Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Caelan went outside. His back against the cool stone wall, gazing at the shimmering stars that pierced through the night sky. Thoughts of Leona consumed him, lingering like the taste of her mouth on his. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had crossed a line, pushing past her boundaries. But the way she kissed me…

The haunting call of an owl echoed somewhere not too far off. Running a hand through his hair, his frustration was building and layering with each passing second. It was agony. But with her, it wasn't just the physical desire; there was something deeply rooted in him, surfacing slowly.

"Me laird," the familiar voice purred.

He turned quickly, foolishly hoping that Leona had returned to him. But it wasn't his betrothed who stood before him. Disappointment flooded through him, and he sighed. "Flora," his voice was low, tired even. In the past few days, he had barely thought of the maid.

She took a step closer. "Ye seem so troubled. What ails ye so heavily? Tell me what ye want me to do that might ease yer mind."

There was a time when Caelan would have taken her right then and there, even against the walls of his own castle. She had been the one he had turned to for release, the one he would take his frustrations out on in heated moments of passion and flesh.

The last few days, however, he had not sought her out. His thoughts were preoccupied with someone else– Leona.

"I am nae in the mood for it, lass," Caelan said, his voice flat.

Undeterred, Flora pouted and stepped even closer still. She reached out, her fingers tracing a path down his neck and chest. But this time, her touch failed to ignite the fire within him. Instead, it left him feeling cold and distant, as if he had turned to stone.

Caelan took hold of her wrist, meeting her eyes with a firm gaze. "Ye will be more discreet now that I am to have a wife. Ye willnae do this again."

Her shock was evident as her eyes widened, and a pale tone washed over her face. Slowly, she pulled back her hand, holding it protectively over her chest.

"So, that is it then? Ye gain a wife, and ye cast me aside?" She whispered, her voice quivering as tears threatened her eyes. "Caelan, 'tis nay fair. Ye told me ye would never take a wife. Ye said ye would sooner die than–"

"I ken what was said."

"Then why? What have I done to deserve this? I will do anythin' for ye."

Caelan sighed. "Lass, enough. There is nothin' more to say. Forgive me for allowing it to go as far," he replied with a frown, his voice tinged with regret and a warning. "I am being as kind to ye as I can. Now go."

"But–"

"Go."

Flora turned on her heel, her hair flying about her head, and she started for the single door from where she had come. He watched her vanish through the servant's entrance before turning his gaze to the large doors that he had brought Leona through.

He took a deep breath. No matter how much he tried not to allow it, his mind drifted towards Leona once more. But this time, he found himself wondering. What if it had been her? What if she had touched him? Would he be able to turn her away if she was at his feet, begging?

"Dammit," he said as he turned for the doors. She's bewitched me.

Restlessly, Leona tossed and turned in her bed, her mind plagued by thoughts and worries about the impending wedding. But above all else, she thought of the kiss. The taste of it and the mess she had made, hung heavy in the air, making sleep an elusive companion. Frustration gnawed at her until, with a huff, she threw the covers aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Hours had passed since she had retired to her chambers, and she felt more impatient. I need somethin' to ease me mind . She knew she needed a distraction from the whirlwind of emotions swirling behind her eyes.

Books had always been her refuge, a way to escape the confines of her own situation and thoughts. Her eyes moved to the side table where the few novels she had brought sat, all read and reread more times than she could count. Her mind moved from her chambers, traveling to Caelan's study, where the walls were lined with decorated spines.

She frowned and ran a hand down her face, groaning. Leona knew she couldn't just go in and take what she wanted, as tempting as that was. It seemed that Caelan did not mind her reading, but he was not likely to let her into his study without him there.

Her eyes fell on the hidden doorway leading directly to his room, and a smirk spread across her lips. Leona couldn't care less if he lay in his bed sleeping. Her desire for a book overruled any consideration for his rest.

The floor was cold, sending shivers from her bare feet to her core as she tiptoed towards the hidden passage. Why is there even a hidden passage in the first place? She knew many castles and keeps had such things, but one going directly to his room seemed strange.

As she eased the door open, the corridor stretched before her, an abyss of inky darkness. The only guiding light was the faint flicker of firelight emanating from the other side, framing the door.

Each step she took was shrouded in darkness, and she walked with her hands before her. The chill of the small space seeped into her bones and caused her to shiver. Luckily, Leona was not afraid of the darkness. The only reason her heart was thundering in her chest was due to the person on the other side.

She wondered, could she borrow the key from him?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity blanketed in the dark, she reached the end. Carefully, as to not make much sound, she pushed on the wooden planks that made up the door. The hinges creaked gently, groaning like one would when being woken from a long and peaceful sleep.

His room was dimly lit, bathed in a soft, flickering glow from the fireplace. She stepped in, on her toes, slowly. Glancing towards Caelan's bed, she could make out his silhouette. The contours of his body were defined by the low light and shadows.

Leona moved carefully towards his bed. Her bare feet padded against the hardwood; each step seemed to creak in protest the closer she got. It seemed like the boards beneath her cried out into the quiet room, and she was beginning to wonder if this was a terrible idea.

As she reached his bedside, her eyes were drawn to him. Caelan looked peaceful, his arm tucked behind his head, revealing the firm and defined muscles of his chest and shoulders. The covers only reached his middle, leaving his stomach exposed to her shameless, wandering gaze.

The shadows played on his skin, accentuating the sharp angles and solid curves of muscle. Damn him, why does he look so–

"Have ye come to see me naked again, lass?"

Her eyes shot to his face; his eyes were still closed, but there was no mistaking the amused look spread across his lips. A rush of embarrassment washed over her, and she felt her cheeks grow hot.

"Well?"

"I came for a book," her voice was quiet, barely a whisper.

Caelan cracked one eye open, his gaze meeting hers with a mischievous shimmer. "Aye, that may be so," he said, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, "But it seems ye became distracted."

Leona couldn't even deny it. She had been caught red-handed. She rolled her eyes and turned from him, focusing on the flames in the fireplace. They stretched and crackled, devouring the pieces of wood that had been set in their grasp. "Daenae flatter yerself," she said. "I couldnae sleep and just wanted to read somethin' to help settle."

She heard the covers behind her shuffle and the bed groan in protest as he stood up. Caelan was right behind her, his body so close that she could feel the heat radiating from him to her. Leona could not bring herself to look back at him, not just because of her embarrassment over being caught staring, but because she knew he was in a state of undress.

When he stepped away, the urge to steal a quick glance was almost unbearable, but she remained steadfast. She didn't doubt that if she turned to look, he would meet her eyes.

Leona listened as he dressed himself, hearing the rustling of fabric. She swallowed hard, pushing the image of him dressing aside the best she could, but the picture of him pulling his tunic over his head filled her mind.

"All right," Caelan said in an amused tone.

Leona turned slowly, almost not wanting to look. "All right?"

"Ye wished to find a book," he said.

He moved to the small table in his room, plucking the candle in its holder. Caelan glanced over his shoulder, eyeing her in a way that made her cheeks warm. "Let us go then."

As they walked, she struggled to keep up with his lengthy strides, but for once, she didn't mind that her legs were short. This way, the slight glow from the candle wouldn't be able to illuminate the flush that had crossed over her face.

Leona couldn't stop herself from looking at him, from taking in the solid form of his body against the shadows. She thought about the kiss and how she wanted more of those kisses.

The study was dark and kept cool by the thick stone walls. Caelan stepped inside first, moving to the fireplace. As he knelt at the hearth, he could hear the soft sound of her feet padding against the floor, and he caught himself smiling.

He normally would be cross if he had been woken for a reason as trivial as a damn book, but Caelan could not help but just be amused. He truly did not mind at all. His fingers closed around the flint and bit of steel, things kept near the fire for moments such as this. The room was soon filled with the rhythmic scraping sound until a spark ignited the waiting kindling. With a rush of warmth and light, the fire came to life, casting a soft glow that pushed aside the shadows.

Leona wasted no time in exploring the shelves. Caelan watched her as she moved, her fingertips brushing against the spines of the books as her bright eyes skimmed over the titles. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

I need to ken more.

Just as she was about to select one, Caelan quietly approached her from behind. With a sly smile, his mind working, he plucked the book from her hand and held it just out of her reach.

"If ye want to read, ye must do somethin' for me first."

Leona blinked, her eyes narrowing. "And what is it ye expect me to do?"

Caelan leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper meant only for her. "Answer questions, and then ye can read whatever yer wee heart desires. Even the Karma Sutra ye picked up last time."

Her face turned pink, but she refused to look away. Her eyes challenged him, and she nodded. "Very well, but if I answer them… I get to come to the study when I please."

Caelan couldn't stop the satisfied grin from spreading across his face.

"What is yer favorite color?"

She did not hesitate. "Blue. A blue like blueberries."

"Do ye like blueberries then?"

She shook her head, smiling. "Nay, cannae stand them."

"What foods do ye enjoy then?"

"Most sweets," she admitted with a small, almost sheepish smile.

Leona's eyes drifted across the expanse of the study, her gaze rising and falling as she took in the walls and the books waiting for her there. "Have ye read them all, Caelan?"

"Nay, only some. Truthfully, some of these have been here longer than I have," he said as he watched her. There was something about her that he couldn't quite explain, something he had never known before.

He took a step towards her. "I thought I was the one askin' the questions?"

"Well, ask."

Caelan leaned in closer, his eyes holding hers. He couldn't seem to help himself. "Do ye often make a habit of enterin' men's chambers in the dead of the night?"

Her smile faded, and she raised her brows. Leona reached out, quickly placing her hands on his chest, and pushed back on him. Caelan stepped away, watching as she rolled her eyes. "Do ye enjoy teasin' me like this?"

Caelan was half tempted to answer truthfully but instead opted to say nothing at all.

Leona scoffed and stormed past him. "Never mind then. Goodnight."

Before she could reach the door, Caelan reached out and caught her wrist. His touch was gentle, but there was no denying the commanding tone of his actions. Leona spun around to face him, but kept her gaze turned away, the annoyance painted clear on her face. He pulled her back towards the wall, and she followed, though she seemed to grow even more irritated with each step.

Taking her chin gently between his fingers, he turned her face to meet his. Slowly, she let her eyes meet his. Caelan sighed. "I cannae promise nae to tease ye further, but I will try nae to."

He watched her closely, noting how his pulse seemed to quicken. There was a heavy tension between them, spilling out and filling the room. Caelan felt the urge to close the small gap between them, to feel her against him. But instead, he spun her around so her back was to the books lining the wall.

She looked up, the shock clear on her face. "Caelan–"

He leaned in closer, bending so that they were face to face. Caelan's eyes held hers, refusing to release her until they drifted down to her parted lips. Slowly, he eased in closer and closer until he could feel her breath against his mouth.

The urge to kiss her was almost too much.

Almost.

Caelan reached behind her head and pulled a book from the shelf, his eyes never leaving her kissable lips. Slowly, he pulled back, taking in the breathless state of shock she seemed to be in. He handed her the book, which she took in an almost dazed state.

Leona looked down at the cover. " The Taming of the Shrew. "