Page 33 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander
“Aye.” Her tone was clipped. “He’s a good man. Loyal. If there’s trouble in the village, he’ll be the first to stand against it.”
Damon was quiet for a moment, his focus turning back to the road. “We’ll find him,” he said finally, his voice softer than she had expected.
The village came into view minutes later, and Lilith’s heart sank at the sight of it. Smoke still lingered in the air, curling up from charred wood. Villagers moved about with frantic energy, dousing smoldering embers and checking on livestock.
As soon as they dismounted, Lilith felt the tension in the air shift. Eyes turned to them, wary and uncertain. She could see it in their expressions—the suspicion, the fear. Damon stood tall, his presence commanding as always, but it was clear that his arrival did little to ease their concerns.
She stepped forward before he could speak, her voice clear and steady. “What happened here?”
One of the villagers, Cameron, stepped forward hesitantly. He was a broad-shouldered man with graying hair, his face lined with worry.
Lilith leaned toward Damon’s ear to let him know who the man was before he started speaking. “Cameron Torranach is the Branloch village leader.”
“Brigands,” Cameron said, his voice rough. “Came out of nowhere. We fought them off, but…” he trailed off, his gaze flicking to Damon before returning to Lilith. “It wasnae easy.”
Lilith nodded, glancing around.
Damon spoke next. “Is everyone accounted for?”
Cameron hesitated again, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Ryder. He’s hurt.”
Lilith’s stomach clenched.
Ryder?
As if sensing her unease, Damon asked firmly, “Where is the man? Who can take us to him?”
“He is just there, at Kelly Cottage,” Cameron replied, pointing to a road leading out of the village.
Lilith moved first, and Damon followed her, as did most of the villagers.
As they walked, Lilith couldn’t help but notice the way the other villagers looked at Damon—some with open mistrust, others with thinly veiled anger.
“They blame ye,” she murmured to him.
He didn’t look at her, his jaw tight. “I can see that.”
Lilith stopped suddenly, turning to face him. “Let me help.”
He furrowed his brow. “What are ye talkin’ about?”
“They trust me,” she said, her voice low. “Let me say something.”
For a moment, Damon looked like he might argue, but then he gave a curt nod. “Fine, if ye think it’ll help. But make it quick.”
She stepped forward, raising her voice so that the nearby villagers could hear. “Listen to me,” she began, her tone firm. “I ken ye’re scared. I ken ye’re angry. But Laird McCallum and I are here to help. Our Laird has provided everything ye need, and he will make sure ye are safe.”
“Aye,” Damon said, stepping up to meet her, his arm wrapping around her waist. “Mrs. Bryant is here with two other healers. And Finley is leadin’ the efforts with some of the other guards from the Keep to help rebuild. More help is on the way. Smith has ordered the kitchen maids to make pastries. They’ll be here first thing in the morning. Ye shouldnae fash about anythin’ tonight. Just each other. Let us help ye take care of the rest.”
There was a murmur of uncertainty among the crowd, but Lilith pressed on.
“I’ve kenned ye all me life.” Her gaze swept over the familiar faces. “Trust me now as ye always have.”
Slowly, the tension began to ease.
Cameron nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank ye, Me Lady. Me Laird.”
Damon’s gaze lingered on her for a moment and she thought she saw a flicker of admiration in his eyes, but then let out a breathy chuckle of relief to ease the tension.
