Page 123 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

As they drew further down the hallway leading to the exit, Ailis saw one servant slumped against the wall.

She gasped; her stomach turned and recoiled with dread.

“What have ye done?”

Kerr adjusted his gloves. “Only improved the ale somewhat. It is a celebration, and everyone will be drinkin’. They will sleep for hours, nothin’ more, and by the time they wake, we will be in me keep, married… and ye will be in me bed.”

Her blood ran cold.

“Once ye understand, ye will see I am the only man who has ever truly fought for ye.”

“Nay. I willnae be yer wife.” Ailis planted her feet beneath her though they trembled so badly, she feared her knees would give way.

Kerr’s expression hardened. “Ye will.”

He caught her arm and forced her toward the waiting horse.

“I said nay!” She twisted against him, but he was stronger. He shoved her forward, and she stumbled into the open air.

The cold struck immediately. It seeped beneath her gown, raising gooseflesh along her arms and stealing what little warmth remained in her fingers. She hugged herself, breathing hard.

“Gordon will find me,” she said. The words came out shakier than she intended.

Kerr laughed at that, and she saw the blaze of madness in the way he looked at her as his cackle drifted in the air.

“Gordon?” He sounded almost amused. “Ye still believe that man cares for ye?”

Ailis lifted her chin. “He will come.”

“He cares for his clan, his lands, and his precious reputation. That is all.”

“That isnae true.”

Kerr stepped closer. “Then why was he nae with ye tonight? Why have ye wandered away from yer own celebration and right into me arms?”

Ailis’ confidence faltered. Kerr saw it.

“Ye see?” he murmured. “Even ye ken I speak the truth.”

He led her toward the horse.

Ailis resisted until his grip tightened. “Daenae make me hurt ye,” he warned again, and this time, he shoved her forward.

She climbed reluctantly into the saddle. Kerr mounted behind her, trapping her between his body and the horse.

Ailis immediately moved forward, trying to create distance. There was nowhere to go.

Kerr’s arm settled around her waist. She recoiled from his touch, stiffening, but there was nowhere to run to, so she clenched her jaw hard and tried to endure it.

He leaned closer, breathing in the scent of her hair for a long moment, then he chuckled again.

“Ye are just as bonnie as I imagined, Ma’am I will enjoy our weddin’ night very much.”

Ailis’ stomach churned with disgust. “Daenae touch me.”

He trailed his hand down her arm even as she tried to wriggle away from him. “I have waited for this day for years.”

His voice dropped into something almost reverent which frightened her more than anger would have. “We will wed tonight because I cannae wait any longer.”