Page 59 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“Aye,” her friend laughed, though it was tighter than usual. “I think it’s because we’re to be wed, and that has certain… priviledges more than when we were kids, begging for attention and repeating everything without discretion.”

Though she was sure it was said out of some sort of reverence, Lilith thought to apologize for overstepping, but Ariah spoke first. “Tristan does what he wants to do—there’s nothin’ I can do or say to change his mind. Once he’s set on something, he’ll stop at nothin’ to get it.”

Damon’s musings about Tristan fighting like the assassin echoed in Lilith’s mind, and she fought to keep her mouth shut before she uttered something she would regret. She simply offered a polite laugh in response.

The two women fell silent, each lost in thought as they tried to come up with a plan.

“What if I speak to him?” Lilith suggested finally.

Ariah looked at her, surprised. “Ye? Are ye sure that’s a good idea? He’s already angry with ye, is he nae?”

“Aye,” Lilith admitted. “But maybe that’s why I should be the one to talk to him. If I can explain things, if I can make him seethat Tristan had nothing to do with this, it might ease some of the tension.”

Ariah hesitated, then nodded slowly. “All right. But be careful, Lilith. You ken how he can be.”

Lilith offered a small smile. “I still dinnae understand why ye think I need to be careful around me own husband. He isnae like Magnus, and ye never told me to be careful aroundhim.”

“Ye already kenned to be careful around yer braither,” Ariah shot back, though sadness flickered in her eyes.

“Are ye nae sayin’ something? Why are ye sad?”

Ariah sighed, swiping angrily at her eyes as if they were traitors. “Nay, I ju-just thought of him again.”

Lilith sighed, reaching for her. “He’s gone and cannae hurt me anymore. I’mfine, Ariah. Truly, Damon is—for all his brooding and devotion to duty—a good man.”

“Ye promise?”

“I dinnae have to promise—ye should trust him as I do. I’ve given ye nay reason nae to.”

“Ye are right. I’m sorry, I’m just protective of ye.”

“I ken that well, and I am protective of ye as well. Ye tell me at once if Tristan starts actin’ up,” Lilith joked, knowing the man she knew Tristan to be would never.

But then again, maybe he would…

A flash of worry crossed her face, but she blinked it away before her friend could interpret it.

She rose from the bed, smoothing her skirts before heading toward the door. Her resolve was firm—she would speak to Damon and try to mend the rift between him and Tristan.

As she made her way down the corridor toward Damon’s study, she nearly collided with Ryder, who was walking quickly, his brow furrowed.

“Ryder?” she called, stopping in her tracks.

He froze, then turned to face her, his expression shadowed by guilt. “Hello, Lil,” he returned, a terse smile tugging at his lips.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, noting something curious in his eyes.

Ryder hesitated, his mind clearly elsewhere.

“I’m sorry, ye probably have somewhere to go. Dinnae let me distract ye!” she said, trying to lighten the mood.

“I should’ve done more to protect ye this morning. I willnae fail ye or the Laird again.”

Lilith’s heart softened, and she reached out to touch his arm. “Ryder, ye did what you could. Ye were injured, and yet ye still came to protect me. I was reckless. I put us all in more danger than necessary. There’s nothin’ to apologize for.”

“Thanks, Lil. But it’s me job to keep ye safe now, nae just be a bystander, and I failed,” he said quietly, his eyes flickering just past her down the corridor.

Lilith turned around but found no one. “Are ye plannin’ to leave?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.