Like several times before, the two of them stood at an impasse. They were an evenly matched pair, and Willow’s frustrationonly burned brighter. After a number of silent moments, Keegan sighed once more and stepped around the desk.
She thought he might approach her, but the laird went directly to the door and pulled it open. “We shall report to the Great Hall. I am sure a hot meal would serveeveryonein this castle well.”
With little other choice, Willow followed Keegan out of the room and to the massive chamber where nearly the entirety of the castle’s population was gathered. Damon sat with Melissa at the head table, and when Keegan appeared, he stood up and stomped over.
“And what pray tell will we, in fact, be doin' with the lass, Brother?” Damon glared at Keegan, and Willow felt as if she didn’t even exist because of the way he talked about her like she wasn’t standing right there. “As ye have seen fit to bring her here. Shall we now be expectin' a war with the MacMillans?”
Willow had wondered as much herself and looked to Keegan as he stood in the center of the aisle that led between the rows of tables to his own.
“The Lady Willow will be residin' in Castle Brahanne from now on. Understood?”
Keegan announced it to the entire room, still leveling his stare at his brother. Still, it was clear that the laird wished for everyone to understand where he stood on the subject.
She was not of a mind to agree, however. While she would be content to never again see Magnus, Lilith needed her.
“I willnae be livin' here. Imustreturn home, Laird Brahanne. I must return to me sister.”
A flicker of something passed over Keegan’s face as Willow brought up her sibling, but it quickly faded, and he shook his head.
“Nay, and I willnae speak of this again.”
Not saying another word, Keegan left Willow and Damon to stand there while he tore off through the room. She was tempted to chase him down, and she could actually see that desire in Damon as well. Still, they both knew it wouldn’t do them any good. Willow exhaled through her nose, rolling her lips between her teeth as she considered her options.
Can I nae do anythin' to make that man understand me? Ugh, why did he drag me back here? What was with all that ‘belong to him’ nonsense?
Willow was full of too many questions and no answers. Her stomach rumbled, and she shook her head. They were apparently the only things she was full of at present, and despite her fury, she needed to eat.
Melissa appeared at her side, standing between Damon and Willow. “Come sit with us to eat. Keegan is…there is likely amore polite word for stubborn, but I wouldnae waste it on the man since he stormed off like a sullen child.”
Willow couldn’t help the laugh that tore free in a single hard burst. “Verra well, Lady Melissa. If only because I fear I shall be reduced to eatin' the cutlery soon.”
Hooking her arm through Willow’s, Melissa guided her to the table at the rear of the room, with Damon following behind silently. Once they were seated, the three of them began to pick at their plates, and as much as Willow was famished, it took a great deal of effort to force herself to eat.
As she stared down at her plate, Willow heard Damon talk to his sister once more.
“Are ye well? Ye havenae touched yer food much? Do ye require something else or a healer to tend to an ache?”
She tried to stop herself, but Willow glanced over at the pair. Damon sat on Melissa’s other side, and the look of utter concern on his face was quite the sight. He had been such a brash, contemptuous blighter for as long as she’d seen him. Now, Willow could hardly recognize the man.
“I have told ye, Damon. I am well. Ye can ease yerself before ye fall into fits.”
Willow choked back a laugh, hiding it behind a sip of her wine. The siblings were so similar to how she imagined people sawher and Lilith. Willow was always fussing over her sister. She knew that well enough, and the protective air of Damon’s was quite alike to her own. Though it was odd to consider, she wondered if perhaps she had misjudged the man based on her first impression of him.
“Willow,” she perked up as Melissa addressed her, “we have spent quite a bit of time together on our journey here, and I still daenae believe I have properly introduced meself.”
She smiled, the expression warm and welcoming, and Willow found herself grinning back.
“I, as ye likely have guessed by now, am Lady Melissa, unfortunate sister of Damon here and me boar of a brother, Laird Brahanne.”
Giggling, Willow nodded. “I have surmised that, aye.”
It was something to hear the lady speak of her brother in such an informal, jesting way. It was refreshing, honestly, and Willow found herself enjoying Melissa’s company much more than she might have thought.
Tilting her head, Melissa regarded Willow, a seriousness in her expression now. “I wanted to tell ye more of yer sister. And while Lilith is undoubtedly a softer—and more polite—lady than meself, she still possesses a strong character. She was a gift to have during me time with yer brother.”
Willow tensed, but it wasn’t because she didn’t believe Melissa or was upset that the woman spoke about Lilith as if she knew her. It was the relief and regret swirling together. She was so glad to hear that Lilith was doing well on her own and yet still missed her so desperately that it made Willow’s chest ache.
“Is she faring well?”