Lilith shook her head in a half-wobble, clearly trying to process what Willow was saying. She reflexively took the shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders as Willow shoved her toward the door.
“I daenae understand.” Lilith furrowed her brow, not moving as quickly as Willow would have liked. “Why are ye rushing me about so much?”
“Damon is in serious condition. I worry for his survival, and I ken that if he is to perish, Keegan’s mercy for anyone associated with the battle will dry up. Ye must go now before anythin' takes a turn for the worse.”
Lilith’s expression dropped, and Willow was admittedly taken aback by the horror that washed over her sister’s face.
“I—”
“Willow!” Melissa burst into the room, and Willow flicked her attention toward the door in utter shock.
“Melissa?” She put Lilith behind her as her sister-in-law quickly approached her. “What are ye doing here?”
“I was searchin' for ye, silly. Ye must nae leave because of me brother. He is out of sorts. Daenae make any rash decision until everythin' has been given a chance to calm down. Please.”
Willow shook her head as her stare fell to the floor. “Melissa, it is kind of ye to be concerned, but I can assure ye I ken what is best for me and Lilith. We need to have things made ready for her departure with Magnus’s body.”
Melissa frowned, but she looked behind her to the door where Rodrick was now following after her. “I asked him to come. I hoped that ye might see that webothwish for ye to stay.”
There was no time for all this, and it didn’t matter what Melissa or Rodrick might say. Willow knew what she had to do, and it began with getting her sister and brother’s body out of there so that they could safely return to Castle McCallum before Keegan’s fury boiled over.
“If ye truly wish to aid me,” Willow looked between Rodrick and Melissa, “then please ensure me sister and Magnus’s body are ready for an immediate departure. She will need an escort, though, and I daenae ken who might be able to assist her.”
Rodrick stepped forward, and for as boisterous and exuberate a man as he was, Rodrick’s tone was low and almost…sorrowful.
Looking between Willow and Lilith, he said, “There is another remainin' survivor of the attack. A man called Finley has been held in the dungeons. He has been asking to see the both of ye.”
“Finley! He’s alive!” Willow sagged some as Lilith came up to her side and gripped her hand. “Och, thank God for that. He is a wise choice. He will escort Lilith back to the castle to bury Magnus.”
Willow maneuvered Lilith toward Rodrick. “Take her to him and see that Magnus’s body is brought up for transport. Aye?”
Rodrick eyed her, his reservations clear. He regarded Melissa as well, and she only nodded, gesturing toward Willow as she dropped her stare to the floor.
“I will do this for ye, me lady.” Rodrick smiled lightly. “Ye are the lady of the castle, after all, and I cannae refuse ye. Still, ye should ken that the laird wishes to question Finley about the attack.”
Willow swallowed, glancing off to the side as she considered what her loyal friend might have done during the fight. “Was he seen during the battle? Did he…did he attack many?”
Shaking his head, Rodrick turned down the corners of his mouth. “On the contrary, me lady. Yer man was seen tending to injured. He dinnae take up his sword but to defend himself, and even then used only non-lethal methods.”
Sighing, Willow was proud to hear that her belief in Finley was well-placed. He had never approved of Magnus’s methods, and he was a kind soul above all else.
“Thank ye for sayin' as much, Rodrick. Allow him to leave with Lilith, and then inform him that I command his return to Castle Brahanne when the burial is completed.”
“Aye, me lady. I will.”
Looking between her and Melissa, Rodrick bowed and held out a hand for Lilith. Her sister hesitated, turning to Willow and meeting her stare with tears in her eyes.
“What of yerself, Willow? What are ye to do about yer husband? Yer life here?”
Willow pulled Lilith into her arms, holding her tight to her chest for a long moment before pulling her back and grasping Lilith by either shoulder. After a moment of simply smiling at her sister, taking in those lovely blue eyes, Willow shook herself, tucking a strand of Lilith’s hair behind her ear.
“Daenae fash over me, Sister. All will be quite well, and I will be along to visit ye soon.”
Nodding, Willow patted Lilith’s arms and then turned to Rodrick again.
“Take her to the stables to secure a coach.” She looked back at Lilith. “Ye will ride with Magnus’s body and Finley to the castle and complete the burial. Understood?”
“Willow, I?—”