Page 5 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

Lilith felt her heart swell slightly, touched by her friend’s gifts. “Thank ye, Ariah. Ye didnae have to do that…” she trailed off as her eyes followed Ariah around the room until she sat on the edge of her bed.

“I ken well, but I wanted to!” Ariah said without hesitation.

Before Lilith could get another word out, Ariah patted the blankets covering her feet and asked, “Ready?”

Heavy as that word has ever been, Lilith gulped and slowly nodded her head.

Ariah’s squeaking voice rang out as she hopped up and grabbed the robe, holding it out expectantly for Lilith to step into. Moments after tying the satin bow around her slim waist, servants filed into the room, followed by Melissa.

“I still cannae believe that ye want to marry me braither,” Melissa said with an air of nonchalance that Lilith only dreamed of affecting one day.

Melissa spoke without so much as a second thought to her words, and Lilith felt a fleeting pang of something like jealousy—or is that sorrow?

Without waiting for her response, Melissa said seriously, “Look, if ye dinnae wish to do this, then ye shouldnae.”

Ariah’s movements faltered briefly before she pretended to busy herself with rearranging the flowers in the vase.

Lilith had already had this conversation with both of them quite a few times over the days since her engagement was announced.

She tsked softly before smiling and turning her back to them, rolling her eyes as she did. She stood stoically by the window, a draft caressing her heated body. Looking out at the courtyard below, which bustled with final wedding preparations, her focus wavered.

Her mind replayed the moment in the study when she had agreed to marry Damon. His words, his commanding presence,and his unwavering gaze had all left her feeling cornered and yet oddly secure.

“Ye are thinkin’ too much again,” Melissa intoned, startling Lilith out of her thoughts. “It’s a bad habit of yers, Sister,” she added with a wink.

Lilith smiled faintly. “Hard nae to, considerin’ what’s ahead.”

“Aye, but ye have made yer choice. Nay sense frettin’ over it now. Unless ye truly are regrettin’ it. I mean, I ken me braither, and I wouldnae blame ye if ye did.”

Both of them chuckled, while Ariah adjusted her skirts and sat down in front of the hearth in an almost exhausted way. Her movements were deliberate, but Lilith noticed a certain absentmindedness in her demeanor.

Was she truly tryin’ to give Melissa and me the space to have this conversation? How sweet of her.

“Aye, Melissa, yer braither is a brute. But nay. Idowant this.”

Melissa released a breath she had been holding and reached for the tea, muttering under her breath while Lilith continued, “This is about the clan, about duty.”

Catching Lilith’s knowing gaze, Melissa blushed and handed her the tea before replying, “I ken we’ve gone over this. It is me right to believe that me friend deserves more thanjustduty.”

Lilith accepted the cup with a grateful nod, her gaze flicking to Ariah, who now looked tired, though she masked it well.

“Ariah, are ye well?” she asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

Her friend’s head shot up, her smile a little too quick. “Of course! Just a bit worn out from all the excitement.”

Lilith studied her for a moment longer before letting it drop, but she did notice Melissa’s eyes narrowing slightly as she watched Ariah.

“Are ye sure?” she asked, her tone gentle but insistent. “Ye’ve looked a bit peaky these past few days.”

Ariah waved her off with a laugh. “I’m fine. Just glad that I’d get to rest tonight.”

Melissa didn’t press her further, but the concerned look she exchanged with Lilith didn’t go unnoticed.

She’s been doin’ all of the preparations—I must remember to thank her properly.

Shelving her concern, Melissa asked, “What about yer happiness, Lilith?”

“I’m doin’ what’s right. For me people. For Clan McCallum.”