The Highlander's Dark Seduction (Secrets of the Darroch Clan) by Joanne Rock Page A

Magnus could see Alex approaching Invergale, covered in a cape.
    “Is it? Do you really think Elizabeth needs to confess her love solely to you for the
sidhe
to hear her? What if I can convince her to speak those sweet words aloud even though you are not present?”
    All at once, he understood and cursed himself for not grasping his twin’s intent sooner. Thoughts of Elizabeth, of the incredible bliss of being with her, had his wits addled. But in this instant he knew his mistake. He should have told her to be careful. To guard her words even when she was alone. Even with his family.
    But if he knew Alex, Magnus guessed he would take no chances. If having Elizabeth confess her feelings at Invergale wasn’t enough, Alex would bring her into the enchanted lands at the boundary of the
sidhe
world and have her speak the words there.
    “Nooooo,” he shouted into the evening wind. “You bastard. You will not do this!” His words reverberated through the forest and through time and the realms even as he hurtled far and fast from Invergale…too far to warn Elizabeth of Alexander’s plan.
    The possibility that the curse might yet be broken taunted him, his love for Elizabeth so strong he was tempted to give up his honor just to be with her. The fact that his twin loved him enough to make such a sacrifice—to wander alone eternally—humbled Magnus. Yet it infuriated him too. The curse could end up killing Alex, wearing him to exhaustion or worse. And what of Shannon? Would he find her alone?
    He needed to stop his brother before it was too late.
    Magnus fought the pull of the curse. Fought the flow of his feet and the mare’s hooves, struggling with her until he realized how unfair that was. He slid from her back, letting the animal go where she was doomed to wander while he attempted to turn back. A blur of silver light barred his way back to the mortal realm. Still, he pushed toward it, using his sword and all his strength to clear a path back to the brook and the border lands. Back to Invergale.
    Desperation made the minutes stretch until they felt like hours and he still scarcely moved. Then, all at once, the light disappeared.
    He almost fell into the brook behind the garden bower where he and Elizabeth had made love. Where they’d fallen in love. Scuttling back, he realized the path ahead was clear. The pull on his chest had vanished.
    He could see the mortal realm again. Clearly. Why would that be unless the curse had been broken? Or was about to break? Fear and hope clouded his vision as surely as the silvery light had a moment ago. He could barely hold a thought in his head other than the need to get to Elizabeth. To Alexander. Was it too late to stop this madness? He ran until his mare caught up to him. She must have a reprieve from the curse’s pull too. Vaulting onto her back, Magnus urged her home.
    Reaching Invergale, he pounded on the doors until he thought they would break. At last, he heard them unbarred and a sleepy, half-naked Iain grunted a greeting.
    “Where is she?” Magnus pushed past him, not waiting for an answer.
    He knew she would not sleep in the tower. Only the master’s chamber lay at the top of the stairs. He raced to the back of the keep and the skidded to a stop at the guest quarters.
    He did not need to pound on the bedchamber door. It was open. His brother stood in the antechamber, Elizabeth beside him. A candle flickered nearby on a stand, illuminating tears on Elizabeth’s face. Her hands covered her lips as if she’d just spoken words she wished she could take back. Magnus watched in disbelief as Alexander’s form started to fade right before his eyes. And hers.
    “Alexander?” she called out, her voice confused. Nervous.
    She spotted Magnus then and her gray eyes grew even wider. Her jaw dropped to see one twin fading as the other stepped over the threshold to take his place. She was so beautiful with her tangled blond waves and her delicate curves.
    “What is happening? What