Page 95 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

For one terrible heartbeat, he nearly crossed the room. He nearly went to her and pulled her into his arms just to hold her close. But eventually, he looked away, lowered his head, and walked toward the stairs, away from the light she carried around her.

He could not fight what she made him feel anymore.

He could only run from it.

That night, Ailis felt truly happy for the first time in years.

The feeling was so unfamiliar that she scarcely knew what to do with it. Her nerves tingled with a lightness that made her laugh heartily, and warmth bloomed beneath her ribs every time she looked around the grand hall and saw everyone’s excitement.

Laughter rolled from one end of the room to the other. Cups were raised. Someone had begun singing, badly enough that three different voices shouted corrections from across the tables.

Sorcha was laughing beside Rowan. Callan was arguing cheerfully with one of the older warriors, and Lileas sat proudly on the bench with Brochan tucked beside her. She, too, looked flushed with excitement.

It was all perfect for Ailis except for the fact that Gordon had refused to join them when he returned.

I wonder what he thinks of how the keep looks now and the paintings on the wall.

When their gaze met briefly earlier, she had hoped he would smile at her or perhaps acknowledge her with a small nod.

Hours passed before the music finally wound down, and rain battered the keep’s outer walls, raging on with an intensity that made her wonder who angered the skies.

Ailis sat in Lileas’ chamber and read to her till she fell asleep, her little fingers curled around the edge of Ailis’ sleeve. Ailis had tucked the blankets beneath her chin, kissed her forehead, and slipped quietly from the room.

Her mind would not settle, so she decided to head to the library in search of more books she could read to Lileas.

A fairytale, perhaps.

Something with enchanted forests and foolish princesses who somehow found their way into the arms of handsome princes. Instead, she found Gordon. He sat alone in the small library overlooking the courtyard, a glass of whisky resting in one hand. Firelight touched the hard angles of his face, leaving half of him in shadow.

He looked up when she entered.

Ailis’ pulse skittered, but she mustered up a smile.

“I didnae expect to find the Dragon here,” she said lightly as she moved to him.

He did not smile. “I am nae in the mood for teasin’ tonight.”

Her smile faltered as she stepped farther into the room. “Gordon, are ye hidin’?”

“Aye.” The answer came so simply that something inside her sank. His voice sounded rougher than ever, like the words scraped out of him. “I am hidin’.”

Ailis closed the door behind her and moved closer to him. “From what?”

He looked down at his whisky. “Everythin’.”

She studied him. “Are ye hidin’ from me too?”

He said nothing in response to her question, and the silence was enough. The small ache that had been waiting beneath her happiness returned. She tried to swallow it, but it would not go.

Then Gordon looked at her. “Thank ye.”

Ailis blinked, shocked at his words this time. Her heart soared, but she managed to keep her voice steady as she asked, “For what?”

“For what ye have done here.” His voice had softened. “With the keep and with me men…”

Warmth returned to her chest as she shook her head. “I have done nothin’,” she told him. “It is important that yer people feel at home. Like they arenae just protected but are also cared for.”

Gordon’s thumb moved slowly around the rim of his glass. “Before now, these halls used to be silent.