Beauty and the barbarian

the long version

Born with the mark of the devil, Merrin has been hidden on the islet of Eilean Fladda for near twenty years. When the body of a Highlander washes ashore, the innocent lass presumes him dead. Brushing the hair from the rugged warrior's face, her fingers connect with warm flesh. Warm. Ian MacLeod wakes to a woman so radiant, he believes her an angel. But when the lass recoils from him, he fears she knows of his evil deeds. While he heals, Ian is stunned when he exposes her witch's mark, yet he's spellbound by Merrin's allure. He'd do anything to erase his haunting past and earn her love. But there's a henchman after Ian's head, and when that man learns the Highlander is still alive, the couple is forced to flee Merrin's sheltered world. Fighting for survival, destiny demands they each face their demons, but doing so may forever ruin them both.