"That was..." She touched her lips, seeming unable to finish the sentence.
"Necessary," he supplied, his voice rougher than he'd intended. "Long overdue. And somethin' I've been wantin' tae dae.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Aye. I've wanted tae kiss ye fer a while now."
She stared at him fer a long moment, something complicated flickering across her face. Then she stepped back, putting distance between them that felt like a chasm.
"We should return tae the chamber," she said quietly. "It's late, and ye need tae rest after... after everythin'."
He wanted to argue, to pull her back into his arms and kiss her until that guarded look left her eyes. But he recognized the signs of someone retreating behind walls, and pushing now would only drive her further away.
"Aye. Let's go."
They walked in silence through the corridors, the keep quiet save for the distant sounds of guards changing watch. When they reached a window overlooking the courtyard, Tòrr paused, drawn by the moonlight spilling across the stones below.
"Wait," he said, catching her arm gently. "Before we go back. There's somethin' I need tae say."
She turned to face him, moonlight casting her features in silver and shadow. "What is it?"
"I need ye, Liliane." The words came out rawer than he'd intended. "I need ye here. By me side. As me wife."
Her expression shuttered slightly. "We're already married."
"In name, aye. But I need more than that." He moved closer, trying to read her face in the dim light. "I need ye tae stand with me. Publicly, completely. Tae show the clan, the other lairds, yer faither, tae show everyone that ye're mine and I'm yers."
"Why?"
"Because as long as yer faither thinks he can reclaim ye, as long as he believes this marriage is unstable or forced, he'll keep tryin'. Keep sendin' men. Keep threatenin' Nessa." His hand found hers, their fingers intertwining. "But if we present a united front, if we show him that ye've chosen tae stay, that this marriage is real and strong... it weakens his position. Makes it harder fer him tae secure the alliance he wants."
"So this is about politics." Her voice was carefully neutral. "About stoppin' him from allyin' with the Pact."
"Partly, aye. I willnae lie tae ye about that." He squeezed her hand. "But it's also about keepin' ye safe. About protectin' what's mine. And about givin' ye the leverage tae protect yer sister."
She pulled her hand free, wrapping her arms around herself. "What dae ye mean?"
"If yer faither sees that ye're nae comin' back, that this marriage is permanent and recognized, he loses his ability tae use ye as a bargainin' chip. And without that..." Tòrr leaned against the window frame. "Without that, he'll need tae find other ways tae secure his position."
He met her eyes steadily. "I vow tae ye, Liliane, on me honor as laird and as yer husband, I will get yer sister here safely. I will bring her tae Keppoch where she'll be under me protection, where yer faither cannae touch her."
"How?”
His voice hardened with determination. "Give me time tae plan it proper, tae make sure it's done right. But I will bring her here. That's me promise tae ye."
"So it's a bargain." Her voice was flat. "Me cooperation in exchange fer Nessa's safety."
"It's an alliance. One that benefits us both." He moved closer, trying to read her expression in the moonlight. "I get a wife who willnae undermine me at every turn, who'll help me maintain the position I need tae keep the clan safe. And ye get the resources and protection tae save yer sister. Tae give her the life she deserves, far from yer faither's cruelty."
"That's very practical."
"It is. But practicality daesnae make it less true." His hand came up to touch her shoulder lightly. "I meant what I said earlier, Liliane. About carin'. About wantin' tae help ye. This isnae just cold calculation. It's about buildin' somethin' real between us."
"But the alliance comes first."
The words hit harder than they should have. Because she wasn't wrong, the political reality of their situation did take precedence. Had to, for both their sakes.
"The alliance keeps us both alive," he said carefully. "Keeps yer sister alive. Keeps the clan safe. So aye, it comes first because without it, naethin' else matters."
She turned to face him fully, and in the moonlight he could see the disappointment flickering across her features. "I understand."
"Dae ye?"
