“Rodrick? What are ye—Where is Keegan?”
He smiled weakly at her, and Willow noted the several cuts and injuries littering Rodrick’s form.
“The battle is over.” Melissa and Lilith rushed up behind her. “We are victorious.”
A collective sigh echoed through the space as they each relaxed slightly, but Melissa was quick to close the distance to Rodrick and demand the answers they all wanted.
“What of the laird, Rodrick? And Damon? Did he and the others return?”
His expression dropped some, and Willow’s stomach knotted further into a mess of tension and fear.
“The laird is well, me lady.” Relief nearly sent Willow to the floor, but then she focused on the deep furrow in Rodrick’s brow. “Yer brother, Damon, is with the healer, though. He’s…he’s been gravely injured, me lady. I…”
Melissa’s eyes flared wide, and she gaped for a moment before whispering, “Damon.”
Without another word, she sprinted from the room, tearing down the hallway enough so that the furious beating of her steps could be heard while Willow still remained in Keegan’s chambers.
It was quiet for a moment, and Willow turned back toward Lilith. Her sister’s eyes were fixed on the floor, and she was shaking her head repeatedly.
“I…I…I did this. I am responsible for Damon’s wounds.” Tears rained down Lilith’s face. “Och, God. And what of our own brother? Defeated? Dead?”
It was a blow, to be sure—understanding the painful outcome of your actions—but Lilith was much more upset than Willow would have expected. Her sister stumbled backward until she bumped into the bed and plopped down. Willow hurried to her side, taking Lilith’s hand.
“Breathe, Lilith. I am here with ye. I am right here.”
Footsteps drew Willow’s attention up, and she glanced at Rodrick, who’d followed them inside the room.
“I am sorry, lass, but I wouldnae drag out the hurt.” He got down onto one knee, looking up at Lilith. “Yer brother…Magnus…He has fallen.”
Willow froze. She didn’t know what to do, what shewantedto do. Lilith joined her in staring at Rodrick, utterly shocked. The room was deathly silent for several moments, the only sounds being their breaths and the crackle of the fire.
Magnus was dead.
The great pain of her life, the man who’d tossed both her and sister aside for his ruthless pursuit of land, was ended. He was also, of course, her brother. She had grown up with the man, seen him play and steal food from the kitchens.
An odd grief worked through her chest. Magnus had not been kind, and it was unlikely that he would have ever changed. Still, now that fact was certain. The dead do not change. And so Willow let out a quiet sob for the brother that she wished he could have been.
We could have been family…a true family…and now…
“When can we take him home to bury him?”
Lilith’s voice broke the quiet, and Willow turned to her, her brow furrowing as her jaw dropped slightly.
She wasn’t sure what she expected her sister to say, but it wasn’t that. Still, they should bury the man. He had been family. Perhaps in the beyond he could find the forgiveness and peace he never did in life.
“Me lady,” Rodrick took Lilith’s hand, his brows knitted together over his look of unease, “he…There was fire. It isnae a sight for a lass.”
“I havenae asked that, sir. He may be shrouded, but we should take him back for a burial.”
Rodrick winced once more, and Willow knew that there was more.
“What is it, Rodrick?”
He ducked his head, and when he looked back up at them, any bit of his usual charm and easy smile was gone.
“Keegan has commanded that we arenae to touch his body. He is to remain in the field to…decay.”
It was a strange knock to her chest, but Willow had to suck in a fresh breath. Lilith’s sobs sounded up next to her, and a stray tear dripped down Willow’s cheek in turn.