Page 26 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“My turn,” he said, his voice softening. “What’s yer opinion on all this?”

“On what?”

“The attack. The castle. The people here. Truly.”

Lilith hesitated, her gaze dropping to her glass. “I dinnae ken,” she admitted. “But I do ken well that this tension, this secrecy… it’s tearin’ everyone apart.” She looked up at him, her voice steady. “Ye need to be transparent with them, Damon. And with me. It’s causin’ a divide.”

His expression softened. For a moment, she thought she saw something vulnerable in his eyes, and it instantly made her heart rate quicken. But then he straightened, the mask slipping back into place, and she let out an audible sigh.

“It’s late,” he uttered, rising abruptly.

Lilith frowned. “Ye are leavin’?”

“Nae yet. It’s me turn.” He reached for a book on the table, flipping it open before she could stop him.

“Nay!” She snatched it away, clutching it to her chest.

Damon raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

“It’s… it was me maither’s,” she said, her voice quieter now. “She loved flowers. This was her press book. Now, it’s mine.”

He studied her for a long moment, his gaze searching. “Ye miss her.”

Lilith swallowed hard, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. “Aye.”

Damon seemed ready to ask more questions, but she shook her head. “I dinnae wish to talk about it.”

He nodded, surprising her with his understanding. “Fair enough.”

The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Then, Damon picked up the whiskey bottle and poured them each another drink. Her earlier frustration softened bythe buzz of the drink and the steady warmth radiating from the hearth.

For all her irritation, there was something oddly comforting about this moment.

Damon, however, wasn’t done. He leaned forward, his intense eyes locking onto hers. “Tell me about Willow.”

Is it his turn or mine?

Lilith froze, the unexpected question striking her like a lightning bolt. “Why do ye ask about me sister?”

“Because she’s important to ye,” he answered simply. “And I’d like to ken why.”

Lilith swallowed, unsure how to answer. Memories of Willow came rushing back—her bright laughter, the way she could charm even the sternest elders of their clan, and how fiercely she had protected Lilith when they were children.

“Aside from the fact that she’s me twin… She is the best of us.” She sighed. “Bold, fearless. She has this… way of makin’ everyone around her feel seen.”

Damon studied her, his expression unreadable. “Do ye miss her?”

Lilith’s throat tightened, and she glanced down at her hands. “I do.”

“I’m sorry,” Damon said, his voice low and sincere. “Keegan is the best of us too, if it helps. They’re a strong match.”

Lilith nodded, blinking away the sudden tears. “She’d probably tell me to stop lettin’ ye walk all over me.”

A genuine smile tugged at Damon’s lips. “I doubt anyone could walk over ye, Lilith.”

She let out a soft laugh, though her heart still ached for her sister again.

“Yer turn,” Damon said as he leaned back, stretching out his long legs in front of him.