking through and spreading its warmth all around. His chosen one now held his very heart in her hands and he intended to make certain she understood exactly where he now stood. No more small steps. There would only be forever from now on.

  As she bounded into the meadow dotted with white flowers and lavender bushes, she nabbed Cherub’s hands and twirled her about. “I have the best news. Alec and I completed the bond last eve and formed the merged link of the mind.”

  “That’s wonderful news. I’m so excited for you.” Cherub giggled, her olive gown cinched at her waist with a golden-chained girdle, the thinly chained ends flaring as she spun about.

  “I am beyond excited.” His mate touched her mind to his, sent an explosion of love and warmth surging down their link and he almost tripped over at the fierce intensity of her feelings. He certainly clutched his chest, his heart heaving. It was a love he too held for her, a powerful emotion he wished to tell her about only now wasn’t the right time, not when they had such company.

  “Congratulations on accepting your destiny.” Kirk grasped his shoulder, his grin lighting up his face. “Having another mated pair in the clan is the best news.”

  “My bear’s been roaming within me with far less aggression since we completed the bond. He’s more content, less on edge and demanding.” If he’d known joining with her would calm his other half, he’d have done so far sooner. Aye, his love for her expanded, became almost too much for him to hold within his heart, his next words slipping free along their link. “Don’t ever leave me, because if you do, I’ll never survive it.”

  “I promise I’ll be here to annoy you, today, tomorrow, and throughout all of time. There shall be no ascending for me.” She danced around the blazing fire and sprang into his arms, barely giving him time to toss the fish to Kirk. She nibbled his ear and his bear prowled to the surface, demanded he sweep her away and take a few more hearty bites out of her once more. “You have one very territorial-sounding bear. I can hear him inside you, sense his thoughts exactly as I can sense yours. You two are a very close blend.”

  “He’s a part of me so I’m not surprised his thoughts mirror mine. Come and eat.” He guided her to the fire, motioned for her to sit then passed her an oatcake from the stash Cherub had brought and set out for them on a blue and white checked square of thick fabric. Seated on the grass beside his woman, he munched on an oatcake himself, his nose lifted to the air as he breathed deep and searched through each and every scent. Lavender swirled within the earthy mix of the damp ground and dewy grass. The freshness of the stream’s gurgling water blended with the clear aroma of pine, although Annella’s enchanting fragrance, that of the very stars she moved amongst when within the dream realm, imprinted its unique and magical scent over it all.

  “Did you have any luck finding your father or brother in the dream realm last eve?” Cherub plopped down beside Annella, her fae skin sparkling in the rising sunshine, the glimmer a physical attribute held only by the eldest child born within the ancient royal line of the fae. Their princess had been born to lead, and did so with such dedicated attention to her earthbound kind.

  “I shall tell you everything I can. Even though I had no luck finding Father, I did find Ronan and spoke to him.” Grinning, Annella slid one hand over his upper thigh and rubbed, her touch so soothing even as her fingers came perilously close to his hardening cock. “Ronan confirmed that they were separated right here at this meadow and that there is more afoot.”

  “Where’s Ronan being kept?” Cherub plucked an apple from her bag and bit into it with a juicy crunch.

  “He’s locked within the dungeons of the holding belonging to Duncan’s elder twin brother, Coll.” She rattled off all she’d learnt, not missing even one tiny detail then with a long breath, rolled her shoulders.

  “So you’re saying this lass named Kyla used a fae skill against Ronan?” Cherub’s eyes opened wide with clear wonder. “It certainly sounds as if she is Isaiah and Grace’s lost child. I remember the night the wee bairn was taken. Christina held the mind-walker skill, could touch her mind to another’s as she so wished, listen to their thoughts or could even speak to them. Those with her ability can also form merged links of the mind with their chosen one and hold that link open so both can speak back and forth, much as Gilleoin’s shifter line can. At any time following her disappearance, she could have reconnected with her mother and father through her skill, but never did, and unfortunately, none of our other mind-walkers could reach her. She’d either closed her mind off to them, or had been taken too far for them to reach her. To discover she is alive is incredible news.”

  “Ronan believes Kyla is his mate, even sensed the threads of their mated bond taking form and asked her if she did too. She said she sensed naught between them, but Ronan wishes for some time to convince her. He asked me to find Father first, ensure he was freed then to come for him.

  “Then that is what we must do.” Cherub eyed Kirk as he set the fish to cook over the fire. “We’ll follow Niall’s tracks this morn and see where they lead us.”

  “That sounds good to me.” Kirk eased in behind Cherub then pulled her back until her back rested against his chest.

  “I cannae believe I must leave Ronan behind, but I understand my brother’s need for more time with his mate.” An
nella snuggled deeper into his mind. “Certainly if our positions were reversed, I too would wish for the same additional time in convincing my mighty bear that he was all mine.”

  “You’ve already convinced me.” Hell, he’d been such a fool to believe he could have ever ignored his mated bond with her. No longer would he deprive himself of all they could be together. His chosen one came first, each and every day from this moment forth. He dipped his head in reverence toward Cherub. “I’ve been remiss in thanking you for bringing my mate to me through a portal and for being here now. I’ve seen the error of my ways.”

  “I knew you would.” With a soft smile, Cherub plucked some cooked fish from the fire. “You and Annella will also find yourselves living in two separate times now that you’ve got kin in both. You need only call out and I’ll ensure I bring you back and forth as needed. I’ve already given Annella my word I’d do so.”

  “Aye, the writing was on the wall, so to speak.” With the same smile as Cherub, Kirk passed him some fish and munched on his own. “Turning our chosen one away is impossible. Even Cherub tried such a tactic with me to begin with, a tactic that lasted all of a single day.”

  “’Twas more like half a day.” Cherub popped a kiss on Kirk’s cheek. “’Twould have been even less if you’d been a whole lot less proper with me during our first meeting.”

  “What?” Shock coursed across Kirk’s face. “Don’t you remember that I had you on your back and underneath me within a half hour of when we met? I couldn’t have been less proper if I’d tried, or perhaps you need a reminder of that night, my imp?”

  “Aye, please, a reminder would be lovely.” She giggled and rubbed her cheek against Kirk’s cheek. “Or are you just all talk?”

  “Now you’re asking for trouble.” With a low growl, Kirk bounded to his feet, tossed Cherub over his shoulder then marched off through the trees. A giggle floated toward them then disappeared on the breeze as the two moved farther away.

  “’Tis wonderful to see them so in love.” Annella scooped dirt and extinguished the flames.

  “I’d say we’ve got some time now before they return.” He caught her hands in his, kissed the tip of her nose. “I need to speak to you about something incredibly important.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I love you.”

  “Pardon?” She arched one shocked brow and he chuckled.

  “I love you, Annella, with all my heart. Will you marry me?”

  “Pardon?” Still dazed.

  “I asked you to marry me. Remain with me for every day that’s to come and I’ll make certain you never regret doing so.”

  “I cannae believe you just asked for my hand. Are you certain you wish to wed, that I haven’t in some way forced you into asking the question?”

  “There’s been no force or coercion.”

  “I’m sure there has been. You’re inside my mind, know how very much I desire you, would never let you get away. What happened to your small steps?”

  “They disintegrated.”

  “Truly?”

  “Annella.” He growled her name, pressed one hand over her belly, and muttered, “You could be carrying my child right now, and I damn well hope you are. My bear loves you. I love you. Don’t make me live without you. Small steps are out. Only firm and certain ones remain.”

  “Release your bear. I would like to speak to him afore I give you my answer.”

  “Of course.” If that’s what she wished to do, to seek more acceptance of his change of heart and mind, he’d gladly do so. He stripped off his boots, weapons and clothes, bagged his belongings and standing naked before her, made the Change. On all fours, the pain of his shifting receding and just as quickly as it had come, he ambled around his woman, brushed against her sides and butted his muzzle into her belly.

  “You need a pat, my mighty bear?” She bent over him, stroked down the length of his back, her nails raking through his fur and across his skin. “If you truly wish to marry me, then give yourself over to me right now. Lie down and roll over. Show me your full and complete submission.”

  He clawed the ground to keep from rearing up onto his hind legs and taking her down to the lush grass with him. To keep her pinned right here in this place rode him hard.

  “Your bear is purring so loud and so fast.” She knelt, wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed her soft cheek against his furry one. “I knew you’d never fully submit, but please try.”

  With one gentle push, he toppled her onto her back, plodded in over top of her and buried his wet snout in her hair. He’d submit his way. He licked her, from her ear to her chin and back again.

  “All right. Let me up.” She giggled, pushed against his belly and tried to roll out from underneath him, only he planted one paw in her way and kept her completely contained within the safe protection of his legs.

  “I love you.” He licked her neck, right over his mark and she laughed and covered her face with her hands. “Marry me. Be my wife and I promise to lick you all over.”

  “I love you too, and aye, I’ll marry you, my mighty bear. Your current form of submission is perfect for me.”

  “Thank you.” He rose up onto his hind legs and roared, his bear stating loud and clear that he guarded his mate and none would ever be permitted to harm her. His woman loved him, had agreed to marry him and he couldn’t ask for anything more. He went to shift back only the murmur of voices, Kirk and Cherub’s, floated toward him. Bright lights burst beyond the trees, the odd spark flaring high as Kirk shifted. “Kirk and Cherub are returning.”

  “Then ’tis time for us all to go.” She clambered to her feet and swung her sack over her shoulders. “Do you need my father’s woolen cap and my brother’s plaid to sniff?”

  “No, their scent is now embedded in my mind, exactly as yours is.” Snout high, he sniffed, her father’s scent curling around his senses, along with that of the warriors who’d captured him.

  Kirk plodded out of the trees and into the meadow with Cherub, his bag strapped to his back, the magnetized straps holding firm around his belly.

  Annella plucked a leaf from her hair and dusted her hands. Pink suffused her cheeks and highlighted the adorable smattering of freckles across her tiny nose. His heart pumped out with pleasure. Aye, he was desperately, completely, and irretrievably in love with his mate.

  “Let me get your bag for you.” She picked up his satchel and slotted his weapons into the side of it, sat the pack on his back and reached around his middle and clicked the straps into place. With her mouth near his ear, she blew a soft breath across his cheek. “I cannae wait to find Father.”

  “Duncan can’t keep him hidden from us forever, not when our bears can track so very well.”

  “Aye, that is so very true.” She patted his rump and his bear reveled in her touch. “Find my Father and I’ll forever be in your debt.”

  “I am already forever in yours.” She’d agreed to marry him and he couldn’t be more elated, although right now he had work to do. He gave his bear his head, prowled across the meadow and joined Kirk as he waited for him. Alongside the stream, they trod and followed the booted tracks and the scent of Annella’s father. Find Niall, they would, this very day. Not another night would pass in which he had to watch his chosen one become distressed as they searched for her loved ones.

  * * * *

  With her traveling sack heavy on her back, the straps digging into her shoulders, Annella kept pace with Cherub as the morning wore on and the sun passed high overhead. They trekked alongside their mates through the thick underbrush of the forest, the river weaving through the woods on their right until it joined another river and widened. The crashing tumble of a waterfall ricocheted toward her from somewhere up ahead and she stroked down the silky pelt of Alec’s back as the ominous sound intensified and beat inside her head.

  She halted as they emerged from the woods and stood on the edge of a cliff, white water cascading over slick black boulders and careening down the roc
ky cliff face into a ravine a hundred feet below.

  On the craggy rise overlooking the heart of MacKenzie land far below, she crouched and pressed one hand to the slick black rock. A steep trail led down the left side while in the distance beyond, Scotland’s rugged coastline sat and across the choppy sea, the Isle of Skye rose like a long line of lush green amongst the roiling waves of the ocean. Dark and ominous clouds gusted in, a pall of bubbling gray that made her shiver. “We’ll lose Father’s scent and any possible tracks if it rains.”

  “Cherub can send those clouds back to where they came from.” Alec’s bear nudged her side, his touch reassuring. “We won’t lose their scent.”

  Of course. Cherub commanded the very air itself, could whip up a storm or send one fleeing if she so desired. Her worry had her on edge, her thoughts askew. In the valley below, the inner channels of both Loch Carron and Loch Kishorn wound their way inland, the odd wattle-and-daub longhouse nestled along the pebbly shoreline. Cattle grazed within the lower pastures surrounding a village of thatch-roofed houses cloistered tightly together on the northern shores of one of the lochs, while mountainous land rose in all directions, a range that spread for as far as the eye could see. Sheep dotted the craggy hills in the distance, and she raised a hand to her brow and squinted. A stronghold sat at the far end of the inner channel of Loch Carron several miles distant. Excited, she jumped to her feet. “Do you see that, Cherub?”

  “I do.” Cherub peered at the castle, her white fur cloak flapping back from her shoulders in the brisk mountain breeze. “’Tis an older holding and its position matches Ronan’s description to perfection. He’s imprisoned right there and even though we didnae follow his trail, we’ve found where he’s been taken all the same.”

  “Which means we willnae have to traipse all the way back to the meadow and follow my brother’s tracks to reach where he’s being contained.”

  “Aye, I can easily take us through the skies once we’ve found your father. Let’s stop here for a short rest. You should attempt to locate your father again in the dream realm. Duncan cannae keep him awake forever. Meanwhile, I’ll disperse those rain clouds.” Cherub raised her hands to the sky and with a flick of her fingers, called forth her ability to control her element. Her olive skirts beat against her legs and her pale hair whipped back and the brewing clouds swept higher then swished back out toward the sea. Cherub brushed her hands against her sides. “There, that should do for a wee bit.”