“Make certain that Rodrick escorts Lady Willow to her chambers for the evenin'. I need to meet with Melissa and Damon as well, so when it is done let me know at once.”
Lowering herself again, the young woman nodded. “Of course, me laird. I shall see to it at once.”
The lass was off, and it wasn’t long before she returned to his room and knocked, letting him know that the job was done. Keegan stood up from the chair he’d used in his bed chamber’s small table, saying, “Thank ye. That is all.”
As he walked down the corridors to the Great Hall, Keegan was intent on speaking with Melissa and determining her state of health. She’d been away for too long, and his sister had always been one to downplay her ailments.
Damon and Melissa sat together at the head table when he entered the room, and Keegan proceeded directly for them.
“Och, there ye are,” Melissa drawled. “Ye dinnae need to have Rodrick hurry the lass off to her room, ye ken. We were speakin' quite comfortably.”
Keegan would not dignify that with a comment. “How are ye farin', Sister? I see ye have eaten, but has the healer checked ye over?”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “Ye are as bad as Damon. I am well. It isnae as if I’m a bairn, for God’s sake.”
Frowning, Keegan circled the table and sat down next to Melissa on the opposite side as Damon. His brother glanced at him from across the separation, and the grim expression he wore told Keegan that Damon had something lingering on his tongue.
“Out with it, Damon.”
He nodded as if he was all too glad to open up and had only waited so that he could stand on the protection of being ordered to speak by the laird. It was a common trick he used to soften Melissa’s ire.
“It appears that during our sister’s time with Magnus, she saw fit to take the punishment for Lady Lilith.”
Keegan’s stomach clenched as his hands immediately balled into fists. “What?”
“Damon!” Melissa swatted at him, the frustration and annoyance so apparent on her face that you would be able to see it from well across the room. “Och, can ye keep yer trap shut for even a few moments!”
“Sister,” Keegan’s voice had dropped particularly low as the renewed rage coursed through his blood, “ye will explain. Now.”
Clearly exasperated by the caution and protection being thrust her way, Melissa shook her head as her eyes found the table before closing. She exhaled long, taking her napkin and dabbingat her mouth. Even after, Melissa still didn’t speak, taking a sip of her wine instead.
“Melissa,” Keegan demanded.
“Daenae try to intimidate me into hastenin' me speech, Brother. It hasnae worked in the past, and it willnae work now.”
As much as he should be furious at her, Keegan took comfort in the fact that Melissa was clearly her proud, fiery self even after everything that had happened. If the lass had returned stoic and overly quiet, he would know that the pain she suffered was so great that it dampened her very nature—a truly heartbreaking thought.
Keegan waited another moment until Melissa had taken a hearty drink from her glass.
“Would ye be inclined to provide an explanation now, Melissa?”
She sighed, nodding once. “Aye. And I will begin by tellin' ye that Lilith has become a dear friend of mine, so daenae be looking to cast blame on her.”
Tension flickered in Keegan’s neck, and he could feel his pulse in his temples. “Verra well.”
“Magnus was cruel, as much as expected when I was taken. Still, I was not harmed over much because Lilith saw fit to sneak me scraps of food and offer kind company. Once, however,the additional portions were discovered. I ken that the laird wouldnae have me dead. I was still necessary for his plan, but I couldnae say the same about Lilith.”
Understanding flared through him, and Keegan could see the empathetic light behind Melissa’s unwavering stare.
“Ye wished to protect her from the man.”
She nodded once more. “Aye. I informed the laird that I had stolen the scraps from the kitchen when I had been walked outside to relieve meself—an act I had to fight for several times and had only been granted because Lilith helped me. Magnus was furious, of course, and I took his beatin'.”
The muscles in Keegan’s jaw worked as he fought against the urge to holler out about the bastard. He’d heeded Melissa’s unspoken desire to keep this conversation civil, however, and it took several breaths before he was able to speak without screaming.
“We will see to his punishment for harmin' ye, Melissa.” He leveled his stare at her. “Still, ye must go to the healer and have him look ye over. I willnae see ye taken with fever because I allowed ye to be reckless.”
Melissa regarded Keegan for a moment, then turned to glance at Damon, who offered a nod in support of the laird’s words.