“I’m nae Neil.”
“Nay, ye’re nae. Ye’re more emotionally constipated and significantly more violent.” Kristen’s expression softened. “But ye love that lass just as much as Neil loves me. Maybe more. And she deserves to ken it.”
“She kens.”
“She kens nothin'!” Kristen threw up her hands. “She thinks ye’re being noble. Sacrificin' yerself out of obligation. She has nay idea that ye’re head over heels, completely besotted, utterly?—”
Another knock interrupted her. This time, Hamish poked his head in, his expression apologetic.
“Sorry to interrupt, but ye have another visitor, me Laird.”
“Who is it this time?” Murdock asked wearily.
“Aiden Calder, Laird MacBain. Says he received word about a wedding and came to celebrate.” Hamish paused. “Should I tell him…?”
“Tell him there’ll be nay weddin'.” The words were final. “Tell him to go home.”
“Murdock!” Ailis gasped.
“And all of ye, leave. Now.” Murdock didn’t raise his voice, but the command was absolute. “I need to think.”
“Ye’ve done enough thinkin',” Kristen protested. “What ye need to do is?—”
“Now.” The word came out sharp, and Murdock felt the shift in himself. The warmth, the vulnerability, all of it locked away behind the walls he’d spent his whole life building.
This was the weapon his father had forged.
This was safer.
His sisters exchanged worried glances. Hamish looked like he wanted to argue, but thought better of it. One by one, they filed toward the door.
Ailis paused at the threshold. “Murdock, please. Daenae do this. Daenae shut down when ye’re this close to?—”
“I said,now.”
She flinched slightly, and Murdock hated himself for it. But she left, pulling the door shut behind her.
Silence fell over the study.
Murdock sank into his chair, his head in his hands. This was better. Simpler. Let Leona go, let her find someone who could give her what she needed. Someone whole and undamaged. Someone who wouldn’t wake up every morning terrified of becoming a monster.
A small sound made him look up.
Skye stood in the doorway, Nyx in her arms, her expression determined.
“I thought I told everyone to leave.”
“Ye did. But I’m nae everyone. I’m yer daughter.” She walked into the room with the confidence of a child who knew she was loved. “And I’m nae leavin' ye alone when ye’re being silly.”
Despite everything, Murdock felt something warm flicker in his chest. “Silly, am I?”
“Aye.” Skye climbed into his lap without invitation, settling in like she belonged there. Nyx arranged herself on the desk, tail twitching. “I didnae ask ye before. Do yewantLeona to leave?”
“Nay.”
“Then tell her. Tell her to stay.” She said it with such childish certainty, as if the solution was obvious. “She will come back if we ask her nicely. I ken it.”
Murdock wrapped his arms around his daughter, holding her close, breathing in the scent of soap and innocence and unconditional love.
