Page 39 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“Ye did good, Ryder,” he said, his voice steady. “From what I’ve heard, ye held yer ground and protected yer people. That’s nay small feat.”

Ryder inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “I did what needed to be done.”

“That ye did,” Damon agreed, stepping closer. “And that’s why I’m offerin’ ye a place at the keep. As me man-at-arms.”

Lilith’s head snapped up at that, her eyes widening slightly.

Damon didn’t look at her, keeping his focus entirely on Ryder.

“I need fighters I can trust,” he continued. “And Lilith spoke highly of ye.”

Ryder’s gaze flicked to Lilith for a brief moment before returning to Damon. “Ye trustherjudgment?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

“I wouldnae have married her if I didnae,” Damon replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Lilith huffed quietly but said nothing, her cheeks tinged with the faintest pink hue. Damon felt a flicker of satisfaction at her reaction, though he quickly pushed it aside.

Ryder considered the offer for a long moment before nodding. “I’ll come,” he said finally. “But only if ye’re serious about protectin’ these people.”

“I wouldnae be standin’ here if I wasnae,” Damon pointed out. “These arenae just any people. They’remepeople.Herpeople.”

He glanced over at Lilith, and the subtle flush creeping up her neck so deliciously was so distracting that he had to clear his throat as he tore his eyes away from her.

Christ…

With that, the deal was struck.

Damon extended a hand, and Ryder clasped it firmly despite his injuries.

“Good,” Damon said, releasing his grip. “Now, let’s get ye back to the keep. We’ll meet ye in the village, nay rush. But I prefer that ye are there soonest, and ye will heal better there.”

Lilith’s smile was soft and genuine, and Damon couldn’t help but notice how it lit up the room. For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in it before clearing his throat again and stepping back.

He felt a strange sense of satisfaction after shaking the man’s hand. It wasn’t just about securing a capable man-at-arms—though that was certainly part of it. There was something about the way Lilith looked at him now—her earlier frustration replaced by something warmer—that made him feel lighter.

They rode back to the village square as the night crept on, but the atmosphere felt different now. The villagers were still busy picking up the pieces, but it was clear that word had spread, and now several eyes softened as they saw the Laird and Lady approaching from Ryder’s cottage.

“Me Lady! Me Lady!” a young boy called out, rushing forward with wide eyes. “Did ye just come from Mister Ryder’s?”

“We did, laddie,” Lilith said kindly, and a few other children flocked to her.

She handed the reins to Damon and slid down her horse to meet the children at eye level.

At that moment, Damon saw a completely new side of her that he hadn’t been expecting to see. Her disinterest in having children was clearly not due to her dislike of them. She was gentle and patient, and it was obvious that she enjoyed being around them.

The barrage of questions didn’t affect her in any way.

“How is he, Lady Lilith?”

“Is he well?”

“Is he coming to the village soon?”

Lilith answered every single question with beautiful efficiency. The children loved her, and she very obviously loved them.

The realization nearly knocked Damon off his horse.

The boys’ mothers joined them a few moments later, pulling them this way and that while offering both Lilith and Damon grateful nods. One of the women looked between them and then fixed her gaze on Damon. He recognized her from earlier when Cameron had spoken to them in the square.