Will she still adore her brother if she finds out the kind of man he truly is? A man that would kidnap someone and force them away from their home?
Lily was still contemplating her thoughts when Niamh began to ask questions.
“But ye two are in love, right? I mean… his council has mentioned he should take a bride, and then he… He has never mentioned marryin’. Killian has always been the quiet one. He loves to explore and—”
“There shall be no wedding,” Lily cut in because she did not want to hear any more talk about love and weddings.
She needed to make sure Niamh did not nurse any silly thoughts about her and Killian. She could barely even stand the man, and she hated his guts.
“But not his kisses,”the voice in her head reminded her, making her blush furiously when an image of them kissing in that tiny inn’s chamber flashed in her mind.
His lips had been so soft, so warm. Her entire body had craved more of the sensations that had swam through her because of his touch.
What would it feel like to do more than just kiss him?
Lily began to imagine his kisses trailing down her neck and her hands exploring the hard muscles of his chest—
She jerked to her feet and began pacing up and down her chamber. “I need to speak with the laird,” she said. “I need to speak to him right now.”
Niamh looked shocked as she rose to her feet. “Shall I send for him, or… Let us go to his study. I understand ye two must discuss the weddin’ plans and the—”
Lily smiled, realizing Niamh could help her get what she wanted if she pretended that she was, indeed, going to marry Killian. “Take me to him, please. We, indeed, have a lot to discuss.”
“Aye… Come with me.” Niamh seemed excited as she took Lily’s hand. She opened the door, and Lily saw three guards stationed in the hallway, next to her chamber.
“Milady,” one of them greeted and immediately came forward. “She isnae allowed to leave the chamber.”
“She isnae a prisoner, Jacob,” Niamh said in a gentle voice and smiled as the guard bowed his head to her again. “I shall take her to my brother. They have to discuss their engagement and the weddin’.”
Niamh stepped forward, but the guard blocked her path, and the two others circled them. Lily knew she could take the guards down with ease, but that would only scare Niamh, and she didn’t want the girl to be afraid of her.
What do I do?
She had to speak with Killian. One more second doing nothing in that chamber or listening to Niamh talk about flowers and weddings would make her lose her mind.
If I am his prisoner, then he better keep me locked up and treat me like an actual prisoner.
“Jacob,” Niamh protested when the guard would not budge.
Lily put her hand on Niamh’s shoulder. “Let me handle this,” she whispered, then made her step aside. “Sir, if you would just let us through. I need to speak with the Laird.”
When she took a step towards the man, he raised a hand to keep her from getting closer. “Stay back,” he ordered.
Lily’s lips curved into a mischievous smile before she said, “I do not take orders, especially from men like you.”
Without a second thought, she grabbed his wrist, twisted it around till he yelped in pain, and then kicked him in the back so he crumbled to the floor. She heard Niamh’s loud gasp, and as the other two men came towards her, she grabbed Niamh, put her right arm around her neck, and pressed hard as if she was trying to suffocate her.
“Take one more step, and I will snap her neck,” Lily threatened, making both men freeze in their tracks.
Niamh broke into a sob, and Lily’s heart clenched with regret for what she was doing, but she was desperate.
“I am sorry I have to do this. I would never really hurt you,” she whispered in Niamh’s ear. “But I need to speak with your brother, and these men will not let us through. I have no other choice.”
Niamh whimpered again and muffled a sob as Lily looked at the guards again. “I want to speak to the laird, and I suggest your two go get him.”
One of the guards hurried away while the other one stayed, his sword drawn and his stance ready to pounce. Killian returned with the guard in a few seconds, and once Lily saw him, she released Niamh and let her scramble away.
“What is this chaos about?” Killian queried in a thunderous voice that spiked her pulse a little. His eyes were red, and the hard set of his jaw showed his anger. “Ye dinnae hurt my sister, ever!”
