Read Kahleena MacCarthy ~ To Meet a Highlander for Free Online

attained something, it was your job to protect it. To keep it. It's the reason the MacKinnon clan stayed feared. Zarik acted first, asked questions later. Most would dare not pillage their lands.
                  When Niall, his father, turned it over to him, would he be as worthy of the clan loyalty as his father had been? Would he be forced to take a bride he didn’t have time for nor want? Would he be able to make a woman happy? Sure he could pleasure one, but could he truly satisfy one outside of her bed? Would he even be happy with only one woman? While it was common for men of position to have a leman, it was not his father's way and would be highly frowned upon were he to attempt it. The MacKinnon's were known for their love and devotion to only one woman. Even long after that special woman had left this world. As his father often said, a woman takes much caring for. Outside of the bedroom, Zarik was clueless.
                  He'd kept their clan safe for years. Everyone appreciated his skill in battle, but even he questioned if those were his only skills. Zarik was far too old to learn to be polite and political. He spoke with his sword – his point always connecting. His mark always hit. And it was always final.
                  Several women of their clan spoke of love. For Zarik, it would always be duty. If the wife he was forced to take could tolerate him, it would be acceptable. Marriages survived on less. Duty. That was his life. A life of duty. He needed a woman that would gain something from his title because he didn't have much else to give her. A marriage where the woman had status wouldn't help him any. She'd feel she had equal footing. His heart had long ago grown cold, the need for death in battle controlling him. There was no room in it for emotions, especially not love.
                  Evidently, he needed an heir or two as well. While children didn't bother him, most ran from him, he wasn't exactly wanting to have to permanently deal with any. Another duty.
                  Zarik removed himself from his thoughts to look at the surroundings of his home. He never got tired of the view. Looking down was beautiful. It was like entering another world. Green grass, trees, livestock, the homes of his clan that lived outside the castle walls. Over to the back was a loch. One that he, and many before him, had grown up fishing, swimming and bathing in. The loch was the one place he enjoyed going. It helped him to clear his head. It was most often silent and empty when he was there. Being the laird's son did afford him some comforts. Bathing in privacy was among them.
                  It was a place that the elders spoke of the Selkies coming from. Zarik laughed out loud. He didn’t believe in magic nor mythical beings, but the children certainly loved the tales. It was rumored that some of the elders, especially their Druids, had taken Selkies as wives. Again, their Druids loving only one woman eternally.
                  Argus, the old Druid, had taken years trying to convince Zarik that magic did exist. It was only to be used for certain things, winning battles not one of them. If magic could not be used to save the lives of his clansmen, provide food, assist with necessary clothing and shelter - then why did they even need it? He spit at the thought of it. Magic. It was something kids dreamed about and heard stories of and something old men used to still try to hold worth. It was also something one could lay blame on. When things went wrong, it was always due to some magical power being pissed off.
                  Clucking to his horse, Rage, he started down toward the keep.
    ****
    Days later, the summer rain turned into a barely there drizzle as Zarik looked over at his half-brother Torradan, waiting for his nod. Once it came, he nodded in return and looked the opposite direction. His best friend, Drostan gave him