Chapter 18 #2
Willow choked back a laugh, hiding it behind a sip of her wine.
The siblings were so similar to how she imagined people saw her and Lilith.
Willow was always fussing over her sister.
She knew that well enough, and the protective air of Damon’s was quite alike to her own.
Though it was odd to consider, she wondered if perhaps she had misjudged the man based on her first impression of him.
“Willow,” she perked up as Melissa addressed her, “we have spent quite a bit of time together on our journey here, and I still daenae believe I have properly introduced meself.”
She smiled, the expression warm and welcoming, and Willow found herself grinning back.
“I, as ye likely have guessed by now, am Lady Melissa, unfortunate sister of Damon here and me boar of a brother, Laird Brahanne.”
Giggling, Willow nodded. “I have surmised that, aye.”
It was something to hear the lady speak of her brother in such an informal, jesting way. It was refreshing, honestly, and Willow found herself enjoying Melissa’s company much more than she might have thought.
Tilting her head, Melissa regarded Willow, a seriousness in her expression now. “I wanted to tell ye more of yer sister. And while Lilith is undoubtedly a softer—and more polite—lady than meself, she still possesses a strong character. She was a gift to have during me time with yer brother.”
Willow tensed, but it wasn’t because she didn’t believe Melissa or was upset that the woman spoke about Lilith as if she knew her.
It was the relief and regret swirling together.
She was so glad to hear that Lilith was doing well on her own and yet still missed her so desperately that it made Willow’s chest ache.
“Is she faring well?”
“I willnae lie to ye and say that yer brother doesnae make it difficult for her—for everyone, truthfully. Still, she remained steadfast. I…I consider Lilith a dear friend, Willow. Ye must understand that I mean the words with complete sincerity. I adore that lass as if she were me own sister.”
Choking up, Willow sucked in a breath through her nose, blinking several times so that she might keep the tears from spilling over.
“Lilith did everythin' she could to protect me from Magnus’s ire, even going so far as to challenge him on several occasions.”
Surprise and fear pumped through Willow’s veins like venom. It was extremely dangerous to go against Magnus, and Lilith had never been the one to do so when Willow was there.
“She said,” Melissa added, “that she was inspired by what ye had done for her to keep Magnus at bay.”
Willow’s chest cracked and spilled open with overwhelming gratitude and pride.
“I cannae thank ye enough for sayin' as much, Lady Melissa. I have done little more than worry endlessly over me sister’s wellbein'. It is a great relief to hear that she is well, and I couldnae be prouder of her as well.”
Leaning closer, her elbow planted on the table, Melissa grinned wildly as she lowered her voice to a whisper.
“Ye should have seen her. Ye would be tickled.
Magnus was often quite stingy with the food he provided.
If it werenae for the fact that Lilith snuck me whatever I might need, I wouldnae be in such decent condition.
She had told me that she slipped through the halls like a mouse after swipin' rolls and the like from unwatched dinner plates.”
Willow smiled, a strange mixture of humor and sorrow mingling in her heart. Melissa ducked closer, ensuring that Damon could not hear her and checking back over her shoulder several times to be sure.
“I daenae wish for him to worry. It wasnae terrible, but…” Melissa swallowed, frowning some as she continued. “I once took the blame for sneakin' some of the food to keep Magnus from beatin' Lilith. I dinnae wish for him to ken that she was helpin' me. So, I took the punishment meself.”
Willow’s jaw dropped as her eyes flared wide. “I cannae believe that ye—”
“He beat ye?!” Damon’s deep voice cut it, and Melissa flinched.
Directing her attention back to the man, Willow watched that softness disappear from Damon in a flash. He looked ready to murder all of Castle McCallum, and as much as Willow was terrified by the furious look in Damon’s eyes, she could not blame the man for desiring revenge.
“Och, I had thought I was quiet enough.” Melissa’s eyes fell to the table, and she was quiet for a beat.
“How quickly ye forget that I have excellent hearin', lassie.” Damon glared, his knife squeezed into his grip so much that Willow wondered if the man might bend the metal.
“Apologies, Brother.” Melissa met Damon’s eyes, and that twinkle of humor Willow now understood was a firm part of her character lit behind Melissa’s eyes. “I only looked to spare ye an apoplexy. Ye havenae yet wed, and I feared depravin' yer future wife of yer presence.”
Willow could see Damon struggle to maintain his composure. Melissa clearly had a way of bringing out the humor in him, and quickly enough, the man rolled his eyes at her and pulled her against him for a hug.
“I havenae any need of a wife. I am already in possession of a lass who causes me more than enough distress.”
As the tension melted some, Willow took another sip of her wine to gather the strength to speak up.
“Damon, I am truly sorry that me brother has mistreated Melissa. I assure ye that had I been there, I would’ve helped yer sister however I could. I daenae support any of Magnus’s actions.”
He regarded her for a moment, and then Damon offered a simple nod. After how he’d treated her before, Willow took this as the best possible outcome. Melissa pushed away from her brother and sat up in her seat once more.
“I am glad that ye dinnae have to suffer the same as a captive of Clan Brahanne, Lady Willow.” She nudged Damon in the ribs. “Though, I am certain me brother, Damon, wasnae sunshine to ye. Still, I dinnae expect anythin' less from Keegan. He is an honorable man.”
Willow smiled, nodding back at Melissa as her mind wandered. She was a fine woman, and Willow had a profound respect for her even only after these few short hours of knowing her. She could see why the brothers were so eager to get her home, in addition to their devotion to family and clan.
Still, Willow didn’t know what this meant for her, and there was quite a bit left to discuss with Keegan. He couldn’t simply keep her here, and she needed to learn what had happened on the field this morning as well as where her engagement with the MacMillans lay.
That would apparently be a problem for tomorrow, however.
Keegan was obviously not returning to the Great Hall any time soon, and Willow admitted that she needed space from the man.
Clear thinking would be required for all her next steps, and the longer she was around Keegan the more difficult that became.