Page 125 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander
“How was the wedding, Damon?” Willow asked quickly, shifting focus down the table.
Damon, who had been watching the entire exchange, was poised and ready to parry.
Och Christ. What is he goin’ to say?
“It was a wedding, Willow. As was yers. Only, there was less blood,” he said and winked.
The double entendre was not lost on anyone at the table, especially Keegan, who choked on his food.
“I see,” Willow murmured, patting her husband on the back absentmindedly, all of a sudden too interested in the couple sitting across from them. “Ye do seem quite the same, Lil.”
Can she tell?
Obviously,her twin flashed in her direction.
“By design,” Damon replied coolly.
“And why is that?” Willow pressed.
“I made a promise, and I keep me promises.”
The servants cleared away the dishes, and the next course was served with efficient silence.
As the last of the staff disappeared, Willow leaned forward with a glint in her eyes. “Ye ken what we need, other than… well…” She looked at her sister with playful disapproval.
Lilith tilted her head. “What? What is it that ye thinkweneed?”
“A cèilidh! A proper one. To truly celebrate yer love. Yearein love, aye?”
Damon raised an eyebrow. “Ye mean another wedding?”
Willow nodded. “I mean, to ye two, it’ll be a second chance at a proper wedding. For the clan, it’ll be a time to celebrate all they’ve conquered and survived through. And ye could invite yer neighbors,” she added, referring to Clan Brahanne.
Lilith’s eyes widened with excitement, and she turned to Damon. “What do ye think?”
Damon considered for a moment, then smirked. “I think ye should plan it.”
Lilith beamed. “Truly?”
“Aye,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I want ye to have the celebration ye deserve.”
Her heart swelled, and she squeezed his hand. “Then I’ll make sure it’s a night to remember.”
The ride back was quiet but charged with emotion. Damon kept her close, his hand brushing against hers whenever the road allowed it, as if ensuring she was still there, still his.
Ryder had taken the lead to clear the brush and give them some semblance of privacy while remaining near.
When the familiar outline of the keep came into view, Lilith exhaled softly. It looked different now—not a cage, but a place where something new, something theirs, could begin.
Damon glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Ye need rest.”
Lilith turned to him. “Ye do too. Ye look like death raked ye over the coals of hell.”
“Christ, woman. I dinnae lookthatterrible, do I?”
A ghost of a smile played on her lips. “Aye, but I dinnae mind it.”
He reached for her hand, his fingers warm against hers. “Come. Our seventh night awaits.”
