"Killian," Leah whispered the name as if it were something sacred to be cherished.
"Daenae say anythin'," he panted next to her as he toiled with his kilt and tossed it off him the moment the straps came undone. "Let us just savor this moment."
Leah nodded as Killian shifted. She rolled into the nook of his arm and found her place at his side. Her heart ached, knowing what the morning would bring. But as Killian played with her hair, Leah couldn't help but be lulled to sleep. In the warmth of Killian's embrace, Leah let the world fall away.
33
Leah's hair drifted through the tips of Killian's fingers as he stared at the wooden beams of his ceiling. His mind was troubled as he warred with himself. Leah stirred beside him, nuzzling her face into his side. She was far more comforting next to him than he expected.
"Why can I nae tell ye to stay?" Killian whispered. He knew there was no way she was listening to him. Her dreams had taken her to a happy place far from the likes of him and this place, no doubt. She stirred next to him as her face scrunched to a pout that made Killian want to laugh. How she managed to steal his heart was beyond him. Yet, there was no doubt in his mind or soul that she would be the best person to have his heart if he gave it away.
"I love ye, Leah." His confession drifted on the breeze and floated out the open window as if he had never said them. He glanced at Leah, half expecting her to have woken. But she turned her back to him and drew the pillow to her chest.
"It's because of that, I cannae be selfish with ye. I have to let ye go. The council is in an uproar and me enemies have increased. I cannae keep ye safe. Maybe one day, ye'll understand, and ye'll see that I did ye a favor by releasin' ye."
Killian felt his chest tightening with each word he spoke. And while Leah remained motionless at his side, he couldn't help but wonder if somehow she heard and understood everything he said. The decision to slip out of the bed was the most difficult choice Killian had ever made. With Leah's warm body inviting him to linger a bit longer, and remain complacent wasn't settling. If he was ever going to have a future, he was going to need a council that would trust him, not work against him.
"Goodbye, Leah," Killian mumbled as he eased away from Leah and rolled off the bed. He held his breath as he waited for her to show some sign that she was aware he was leaving. But when she remained fast asleep, Killian took his leave.
Grabbing his kilt and his belt with his dirk and sword, Killian tiptoed to the door. Stealing one more glimpse over his shoulder, Killian made sure to sear the image of Leah naked in his bed to memory. He eased the door shut, trying to keep it from moaning as it closed. The last thing he wanted was to wake Leah when she had been through so much as it was.
Making his way down the hallway, Killian secured his clothes. The halls were quiet, as long shadows stretched across the walls. With each step, Killian felt a little bit of his soul dying.
"Fraser," Killian barked through the servant quarters. "Arouse the council members, now."
"Me laird?"
"Ye heard me, awaken the council and have them meet in the Great Hall."
"Tis nae mornin', I doubt any of them will show," Fraser answered as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Then tell them they will have a date with the edge of a blade to the back of their necks. I'm tired of the lot of them. They can all hang for all I care and I'll build a council who will all be in line with me vision."
Fraser's eyes widened with shock as he threw on his shirt and stepped up to meet Killian at the door.
"This should be interestin'," Fraser mumbled as he started down the hall. Killian watched as he noticed the young lass hiding in Fraser's bed. A small smirk tugged at his lips as he walked away.
"Traitors heads will roll tonight." Killian's voice echoed through the hall, awaking all who heard him.
Pacing the length of the Great Hall, Killian waited. With each passing moment, his impatience grew and festered. After some time, the doors opened, and Killian watched as the council members spilled through, confusion riddling their faces.
"What is this? Why have ye dragged us to a meetin' at this hour?" Edward barked grumpily as he looked about, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Is this everyone?" Killian asked Fraser the moment Fraser entered the room.
"Aye, except for two," Fraser answered as Killian counted the number of guards filling the hallway.
"Two? Who?" Killian asked as the council member's mumbles filled the room with their chatter.
"Sean and Alan," Fraser answered. Killian's eyes widened.
"Alan? Are ye sure?"
"I went to every house, pulled every man from his bed and dragged them here," Fraser said. "There was nay sign of Alan when I went to his place. It was as if he never lived there."
"That makes nay sense," Killian said. "He would have told me if he was takin' a trip."
"Unless…" Fraser said, jarring Killian. It was a small word, but it was enough to cause tremors through Killian.
