"And I believe that if ye daenae leave now, I'll have ye thrown in the stocks for a week," Killian countered.
"Be nice," Leah scolded as she watched Killian's eyes flare with anger and defiance. She didn't flinch at the sight of him but lifted her head as if daring him to press her any further. His lips twitched, giving her the reprieve she had been craving. At that moment, everything became clear. Killian wasn't truly mad; he was just flexing his authority and defending his territory. Leah didn't know whether or not to be impressed by his interest in her or worried by the strict rules he was putting in place.
"Ye'll leave," Killian turned to Conner. "Now."
"Aye, me laird," Conner answered as he glanced at Leah for confirmation. She gave a polite nod and flashed him an apologetic smile.
"Ye dinnae have to be so mean," Leah grumbled the moment Conner was out of earshot. "The lad was just bein' nice."
Killian's eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "Daenae be fooled, he was lookin' for a bit more than just to be polite."
"Ye daenae ken that," Leah answered, jerking her arm out of Killian's grasp. "And what is with ye comin' over here out of nowhere and interruptin' the lad? Where did ye even come from, to begin with?"
"Do ye really think I daenae ken every nook and path in me own home?" Killian said, his tone condescending and harsh.
"Fine, but why does it matter who I talk to? Conner was only bring me flowers."
"I ken very well what the lad was doin'," Killian snapped as he pulled Leah closer to the tree line.
"Ye need to stop," Leah demanded and put her foot down. "Ye cannae act this way. Are ye a bairn? Nay. So why do ye think that ye can just push and pull people about at whim?"
"I'm the laird."
"So ye are, but does that mean ye have to act like a savage? I've met men far tougher than ye," Leah continued as she pushed down the fear swelling within her. It was one thing to cross the laird, but Killian had pushed one button too many, and she had had enough. "And ye daenae scare me."
"Savage, ye say?" Killian hissed. "That's what ye think I am now? Let me show ye just how savage I can be."
"What are ye doin'? Killian, put me down," Leah demanded as Killian snatched her by the waist. The world spun about as she landed on his shoulder, seeing the world from behind.
"How dare ye," she hissed and began thrashing about. "What is this madness? Ye cannae be doin' this."
"Says who?" Killian asked as he slipped through the tree line. Panic shot through Leah as she watched the gray stones of the castle vanish behind the veil of pine branches.
"Everyone. Ye're nay savage, now put me down," Leah said as Killian came to a sudden stop. Killian pulled her from his shoulder and set her firmly on the ground. His expression was as dark as the storm clouds brewing overhead.
"What on earth gives ye the right to treat people the way ye do? Did yer faither nae teach ye manners?" Leah growled. Killian's eyes narrowed as righteous indignation flashed through his eyes.
"Me faither taught me a great many things," Killian said, malice mingled with disgust as his words spewed at Leah like venom. "Even taught me how to kill."
It wasn't fear that rippled through Leah as Killian began to circle her. She could hear the unspoken words that only pain and torment could bring out. Seeing Killian so wound up gave her cause to pause. She pulled in a long, deep breath and let it out.
"Ye daenae scare me," Leah said in an even tone.
"I should," Killian retorted. "Every man should frighten the likes of ye. Or do ye nae ken how fragile ye really are? I could snuff the light out of yer icy blue eyes with the press of me thumb."
"And why would ye want to?" Leah challenged as she stepped closer. Her heart pounded against its cage as she dared to step closer to the wild beast. Panic shot through Killian's ire like a bolt of lightning shattering through an oak tree. He stumbled back as if her words struck him harder than any battering ram.
"I wouldnae," Killian whispered. The kindness in his eyes left just as quickly as it came. He cleared his throat and stepped closer to her. Leah flashed the same defiant glare he had for her. "Doesnae mean that others won't though."
"Ye need to trust me," Leah said.
"I trust nay one."
"There's yer problem. How can ye live in peace if everyone is yer enemy?"
"Because everyone is," Killian grumbled as he inched closer, crowding Leah.
"I'm nae," she whispered as if his words hurt. And she'd be lying if she said they didn't. There was something about Killian's proximity that caused her skin to tingle. She wanted to reach out and pull him into her. The pain that she could see scarred him more than any battle wound.
