“That she killed herself rather than live with me?” Elijah finished, his tone flat. “Aye, I’ve heard those stories too. They’re quite popular in certain circles.”
“Elijah,” Iris attempted to caution him, but he wasn’t finished.
“And based on those stories, ye traveled five days to offer to trade places with yer sister? That’s either remarkably brave or remarkably foolish.”
“I just wanted to help Iris. To give her a choice.” Lydia’s voice was shaking now. “She never wanted this marriage. It should have been me.”
“But it wasnae ye.” Elijah’s eyes finally moved to Iris, and she saw something intense burning in their depths. “It was Iris who stood in that great hall and married me. Iris who became lady of this castle. Iris who became maither to me son. And I’ll nae have ye waltzin’ in here suggestin’ she’d want to undo any of it.”
“But what if she does want to undo it?” Lydia’s voice rose with desperation. “What if she’s been too afraid to say so? Because of me.”
“Then she can speak for herself.” He cut her off, but his gaze stayed locked on Iris. “Iris, do ye want to leave? Because now would be the time to say so. Yer sister is offerin’ ye an escape. Do ye want it?”
The question hung in the air like a sword suspended over all their heads. Iris could feel Lydia watching them, could sense her sister’s confusion and fear. But more than that, she could sense Elijah’s tension, the vulnerability hidden beneath his harsh words. That he was afraid that she might say yes.
The realization of what she would do settled into her chest, warm and certain.
“Nay,” she said clearly, holding his gaze. “I daenae want to leave. I want to stay here with ye and Codie. This is me home now.”
Something shifted in his expression, and his shoulders relaxed slightly. The hard line of his jaw softened. “Ye’re certain, lass?”
“I’m certain.” She moved closer to him, close enough to reach out and touch his arm. “Me sister came here out of concern and guilt. Nae to cause problems. And once she sees that I’m happy, she’ll go back to her convent, and we’ll all move on with our lives.”
“Happy?” Lydia’s voice was small, disbelieving. “Ye’re truly happy here? With him?”
Iris turned to face her sister, keeping one hand on Elijah’s arm. “Aye. I am. He’s nae the monster people say he is, Lydia. He’s just... complicated. And guarded. But he’s good to me, and he’s tryin’ to be a better faither to Codie. This marriage may nae have started the way either of us wanted, but it’s becomin’ somethin’ real.”
“But the stories?—”
“Are just stories.” Iris cut her off firmly. “Gossip and rumors spread by people who daenae ken the truth. Elijah has never raised a hand to me, never treated me with anythin’ but respect. More than respect, actually.” She felt her cheeks warm slightly. “He’s... a good husband to me.”
Lydia stared at her twin as if seeing her for the first time. “Ye think him a good husband?”
Iris found she couldn’t deny it. “Aye. I suppose I do.”
“Then I... I daenae ken what to say.” Lydia’s voice was small. “I came here expectin’ to rescue ye, and instead, I find ye daenae need rescuin’ at all.”
“Nay, I daenae.” Iris smiled gently. “But I am thankful that ye tried. That ye came all this way, faced all those dangers, just to check on me. That means everythin’, Lydia.”
“I will go now,” Lydia said, standing on unsteady legs. “I’ve caused enough disruption. I should return to the convent before?—”
“Ye’ll do nay such thing.” Elijah’s voice was firm but no longer harsh. “Ye’ve traveled for days from the looks of ye. Ye’re exhausted and probably half-starved. Ye’ll stay here as our guest for at least a few days, rest properly, eat proper meals, and thenwe’ll arrange safe escort back to yer convent. If that is where ye want to go.”
Lydia blinked in surprise. “Ye... ye’d do that? After I ran away from our weddin’?”
“Ye ran away from what ye perceived as a terrible fate. I cannae fault ye for that.” His expression remained neutral, but his voice had softened slightly. “And ye’re Iris’ sister. That means ye’re under me protection while ye’re here. I’ll nae have it said that I turned away a lass who came to me castle, even if that journey turned out to be unnecessary.”
“Thank ye, me laird.” Lydia’s voice was thick with emotion. “That’s... that’s very generous of ye.”
“It’s practical. Ye’ll be nay use to anyone if ye collapse from exhaustion on the road back.” He turned to Iris. “I’ll be in the trainin’ yard if ye need me. Codie wants to watch the men practice, and I promised I’d explain the different weapons to him.”
He left without another word, and Iris let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. When she turned back to Lydia, she found her sister staring at the doorway with wide eyes.
“He’s terrifyin’,” Lydia breathed. “Absolutely terrifyin’. How do ye live with him?”
“He’s nae terrifyin’ once ye get to ken him. Just... protective.” Iris moved back to her chair. “And maybe a little defensive when he thinks someone’s tryin’ to take what’s his.”
“And that’s ye? Ye’re his?”
