Page 10 of Taken By the Exiled Laird

Theon frowned. He didn't look back at Briana, but there was an undercurrent of annoyance in his tone as he replied, "Any daughter of yers must be very blessed indeed. I'm sure ye undersell her blessin's, as I've nae doubt ye grant her only the finest tutors and lessons in ladyship."

Briana stared at him, wondering what his tone meant. What was he saying? She didn't have any of those things. She'd had a governess when she was very young, and her mother had ensured she knew how to read and count and play music, but when Lady Cameron died, all of that had ended. Her father had been very clear that women had no need to waste resources learning when their role was to serve their husbands.

Laird Cameron smiled. "Me daughter is given everythin' she could possibly ask for."

Theon's answering smile and nod were strangely sardonic. He glanced at Briana, and the warmth she'd seen before seemed to have vanished. "Aye. Of that I have nae doubt."

"Briana, go tae yer brother. Tell him I sent ye, and that he's tae keep an eye on ye until I am free," her father ordered.

It was as though he had poured a bucket of iced water over her head. A chill ran down Briana's spine. When they were alone together, her older brother Iain was generally gentler with her, though the friendship they'd had as children had lessened more and more over time. But he would not defend her when their father approached.

Stiffly, she nodded. Arguing would only make it worse. "Aye, Father. Forgive me intrusion." She turned to Theon and bowed her head. "And ye, sir. Me sincerest apologies."

Theon nodded at her. As she walked away, she heard him speak.

"Dinnae be too harsh on the lass, M'Laird. She's a bonny wee thing, and there's nae harm done," he said. "May I return our conversation tae me father's gifts?"

Later that night, Briana winced as Anna gently applied the salve to the angry bruise on her ribs. It would be hidden by her clothing in the morning, but it would serve as a painful reminder of her trespass for some time, aching every time she breathed too hard until it healed. Iain had protested slightly as her father doled out the punishment, but he'd fallen silent at a single look from the Laird and stood up for her no more afterward. He'd even agreed, when it was over, that Briana needed to be taught her place.

Noah Black had been the one to find her afterward, and his pity had stung almost as much as her father's punishment. At seventeen, he was already high in the command chain of her father's soldiers, essentially the de facto second-in-command. He never showed her any favor where he could be seen, but he always snuck her little treats or cheered her up when they were alone, and in her heart he'd become the brother that Iain had once been. He didn't ask any questions, just carried her to her room and fetched Anna before leaving, his face drawn and his eyes dark. Tomorrow, he'd come and check on her, she knew, but they'd never discuss what had happened.

The strangest thing, though, was that despite the pain in her heart and body, Briana couldn't help but smile even as Anna treated her wounds. The MacKenzie heir had been nothing like she imagined. She knew the MacKenzies were brutes, only members of the alliance because it was better to hold them close than allow their dark plotting to go unchecked. But Theon had defended her, helped her, and been as handsome as a prince in a story. She could still feel those warm hands supporting her and see that enchanting half-smile.

"Are ye all right? I'm bein' as gentle as I can," Anna said, frowning as she examined the injury. "The salve should help with the healin', but it will hurt for some time."

"It doesnae matter," Briana told her. "There's nae harm done." Excitedly, she grabbed Anna's hands. "Oh, I hope Theon MacKenzie visits us again soon. I'll make a better impression next time, ye'll see. And I ken that we'll strengthen the alliance that Father's been so worried about, too. It'll solve everythin'."

Anna smiled at her enthusiasm but looked confused more than anything else. "What do ye mean?"

Briana's heart felt lighter than it had in years as she said, "Dinnae ye see, Anna? It will make everythin' better—Theon MacKenzie will be me husband some day. And we'll all finally be happy."

The sun was rising, and Briana stirred from the half-asleep memory with a deep pain in her heart and shame weighing her stomach down. What a fool she had been!

She'd been just a child, a stupid child, who had painted an idea of a prince onto a man who could never be anything other than a brute. Perhaps that could have been an excuse, except…

Except even after she'd learned the truth about the MacKenzies after their betrayal—even after she knew for sure that they were murderous monsters who had planned to kill her whole clan in their bed—the hatred she felt toward him had still been tempered by the memory of that moment. Logically, she knew that Theon MacKenzie was nothing but a monster, but when she'd seen him in her carriage after all these years, she'd returned to being a hopeful little girl for just a moment.

Well, he'd shown her the truth. He was everything she'd come to know of the MacKenzies and more. He hadn't hurt her, but only because she had value to him of some sort, she was sure of it. Did he intend to claim her? She'd briefly thought he wanted her as his wife, which felt ridiculous now, but it occurred to her that his intentions could be much more sinister.

Well, whatever the case, she would fight. Even if it cost her everything, she would fight him and survive. She'd promised her mother on her deathbed that she would go on no matter what, and she would not break that promise now.

A shadow fell over her, and she glanced up, expecting to see Graeme. Instead, Theon stood there, like a silhouette in the rising morning sun. He seemed to shine as the rays hit him, and for just a second he was the same man from her most precious, ridiculous memory.

Then he crouched closer to her, and he was the Theon from yesterday again—rough, bearded, and shrouded with a darkness that seemed to emanate from every pore. This man was dangerous, and her heart raced wildly as he surveyed her with those gray eyes.

She didn't speak, and neither did he. He drew a knife, and Briana's stomach lurched. A knife? She did not even merit a sword? She wanted to fight, but Graeme's knots were tight and she couldn't move. There was no hope. She swallowed and closed her eyes as he leaned in, hoping he would at least make it quick.

Theon sliced down and the ropes fell away. Briana opened her eyes and stared at him, uncomprehending for a moment. He grunted and straightened up, then offered his hand to help her to her feet. She refused it, batting his hand away and struggling to her feet herself, though her back and legs ached and it took her a few times to stand.

"Ye've been sobbin' again," Theon said, frowning. He put down the wooden tray he was holding on a rock and wiped her face with his own tartan. "Believe it or nae, I've nae interest in causin' yer tears."

"Ye've a funny way of showin' that," she snapped back. Humiliation burned within her that he had seen her cry, and it only flared brighter when he dusted away the leaves and dirt that had settled on her skirts. "What game is this? Have ye nae come tae kill me?"

Theon arched a dark eyebrow. "Are ye always so dramatic?"

"Dramatic! Ye stole me from me carriage and killed me betrothed's cousin yesterday! Then ye left me tied tae a tree! What else am I tae think but that me life is in danger?" she snapped. She knew that it would be more sensible to be quiet and obedient, but her temper exploded from her. "I willnae be played with by the likes of ye!"

He scoffed. "I brought ye broth and ale."