She dropped to her hands and knees in the mud, which she knew was not very ladylike, but she was in a rebellious mood and did not see why she needed to act with any decorum when her wishes were disregarded by everyone in her life.
Alright, so maybe Betsy has a point.
Suddenly, she heard growling nearby and froze. For a moment, she thought the growling was coming from her.Heaven knew she was furious enough. But no, she was quite sure her throat could not make a sound that low and threatening.
Turning her head, she found the biggest dog she had ever seen. He was a massive, red-coated deerhound, easily twice the size of any dog she had encountered, and was watching her from beneath the archway. His eyes were dark and intelligent, his coat wild.
“What a beautifully terrifying creature you are,” she whispered into the space between her and the hound.
She slowly got to her feet, waiting to see what the dog would do, while Betsy squeaked with fear behind her and Bramble mewed loudly, claws digging into the fabric of her cloak. Lilliana lifted a hand, bidding them be quiet.
“Rua!”
She started, and her eyes flicked to the voice.
While the booming voice surprised her, she was entirely unsurprised to see that the voice belonged to Kayden, who was walking up just a few meters behind the dog.
The dog ignored its master, inching towards Lilliana with focused intent. She stood as still as possible, watching as it approached.
“He does not seem the type to be tamed,” she said quietly as the dog continued to approach, its sharp teeth bared.
She cast a glance at Kayden, noting that he did not seem worried. She had to assume he wanted this alliance as much as her father did and would not let her get eaten by his dog.
“He will only attack on command, lass. Ye are entirely safe,” Kayden said roughly. “He is just curious.”
The massive hound reached her and began to sniff her skirts before nudging her hand with his snout. She let him sniff her further before scratching behind his ears. Betsy tensed and leaned away, clutching Bramble in her arms.
The dog ignored the movement, letting out a huff of approval before leaning his substantial weight against Lilliana’s side. She saw Kayden flex his jaw.
“He doesnae usually take to people that quickly,” he said almost grudgingly.
Lilliana did not bother hiding the triumphant look in her eyes. “Perhaps he is the only one here who does not mind asassenach,” she said with a laugh as she looked down and gave Rua a rewarding rub.
Kayden snorted, taking a step closer so he was towering over them. “He wouldnae be the only one, lass.”
She looked up at him, challenging. The sight of him awakened her senses. “Does—What? What is that supposed to mean?”
She gave the dog a proper cuddle just to rub it in Kayden’s face how much it liked her.
His eyes flashed as he took a step closer. “Ye arenae unwelcome here. Ye will find nay enemies within these walls. I have sworn to protect ye.”
Lilliana sneezed hard, forgetting that she was flustered in her annoyance. “Is that why you chased me last night? As if I were prey and you the predator?”
He huffed a mirthless laugh. “Yer faither is a very persuasive gentleman. I have promised him to protect ye. Letting ye wander off into the night in a land ye daenae ken wouldnae be protecting ye, lass.”
She shot him a scathing look. “That gives you absolutely no right to treat me as you did last night. The announcement. The chase. Your rudeness. All of it!”
His gaze was hot as it dropped to take in her heaving chest, then trailed up to her flushed cheeks before meeting her eyes, glaring daggers at him. He gave a small smirk, and she let out a growl. She could smell his scent—a mix of healthy sweat, peat smoke, and fresh air.
“Ye will get used to it.”
Lilliana caught a glimpse of the scar running down his forearm. It was more prominent due to the thick vein running beside it, and the skin peeking from under his rolled-up sleeve was flushed.
She blinked a few times, unsure whether she should move away, taken aback by the heady effect his nearness had on her. She did not want him to see how he affected her, though, so she stood her ground.
“Ye have already raided me garden of all the stores we were growing for the winter,” he admitted after a beat, gesturing to her full basket of herbs.
She stiffened in annoyance at his imperiousness. “I have not! I only just?—”
