Page 77 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“Ye are becomin’ fond of him.”

“I am toleratin’ him.”

“Aye,” Rowan said, rolling his eyes.

Gordon gave him a warning look, but Rowan only smiled.

Lileas leaned against Gordon’s side, perfectly comfortable now. He looked at the two of them. His brother, the child and the hedgehog.

For one strange moment, a softness shifted inside his chest. It was warmth but not the restless heat Ailis stirred whenever she came near.

This was quieter.

He looked down at Lileas’s curly hair, the at Brochan again, and his lips lifted in another smile.

This felt like joy.

The thought came so suddenly that Gordon nearly rejected it aloud.

It could nae be.

Happiness had never belonged to him. It had been something other people possessed. Something he had watched from a distance and learned not to want.

His uncle had taught him early that wanting made a man weak.

Wantin’ family or comfort… wantin’ peace was a weakness. A clever enemy could use that against me.

He could not want any of that, but despite himself, Gordon’s mouth softened.

Then movement caught his eye. He looked across the courtyard and saw Ailis was walking toward them.

She appeared to be searching for Lileas.

Her light brown hair had come loose around her shoulders, and the fading sunlight caught in the strands. She wore a simple gown, her skirts gathered slightly as she walked. There was a crease between her brows as she searched the courtyard.

Gordon watched her. His heart gave one slow, heavy breath then another.

And an absurd thought entered his mind.

It would be nice if she sat here with us.

Just for a little while.

Beside me.

Close enough that he could reach out and touch her hand.

He imagined it before he could stop himself, and the images came clear in his mind. Rowan laughing beside him, Lileas nestled between them, and Brochan warm against his leg. Ailis sitting nearby, smiling at something Lileas said. Her sister would be here too, laughing and holding Rowan’s hand. They would seem like an ordinary family, and he would lean in to kiss Ailis once on her lips, and she would beam at him.

What he imagined was an ordinary evening. It was nothing grand, and yet he could never dare dream of it.

Because he knew exactly what had been stolen from him.

He knew what it was to have family taken away before a child was old enough to understand why. He knew what it was to grow up believing belonging was something granted only to those strong enough to fight for it.

He could not stop wanting Ailis, and yet he could not let his mind conjure up a life in which he would have her. Because if he did, he would lose himself. If he softened, he would not be able to protect anyone.

Even her.