Page 64 of Wicked Kilted Highlander

"Me heart kens it well enough," Darragh muttered, his chest tightening with each breath, and frustration warring within his soul.

"Prove it, then," Harris challenged, his gaze unyielding. "Find the one who's truly responsible fer me daughter's suffering."

"Give me leave tae see her," Darragh demanded, his voice raw with emotion. "Let me stand by her side as I clear me name."

"Ye'll see her when I say so," Harris growled, asserting his authority. "Nae a moment before."

"Fine," Darragh conceded, swallowing the bitter bile that rose in his throat. "But ken this, I will find the truth, and when I dae, ye'll rue the day ye doubted me loyalty tae her."

"Bold words," Harris stated. "We shall see if ye can make them true. If anything happens tae Lara, ye are dead."

"Ye think that'll stop me?" Darragh spat.

"Silence!" Harris roared.

"Let me see her," Darragh pleaded.

"Ye've nae right! Damn ye, Darragh!" the laird growled with frustration.

"Ye cannae keep me from her," Darragh insisted, pain fueling his determination. "I need tae see Lara. I give me word I'll find who did this tae Lara, but ye must let me see her."

"Ye dare make demands of me?" Harris glowered. "After what ye've done? Ye may have fooled Lara, but ye'll never fool me."

"Ye ken I'd never harm her, ye’d said so yerself," Darragh replied, his voice low and steady. "I care fer her more than me own life. I will stand by me wife, and I will find the truth."

"Mark me words, Darragh," Laird MacLean threatened. "If I discover that ye've lied tae me, there'll be nae place in this world where ye can hide from me wrath."

"Then we understand each other," Darragh replied, meeting the laird's gaze without flinching. "Now let me see her."

No sooner had the words left the Darragh’s lips than the heavy study door swung open with a resounding crash. Elsie, Quinn, and Gil stormed in, their faces etched with concern and determination. Standing shoulder to shoulder, they formed a protective barrier before Darragh, daring anyone to challenge them.

"Ye've gone too far, Faither," Quinn growled, his light eyes ablaze with fury. "Darragh's done naught but care fer Lara. We stand by him."

"Let him see her," Elsie chimed in, her gaze unwavering as she stared down her father. The conviction in her voice belied the delicate beauty of her features.

Gil simply nodded, his imposing frame casting an intimidating shadow over the room. His silence spoke volumes, leaving no doubt as to where his allegiance lay.

As Darragh looked upon them, battered and bruised though he was, a flicker of hope ignited within his chest. Their presence contrasted sharply with his own vulnerability, yet there was no questioning the bond that united them. Together, they were a formidable force, one that would not easily be broken.

Harris hesitated, the weight of their shared pain hovering between them like a specter. Finally, he nodded curtly, conceding to his children’s and Darragh's unwavering resolve.

"Aye. But ye best pray she wakes, fer all yer sakes. Stay now, but once she wakes up, I want ye far from here and Lara, MacDonald. Or I promise ye, I will start such a war with yer clan, ye have nae idea," Harris spat, his gaze darting between the trio as if searching for any sign of weakness. "Ye can stay with him. But if Lara disnae wake…"

"Enough threats, Faither, " Gil interrupted, his voice cold and unyielding. "We'll be there, and we'll see this through together."

"Will ye now?" Harris sneered, clearly unconvinced. Despite his reluctance, he stepped aside, allowing Elsie, Quinn, and Gil to join Darragh in his vigil.

"Thank ye," Darragh whispered to them, gratitude mingling with the pain in his eyes. The trio shared a solemn nod, each one silently renewing their promise to stand by him until Lara's fate was revealed.

* * *

As they settled in for the long night ahead in the healer’s chambers, Darragh's thoughts swirled with a dizzying array of emotions. Fear, anger, determination—all vied for dominance within his mind.

The flickering amber glow of the hearth cast shadows on the walls as Gil and Quinn's heads lolled, their breathing deep and rhythmic. They slumped against each other, succumbing to fatigue after a day of relentless challenges. In the dim light, Darragh observed Elsie, her tender eyes filled with fierce resolve. She sat cross-legged beside him, her hand resting gently on his bruised forearm.

"Ye ken ye dinnae need tae stay here," Darragh murmured, his voice hoarse from suppressed emotion. "I dinnae want tae cause ye any distress. Ye're me new wee sister."

"Och, hush ye," she replied, her tone soft, yet unyielding. "Lara is me sister, and ye're, well, ye're like a brother tae me now, are ye nae?" Her eyes shimmered with sincerity. "We're in this together, aye?"