Page 85 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander
“But it was a game that they had to win to marry ye?”
“It sounds strange, right? I wasnae too happy about it, at first. I didnae want to marry anyone, let alone someone I’d never metbefore who won me like some prized cattle. But yer uncle… well, he was different.”
“How?”
“He didnae compete for the same reasons the others did,” Erica said thoughtfully. “Most of the men were there for power, land, or glory. Yer uncle… well he competed for ye.”
“For me?” Lily’s mouth fell slightly open.
Erica nodded. “He told me as much. He’d lost so much already—his family, his sense of peace—and all he cared about was keepin’ ye safe. He wanted a maither figure for ye, someone who could connect with ye and care for ye in ways he couldnae. That’s why he fought so hard to win.”
Lily tilted her head, her brow furrowed. “But he doesnae show that he cares in that way.”
“Nay, he doesnae,” Erica agreed, a warmth spreading through her chest. “At first, I thought he was cold, distant. But when I saw him in the games… I could tell there was more to him. He fought fiercely, nae just with his strength but with his heart. He had a purpose that none of the others had.”
Lily’s lips curled into a soft smile. “He can be fierce. Like when he talks to the guards.”
Erica laughed softly. “Aye, he can. But he has a soft spot for ye. I noticed it even before we got married.”
“But he also has a soft spot for ye, Aunt Erica,” Lily pointed out quietly, her gaze dropping to her lap. “Like when he carried ye to the healer. He didnae even let ye walk. He stayed with ye the whole time, even when the healer said ye would be fine.”
Erica’s breath hitched, her heart swelling at the memory. It had been their first real kiss. “Aye, lass. He may nae say the words, or if he does, they may be clumsy. But his actions speak louder.”
“I think he does things to make ye happy.”
“Aye, I can see that he also does things to makeyehappy. He will take on the entire world to ensure ye are safe. He willnae let anythin’ happen to ye, and neither will I.”
Lily sniffled against her shoulder, her small hands clutching her dress. “I dinnae want to lose either of ye.”
“Ye willnae, sweetlin’,” Erica promised, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. “We are a family now. And family protect each other.”
The girl’s breathing eventually evened out, and Erica eased her back against the pillows. “How about a story to help ye sleep?” she offered, brushing a hand over Lily’s hair.
Lily nodded, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
Erica reached for one of the books on the bedside table, flipping through its worn pages until she found Lily’s favorite tale about a brave heroine who faced impossible odds. She began to read, her voice soft and soothing, and it wasn’t long before Lily’s eyes fluttered shut, her face peaceful once more.
Erica stayed for a while, watching over her. When she was certain the girl was sound asleep, she kissed her forehead and slipped out of the room. She made her way back through the secret passage to Hunter’s chambers. The narrow stone corridor was cool and quiet, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows on the walls.
When she stepped into Hunter’s chambers, she was surprised to find him there. He wasn’t in the study or pacing the halls as she had expected. Instead, he stood near the hearth, his broad shoulders tense as he stared into the dying flames.
He turned around when he heard her enter, the look in his gray eyes undecipherable.
“Hunter,” she said softly.
“Erica,” he murmured.
The air between them was heavy with unspoken works. Erica hesitated for a moment before moving toward the bed. Hunter followed, his movements slow and deliberate, and soon they were lying side by side, their backs to one another.
“Good night, husband,” Erica said and pulled the blanket up over her shoulder.
“Good night, wife,” he replied softly, shifting slightly the find a more comfortable position.
The silence was deafening, yet neither of them broke it.
Erica’s thoughts raced as she lay there, her body rigid with uncertainty. She didn’t know what to make of this newfound closeness, this quiet truce that seemed to hover between them.
Sleep eventually claimed her, but in the small hours of the morning, she woke up briefly to find Hunter’s arm draped over her waist, his chest warm against her back.
