Page 80 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

Christ! I did it again. Focus!

Lilith felt warmth spread through her chest at the thought of Damon. “Aye, I told ye before, with him it’s different. He’s nae cruel. I’m nae sure wherever that thought was even born from, Ar. He’s…” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “He listens to me—trulylistens. And he includes me…”

Ariah was nodding, but her shoulders started to droop. Her usually bright eyes dimmed before her knees gave out, throwing her off kilter. She waved her arms wildly, catching herself on the arm of a chair.

“Ariah! Smith! Ar—” Lilith called out loudly.

“I’mfine, Lil. I’m just exhausted,” Ariah admitted with a weak smile. “I forgot to break me fast.”

Lilith frowned, eying Smith, who had entered the hall from behind a long tapestry. “It’s almost dinner, Ar. Ye havenae eaten all day?” she stated more than asked, worry etched on her forehead. “Go rest. I’ll bring ye somethin’ from the kitchens.”

Smith nodded firmly and silently urged Ariah out of the hall and up to her room. Ariah protested weakly, but Lilith waved her off and made her way to the kitchens.

So bizarre…

The scent of roast meats and stewed vegetables tickled her senses again, and she was struck with an idea that excited her instantly.

I’ll take over Night Six and prepare a meal for us! For him!

It would have been normal for Ariah to help Lilith prepare the dinner and set the small, cozy chamber with her, but this time Lilith was doing it alone. Her friend was still resting in her room.

The chamber didn’t have much to it. Just the table and chairs, but the hearth was so ornate. Seemed out of place to have something so lovely tucked away like that. Sharing this room with Damon would peel back another layer of her exterior. Sharing this room with him would be sharing a glimpse into one of her favorite spots in the entire keep.

This was her mother’s space.

Not even Magnus knew where it was. Willow and Lilith used to hide in there for hours on end whenever he was in one of his rages, and Ariah would sneak them snacks so they wouldn’t starve.

Lilith called out Damon’s name, to practice beckoning him. The sound of his name on her lips made her pause. It felt… right.

Her stomach fluttered. She liked saying his name. More than that, she likedhim.

The realization made her hands tremble slightly.

Nothin’ wrong with likin’ me own husband. Still, I willnae give him an heir.Nay matter how… how…

“Me Lady!” A kitchen boy ran up to her, breathless. “The Laird is at the forge with Ryder. Did ye wish for me to fetch him after I found him?”

Lilith smiled at the literal interpretation of her orders. “Nay, I’ll go meself, lad. Thank ye.”

She left the warmth of the castle and made her way toward the forge. The sound of hammering rang through the cool evening air, the glow of molten metal casting long shadows over the yard. She stopped just outside, watching the men work. It wasn’t just Ryder and Damon, but also Hunter and Fionn Parrish.

Damon was stripped down to his waist, his muscles flexing beneath the flickering light—a sight that made her breath hitch. The way he moved—fluid, precise, powerful—held her in a trance.

Ryder caught sight of her first and smirked before quietly bringing along Hunter and Fionn, leaving her alone with Damon.

Lilith stepped forward, and Damon glanced up, wiping sweat from his brow. His gaze raked over her in an assessing manner, then softened.

“Come to drag me away, have ye?”

She tilted her head playfully. “If I must. I have a surprise for ye.”

His eyes darkened slightly at the teasing lilt in her voice, and he set aside his tools. “A surprise, eh?” He stepped closer, heat radiating from him even in the cool air. “Ye have me interest piqued, wife.”

Lilith opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, he moved. One moment she was standing before him, and the next he had her pressed against one of the wooden support beams. His calloused fingers traced a path down her arm, his breath warm against her temple.

“Ye came all this way just to fetch me?” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Her pulse thundered. “I… I…” she trailed off as his hand found her waist, his fingers splaying over the dark fabric of her dress. A delicious heat coiled in her belly.