Page 71 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin
The comment broke through Lachlan's blood-red haze just enough for reason to creep back in. He looked down at Duncan, who was curled on the ground like a broken doll, then at Frederick's already-swelling face, then at Erica and Hayden watching with wide, frightened eyes.
But the rage was still there, burning hot in his chest. He took a step toward Duncan again.
"Lachlan," Frederick warned, moving to block his path. "He's learned his lesson."
"Has he?" Lachlan's voice was still deadly quiet. He looked down at his cousin, who was trying weakly to push himself upright. "Get up, Duncan."
"I... I cannae..." Duncan's words were slurred through his swollen, bleeding mouth.
"I said get up." The command carried such menace that Duncan somehow found the strength to struggle to his feet, swaying dangerously.
"Ye're banished," Lachlan said simply. "From Kinnaird lands, from clan protection, from everythin’ that bears the Galloway name. Ye have until sunset to be gone from me territory."
"Ye cannae..." Duncan tried to protest, but Lachlan cut him off with a look that could have frozen fire.
"I can. And I am. The only reason ye're still breathin' is because ye carry me blood, but that protection ends now." Lachlan stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried more threat than any shout. "If I ever see yer face again, I'll finish what I started here. And I assure ye, ye're lucky to be leavin' with both arms."
"This isnae over," Duncan spat, blood spraying from his lips. "Ye're choosin' a stranger over yer own blood, and the clan will remember that. They'll remember when?—"
"Frederick," Lachlan said calmly, not taking his eyes off Duncan.
"Aye, m'laird?"
"Escort this piece of filth off me lands. Make sure he understands that any attempt to return will be met with permanent consequences."
Frederick nodded grimly, moving to grab Duncan's arm. "Come on then. Time to go."
"This isnae over!" Duncan shouted again as Frederick hauled him toward the castle gates. "Ye hear me, cousin? This isnae over!"
Lachlan's attention had shifted to what truly mattered. Erica was kneeling beside the garden wall, her arms wrapped protectively around Hayden, both of them watching the violence with wide, frightened eyes.
"Are ye hurt?" Lachlan asked urgently, crossing to them in quick strides. His voice was still rough with barely controlled rage, but it gentled as he knelt beside them. "Either of ye?"
Hayden pressed closer to Erica's protective embrace, his small body still trembling. Erica's arms tightened around the boy instinctively, but when she looked up at Lachlan, he could see the dark red mark blooming across her cheek where Duncan had struck her.
Fresh fury blazed through him, so hot and immediate that his hands clenched into fists. "That bastard marked ye," he said, his voice deadly quiet as he reached out to gently examine her face.
"It's nothin'," Erica said quickly, though she winced slightly at his touch. "Lachlan, please. The boy?—"
Her soft voice and the concern in her eyes for Hayden rather than herself slowly pulled him back from the edge of violence. She was right. The child needed their attention now, not his rage.
"Lad," Lachlan said quietly, focusing on Hayden while his fingers still traced gently over Erica's bruised cheek. "Are ye hurt? Did he harm ye?"
Hayden nodded shakily, holding up his small arms where dark bruises were already forming from Duncan's cruel grip.
"Let me see, sweetheart," Erica murmured, carefully examining the marks while keeping the boy close to her side. "Does this hurt?"
When Hayden nodded again, fresh tears spilling down his face, something protective and paternal stirred in Lachlan's chest.
"Listen to me, lad," he said, his voice carrying the weight of absolute law. "Nay man raises his hand to a bairn in me keep. Nae ever. Do ye understand?"
Hayden's tear-filled eyes met his, still wide with fear but beginning to show trust.
"Ye're safe now," Erica promised, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Hayden's head. "Nay one will hurt ye again. I give ye me word as Lady of this castle."
"And if anyone ever tries to hurt ye again—anyone at all—ye come straight to me or to Lady Erica. Can ye do that?"
"Aye, m'laird," Hayden whispered.
