Page 31 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
Amara just stared at him. Their eyes locked. Both on fire.
Something insider her sank, like a stone into water, but she still couldn’t look away from him.
Dinnae have to be such a —
William cleared his throat gently, as if he’d seen the retort forming in her posture.
Myles looked suddenly uncomfortable and busied himself with stirring what little contents were in his cup.
The silence stretched long and tight before even Daisy moved, and even then she just pushed the berries around her plate.
“Da?” Daisy asked, much softer.
Rhys turned his head slowly, keeping his eyes locked onto Amara’s until the very last moment possible. A challenge for her to interrupt or argue, perhaps, or a warning.
“Aye, love?” He said, his voice warm and tender.
“Will ye come watch me with the pony today? Ye said ye could today.”
His expression changed instantly, and the storm clouds cleared from the hall. “Of course I will, ye have worked hard and I’d be honored.”
Daisy beamed, and the moment should have been sweet to watch, but it stung. Amara shifted back in her seat and let her eyes wander around the hall.
The stonework here was older than the other parts of the keep. She could see the layers of time in the tapestries. A pair of antlers hung proudly above the hearth, polished to a dull gleam but polished, nonetheless. There was a small harp resting, clearly unused, in the corner.
Then her gaze landed back on Rhys and Daisy. He hadn’t glanced back in her direction since he turned away.
It hadn’t been the dismissal of being called “just a guest”. It was how easily and quickly he had said it. How quickly he’d cut herloose in front of everyone. How clearly he’d drawn the boundary she hadn’t realized they had even come close to.
Amara’s appetite had fully vanished, and she finally set her utensils down before folding the napkin on her lap and setting it next to her plate.
Everyone began to rise. William and Myles were halfway down the hall by the time Amara had stood. Daisy hopped down from the bench and grabbed her father’s hand.
He smiled down at her, then gave a short nod ahead to his mean before leading her to the door as well.
Amara followed behind them all, and pulled her shawl tightly around her.
“Da?” she heard Daisy ask, tugging his hand as they stepped into the corridor.
“Aye?”
“What’s happened to Uncle Finn?”
Amara slowed at the name.
Daisy’s voice was light and unworried. “He was helpin’ me with the ponies, but he’s nae been back for ages.”
Rhys came to a full stop.
The hall went still for the second time that morning.
Then, almost too softly, he answered, “He’ll be back with us soon, love.”
Daisy tilted her head. “When, Da?”
Rhys’s jaw tightened and his gaze flicked behind them to Amara, like daggers. “Nay matter the cost,” he said, his voice low and sure but almost like a threat. “He will be back with us very soon. I promise.”
It chilled the air.
