Page 108 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
That earned a chuckle. “Why? Lass, there’s nay great tale to it. I did what was needed.”
“What was needed?” she echoed, incredulous. “I was yer daughter.”
Her father shrugged. “A burden.”
That landed like a blow.
Amara stepped closer. “I wasnevera burden until Maither was murdered.”
His eyes darkened slightly, but he didn’t rise. “Ye always talk too much. Ye did it then, and ye do it now. Just provin’ me point.”
Her words started to pile up in her throat, pushing their way forward too fast.
“I learned to keep me tongue,” she insisted. “I learned to stay out of yer way. I served this house loyally —”
He barked a laugh. “Isthatwhat this is? A ledger of your deeds? Shall I clap for ye, Amara?”
She faltered. He used her name like it was a weapon.
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Yer voice is crackin’. Are ye goin’ to weep now?”
“Nay,” she lied.
He stood slowly, lifting his goblet one last time before draining it and setting it down with athud.
“Ye’re tremblin’,” he said, stepping around the table.
“I’m nae.”
“Yeare. I canseeit. I canhearit.” His lips twisted.
Amara took a step back.
Callan stopped. The air between them grew thicker than smoke.
“I gave ye the chance to prove yerself, and ye left this place as nothin’ more than what I always suspected.”
“And what was that?” she managed.
His voice dropped to a rasp. “Trash.”
She stared at him, her face bloodless.
“I came here to try,” she said, her voice wobbling. “To understand. To speak to me faither. What happened between us after she passed? Why do ye hate me so?”
He took one step closer, his sneer curling. A beat of silence passed between them. Then he leaned in just a little, just enough that she could feel the heat of his breath.
“I cansmellhim on ye, ye ken.”
She blinked. “What?”
“The O’Donnell. I can smell him on ye.”
The implication hit her like a slap.
Callan watched the realization register in her eyes, and his grin spread slowly, like rot.
“Thought ye’d come back into me hall with dignity? Loyalty to me?”
