Her Mysterious Highlander

By Jennae Vale

An outsider in two worlds, Taegen Boideach has learned to navigate through life by hiding his true identity. Although his mother is the queen of the elves, he is also half human and as such has been banished from the elven world to live a solitary life among people who would reject him if they knew his true identity.
Merry has lived a privileged life as a Mackall, where she's been protected and sheltered from the outside world. She's beginning to feel the need to spread her wings. Her attraction to the mysterious Taegen is the first step in Merry's determining her own path, but he's resistant and she doesn't understand why. New to love and its complications, Merry refuses to give up on him even as they approach imminent danger.
On a quest to save Scotland, Merry and Taegen are in the eye of the storm as they work together to destroy the Twin Sword and its maker, an evil sorcerer. Will they be successful in their quest? With the help of their elf and human companions, it's possible only if they can all learn to trust and accept each other, but old prejudices and preconceived notions may stand in the way of their success.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennae Vale
• Release date: Sep 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463333907

Jennae Vale

Jennae Vale is a best selling author of romance with a touch of magic. As a history buff from an early age, Jennae often found herself day-dreaming in history class - wondering what it would be like to live in the places and time periods she was learning about. Writing time travel romance has given her an opportunity to take those daydreams and turn them into stories to share with readers everywhere.Originally from the Boston area, Jennae now lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where some of her characters also reside. When Jennae isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, and daydreaming, of course.

Book preview

Prologue

Edinburgh Castle 1488

The elfin entourage approached the castle, making themselves visible for the first time on their journey. King James had summoned Anania, Queen of the Elves, to discuss the sorcerer Ariweth. Under his influence, the clans were fighting and it was only a matter of time until an all out war erupted. The young, newly crowned King needed her help, her magic.

Men were not great friends of the elves. Over the centuries, stories had been told that sewed distrust on both sides. It was nonsense, all of it. The leaders knew the elves would always protect those without magic and that was all that mattered. She was powerful. She would deal with Ariweth and bring peace to the land.

Riders carrying the king’s colors greeted them as they made the final leg of their journey. The two groups came to a halt and one rider broke from the formation to approach her. Anania’s eyes lit with curiosity as a tall man with black hair and bright blue eyes drew up close enough to converse with her.

Queen Anania, we are here to escort ye to the castle, he said. His voice was commanding and strong. It’s deep tone familiar to her ears although they’d never met before this moment.

She took in his handsome face, broad shoulders and well-muscled arms and felt a stirring in her heart. She was the queen, here to do a job, but there was something about this man that made her want to forget all of that. Ye have an advantage over me here, sir. Ye ken my name, but I dinnae ken yers.

Daividh MacPherson at yer service, m’lady. He bowed to her from atop a horse that dwarfed any the elves rode.

A slow smile spread across her lips as she gazed up at him and noted that his eyes gave away his interest as they slowly moved from her head to her toes. This would be an interesting audience with King James for more reasons than one.

Shall we? he asked, directing her forward with an outstretched arm.

Lead on, she replied.

The odd procession made its way through the gates of the castle and into a large courtyard. Before Anania could dismount, two strong hands encircled her waist and lifted her from the saddle. A thrill shot through her as for a brief moment her face was only inches from Daividh’s and her hands came to rest on his hard chest. His masculine scent reached her and she closed her eyes relishing the leather, spice and musk. He was quite intoxicating. He offered her his arm and he placed her hand on it as he escorted her into the castle itself.

King James paced back and forth in front of a blazing fire.

Ah, Anania. How was yer journey? James asked.

Anania noted the worried look on his face vanish as he turned to face her, replacing it with a welcoming smile.

It was uneventful, sire. As queen of the elves, she did not bow to him nor to anyone else.

Please sit. He motioned to a nearby table and chairs. As they sat, servants appeared carrying trays of meat, roasted vegetables, fruit and cheese. Mead was poured into their drinking vessels and the jugs set on the table in front of them. I hope yer hungry, James said, helping himself to a whole roasted game hen.

Aye. We havenae eaten since early this day. Anania motioned for her companions to help themselves and she did the same. For a time they ate in silence, filling their bellies with the delicious fare.

James finished his mead and immediately lifted his hand so a napkin could be placed in it courtesy of his manservant who’s place was directly behind him in order to cater to his every need. He wiped his mouth, belched loudly and smiled, obviously sated from the meal. A serious expression came over him. We’ve a serious problem and I need yer help. The sorcerer Ariweth has been laying waste to much of our lands. I’ve heard only yesterday that he has poisoned the waters of Clan Ross. Dead fish cover the banks of their rivers and streams. The Grants are threatening war with the Frasers but neither laird can tell my ambassadors why they are willing to sacrifice their men in battle. The reports are the same from other clans, there shall be a war soon if the tensions continue. I dinnae know how or why he does this.

He wishes ye to ken his power. Ye are young, sire, and Ariweth may feel ye and the kingdom are vulnerable.

We must stop him, James pounded his fist on the table. Anger and frustration furrowed his brow and flared his nostrils. I cannae stand by and allow my people to die.

I ken it. His magic is powerful but can be defeated, Anania assured him.

My men are useless against his magic. ’Tis why I’ve asked ye here. What can be done, Anania?

The young king looked much older than his years. He had already seen too much death, he had buried his father and now must lead before he could even grow a full beard. But there was intelligence in his eyes and an earnestness in his voice. He could be a good king, she felt, if they could secure the safety of the kingdom against the threat of Ariweth. I will see to it, Anania assured him. He may be powerful, but he is also a vain, foolish man. It will be his undoing. I will make certain that Ariweth can nae longer use his magic to terrorize the clans.

Thank ye, Queen Anania. Do whatever ye must to rid us of his presence and ye will have our eternal gratitude.

It willnae be easy, but it will be done.

Good, he nodded and she saw the tension in his shoulders relax just a bit. Ye’ll stay the night, aye?

Aye. We’ve had long days of travel. ’Twill be good to rest well for a night. We must be on the road at first light to find Ariweth.

Daividh, ye’ll see to it that our guests are well cared for?

Of course, sire. ’Twill be my pleasure. His eyes met Anania’s and a thrill of anticipation passed through her. Surely he felt it, too. The magical frisson coursing through her must be a sign.

If ye’ll excuse me… The king rose and taking Anania’s slender hand in his own, kissed it. I bid ye a safe and successful journey. I hope ye shall return to tell us of yer triumph soon. I would ask that ye plan to stay much longer next time so we can celebrate. He strode from the room followed by more than half of the servants and diners. Soft whispers filled the room soon after he was out of sight.

Queen Anania have ye been to the castle in the past? Daividh asked, motioning to their surroundings with a nod of his head.

Nae. Never.

Before I show ye to yer chambers, would ye care to see more of it?

I would love to, she replied.

Come. He held out his hand to her as she rose from her chair. As if struck by lightning, a current raced up her arm and through her entire body, settling in the core of her womanhood. This man would be hers tonight. Of that she was sure.

See to it that our guests are shown to their chambers, he ordered one of his men. The man nodded as the other elves rose from their seats.

Good night to ye, Anania said to the group. I’ll see ye here bright and early tomorrow morn.

The elves responded with good nights of their own. Their eyes shone with a certain understanding of the situation. Some with disapproval and some with good humor. Anania was their queen and what they thought of her was of no concern.

She held tight to Daividh’s hand as he escorted her from the great hall and out into the courtyard. Torches lit their way as they walked the perimeter of the keep.

’Tis a lovely full moon tonight to light our way. The deep resonance of his voice touched her and she leaned into him hungering for his touch. He responded by placing a strong arm around her shoulders. Are ye chilled?

Quite the contrary. I’m filled with a warmth that consumes me. She stopped, turning to him. Her hands found his muscled chest as his arms encircled her. This night has been foretold. Every moment of my life has led me here.

I sensed the same when I first set eyes upon ye. His forehead touched hers and the world fell away. I am powerless to resist ye.

Do ye wish to resist me?

Nae. I dinnae. His hand gently caressed her cheek, sliding to her jaw and lifting her chin. May I kiss ye?

Their lips met, igniting a passion she didn’t know she possessed. She wrapped her arms around his strong neck as time stood still around them. His kisses were sweeter than she had even imagined them to be and she allowed herself to completely surrender to their power.

Chapter 1

Near Edinburgh 1518

Taegen Boideach rode alongside the Queen of the Elves. Evil was infecting the clans again and needed to be stopped. It would take nearly a week to reach their destination, and then he would put himself in danger while his mother, Anania, used her magic to control the evil sorcerer Ariweth. He was confident in her ability, she was the one that locked Ariweth in a cave all those years ago after all, but he did not share her power. He was only half elf, and thus did not possess magic like the rest of that kind.

She had arrived at Sinclair Castle, where he was a captain in the teulu, and asked for his help. They had never been close. Taegen was raised by humans and lived his entire life away from the elves at the command of the council. But she had said she needed him. He didn’t think it was possible for Anania to need anyone. She was strong and aloof, a queen in control of all that she saw at all times. He would not have refused her, she was his mother in addition to being the queen, but her vulnerability in that moment touched him and so despite the peril they would face he agreed to accompany her and do whatever was necessary to see their mission to a successful end.

The elves that traveled with them did not approve. They knew who he was but did not welcome him. Judgment and contempt placed an invisible wall between them. He didn’t feel the need to break down that barrier. He didn’t care what they thought of him. It was his mother he was concerned about. He would protect her from Ariweth when the time came and he would protect her from these elves if there ever came a time when they might challenge her right to be queen. He glanced over to Anania in all her regal finery. She was every bit the queen and no one seeing her could ever deny it. She smiled warmly at him. A smile reserved only for him and never shared with others.

We will stop first at Dunaill and visit with the Mackall Clan, she said.

A vision of Merry Mackall came immediately to mind. The thought of seeing her was good for his soul. He hadn’t seen her in months although she’d much been on his mind. He would look forward to that part of the journey, at least. Yes, seeing her would be a boon, but disconcerting at the same time. They had become friends, of a sort, when she visited the Sinclairs a few months ago. Her sister was now married to the laird. She had been the brightest spot in his life. He wasn’t worthy to even be her friend and it would be best to keep his distance, but that hadn’t stopped her from appearing in his dreams. She wasn’t here with him now and so his mind was free to imagine what it would be like to see her again, to hold her…

We must warn Laird Nick Mackall of the coming war.

Taegen snapped out of his daydream to focus on his mother. Danger was coming to Dunaill Castle? War?

Aye. Ye ken the Sutherlands and Mackay clans are at each others’ throats.

I’ve heard it.

I fear it may be due to Ariweth. He sees an opportunity to get his power back and escape his prison. Tensions between the two clans have heightened and I believe it could turn into an all out war.

Taegen’s first thought was of protecting Merry. He would give anything to keep her safe forever, but deep down he knew it wasn’t possible. It wasn’t his place to protect her. Merry had no idea that he was half human and half elf. Even though a life with her was all he’d thought of since they’d met, he was also aware that once she knew his circumstances she would surely shun him, and rightly so. She didn’t deserve to be saddled with his history.

Disappointment and rejection were two things he’d come to expect and so he rarely let anyone know his heritage. It was a secret he kept close to his heart and one that threatened to destroy him if he wasn’t careful. He walked a fine line between the two worlds. Not wanted in either, he’d become very self-sufficient and used to being his own best company. As a captain for the Sinclairs he’d found a place where he wasn’t judged on who his mother was, but rather on his fighting skills, his strength and his intelligence. He was valued and respected for the first time in his life by someone other than his adoptive parents or his mother. He found that it wasn’t enough for him. He wanted more, but didn’t know what until he met Merry Mackall. Like everything else in his life, she was out of his reach, but he could dream, couldn’t he?

Taegen, where is yer head? Anania asked.

Where it should be, here on my shoulders, he teased back, knowing perfectly well what she was asking.

Ye have a far away look in yer eyes, son.

Merely passing the time with thoughts I dinnae wish to share with ye.

I see, Anania said, though Taegen was certain she didn’t. We should make camp soon. There’s a glen up ahead that will be perfect for the night. We can water the horses in the stream that runs nearby. ’Tis just beyond that bend.

Taegen glanced back at the band of elves trailing behind them. Not a one of them looked the least bit tired. Like his mother they looked as fresh as the day they’d begun their journey. Not a hair was out of place on any of them. They looked clean and bright, instead of dusty and disheveled after several days on the road. He chuckled to himself.

Why do ye laugh? his mother asked.

"I’ve traveled many miles with ye and yet ye