Page 77 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“Should we bring in food or enlist the villagers to provide McCallum-quality food?”

Lilith stopped in her tracks to give it some thought. “I think?—”

He watched silently as she chewed on the inside of her cheek.

“I think nay McCallum festival is complete without Branloch Baker’s bannocks and honeyed pastries. And… if we ask them for help while supplyin’ whatever they might need for the festival, then we could also ask the butcher in Kiel for roast meats and even have the children get involved by havin’ a berry pickin’ competition.”

Her beaming smile faltered slightly as a breeze cut through the night, making her shiver.

Damon didn’t think. He acted.

He pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her tightly. She let out a soft gasp, but she didn’t pull away.

He hadn’t meant to hold her this long, but the warmth of her against him, the way she fit so perfectly in his arms… it tugged at something deep inside him. He was reminded of that morning at the inn, of the way she had curled up against him in her sleep.

Seven nights and nae a moment more. Seven nights…

He smiled despite himself. Instead of taking her right then and there, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Thank ye, lass. For yer insight.”

She tilted her head up to meet his gaze, an undecipherable emotion flickering in her eyes.

Eventually, he released her, though his hand found hers, their fingers intertwining naturally as they walked the rest of the way back to the castle.

Seven nights… I’ll keep me promise, even if it kills me.

Hand-holding was a novel concept to him. But with her, it felt right.

They walked the remaining distance back to the castle in silence, but Damon’s mind raced.

His grip on her hand tightened for just a moment before he forced himself to loosen it and, ultimately, let her go. He swatted at the leaves on low-hanging branches to play off the distance hewas putting between them. Glancing over at Lilith, it didn’t seem like she minded either way.

Good.

He let his gaze drift to the distant torches in the keep, his mind shifting to something else that plagued him nearly as much as his need for her—her words about bearing no children.

He hadn’t pressed her on it, not yet, but the thought festered like an open wound. It was not her refusal itself that niggled at him, but the reason behind it.

Was it simply her fear? Or was it something deeper, something painful she hadn’t spoken about yet? And more than that, could he live with it if she truly meant to never have children?

He had never thought of children much before her, never really cared whether he would sire an heir because he was the second son. That had been Keegan’s destiny, but now… now, the idea of having a son or a daughter gnawed at him in ways he could not explain.

I have to figure out a way to bring it back up again. Nae tonight, but soon.

Lilith’s steps quickened, and he widened his stride to match, reaching out to grasp her wrist gently.

“Ye arenae so desperate to leave me, are ye?” he teased, enjoying the way her lips parted slightly in surprise, the flicker of hesitation in her expression.

It was clear that she had enjoyed the night as much as he had, but she huffed dramatically, feigning too much nonchalance. “It’s late, and I?—”

Damon smirked, dragging his thumb lazily along the inside of her wrist before releasing her entirely. “Go on then,” he murmured, his voice thick with amusement.

She turned, though not before he caught the smallest downturn of her lips, the hint of disappointment she likely didn’t even realize she was revealing.

He chuckled softly and leaned in, brushing a slow, deliberate kiss against her forehead. “Sleep well, lass.”

She didn’t answer, only turned on her heel and disappeared into the shadows of the keep.

His smirk faded the moment she was gone.