But damned if he’d let the man get closer to Taryn. He shoved Connor against the hard dirt of the Great Chamber. A fist cracked across his face, and the pain of the answering blow was nothing at all. This was about defending her honor.
Yet when he risked a glance at Taryn, he saw only horror on her face. “Stop this, please,” she pleaded. “I don’t want either of you to be hurt.”
A trickle of blood formed at Connor’s lip. “You could kiss me to make it better.” Then he grinned and reached out a hand to Killian. With great reluctance, he helped the MacEgan up.
“Kiss her again, and I’ll make you unconscious,” Killian swore. Dimly, he was aware of his sore jaw and a bleeding nose.
Connor clapped him on the back and said, “The Lady Taryn can choose which of us she prefers.”
“I don’t prefer either of you,” she answered. “It was foolish for you to fight.” She turned away, walking toward the back of the gathering space. Her cheeks were red, and she lowered her face as she retreated.
Killian felt certain that she wouldn’t return if he let her go, so he caught her by the wrist. “Come with me.”
“I don’t want to,” she protested. “Just leave me alone.”
But he ignored her and drew her back toward a corner of the room, pulling out two low chairs for them to sit upon. Aye, she was angry with him right now. But he wasn’t about to let her go off alone. Not yet.
“You do look beautiful tonight,” he said in a low voice.
“You humiliated me in front of everyone,” she whispered. “All of them were staring at me. It wasn’t right.”
He reached for her hand, but instead of taking his palm, she reached out to touch his swollen jaw. The gentle path of her fingers sent a roaring heat through his skin.
“He kissed you, Taryn. I couldn’t stand there and let him do that.” Though he knew that it was only flirtation on Connor’s part, he couldn’t understand the dark feelings of possession that had overcome him.
“You have no claim upon me,” she argued, looking down at her lap.
“Don’t I?” He reached out, sliding his hand through her hair. “Is it Connor MacEgan that you’re wanting?”
She turned to look at him, and her blue eyes held confusion. “You weren’t fighting over me because you found me beautiful. You were fighting because you want part of my kingdom. If I had nothing at all, you would not even look at me.”
It troubled him to know that she believed it. But more than that, she was wrong. “I would strike down any man who tried to touch you. And land has nothing to do with it.”
Her eyes welled up, but she did not shed the tears. “I don’t believe you.” This time, when she stood up, he let her go.
His mind was muddled from the mead, and he was now beginning to feel the effects of the fight. Taryn walked toward the entrance, but the Queen stopped her from returning upstairs. They spoke together quietly, and Killian didn’t miss Isabel’s iron stare.
He leaned back against the stone wall, wondering why he’d reacted as violently as he had. Was it because he’d indeed formed a claim upon Taryn? Was it because he wanted her to belong to him, regardless of the land?
Her accusation, that he would not even look at her if she had no wealth, was wrong. It was a startling truth, to realize thathe’d have done the same, even if she’d been naught but a serving maid.
Harold came padding toward him, weaving around his legs. Killian reached down to rub the animal’s ears. The feline reached his paws up and nudged him.
Given the direction his life was going, he soon would have only animals for his companions. He needed a way of bridging the distance with Taryn, a way of regaining her trust.
He lifted the cat under his arm, intending to travel back to the tower, when he heard a slight commotion at the back of the Chamber.
The crowd shifted, and he spied Trahern MacEgan emerging, his tall form lightly dusted with snow.
And holding his hand was Carice.
Trahern MacEgan was supporting Lady Carice as she walked forward, and his expression was grim. He was a giant of a man with dark hair and a dark beard. Though he smiled warmly at his brothers and at the Queen, Taryn didn’t miss the shadow in his eyes.
“Both of us are in need of food,” he called out as he helped Lady Carice walk forward. Though the woman braved a smile, it didn’t meet her eyes. Something must have happened on their journey.
Killian hurried forward and embraced Lady Carice. The young woman appeared better, but she was still pale and shivering. They spoke quietly for a moment, and Carice ruffled Killian’s hair the way a sister would.
When her gaze passed toward Taryn, there was an unreadable expression upon her face. Carice leaned upon Killian now asshe walked, while Trahern went to speak with the King. He was leading her toward the dais, but she beckoned for Taryn to join them. It wasn’t clear why, but she obeyed the silent request.
