Read Highlander's Faerie (Highlander Heat Book 5) for Free Online Page B

admire and respect him.” She tapped his chest. “He can’t be all that bad.”
    “Of course they revere him. He fights for them, but never forget, he’s a dangerous man.”
    “What about poor Mary? How did she cope when her own brother imprisoned her husband? She’s never spoken of that time, and I’ve never asked.”
    “’She was distraught and suffered greatly. Even more so when she received a missive from Angus asking her to send their eldest son, James, to be held as Lachlan’s hostage in Angus’s stead. Sending her son away near broke her. The lad was only five at the time.”
    “Lachlan truly used an innocent child to gain what he wanted?”
    “Aye, and MacLean cared naught about the damage done to the lad. James was simply a means to an end.” He stroked the back of her head in an attempt to sooth her clear distress. “After Angus’s release, he asked Lachlan to meet him at Mullintrea near the Rhinns to sign the transfer parchments, and when Lachlan arrived with James at his side as leverage, Angus knew Lachlan would never hand his son over, no’ even after the deed was signed and he’d received the Rhinns, so he came up with a plan. He demanded Lachlan settle their differences with honor and thankfully he agreed. Angus treated Lachlan well for the day, and once Lachlan and his men retired to the village for the night, Angus and his warriors surrounded their longhouse.”
    “And did more men die?” She squeezed her eyes shut and a tear trickled free. “How many perished this time?”
    “When Angus finally had his brother-in-law cornered, Lachlan surrendered. Angus spared Lachlan’s life that night so as not to escalate the feud, although he did take the life of Terreagh MacDonald who was amongst Lachlan’s men. In the years since, Lachlan has continued to seek his revenge. He’s ravaged our land where he could, and Angus has had no choice but to plunder in return. Angus’s retaliation has been swift in order to ensure Lachlan cannae attempt to take it all once more.” He cupped her face and gentled his tone. “Do you understand now why the fae’s request to bring peace between the clans is impossible? There is no way to stem this feud. Lachlan is a tactical warrior, a man who fights to take it all. Even Mary’s marriage to Angus has made no’ a bit of difference, and she is his sister.”
    * * * *
    “But I could still bring about some peace. Mary wants that too. She bestowed her amulet to my sister, so one day a child born of both clans would once again return to Islay. Now two have.” Mary had held hope, and so would she.
    “And what of your great desire no’ to change history? Bringing about peace would achieve that very means when war continues to rage.”
    “I’m not going to alter the future, just provide some relief while keeping it on track. Why else would the fae have given me this mission?”
    “I still cannae allow you to step one foot on MacLean land. There will never be peace.” He caressed her sides, roamed down and scooped her bottom. Lifted higher, he pressed his hips against hers. “You’ll do as I say and remain here where you’ll be safe from any harm.”
    “You can’t use your strength against me. I’m a twenty-first century woman, and we operate by a whole separate set of rules. Force isn’t one of them.” She seized his thick biceps and held on.
    “I would never use force against you, no’ by any means.” He carried her to the bed and laid her across the mattress. Gently, he nudged her knees apart and with his legs between hers, sank down. He covered her mouth with his and kissed her, so sweetly she melted. He was so big and strong and all hers, or at least for this stolen moment in time.
    “I love how you kiss me.”
    “And I love how you respond.” With painstaking slowness, he grazed a finger along the upper swell of her breasts where her nightrail dipped. “I shouldnae be touching you so, but I cannae help myself.”
    “I ache, John, in