"So ye're stayin' here while they ride intae danger." Catherine's voice had gone tight. "Ye drew the short straw then?"
"I chose this." Daemon met her eyes steadily. "And I'd choose it again. Ye're our sisters. Someone needs tae make sure ye're safe."
"We're always safe," Alyson protested. "We've got walls, guards, warriors too."
"Aye, and ye'll have me as well." Daemon's voice gentled. "Which means ye can stop worryin' about us and start thinkin' about what needs tae be done tae prepare fer Nessa's arrival. She'llneed a chamber, clothes, someone tae help her adjust. That's where ye come in."
The redirect was obvious but effective. The sisters exchanged glances, and Tòrr could see them already beginning to plan.
"The blue chamber," Sofia said. "Next tae Liliane's old room. It's sunny, warm, has a nice view of the garden."
"And we'll need tae get clothes made," Catherine added. "The lass is only fourteen, she'll need proper gowns, shifts, everything."
"We can use some of our old things as patterns," Alyson suggested. "Alter them tae fit."
As his sisters began discussing preparations, Tòrr felt some of the tension in his shoulders ease. This was good. Giving them something constructive to focus on, something to do while they waited.
"How long will ye be gone?" Sofia asked, bringing the conversation back to the immediate concern.
"Three days there, assumin' we move fast and encounter nay delays. A day, maybe two, tae get Nessa out safely. Three days back." Tòrr did the calculation in his head. "We should return within the week."
"And if ye dinnae?" Catherine's voice was small. "If somethin' goes wrong?"
"Then Daemon becomes laird, and ye follow his orders the same as ye'd follow mine." Tòrr's voice was firm. "But it willnae come tae that."
"Ye cannae promise that." Alyson's eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Ye cannae promise ye'll come back."
The raw fear in her voice made Tòrr's chest tight. She was right, he couldn't promise. Battle was unpredictable, and they were walking into hostile territory with limited information and considerable risk.
But he could give her something else.
"I can promise this," he said, standing and moving to kneel beside her chair. "As long as I draw breath, as long as there's strength in me body, I will fight tae come back tae ye. Tae all of ye." He looked around the table, meeting each sister's eyes in turn. "Ye're me family. Me responsibility. And I dinnae abandon me responsibilities."
"We ken that," Sofia whispered. "But we also ken ye'd sacrifice yerself tae protect others. And that terrifies us."
"It should." Michael spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "Because it's true. Tòrr would die before lettin' harm come tae any of us. But that's exactly why we need tae trusthim. Trust that he'll dae what's necessary tae keep everyone safe, includin' himself."
"Pretty words," Catherine muttered. "But words dinnae stop swords."
"Nae, but skill dees. And plannin'. And havin' good men at yer back." Daemon leaned forward. "Ye think we're goin' intae this blind? We've been scoutin' Foulis fer weeks. We ken their patrol routes, their guard rotations, where their defenses are weakest. This isnae some reckless charge. It's a carefully planned operation."
"That could still go horribly wrong." But some of the panic had left Alyson's voice.
"Aye," Tòrr acknowledged. "It could. But we're daein' it anyway, because it's the right thing to do. Because that girl deserves better than what her faither has planned for her. And because I gave Liliane me word I'd bring her sister home."
"Is that what this is really about?" Catherine asked. "Keepin' yer word tae yer wife? Or is there somethin' more?"
Tòrr returned to his seat, considering how to answer. "It's about all of it. Keepin' me word, aye. But also about sendin' a message tae Munro that he cannae threaten what's mine. About showin' Liliane that I'm a man she can trust. About daein' what's right even when it's dangerous." He paused. "And aye, about protectin' a child who deserves protection. Even if that child is a stranger."
"Ye've a good heart, braither." Sofia reached across the table to squeeze his hand.
"Make sure Liliane's careful too," Alyson said. "She's family now. We dinnae want tae lose her any more than we want tae lose ye."
"She'll be careful. I'll make certain of it."
They ate in relative silence after that, the earlier tension somewhat eased but not eliminated. As servants cleared the plates, Daemon stood.
"I've somethin' tae say. Tae all of ye."
