By the time Ava came back down, the kitchen was clean, and Noah had settled into the worn chair in the sitting room, his mind already on tomorrow’s journey.
“She’s asleep,” Ava said softly, moving to the small chest against the wall. She began pulling out clothing, folding it carefully. “I need to finish packin’ me things.”
Noah watched her work, noting the sparse collection of her belongings. A few dresses, all well-worn and carefully mended. A hairbrush with missing bristles. A shawl so threadbare it probably offered little warmth. This was everything she owned in the world, and it barely filled half the chest.
“Did ye say goodbye to yer family today?” The question came out before he’d fully formed it. “I didnae see ye visit anyone.”
Ava’s hands stilled on the dress she was folding. Her spine went rigid.
“Nay.”
“Nay family at all? No parents, siblings?”
“Nay.” The word was abrupt and final. She continued folding with swift, angry movements.
“Ava—”
“I said nay.” She didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes fixed on the dress in her hands, her fingers gripping the fabric too tightly. “There’s nay need to say goodbye to people who daenae care for ye.”
Noah stood, moving closer.
“What happened?”
“Nothin’ that concerns ye.” Ava shoved the folded dress into her pack with unnecessary force.
“If ye’re comin’ to live at me castle, under me protection, it concerns me.” Noah stopped a few feet away, watching her carefully. “What happened with yer family?”
“I left. That’s all ye need to ken.”
But as she said it, her right hand moved unconsciously to her left arm, rubbing at a spot just above her elbow. The gesture was instinctive.
Noah’s eyes tracked the movement. Watched her fingers press against that specific spot, saw the way her jaw clenched as she did it. A scar. She was rubbing an old scar.
And Noah’s blood went cold.
Someone had put their hands on her, left a mark, and made her flinch at the mere mention of family. And now, years later, she still reached for that spot whenever memories surfaced.
“Did someone hurt ye?” His voice dropped to something dangerous.
“It’s none of yer business.”
“Did. Someone. Hurt. Ye.”
Ava finally turned to face him, her eyes blazing. “What does it matter? It was years ago! I left when I was sixteen, and I’ve nae looked back since.”
“Who was it?” Noah took a step closer, his hands clenching into fists. “Yer father? Brother? Tell me their names.”
“Why?” Ava laughed, but there was no humor in it. “So ye can ride off and avenge me honor like some hero from a ballad? I daenae need yer protection, me Laird. I’ve been protectin’ meself just fine for years.”
“Ye shouldnae have had to.” They were close now, close enough that he could see the gold flecks in her green eyes, the faint scar on her chin he’d never noticed before. “Ye work for me now. Ye’re under me protection. That means anyone who’s hurt ye answers to me.”
“I daenaebelongto ye,” Ava shot back, lifting her chin defiantly. “I’m yer employee, nae yer property.”
“Ye’re one of mine.” Noah’s voice dropped to a growl. “The moment I claimed ye as part of me household, ye became mine to protect. And anyone who harms what’s mine dies.”
“That’s... Ye cannae just say things like that,” Ava sputtered, caught between outrage and something else. “I’m nae some possession ye can claim!”
“Too late, lass.” Noah stepped even closer, invading her space. “The claim’s already been made. There’s nay turnin’ back from it.”
