Page 28 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

Ariah raised an eyebrow. “Och? That doesnae sound like nothing. How delicious, indeed!”

“It’s nae what ye think,” Lilith huffed. “He’s insufferable. Brooding, secretive, and utterly maddening.”

“Buildin’ anticipation is quite a lovely thing, though. I look forward to hearingallabout it when that bubble… bursts, so to speak,” Ariah said with a giggle.

“Ariah!” Lilith squealed and tossed a throw pillow at her friend playfully before they burst into fits of laughter.

“Wait! Were yethereduring the attack? I was told that they came into his chambers, and he fought themnaked.”

“He most certainly did nay such thing. Be realistic.”

“Well, were ye in there?”

“I wasnae in his chambers when the attack happened. I was in me chambers, asleep.”

Ariah’s disappointment was suddenly interrupted as the doors swung open and Sebastian strode in with little help from the cane that he carried pretentiously. His sharp features were softened by a polite smile as he approached them.

“Ladies,” he greeted with a slight bow. “I hope I’m nae interruptin’.”

“Nae at all, Faither.” Ariah gestured for him to join them. “What brings ye here?”

“I wanted to discuss some details about yer wedding preparations, Daughter. Lady McCallum is more than welcome to join us, as I’m sure ye will have her be part of it,” Sebastian said, his attention momentarily on Ariah before he glanced at Lilith.

“I’d love to join the conversation!” Lilith gushed. “But I just need to check in with Finley about me husband.”

“I’ve just come from a meeting with the Laird. He is goin’ out for a ride with Tristan Gunn, Me Lady.”

Tristan was a member of the council who recently announced his engagement to Ariah, and wedding preparations were in fullswing. It was not lost on Lilith the smile spreading across Ariah’s face, and she couldn’t help but feel the excitement, too. Her friend’s joy and obvious adoration for her intended warmed her—a welcome distraction from the direction the conversation was headed.

But first things first…

“I see.” She exhaled in relief before continuing. “And how did the meeting go?”

“The new Laird may be rough around the edges, but he carries the weight of leadership heavily. He’s already had to make some very difficult decisions.”

“Decisions?”

“Aye.”

What decisions has he made for this clan that I dinnae ken about? It’s only been two days…

“Tell me,” Lilith demanded, trying to coax more information out of Sebastian than she had gotten from Damon last night.

Sebastian stilled, his expression unreadable. “Me Lady, I dinnae dare to assume that I ken more than ye about the decisions bein’ made for the clan.”

“What did ye discuss this morning, then?”

“Only an update on the attack, Me Lady. Nothin’ else.”

“Did his anger get the best of him?”

“He is passionate about the safety and unity of the clan. It’s respectable to be angered by the attack, especially withyeas a main concern.”

“What has he done, Sebastian?” Lilith asked, growing impatient.

“He was very firm with his demands?—”

“He threatened ye?” she asked.