“If we do this, we do this right,” he said to Fletcher as she continued staring out at the maps laid out before him.
He had no reason to hold back now. Not after their prisoner confirmed the identity of their attacker.
Laird McLennan has to pay for all his crimes!
The anger fueling Killian was enough to keep him focused on the meeting for longer. When it was finally over and his councilmen dispersed for the day, he joined the soldiers on the field for training.
Lily was amongst them when he got there. Her hair was tied into a bun, and her stance was as rigid as ever. She trained with the rest of the men, not failing to meet every stride.
Killian saw when she fell to the back and dropped her hands to her knees so she could catch her breath. He tried to ignore her presence, but it was impossible. She was still panting when he got to her.
“Are ye all right?”
It took a moment before Lily raised her head to look at him. She was still panting, and she swept her tongue over her lips before sighing. “I am all right.”
She sounded cold, and Killian worried whether she wasreallyall right. He thought of what had happened between them all night, even if he had ordered her to go to her room immediately after.
To protect her.
“All right,” he whispered, cleared his throat, then turned to walk away, but her next words stopped him in his tracks.
“You did not have to do it.”
“What?” Killian spun back around to face her and met her gaze when she hiked her chin up.
“Last night… you sent me away like I am some disease you want to stay from after we—” She blew air through her lips, then combed her fingers through her hair. “You sent me away like it did not mean anything.”
“Lily…” The weight on Killian’s chest increased. “I dinnae think ye are a disease.”
“But you treat me like I am. Last night was—”
“I sent ye away for yer own good, Lily. I have been tryin’ to send ye away for yer own good because if ye’re here… if ye stay here and somethin’ happens to ye…”
“I can handle myself, Killian.”
“I ken that, but I cannae!” Killian yelled the words before realizing it.
He gasped for air as his eyes searched hers, and every feeling he had kept bottled up since the start of the day came rushing to the surface. His chest ached as he drew in deep breaths.
Last night had been magical. He wanted many more last nights, and if he could have them with Lily, then he would take that chance in a heartbeat.
“Killian,” Lily murmured just before reaching out to touch his hand, “we protect each other.”
He saw tears in her eyes, and that broke his heart. “Ye really want to stay here with me? And fight against yer own people? Fight against Laird McLennan?”
Lily’s eyes did not flinch from his as she answered, “I will fight with you, Killian.”
He angled his body towards her some more, and she breathed out. Her scent filled his lungs, and for a moment, Killian wished he was not at war.
“M’laird,” Fletcher called before he could say anything else to her.
Killian spun around to face his man-at-arms, and the panicked look on his face was enough to send a shot of adrenaline right through him.
“Laird McLennan sent men to attack. They have crossed the borders into our land, and they are raidin’ Wehnthor as we speak. He made the first move, m’laird. This is war.”
Killian combed his fingers through his hair, then nodded. “Send our men. I shall lead them. We fight off Laird McLennan’s men while plannin’ our attack. We are ready for this. We fight and defend ourselves.”
After Fletcher walked away, Lily touched Killian’s hand again, and he turned towards her. “So, we march to Wehnthor?”
