Page 21 of Taken By the Devilish Highlander
“One of her favorites was giving birth. She sat me on her lap as we watched the mother sheep struggle and push. I remember asking if we should help her, but she said mothers ken what to do without any help. She said nature must work without anyone interfering. I can still remember her words: ‘Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Both things are beautiful.’”
He was surprised to see tears in Feya’s eyes. But Archer didn’t feel sad about his mother. Though he missed her, he didn’t dwell on the what-ifs. He only appreciated what she had given him during the time they were together.
“She sounds special,” Feya said, and she reached out a hand to squeeze Archer’s wrist. Her touch was warm, making every corner of his body spark in response. Those tearful eyes turned up to him, and suddenly, he saw something else behind her sadness. Something more dangerous, more eager.
A noise in the hallway startled them both, and Feya pulled her hand away from him. Archer caught a flash of Ayla’s tall frame hovering in the doorway, though she quickly tucked herself out of sight. He shook his head at his sister, but he didn’t feel angry with her. Something about these memories of the past reminded him of the good times with Ayla—good times he wanted back.
“I think I have someone to speak to,” he told Feya, who nodded at him.
“And I must get back to the healing chamber. I have a new tonic for ye to try. Will ye come find me when ye are done?”
“Aye,” he nodded. He remembered his earlier fantasy of Feya at the counter. He saw her trapped there as he approached her, that same look of desire in her eyes. He cleared his throat and pushed the image away. “Finish that food,” he said, nodding to her bowl. “Ye daenae want someone else to snatch it.”
He winked at her, something he couldn’t remember ever doing, and was rewarded with a smile and a shake of her head. Archer stood up and strode across the room, looking for his sister. As he walked, he felt a strange lightness, a relaxing of his shoulders that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
10
“Stealth isnae your strong suit,” Archer said as he walked into the hallway. He could easily see Ayla’s shoes sticking out from beneath the tapestry she stood behind. His sister poked her head out from the fabric and beamed at him.
“It worked when we were bairns,” she laughed. “Do ye remember the hours we spent looking for each other in this old castle?”
Archer laughed. He could still remember some of his best hiding spots. Even as an adult, he couldn’t pass the kitchen pantry without thinking of that barrel of potatoes he had once sat inside for nearly two hours.
“We had good times growing up here,” he said. Ayla nodded, and he felt something soften between them. She stepped out from her hiding spot, and they walked down the hallway. Archer slipped his hands in his pockets, feeling relaxed with his sister by his side.
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” he told her. “I shouldnae have yelled at ye.”
“Me too,” she agreed. “I ken ye can take care of yourself. But I worry about ye. I hate when ye take risks. I daenae ken what I would do without ye.”
“I’m not goin’ anywhere,” he assured her. “Ye daenae need to worry.”
“But what about the council?” she asked. Archer glanced sideways, surprised she had picked up on this. “There’s tension there. I can see it.”
“That’s for me to worry about. I’m working to get that under control.”
“But what if they try somethin’? I’ve heard the chatter—they say ye are too young, or that your health is declining…”
“Ayla,” Archer said, a hint of warning in his voice. He felt that familiar tinge of annoyance, the one that would make him sharp with her. He tried to breathe through it, telling himself to keep his temper.
“I only want to help ye,” she said.
“Nay, ye want to fix me,” he burst out. “Ye see me as something broken ye must put back together. Daenae do that, Ayla. I’m the elder brother. I am the one to do the protectin’. I want ye to focuson running the household, to learn what it means to be the Lady of the castle so ye are ready for marriage.”
“Oh,” Ayla said, her voice light with excitement. “Ye daenae need to worry about that.”
His step slowed as he took in the words. Archer turned his head, unease in his stomach.
“What do ye mean?”
“I’m going to be a healer,” she said, smiling as if her brother should be excited for her. “Feya offered to train me. I ken ye think Holly is too old, so I found a new teacher. I’m to be Feya’s apprentice.”
He stopped moving, feeling his muscles tense at the news.
“Ye will not,” he said slowly, his voice deep and dangerous. “I daenae approve of it.”
“She doesn’t mind,” Ayla assured him, still oblivious to her brother’s rising rage. “She was the one who brought it up.”
“Then I will go there right now to tell Feya exactly what I’m about to tell ye: It’s time for ye to marry, Ayla. If ye daenae choose a man for yourself, then I will choose one for ye. Ye have until the end of the month.”
