Thinking of Peter filled Killian with an onslaught of emotions he did not want to deal with at the moment. He hated his brother’s death, he regretted leaving, and most importantly, he wanted revenge.
Fletcher Gillies, his man-at-arms, stood a little distance from them, and as Killian hugged his sister again, he caught his questioning gaze.
“Ye have brought a guest?” Niamh asked a moment later and moved from Killian to Lily. “Welcome,” she squealed as she flung her arms around her for a hug. “Ye shall enjoy yer stay here in MacColl Keep. I shall make certain of it.”
Lily did not return Niamh’s dazzling smile.
Niamh had always had a bright spirit, and she was able to make Killian smile every time she was around. But, apparently, that didn’t work with Lily. Her expression stayed stony the entire time Niamh beamed at her.
Killian walked to his sister and took her hand. “Niamh, this is Lily,” he began. “Lily, this is my sister, Niamh. She shall keep ye company in my keep and help ye with anythin’ ye want.”
“It is a pleasure to meet ye, Lily,” Niamh said again with much enthusiasm and tried to take Lily’s hand, but Lily snatched her hand back and maintained her cold exterior.
Niamh did not seem offended by this, she simply smiled again and faced Killian. “I shall take her to the guest chambers and have the servants prepare her a bath, fresh clothes and some soup to keep her warm.”
“Good,” Killian said. “Thank ye, sister. I have matters to attend to, so I shall speak with ye later.” He leaned forward and kissed his sister’s forehead, then spared Lily one more glance and found her staring at him hard. “Go with my sister and try nae to kill anyone in the meantime.”
“I can make no promises,” Lily bit back, just as he was expecting her to.
He was getting used to her disagreeable personality, and he liked how she stood up to him at every chance. He loved it, actually.
Nodding, Killian suppressed a smile at her reply, then walked away from them while motioning for Fletcher to follow him.
They made it to the keep and were only a small distance away from Niamh and Lily when Fletcher asked in confusion, “Who is the lady, m’laird? What have ye done?”
Killian opened the door to his study, entered and waited for Fletcher to come in and lock the door.
“M’laird,” Fletcher began again, his tone hushed and his expression scrunched into one of worry. “What have ye done? Who is the lady?”
“She was supposed to be Laird McLennan’s sister,” Killian revealed.
They had discussed his plan before leaving, and Fletcher had advised against kidnapping Laird McLennan’s sister, but Killian hadn’t heeded that advice because he needed this revenge.
I need it so I can let go and move on.
“What did ye do?” Fletcher asked, his face pale, his eyes wide and rounded as if he was about to panic. “What do ye mean ‘supposed to’?’”
“I kidnapped the wrong lady. That lady with Niamh is a maid, and a dangerous one too. She killed the men I went with and nearly took me down twice. She is a warrior, and she has given me hell since the moment we set out for MacColl.”
Killian ran his fingers through his hair with force as he rambled on. “I cannae seem to control her. She doesnae listen to me or take orders or…” He stopped, scoffed, and smoothed a hand over his face when he realized he was grinning.
Fletcher’s silence echoed through the room and made Killian wonder what he would say now.
“M’laird, kidnappin’ the lass was a wrong move. We will only start a war with Clan McLennan. Are ye sure ye’re ready for that?”
“I dinnae care for any of that. I care to see Laird McLennan on his knees. He must pay for what he did to my brother.”
Killian was exhausted from the journey and his injury, but it was not just the journey that had made him tired. Lily had drained most of his energy with her constant antics. There had never been a relaxing moment with her.
As he found himself a quaich and poured his best whiskey to drink, he thought of the kiss again. His mind wandered to how she had moaned into his mouth and trembled in his arms.
She is trouble.
“What do ye intend to do with her now?” Fletcher asked after sighing. He kept his disapproving look as Killian sighed and shook his head.
“I dinnae ken,” Killian answered. “In the meantime, we should make sure she stays in the castle and doesnae try to escape. She has tried more than once already, and I have a feelin’ this isnae the end of it.”
“I shall have guards stationed in front of her chamber at all times. Do ye think it is a good idea to leave her with Niamh? Yer sister is rather delicate, and the lady might be dangerous. Ye shouldnae leave them both together.”
