Chapter 9
9
D amon kept a firm grip on the reins of his horse as they navigated the narrow dirt path leading to Ryder’s cottage. The scent of damp earth and faint smoke from lingering fires filled the air, but it was the oppressive silence that hung over the village that set his teeth on edge.
“When was the last time ye came to the village, lass?” he asked, sensing her worry.
“I came down here the day before ye arrived at the keep.”
If talkin’ distracts her, perhaps she wouldnae work herself into a frenzy before we even reach Ryder’s door.
“What did ye do?” Damon prompted, keeping his tone conversational.
Lilith’s lips quirked into a faint smile, and for a moment, some of the tension left her shoulders. “I went with Ariah,” she replied. “We needed to make a few purchases.”
Damon chuckled. “Fair enough. So, ye came down here to shop. What else?”
Lilith tilted her head, her gaze becoming distant as she recalled the details. “We stopped at the bakery first. Ariah had this notion that freshly baked Selkirk bannock would be good to calm me nerves, and to her credit, she was right!”
“Selkirk bannock?”
“Aye! Branloch’s baker is from the borderlands, and I’ve never tasted bannocks such as his.”
“I see,” Damon said thoughtfully, filing away the information.
“After that, we wandered a bit, checkin’ on some of the villagers I hadnae seen in a while. Branloch’s always been a bit of a hub for the clansfolk, but it’s located at a crossroads, so there’s every sort comin’ and goin’ more often than ye would think for such a small place.”
“And the oddities?” Damon asked. “Surely something must’ve happened to warrant a story.”
Lilith gave him a look, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Oddities? What makes ye think there were any?”
“Because I may nae ken ye entirely, but I ken ye well enough to recognize that little lilt in yer voice. Ye have a tale to tell, and I’m inclined to hear it.”
She huffed, though the sound lacked any real irritation. “Fine, if ye must ken,” she began, her tone shifting to something more conspiratorial, “there was a bit of a scene outside the pub.”
Damon’s eyebrows rose. “Go on.”
“Ariah and I were leavin’ the dressmaker’s shop when we passed by,” Lilith continued, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation. “There were a few rowdy men lingerin’ outside, already deep in their cups despite the fact that it wasnae yet noon. They spotted us, and—well, let’s just say their attention wasnae particularly subtle.”
Damon’s jaw tightened instinctively. “What did they do? Are they from here?”
“Nay, I didnae recognize any of them. They called out to us,” Lilith said, waving a hand dismissively. “Nothing too inappropriate at first. Just the usual nonsense about how they’d never seen two lovelier lasses. But then one of them decided to be bold and asked Ariah if she’d let him buy her a drink.”
“And what did she do?” Damon asked, his curiosity sharpening.
Lilith hesitated, furrowing her brow slightly. “That’s the thing. I’ve only remembered it now, but she didnae seem to mind. If anything, she looked… amused? Almost like she was enjoyin’ the attention.”
Damon frowned. “She’s gettin’ married, aye? Ye’d think she’d care more about appearances.”
“Aye,” Lilith agreed, though her tone was quieter now. “She’s to marry Tristan Gunn.”
Damon shot her a sharp look. “Tristan Gunn? Me councilman?”
“The very one,” Lilith confirmed, sounding confused, as if she was sure he had already put that information together. “Sorry,” she added quickly, “I thought ye already kenned that.”
Damon exhaled slowly, turning over the name in his mind. “Nay… I mean, I rode out with him the other day. He showed me a few weak points on the border and near Kiel,” he said. “He seemed just as well, though a bit shifty in conversation. But since he didnae bring that up, I’m more intrigued.”
Lilith nodded. “He’s always been that way. I dinnae ken much about him, truth be told, but I do ken that he’s never been particularly fond of Magnus. He’s been careful about it, never outright defyin’ him, but he’s made his opinions kenned in subtle ways. He’s from Branloch, ye ken. Just on the eastern edge out by the road. Everyone always kenned he went to the pub and dropped little comments here and there to assert his dislike of Magnus.”
“He doesnae sound like a man I want on the council,” Damon admitted, his tone darkening.
“If ye were Magnus or anything like him, then nay, he doesnae,” Lilith agreed. “But Magnus fielded several reports about it and never did anything. Tristan is clever. Too clever, really, and young. He’s a Branloch boy, lived here his entire life, and he’s got the people on his side. It’s how he’s managed to keep his position all this time.”
“And Ariah’s to marry him?” Damon asked, his disbelief evident.
“Aye,” Lilith sighed. “He’s been in love with her for as long as I can remember. I think she agreed to the match out of practicality more than anything else. She’s only recently started to speak of him with true affection, which has been lovely to witness. She seems happy with the arrangement. They’re a strong pair.”
Damon shook his head. “Content isnae the same as happy.”
“Nay,” Lilith agreed. “But nae all of us have the luxury of a love match. Ariah’s faither was relentless in his matchmaking efforts since her maither passed… He was happy to see Tristan’s eagerness.”
For a moment, they rode in silence, the conversation lingering between them like a shadow. Damon’s mind turned over the implications of what Lilith had told him, his instincts prickling with unease. But he sensed that pressing the issue of hers or Ariah’s mother was not the direction she particularly wanted to go.
He glanced at her again. “What happened with those men outside the pub? Did they leave ye alone after that?”
Lilith’s lips twitched. “One of them tried to follow us, but Ariah handled it.”
“How?”
“She told him she’d reconsider his offer if he could down an entire tankard of ale without spillin’ a drop,” Lilith said, a hint of laughter in her voice. “Naturally, the fool accepted the challenge, and by the time he was finished, we were halfway back to the dressmaker’s.”
Damon barked out a laugh, the tension in his chest easing slightly. “Clever lass,” he praised, shaking his head. “Though I cannae say I’d have minded takin’ a swing at him meself.”
Lilith shot him a sidelong glance, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Ye are awfully quick to violence, aye?”
“When it comes to protectin’ what’s mine, aye,” Damon affirmed without hesitation.
Lilith’s expression softened, though she quickly masked it with a teasing smile. “Well, I wasnae yers back then…” she pointed out, but he felt that she didn’t truly mean her words. “I suppose it’s good to ken that ye got me back.”
“Always, lass,” Damon vowed, his tone serious despite their light exchange.
As they continued down the path, the shadows of the trees dancing around them, Damon couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Tristan Gunn than met the eye.
Ryder Gordon was another matter entirely. Damon didn’t blame Lilith for the very clear affection she had for the man—he had clearly earned her loyalty, and they had grown up together. What Damon couldn’t quite fathom was the irritation that had surged inside him earlier when she’d said Ryder’s name with such familiarity.
The closer they got to the small cottage, the tighter the knot in Damon’s chest grew. He didn’t like unknowns, and the idea of walking into yet another situation where his authority might be questioned was grating on his nerves. But for now, there was no avoiding it. Ryder had been instrumental in defending the village, and Damon had to acknowledge that.
Lilith dismounted first when they arrived, her movements swift and precise. Without waiting for him, she pushed the door to the cottage open and stepped inside. Damon followed closely, his gaze scanning the small, cluttered space as his hand instinctively hovered near the hilt of his sword.
Ryder was exactly where Damon had expected him to be—propped up on a low cot near the hearth, his broad shoulders sagging slightly but his eyes sharp. Blade in hand, the man looked tired, with a fresh bandage wrapped around his forearm and chest, and bruises darkening one side of his face. But he was alive.
“Ryder!” Lilith breathed, rushing to his side.
Ryder’s lips twitched into a faint smile as his gaze landed on her. “Hello, Lil,” he murmured, his voice rough but steady, and he hid his blade away.
Lil?
Damon tensed up at the nickname, his jaw tightening as Ryder lifted a hand, clearly intending to ruffle Lilith’s hair.
“Ye should think better of touchin’ me wife,” he warned coldly.
The words hung heavy in the air.
Lilith shot him a sharp glare, her hazel eyes sparking with indignation.
“He wasnae—” she started, but Ryder cut her off with a calm nod.
“Understood, Me Laird,” he said simply, lowering his hand without a hint of offense.
Damon didn’t miss the slight softening of Lilith’s glare as she turned back to Ryder, her hands moving to check the bandage on his arm. “Ignore him,” she muttered, her voice low enough that Damon could almost pretend he hadn’t heard it.
“Ignore me, aye?” he quipped, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. “And here I thought I was bein’ perfectly reasonable.”
Lilith didn’t bother to reply, her focus entirely on Ryder as she carefully inspected his injuries. Damon watched her work, noting the precision in her movements and the faint furrow between her eyebrows. It was a look he’d seen before—a mix of determination and care that made it impossible to tear his gaze away from her.
Ryder, for his part, seemed content to let her fuss over him, his responses to her questions curt but polite. Damon found himself oddly grateful for the man’s stoicism. There was no whining, no unnecessary drama—just quiet endurance.
Once Lilith was satisfied that Ryder’s injuries weren’t life-threatening, Damon finally spoke up.
“Ye did good, Ryder,” he said, his voice steady. “From what I’ve heard, ye held yer ground and protected yer people. That’s nay small feat.”
Ryder inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “I did what needed to be done.”
“That ye did,” Damon agreed, stepping closer. “And that’s why I’m offerin’ ye a place at the keep. As me man-at-arms.”
Lilith’s head snapped up at that, her eyes widening slightly.
Damon didn’t look at her, keeping his focus entirely on Ryder.
“I need fighters I can trust,” he continued. “And Lilith spoke highly of ye.”
Ryder’s gaze flicked to Lilith for a brief moment before returning to Damon. “Ye trust her judgment?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral.
“I wouldnae have married her if I didnae,” Damon replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Lilith huffed quietly but said nothing, her cheeks tinged with the faintest pink hue. Damon felt a flicker of satisfaction at her reaction, though he quickly pushed it aside.
Ryder considered the offer for a long moment before nodding. “I’ll come,” he said finally. “But only if ye’re serious about protectin’ these people.”
“I wouldnae be standin’ here if I wasnae,” Damon pointed out. “These arenae just any people. They’re me people. Her people.”
He glanced over at Lilith, and the subtle flush creeping up her neck so deliciously was so distracting that he had to clear his throat as he tore his eyes away from her.
Christ…
With that, the deal was struck.
Damon extended a hand, and Ryder clasped it firmly despite his injuries.
“Good,” Damon said, releasing his grip. “Now, let’s get ye back to the keep. We’ll meet ye in the village, nay rush. But I prefer that ye are there soonest, and ye will heal better there.”
Lilith’s smile was soft and genuine, and Damon couldn’t help but notice how it lit up the room. For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in it before clearing his throat again and stepping back.
He felt a strange sense of satisfaction after shaking the man’s hand. It wasn’t just about securing a capable man-at-arms—though that was certainly part of it. There was something about the way Lilith looked at him now—her earlier frustration replaced by something warmer—that made him feel lighter.
They rode back to the village square as the night crept on, but the atmosphere felt different now. The villagers were still busy picking up the pieces, but it was clear that word had spread, and now several eyes softened as they saw the Laird and Lady approaching from Ryder’s cottage.
“Me Lady! Me Lady!” a young boy called out, rushing forward with wide eyes. “Did ye just come from Mister Ryder’s?”
“We did, laddie,” Lilith said kindly, and a few other children flocked to her.
She handed the reins to Damon and slid down her horse to meet the children at eye level.
At that moment, Damon saw a completely new side of her that he hadn’t been expecting to see. Her disinterest in having children was clearly not due to her dislike of them. She was gentle and patient, and it was obvious that she enjoyed being around them.
The barrage of questions didn’t affect her in any way.
“How is he, Lady Lilith?”
“Is he well?”
“Is he coming to the village soon?”
Lilith answered every single question with beautiful efficiency. The children loved her, and she very obviously loved them.
The realization nearly knocked Damon off his horse.
The boys’ mothers joined them a few moments later, pulling them this way and that while offering both Lilith and Damon grateful nods. One of the women looked between them and then fixed her gaze on Damon. He recognized her from earlier when Cameron had spoken to them in the square.
She was petite, with soot covering her face, and though there was still some hesitation in her eyes, there was also a flicker of something else—appreciation, perhaps.
“Me Laird. Me Lady. I cannae thank ye, and Ryder, enough. Ryder saved me boy. I dinnae ken… ” she trailed off, her voice cracking.
Damon glanced at Lilith, who gave him a subtle smirk before stepping forward.
“Together, the Laird and I will see to it that Branloch remains safe and fortified. Laird McCallum has entrusted our clan’s safety to Ryder Gordon and Finley Reynolds. We willnae let ye down,” she promised, stepping back to Damon’s side.
He wrapped his arm around her, and she didn’t remove it.
“Ye are safe—I promise each one of ye. Ye have me word as a man and as yer Laird. Ye are safe.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lilith look up at him, and he lowered his gaze to hers. The look on her face conveyed pride and something else.
Oh, boy. I ken that look…
Still holding her gaze, Damon could hear a few villagers murmur excitedly amongst themselves. And then, as he had expected, her body responded to his heated gaze before she could think better of it.
His eyes dropped greedily to her lips as she rolled the bottom one between her teeth nervously and then let out a breathy sigh. The warm embers that had been simmering inside of him were roaring now, and his eyes followed the blush that crept up her neck and onto her cheeks.
If this woman doesnae kill me before I can truly keep this vow and earn their trust, I’d be surprised. It would be a pleasant death, to be sure…
Damon let a hint of a smirk play at the corners of his lips before he looked away from her. Standing tall, he knew their little display had been the perfect picture of newlywed bliss. The women who were close enough to see them were… giggling.
As they continued through the village, Damon made a point to offer nods or brief words of reassurance. He noticed how the people responded to Lilith, their trust in her evident in the way they looked to her for guidance. It was a trust he hadn’t yet earned, but he was starting to see a path forward.
“Ye were quite impressive tonight. These people adore ye,” he noted quietly.
Lilith glanced up at him, her expression thoughtful. “So did ye,” she replied, her voice softer than he had expected.
Damon’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Ye keep surprisin’ me, lass.”
“Good,” she said with a faint smirk. “Someone’s got to keep ye on yer toes.”
I think it’s time for a surprise of me own…
“Speaking of, we will stay in the village for the next few days,” Damon announced loudly, turning to face the villagers who had followed them. “Ye have me hand and the resources of the clan. We will keep ye safe here.”
Resounding gasps of relief and applause rippled through the crowd, and Lilith forced her expression to remain neutral, waiting only until the excited villagers dispersed to react.
Damon guided her away from the villagers, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. All the while, she seethed. The implications of his words had not quite landed as he had probably expected. Lilith remembered that their second night had been interrupted by news of this attack, and he was selfishly set on getting it back.
If he thinks he’s gettin’ it tonight, he’s sorely mistaken.
“We need to stay for our people,” Damon started to explain. “I’m sure Ryder needs time to gather his belongings before comin’ to the keep anyway. Mrs. Bryant is already in his cottage. I’ll send a messenger, and we’ll all return to the keep in two days.” He cast a glance at the messenger, who nodded and left.
“Ye couldnae have told me this before?” Lilith scoffed.
“I only just thought of it, lass,” he said proudly as he stopped walking to face her. “Even if I hadnae, we would be stayin’ here tonight. It’s too late to travel.”
Lilith started to ask him to clarify what exactly ‘here’ meant when her eyes landed on the sign above the inn, swinging in the light evening breeze.