Page 22 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander
Damon stood near the forge, his back to her. He was shirtless, the muscles in his shoulders and back gleaming with sweat as he worked. New angry wounds caught her eye first, and her heart clenched with worry.
Has he been injured recently? Are those from the attack that Magnus led?
His dark hair clung to his neck, damp with perspiration. In his hands was a sword, its edge catching the firelight as he ran a whetstone along the blade with slow, deliberate strokes.
Lilith’s stomach clenched next, an unfamiliar heat pooling low in her belly. For a moment, she forgot why she’d come. Her mind wandered unbidden,again, to the memory of his mouth on her neck, the way his lips had grazed her skin on their wedding night. She could still feel the ghost of his breath, warm and teasing, as if he were there again, hovering over her.
Her fingers twitched at her sides, and she forced herself to look away, her cheeks burning.
“Are ye just goin’ to stand there?” Damon’s voice broke through her thoughts, deep and rough from exertion.
He hadn’t turned to her, but she could tell he knew exactly who it was.
Lilith straightened, determined not to let him see her flustered. “I came to ask what’s happenin’ in the castle. But it seems ye have been busy… flexing.”
He turned then, and her breath hitched again. His chest was just as impressive as his back, broad and powerful, the lines of his muscles sharp in the firelight. He wiped a hand across his brow, leaving a streak of soot on his skin.
“I’m maintainin’ the clan’s weapons,” he said simply, his gaze steady on hers. “Where is Finley?”
“That doesnae answer me question, does it?” she said, lifting her chin. “Me shadow is just outside, where I left him.”
Damon set the sword down on the workbench and crossed his arms, the motion making his biceps flex in a way that was entirely unfair. “And what question did ye have for me, lass?”
“What happened last night?” she demanded. “Melissa is gone, the servants are on edge, and now I have Finley trailin’ after me like a shadow. I deserve to be told what’s goin’ on.”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he would refuse to answer. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“There was an attack,” he admitted. “It has been dealt with.”
Lilith’s gaze sharpened. “And do ye think that I had somethin’ to do with it?”
The accusation stung, though her tone was calm.
Damon shook his head. “Nay. But I cannae ignore the possibility that someone close to the clan did. Until I ken who was behind it, I’ll be takin’ precautions.”
She studied him for a long moment before nodding, though her vexation was clear. “Then I suggest ye start with yer council or the villagers. Either way, the councilmen are the ones most threatened by yer presence.”
Her words struck a chord, and Damon took a moment to respond to her. His eyes raked over her almost possessively, and he rolled his bottom lip as his intense gaze met hers once more.
“Rest assured, they have been made aware,” he said, his voice steady. “I’ll find the one responsible. And when I do, they’ll regret ever steppin’ foot in this castle.”
Lilith’s gaze softened slightly, though her expression remained guarded. “Good. I’d hate for our marriage to end in tragedy so soon, husband.”
A faint smirk tugged at Damon’s lips despite the tension. “I’ll see to it that it doesnae. Wife.”
She studied him, noting the tension in his shoulders, the flicker of something dark in his eyes. This wasn’t just about the attack—this was personal.
“And Melissa?” she asked quietly.
“I sent her away,” Damon replied. “It’s nae safe for her here.”
Her chest tightened. He chose to send Melissa away for her safety, but he had made the conscious choice not to send his new wife away. They certainly didn’t know each other well enough yet, but Lilith’s chest only tightened further at the thought that he may not have consideredherworth protecting.
“And what about me?” she asked, her voice soft but steady. “What about me safety?”
Damon’s eyes bored into hers, and for a moment, the intense look in them made her forget to breathe. “Ye belong here. That’s why Finley’s with ye,” he said. “He’ll nae leave yer side.”
Lilith bristled. “I dinnae even get a choice? What I need is?—”
