"We need tae discuss this calmly."
"Dinnae tell me tae be calm!" But she saw the guards too, saw the scene she was making. "Fine. I’ll stay calm, but let's discuss it, right now. Tell me everythin'."
“Liliane,” he said in warning. "I will. But nae here, and nae when I need tae leave fer patrol in five minutes." He reached for her arm.
"Nay. Now." She planted herself directly in his path, arms crossed. "Ye're nae leavin' until ye explain yerself."
"Liliane, move."
"Nay."
"I'm givin' ye one chance tae step aside."
"And I'm givin' ye one chance tae tell me the truth. Right here, right now."
The standoff drew more attention. Michael appeared at the edge of the yard, eyebrows raised. The guards were definitely watching now.
“Ye’re makin’ a scene,” he said under his breath.
“Maybe that’s what it takes tae make ye listen.”
"Last warnin', lass. Move."
"Make me."
Wrong thing tae say.
In one fluid motion, he bent and lifted her over his shoulder, ignoring her shriek of outrage.
"Put me down!"
"If ye'd listened, I wouldnae have tae carry ye." he said, striding across the yard toward the stables.
“Because ye didnae talk!” she snapped, twisting to glare down at him. “Ye always handle me like a sack of grain!” She pounded her fists against his back. "Put me down this instant!"
"Nay."
"Everyone's watchin'!"
"Ye started the scene. I'm endin' it."
Her fist thumped his shoulder again. “Brute!”
“Ungrateful,” he shot back.
“Controllin’!”
“Reckless!”
Their exchange drew muffled laughter from the guards, though none dared speak aloud.
He reached his horse and swung her up onto it before she could escape. "And now we're goin' tae have that discussion. Somewhere without an audience."
He mounted behind her, his arms caging her in as he took the reins.
"Ye’re unbearable, ye ken!" she spat, trying to wriggle free.
"Aye, It's been mentioned before. But as ye can see, someone else’s opinion daesnae concern me at all." He spurred the horse forward, ignoring the guards' barely concealed grins. "Now hold still or ye'll fall."
