Kayden had sent his men with brand new buckets for every well, but for the time being, they had brought a barrel of water from the castle’s well to distribute to the most affected families.
Lilliana hated that they had to explain why it was not safe to use the water they had. Fortunately, the resulting anger was not directed at Kayden. She did not know what she would have done if they had blamed him. She could see how heartbroken he already was.
Once they were done, Kayden jumped up on a barrel in the village square to make a speech.
“Me friends, me kin, ye ken as well as I do that we’re nay strangers to adversity and loss. That this evil has come from someone who used to be one of us hurts for sure, but we willnae let it break us. We will grow stronger and more unified as we overcome. Please listen to Lady McGill”—he gestured to Lilliana—“and the instructions she has given ye. We will be inspectingevery well, making sure they are safe to drink from. In the meantime, feel free to collect yer water from the castle’s well.”
A cheer rose from the crowd, and Lilliana felt her heart soar. Looking up at Kayden as he spoke to his people, he truly embodied the role of chieftain, and she was glad to be his wife. She could not wait to tell him so, as soon as they had a moment.
Nigel’s wake that night was a somber occasion. Kayden could see that the castle’s residents were treading cautiously around him, but he did not want that.
Sorcha had betrayed them all, and he wanted them to feel free to express their rage should they wish to. Her body had been returned to Clan MacNairn. They were welcome to bury her if they chose to.
After he’d paid his respects to Nigel, Kayden stood by his table and whistled loudly, commanding the room’s attention.
He lifted his glass of whisky. “Let us drink to a brave and valiant warrior, struck down by a coward and a traitor. We will never forget yer name, Nigel McGill. We will sing of yer deeds, and as long as our clan lives, so will yer memory.Slàinte!”
“Slàinte!” the room thundered and drank.
The atmosphere became less tense after that as Kayden crossed to sit on the bench next to Lilliana.
She smiled up at him. “You have a way with words.”
He smiled back. “I daenae ken what ye mean. I simply said what anyone would under such circumstances.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit. You saw how the people were feeling, and you allowed them to be angry and sad.” She sighed. “It’s an exceptional thing, being able to read people so well.”
He stared at her. “And what of ye? Am I readingyecorrectly?”
She only blinked at him.
He sighed deeply. “Lilly…” he whispered.
She reached out and caught his hand, squeezing it tightly. “Kayden,” she replied, with as much yearning.
“Do ye want to…”
“I do. I want to be your wife in all ways that matter, Kayden.”
His eyes dropped to her lips. “I want it too, lass. More than anything.”
She beamed, cheeks flushed. “What it must have cost you to admit that.”
He shrugged. “Nae as much as ye might think, lass. I’ve been thinking about it since we left the clearing, what I did, the price…” He pursed his lips, fixing her with an intent look. “And I would pay it again so as nae to lose ye. Ever.”
She gave a shuddering gasp, a tear leaking from her eye. “I would give anything to spare you having to pay that price.” She put a hand to her bosom. “You are my heart, and it hurts me to see you in pain.”
He smiled grimly, lifting his glass in a toast. “Pain is mandatory. Suffering is a choice. Let us drink to our fallen comrade and choose joy for each other.”
She lifted her glass and tapped it against his. “Slàinte. To choosing joy.”
26
The preparations for the celebration were well underway. It was going to be Lilliana’s first cèilidh,and she was veryexcited.
She scooped up Bramble, who seemed determined to join the festivities, and locked him in her chambers along with a large dish of food.
“You can have your own wee celebration in here,” she said with a teasing grin before she locked the door.
