“Put on yer ridin’ clothes and meet me at the drawbridge. I leave in a few minutes and willnae wait for longer.”
Her eyes lit up with excitement the moment he agreed, and his heart melted in return.
She beamed and jumped a little. “Thank you,” she whispered and turned away from him.
Killian loved that he made her happy. His insides bubbled with joy because of it, and the resulting flutter in his chest made him almost smile.
Lily took off the robe she wore over her nightdress, and Killian froze in his tracks. She walked around the chamber inher nightdress alone and began gathering her clothes from the drawers.
He knew he had to look away, allow her some privacy…
I am a gentleman.
His honor dangled before him on a thin thread.
When Lily spun around again and found him watching her, he burned with scarlet heat and stormed out of her chamber.
Killian needed all the focus he could muster for this journey, and so he planned to stay as far as possible from Lily.
17
Lily knew she had to get out of his castle. A day ago, she had felt stifled by the incessant pressure building inside her. It had made her want to scream and rage. But now as the heavy gusts of wind ruffled her hair and chilled her skin, she felt alive.
Killian hadn’t said a word to her since the start of their journey. Wehnthor was hours away, and she did not know what lay there. She had promised to fight with him, and she intended to do so.
It was hours before they arrived at Wehnthor. Lily’s heart ached the moment she saw the chaos. Smoke from recent fires put out by the rain still curled up to the blackened skies.
She saw children cuddled up against crying mothers and bodies scattered across the fields. Some men hurried to put out burning flames, and others helped the wounded off the ground.
In all her years, she had never witnessed anything like this. Tears filled her eyes as the sobs and wails erupting from the corners lingered in the sky. She looked over her shoulder at Killian, and saw him dismount his horse and walk towards the field with steady steps.
She was drawn to him, so she jumped off her saddle and approached, slowly taking in the sight before them before she got to his side.
“This is my fault… I should have paid closer attention to the people here,” Killian said in a pained voice as his eyes scanned their surroundings. “For decades, they have suffered at the mercy of the Northern clans. They starve, lose their loved ones and their lives as if they mean nothing. I gave up my place as laird to my brother so I could help them, but there was very little I could do against the other clans. After my brother’s death, I have been more focused on revenge than caring for these people… the people who actually need me.”
Lily’s heart ached for him as he spoke, and she boiled with the need to offer him comfort no matter how little. “This is not your fault, Killian,” she whispered to him in a shaky voice and covered his hand with hers. “You are here now. We will help your people together.”
Killian looked to his side and met her gaze. As they stared at each other, the magnetic pull between them drew her closer to him. Lily was lost in his eyes, and also in the swirl of emotions taking over her heart.
The sudden sound of a horse’s hooves cut through their moment, and Lily sprang apart from him. She turned to see a black stallion heading in their direction, and she drew her sword in preparation.
“It is Fletcher,” Killian told her once the rider drew near. “My man-at-arms.”
The rest of the men he had ridden here with stood in line. Fletcher bowed when he got off his saddle, then looked from Lily to Killian.
“M’laird, I have received word of another attack from our men in the borders. I believe Laird McLennan has sent more men here to Wehnthor to attack.”
Killian frowned. “Are ye sayin’ this raid was not done by the Northern clans?”
“Nay this time, m’laird… This was done by Laird McLennan—”
“No,” Lily cut in, shaking her head as she faced Killian. “Remember what I told you. Duncan—Laird McLennan—would not do a thing like this. I know him, and I trust him… He would not kill so many innocents just to get back at you for taking me.”
Tension ebbed out of Killian as he glanced at her, and she could tell he was torn between trusting her—a stranger and captive he had taken from his enemy’s clan—or his trusted adviser.
“M’laird,” Fletcher began again. “I have proof that this is Laird McLennan. They were wearing his clan colors. If ye check the bodies—some of our enemies lay dead amongst them—ye shall see this for yerself.”
Killian’s jaw hardened. “We dinnae have the time to argue right now. We must protect the people here first,” he finally spoke. “I want one of these men captured alive. I shall interrogate him myself.”
