Chapter 12
Killian was shocked to see Lily training in his courtyard very early the next morning when he came out to train himself. His eyes hurt a little because he had spent the entire night watching Fletcher and contemplating his next line of action.
Now that Laird McLennan had attacked without bothering to hide his intent, Killian was justified to make his own move. He had a plan, and it had been clear to him until Lily had arrived at his keep.
She believes he is innocent.
Killian recalled her defending Laird McLennan with so much passion.
I must do something.
Laird McLennan’s attempts to kill him meant he knew why Killian had tried to kidnap his sister. Killian had to either meet with him by surprise or find another way to make him drop to his knees.
Otherwise, he will keep trying to kill me and end all of this without paying for his crimes.
Lily did not notice him watching her. She moved with skill, and her light weight made it easy for her to kick and dodge any blow coming her way. He admired how she twirled the sword in her right hand, then shifted it to the left and practiced a simple side cut that would be deadly in any battle.
When she finally did a double somersault, landed on her feet, and then thrust her sword forward again, he clapped.
Lily spun around to face him. Some strands of her hair were in her face, and she blew air from her lips to shove them aside.
Killian walked over to her, noticing how her chest rose and fell with the force of her breaths. She was beautiful. Her small, petite figure was alluring, and he found himself thinking of her far too often, wanting to feel her body pressed against his again.
She was again wearing men’s clothes, and Killian wondered if he would ever see her in an earasaid.
“I am impressed,” Killian said as he slowed his claps. His eyes roamed over her entire body, then settled on hers again. “Ye have skills. How did ye learn all of this?”
“I trained night and day because I had to learn how to protect myself and my mistress, even in England. When we came here, Laird McLennan let me train with his men.”
Killian tried not to let the mention of the man’s name spoil his light mood. He stared into her eyes for a long moment, then took the sword out of her hands and showed her some of his skills.
“Have ye ever watched a duel?” he asked as he circled her, his sword drawn and poised while she did the same.
Lily’s arms stretched forward in a defensive stance, and she shook her head. “No.”
“It is a fight till death,” he told her. “Only one survives. This is how the Highland clans choose who is best to lead a clan if there is no heir and two contenders arise. My father won this lairdship in a duel, and when he died, it passed on to me.
“I didnae want it, so I let my brother handle all the responsibilities, and I went out to travel the world and help our people in the best way I could. Me last travels took me away for two years. In that time, I didnae hear a word from my family.”
“Travels,” Lily repeated and dodged swiftly when he thrust his sword towards her the first time.
Killian loved that she had sharp reflexes. A good warrior had to be alert at all times so they knew what was coming for them.
“Aye… I was travelin’ and explorin’ while my brother struggled and ended up dyin’ at the hand of a man he trusted. I should have been here to help. I should have protected him,” he replied.
“There was nothing you could have done,” Lily said, dodging his attack again, this time thrusting out her left leg to kick his knee. It was a swift and unexpected move.
Killian gasped as he lost his balance, and she lunged at him, throwing her body over his so she could maneuver him to the ground and pin his neck between her legs.
Her tight grip slowly began to choke the air out of him. Killian felt his face heat up and his lungs constrict as he struggled against her.
The only thought on his mind right then was not of dying. He could feel the softness of her body pressed into his, and being this close to her reminded him of her scent. His body started to harden in the right places as he imagined flipping her over so she lay beneath him and felt his hardness.
It took all of his effort not to rock his hips against hers and arouse himself further. This was torture, but it was the sweet kind, and he wanted to feel more of it.
More of her softness wrapped around me.
That right there was the thought that knocked the air out of his lungs.
As if feeling the same intense heat that scalded him, Lily freed him instantly and scooted away. She scrambled to her feet with speed, and Killian feared she would lose her balance and fall.
“Ye’re skilled,” he noted as he coughed and rubbed at his throat. “Ye’re a strong woman too. Never let go of that.”
“Books and needles have never interested me. I have always wanted to learn to defend myself, and so when I got the chance, I did that.”
Lily extended a hand to help him up. Killian hesitated, but after a long second of staring at her, he put his hand in hers and let her help him to his feet.
“Ye dinnae have to be here, Lily. I have let ye go back to yer people. Ye can stand by them and fight for them.” His eyes pierced hers as his heart fluttered. “Ye dinnae have to stay here.”
“I do not want to leave just yet,” she answered, then sighed.
“I am sorry for your brother, Killian. He did not deserve what happened to him, but someone has tried to kill us twice now, and I really do not believe it is Laird McLennan. I do not recognize any of the men we saw today, even though they were dressed like men from Clan McLennan.”
“What are ye sayin’?”
“I am saying there might be someone else posing as Laird McLennan… Some other enemy you do not know you have. I am saying, together we can find out who it is and make them pay. If Laird McLennan is guilty of what you say he did, then I will help you make him pay.”
Killian arched an eyebrow and shook his head. “Is this some sort of trick to use against me and vindicate yer friend?”
“No. This is me offering a truce.”
Lily stuck out a hand, and Killian feared that if he touched her, he would want to do more than just take her hand. A part of him had also let her go back at the valley because, after that kiss in the inn that night, he had not been himself.
The sound of her moan slipped into his mind when he least expected it, and each time he looked at her, his body stirred passionately.
Just like now.
He saw her staring at him, too, her lips slightly parted, her eyes fixed on his lips. Killian felt a rush of heat, and he could not stop himself from taking her hand in his.
“Truce,” he agreed as they shook hands. When he realized she did not stop staring at him, he chuckled lightly to lighten the moment. “But a truce is all I can give ye. Anythin’ else ye want… ye will have to beg for.”
Lily got the meaning behind his words because she instantly flushed beet red and jerked her hand away from his as if he scalded her.