Page 118 of The Highlander's Auctioned Hellion
“Why are they called bears? We have nae bears in Scotland.”
“Because theylooklike bears.”
Callum grunted, staring at the little line of stars she had pointed out to him. It was a long line of stars, connected by a square of stars at the end.
“They dinnae look any more like bears than I dae,” he said.
“But you are a beast, so I would say you look more like a bear than any other,” she replied and then giggled wildly as Callum squeezed her tightly against him.
“Is that so?”
“I wasn’t complaining, I am just saying that the stars are called lots of things for lots of reasons.”
“And I am abeast,” he said, but for the first time, the name held no power over him.
Knowing that Lydia could tease him about it and that she liked the way he looked despite his scars made him feel more powerful than anything ever could.
“And where is Orion?” he asked. “Him, I have heard of.”
Lydia searched the sky briefly before pointing out three distinctive stars, located to the right of their position.
“There he is. The Hunter. He looks a bit like you, too.”
“Is that right? I am honored to be painted in the skies above me lands, then.”
The castle was in view by now, and Callum kicked his heels into Seamus’s flanks to speed the horse to their destination.
Lydia gave a happy sigh as they approached, nestling back into him, and it was the most contented he had ever felt.
As Seamus came up to the main gates, several lights appeared as Alexander and several guards came to greet them.
“I believe you are right, and we did beat the carriage,” Lydia said, looking into the bare courtyard beyond the men. The admission sent a shot of heat through him.
“Aye, so it would seem.”
His fingers dipped down between her legs, and he felt Lydia shudder.
“I shall enjoy takin’ payment later,” he murmured, kissing her behind her ear as he dismounted and helped her down.
Alexander came forward with a torch in hand, his face filled with concern.
“Is all well?”
“Aye,” Callum said. “I met with McCarthy, and he said he would send the girls back safely to me. Have they arrived?”
There was a high shout from the entryway, and Callum’s heart soared with relief as he saw Eilis running down the steps, closely followed by her sister.
His nieces immediately ran to Lydia and grabbed onto her skirts, hugging her tightly.
“Ye wouldnae think they were pleased to see theiruncle, would ye?” Callum asked good-naturedly as Lydia crouched down and hugged the girls to her.
“Why are you all wet?” Eilis asked curiously as she and Amy pulled away from Lydia.
“We were caught in the storm,” Lydia said, her cheeks turning pink.
“Will ye come to the library?” Amy asked on a long yawn, reaching for Lydia’s hand.
Callum crossed his arms over his chest. “Och, aye, so ye can lock us inside it again, is that it?”
