Page 44 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“Nay, but they’ll serve their purpose tonight, and keep things interesting.”

“So, thereisa grand plan involved,” Lilith teased and went to sit in the chair next to Damon. She placed the dice on the table between them.

“Aye, nae just random throwin’,” Damon confirmed.

Her core clenched at the gravel in his voice. It was as if something sinful was about to happen, and yet she found herself on the edge of her seat, waiting to hear more.

She arched an eyebrow, gesturing for him to elaborate. “Go on, then. Enlighten me.”

The tone of her voice was not lost on Damon, who held her gaze for a moment longer, making her heart race wildly.

“Simple enough, lass,” he began, picking up the dice and holding them out for her to see. “Each roll determines what kind of question we ask each other. One die is the category, and the other…” He shook the die engraved with numbers. “It tells us how specific the question gets.”

“Is this a respectable game, husband?” Lilith asked, tilting her head curiously. “Or should I brace meself for roguish behavior?”

His smirk widened. “Roguish? Ye wound me, wife.”

She let out a short laugh. “Fine, let’s hear the rules, then.”

Damon detailed the game quickly but carefully enough for her to understand. It was childish, in a way, and his boyish energy tugged at her heart.

“Right, let me recap. A thistle is a personal question, the stag is about memories. The claymore for likes and dislikes. Cow is for habits…”

“Fire is for secrets,” Damon filled in.

“And if it lands on the sun, it’s a free choice?”

“That’s right, lass. Ready?”

Lilith’s insides shook with anticipation. “Are ye goin’ to play fair?”

“Lass,” Damon said, his tone mock-serious as he placed a hand over his heart. “I’m a man of honor. Ye have me word.”

Lilith nearly snorted with laughter, but she reached for the dice, scooping them up in her hand. “Fine then, let’s see if ye’ve got any honor left, husband. I’ll go first.”

The dice glinted in the dim light as they rolled over each other mid-air before falling back onto the table.

Stag. Three.

Lilith, poised for this choice, boldly asked Damon, “What’s a favorite pastime that ye shared with all of yer siblings?”

For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, a wistful smile spread across his face as he checked the number die before meeting her gaze again. “Level three. Keegan, Melissa, and I used to sneak away from the keep to a hidden glen. We called it the Tree Keep. We’d spend the whole day there, chasin’ each other, climbin’ trees, and darin’ each other to jump into the river.” He chuckled, the sound rich and genuine. “Melissa was fearless. She’d always been the first to jump. Keegan would pretend to scold her, but he’d follow right after. I’d go last, and outdo them all.”

She gritted her teeth. “All ofthatwas a level-three answer?”

“Aye. Level three, lass. Now, it’s me turn.”

Her eyes followed the dice nervously as they fell onto the table.

Thistle. Five.

“Start with this. Ye press flowers, aye? Tell me about it.”

Lilith stared at the dice, her throat tightening. “It was me maither’s hobby,” she began, her voice quieter now. “She used to press flowers from all over the Highlands, each one tied to a memory. After she passed, I started doin’ the same. It felt like a way to keep her close.”

Damon nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “That’s a fine memory. Though that wasnae a level-five answer, lass. Do ye have a favorite flower?”

She clicked her tongue but then allowed herself a small smile. “Heather. It’s hardy and resilient, even in the harshest conditions. I suppose I admire that.”