Without looking at Willow, Lilith only offered a curt nod, still narrowing her eyes at Keegan. She’d rarely seen her sister so worked up and, frankly, rude before, and the sight stopped Willow in her tracks for several long moments.
“Perhaps,” Keegan offered, also picking up on Lilith’s chilly demeanor, “ye should take yer sister to her chambers so that she might refresh herself after the long journey.”
He turned from regarding Willow toward Lilith with a practiced smile, calm and simple. “It has been all prepared for ye, Lady Lilith. I am sure ye would appreciate an opportunity to gather yerself before dinner in the Great Hall.”
Despite Willow’s warning, Lilith folded her arms across her chest, openly glaring at Keegan, her expression screwing up like she’d smelled something rotten.
“How lucky am I that the great Laird Brahanne has decided to allow me to join for dinner. I shall ensure I am most presentable.”
The sharpness in Lilith’s tone was unmistakable, and while Willow stood there as shocked as the day was long, Melissa fought to hold back a bark of laughter. Keegan didn’t seem affected by it much, and Damon glared down at Lilith. Still, his eyes, too, roamed over Lilith from head to toe—a look Willowrecognized from his brother and looked as if he was memorizing every feature and curve of her sister’s body.
Willow didn’t know how to feel about that, except for the fact that it did not amuse her in the slightest.
“Thank ye, Laird Brahanne. I shall take me sister to her room at once.” She smiled tightly toward Keegan but then turned toward her sister with a stern expression keen on getting the girl moving. “I have quite a great many things I’d like todiscusswith her as well.”
Lilith was shaken out of her staring contest with Damon, if only slightly, and she glanced toward Willow with a forced grin. “Of course, Sister. Whatever ye need.”
Without another word for fear that her sister might start up an actual brawl right there in the entryway, Willow dragged Lilith toward the stairs and took her up to the room that she would be using during her stay.
Once the two of them were inside, Willow turned toward Lilith with a glare as her sister meandered to the bed at a casual pace.
“What has gotten into ye?” Willow folded her arms across her chest, cocking her head as Lilith refused to turn around. “Are ye mad? Why would ye say such things to Laird Brahanne?”
Quiet permeated the space for several moments before Lilith turned at last and walked directly up to Willow with purpose.“Why are ye doing this, Willow? That is the truth that deserves to be shared. What could be the reason behind marryin' such a man?”
Willow shook her head, balking at her sister’s question. “I daenae ken what ye could mean. I am here because I’m nay longer able to return to Castle McCallum. I am to be Keegan’s wife, and I am well, Sister. Ye daenae need to worry over me.”
Lilith seemed far from convinced, looking over Willow’s shoulder to the door and glaring. “Ye cannae expect me to just accept that ye are ‘well’. The man holdin' ye has been an enemy of our family for years. How is he treatin' ye truly? Has he coerced ye into this arrangement?”
Scoffing, Willow threw her arms down, taking a step closer to Lilith as they did when they were having an argument.
“Nay! I am nae being coerced, Lilith.” She furrowed her brow when Lilith’s expression didn’t change. “Ye must come to yer senses. I’m to be wed tomorrow, and I willnae have it spoiled by yer foul mood.”
The two of them were locked in a silent battle until Willow sighed and slumped her shoulders. “Lilith, I invited ye here because I wanted to share this special day with ye. Please, please, can ye at least try to be pleasant? Having ye at me side on such a momentous occasion means the world to me.”
After a moment, Lilith nodded as her stare fell to the floor. “I will do me best, Sister, but only for ye.”
Willow wasn’t sure what had gotten into Lilith since she’d seen her last, especially after the failed exchange. From what Melissa had said, she was a consummate ally, and Lilith had apparently gone out of her way to help Melissa. Why was she now acting like the laird was once again the enemy?
Particularly since Lilith has never cared much for Magnus’s dealings or who he might consider a villain.
It was, at best, distressing, and at worst, her attitude was suspicious. Willow couldn’t stand the idea of thinking about Lilith that way. Still, her nerves were on edge. Regardless, she walked up to her sister and wrapped Lilith in an embrace.
So much had happened with the captures and foiled wedding to the MacMillans. Magnus was undoubtedly a terrible person to be around at present—injured and returning to the castle after failure.
Lilith was likely tense and scared of what the future might hold. So, as in every other situation, Willow would care for her. She would tend to her sister and ensure that she understood the safety and, if not love, comfort that Willow could find within Castle Brahanne.
“I assure ye, Lilith, I am well, and everythin' will work out for the best with the weddin'. I wouldnae lie to ye. Ye must understand that.”
Her sister tensed in her arms, but it was only a flinch that lasted hardly a few seconds. As soon as it hit, it was gone, and Lilithsqueezed Willow back, putting her face in the crook of Willow’s neck.
“Ye mean the world to me, Willow. I just…worry.”
A smile spread across Willow’s face, and she closed her eyes as she stood there with Lilith—her only friend since birth.
“That is to be me job, Lilith. I am the one who worries. Ye are meant to be glad and at ease. Please, Sister, trust in me. I have everythin' in hand. I promise ye.”
“We shall see, Willow.” Lilith stood back from her, meeting her gaze with a smile that lacked conviction. “We’ll see.”