Page 96 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander

“Alright, and why nae? And be specific here, because right now, all ye’re givin’ me is excuses as to why ye’re nae lettin’ yerself be happy with her. Ye’re sabotagin’ yer happiness and lettin’ yer past hijack yer future. Ye cannae do that. Nae when there is so much ye’ll be missin’ out on. Think about it. Every time ye see her, ye light up, dinnae ye? And dinnae lie, everyone in the castle sees the change in ye. There’s a lightness about ye, now that she’s in yer life. Hate to break it to ye, lad, but ye love yer wife.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Ronnie sputtered as he barged into the study. The panic on his face sent a jolt through Ryder, as if he’d been struck by a battering ram. “But we have company?—”

“Where is Laird McKenzie?” a husky voice bellowed.

There was no denying the annoyance in the tone, which instantly put Ryder on edge. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he rolled his shoulders back, poised for a fight.

“I’ve got a few words to say to him.”

“Laird Dougal,” Ronnie announced.

Ryder noticed a petite shadow following close behind the brute that was Laird Dougal. His chest tightened as his mind skipped through every scenario he could think of.

If this was some sort of attack or siege on his castle, he was ready to defend it tooth and marrow.

“This is Laird?—”

“I ken who he is,” Laird Dougal huffed. He arched an eyebrow before glancing at the shadow at his back.

“Then what are ye doin’ here?” Ryder demanded.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Felix curl his fingers around the hilt of his sword.

“Gentlemen, please,” an unfamiliar female voice interjected. Ryder craned his neck to spy around Laird Dougal. “This isnae the time. Archer, please. This is my family, too. I’m Feya. I’ve come lookin’ for my sister. Please tell me she’s here.”

“Feya?” Ronnie gasped and darted to the girl without hesitation.

Ryder watched the lad throw his arms around his sister. The resemblance was uncanny, putting him at ease.

He glanced at Laird Dougal, wondering how he found Feya. The rumors swirling around him had reached even Ryder’s ears.

Growing up, he had heard of the haunted castle in the north, a place so dark that not even the sun dared to touch it. No wonder it would produce a man like Laird Dougal. He was burly, with broad shoulders and a full beard that made Ryder’s look small in comparison.

“What? How?” Ronnie sputtered as he looked his sister over. “I cannae believe it. We’ve been lookin’ for ye everywhere.”

“Where is Morgana?” Feya asked.

The panic in her voice didn’t go unnoticed by Ryder. It rang in his ears like a warning bell.

“Please tell me my sister is still alive.”

“Aye, she’s alive and well,” Ronnie said.

“And why would she nae be?” Ryder growled.

Feya glanced at Laird Dougal as if expecting him to draw his blade. Ryder’s body tensed at the thought of clashing swords in his study.

“I’m nae sayin’ ye’re the fiend here,” Feya said, stepping between him and Laird Dougal as if to defuse the tension. “I’m merely statin’ that ye have snakes here. Poisonous vipers that have been stalkin’ me for months. It was only by the mercy of Laird Dougal that I slipped by unharmed. Now, please, where’s Morgana?”

“Felix,” Ryder grunted. “Go fetch her. I’m sure my wife will be thrilled to see that her sister is safe and sound.”

“Right away,” Felix said. “But are ye sure ye want to sendme?”

“Aye,” Ryder insisted. “Go find my wife and bring her here.”

With a sharp nod of his head, Felix darted out of the study.

The second his man-at-arms left, Ryder noticed a significant shift in Laird Dougal. It was as if all the tension drained from the room.