Chapter 27

Daemon was working in his study when the door flew open and Lyla darted inside, her face glowing with joy. Daemon had just enough time to stand up and come around the desk before she crashed into his arms.

Daemon caught her easily. "Ye look happy. Did something happen?"

"Aye. Me faither has agreed tae permit our suit." Lyla's eyes were sparkling with joy, and Daemon felt an answering warmth well up inside him.

"He has?" he could scarcely believe it, even though Laird MacDougall had said he would consider the matter. He'd expected the man to take more time thinking over the situation.

"Aye, so long as he can give me away at the altar, and so long as we wait until after the conflict with Clan Ranald is over." Lyla was almost dancing in his arms with happiness.

Daemon smiled, joy filling his heart as well. "I can promise that." He bent his head to kiss her.

The meeting of their lips sent sparks racing through him, and a familiar tightness surging to his groin. His arms tightened around Lyla's slender frame.

Lyla's voice was breathy as she leaned against his chest and rose to whisper in his ear. "I did latch the door behind me, me laird…."

Daemon needed no further urging as he swung her around to perch on his desk so he could kiss her more firmly. Lyla's hands slid to his belt, and Daemon smiled as it slid free and clattered to the floor.

There were important papers on the desk he couldn't risk scattering. Through the fog of desire, Daemon realized that much. He drew back and stepped backward toward the larger of the two chairs near the hearth. "Will ye trust me?"

"O' course." Lyla slipped free of his hands, smiling teasingly as she drew her blouse over her head, then loosened her chemise to bare her breasts to his admiring view. Daemon felt his arousal stiffen further, his manhood aching as heat danced through his blood.

Daemon settled into the chair and spread his legs. "Lift yer skirt and straddle me." His heart was pounding as Lyla moved to stand over him, her skirt raised to show tantalizing glimpses of her sex, gleaming with the dampness of her arousal.

Daemon felt his mouth go dry, and even freed from the confines of his trousers, his member ached, his blood pounding through his body and burning with passion. "Come here."

Lyla slid over him, the cloth of her skirt teasing his shaft before she straddled him. The lips of her sex brushed the sensitive head of his shaft, and Daemon shuddered, a growl ripping from his throat as Lyla smiled and traced a hand across his chest.

Daemon gripped the arms of the chair, panting for breath as Lyla lowered herself over him, her tight, velvety, hot sheath engulfing his shaft in its folds. His body shuddered as she slid slowly down, inch by inch, until he was buried to the hilt in her soft and welcoming warmth.

For a long moment, the only sound was their harsh breathing and the pounding of his heart. Then Daemon swallowed and took a deep breath. "Move fer me, Lyla."

Lyla's hands gripped his shoulders as she rose up, then sank back down, riding his member in a slow, coaxing rhythm that sent heat spiraling through him. Daemon threw his head back, his hips rocking helplessly up to meet her with each movement.

Her breasts teased his vision, swaying before his eyes as her scent enveloped him and her sex gripped him. Heat and desire pulsed through him with every movement, taking him higher and deeper into his pleasure. Everything was burning in the most wonderful way, and Daemon gave himself up to the sensations as Lyla rode him.

His world narrowed to the feeling of Lyla around him, on his lap and clenched around his manhood. Warmth and pleasure rose higher and higher, filling his mind and wiping away any thoughts.

He could see Lyla's dazed expression, a look of overwhelming pleasure and heat that matched what flowed through him. Daemon leaned forward and nipped gently at one breast, teasing the nipple with his teeth, and Lyla stiffened. A keening sound came from her throat as her body clenched around him, her core convulsing around his shaft as her release flowed over him.

The sensation was enough to push him over the edge, and Daemon surrendered to his own release as it swept him up. His hips arched into Lyla as his seed pumped deep within her welcoming heat, and pleasure carried him away on a tide of sensation that sent sparks dancing through his vision.

The wave crested higher and broke over him in a second shock of sensation, and Daemon let it carry him away.

* * *

Lyla eyed the chessboard for a long moment, then moved one of her pawns. She and Daemon had agreed to a game after their breathing and their clothing had been restored to normal, but it wasn't going too well for her. She'd never been as fond of chess as she was of cards, and already half her pawns and one of her bishops had been taken.

Daemon smirked and moved his queen. "Check."

Lyla scowled and reached for her king to move it out of harm's way. She'd just picked up the white piece when the door flew open and Cai entered the room, his expression uncharacteristically grim. He was holding a paper in his hand. "This was just given tae the guards at the gate."

Daemon took the paper before she could reach for it. Within seconds, all the relaxation and calm had gone out of his expression, leaving it a mask of icy fury. Blue eyes blazing with anger looked up. "Find Ryan, and call the council taegether. Then send someone tae fetch Laird MacDougall and bring him tae the council chambers."

Cai nodded and vanished back out the door. Lyla set down the chess piece. "What does the note say? ‘Tis obviously bad news." In answer, Daemon handed her the missive.

She took it and started to read.

Laird MacMillan,

It has come tae the attention o' Laird Ranald that ye have intention tae ride at the side o' Clan MacLean, tae aid them in their current disagreement with the Ranald Clan. Ye have been warned more than once against pursuing such action, and it appears that ye have chosen tae ignore those warnings, along with Laird MacDougall.

We also ken that ye are courting the youngest daughter o' Laird MacDougall. Ye were seen taegether in the village and walking beyond yer keep walls. ‘Tis clear ye have feelings for the lass, and we suspect ye wouldnae want aught tae happen tae her.

We give ye both this one last warning. Cease yer plans, and declare yerself neutral and unable tae aid Darren MacLean, or lose something precious fer yer temerity in getting involved with matters that are none o' yer concern.

If ye agree, send a messenger tae MacLean within the hour, and hang a white flag from the wall, and we will leave ye in peace. Otherwise, ye'll face the consequences o' yer choice.

There was no signature, but there didn't need to be one. The message was plain enough. Lyla felt her heart sink and her stomach churn with apprehension as she looked at Daemon. "What are ye planning?"

"I dinnae ken just yet, but I'll nae be giving in tae these cowards. Even if I didnae have an alliance with Laird MacLean, I'd nae be yielding tae such demands." Daemon took the letter back and tucked it into his sash, then rose. "Come. The council will be gathering, and we'll decide what we're tae dae there."

Lyla nodded and followed him from the office to the council chambers. Her heart was hammering with apprehension as they entered the room to find her father and most of the council already waiting.

Daemon passed the letter to Cai, who read it aloud. The entire chamber sat silent as he read, though Lyla saw her father's fists clenching as Cai recited the threats that had been issued against her.

Cai finished the message and set the paper down, just as chaos erupted in the council chamber.

Daemon brought one hand crashing down on the table. Silence fell. "There's nae time fer arguing. Understand, I'm willing tae take counsel, but nae if it involves surrendering tae the demands o' these cowards, or abandoning our allies in their time o' need."

One of the elders spoke up. "We cannae fight in a conflict on two or three fronts, me laird. We dinnae have enough men, even with the assistance o' allies."

"'Tis true enough. But we cannae abandon our allies." Daemon nodded.

Kaelin lifted a hand for attention. "From what I understand o' the missive, these scoundrels are threatening tae steal me daughter away if we dinnae agree tae stand down."

Daemon nodded. "That was the intent I gathered from the message, aye."

"Then perhaps ‘tis best if I escort me daughter home. Even sending reinforcements tae MacLean, we should have plenty o' guards tae protect her at home. ‘Tis also good because most o' the folk there are familiar tae Lyla, and she'll be more able tae recognize any suspicious strangers."

Lyla's heart fell. "Faither…."

Daemon reached out and placed his hand on hers. "'Tis a sensible solution. Ye'll be safer in yer own home. And with ye there, yer faither and I can both ride tae aid MacLean. With our combined forces, we're more likely tae reach a quicker resolution tae the conflict."

Lyla swallowed. Her head knew her faither and Daemon were right. Her heart, however, was protesting. The idea of being removed from Daemon's presence made her feel as if her heart might shatter like glass. She turned her hand to grip his. "I dinnae want tae leave ye. Daemon…"

"'Twill only be until the conflict is resolved. And we would be separated in any case, when I rode tae MacLean lands." Daemon's eyes showed the same sorrow she felt, but his expression was resolute.

"I could…"

"Dinnae even think tae suggest o' riding with us. Neither yer faither nor I would consider taking a lass intae a battle, nae fer the reasons we have. Besides, the point is tae make ye less vulnerable tae being snatched, and riding with us, ye'd be in more danger."

Her father came over to put an arm around her shoulders. "Besides that, there's nae one overseeing the management o' MacDougall Keep while I'm away, save the steward and the head cook. The healer is with the warriors, and yer sister and Marcus havenae arrived tae take over their duties yet. I need ye tae take charge o' the household until we return."

As much as she wanted to protest further, she knew they were right. She did have responsibilities, duties that had been left neglected for far too long. And despite her lessons in self-protection, she would only be a hindrance if it came to a full battle. Certainly, she could aid the healers, but that was not enough of a reason to endanger everyone.

She was a target, and she'd already been threatened, as well as almost stolen away in the first attack. As much as she hated to admit it, the truth was that everyone would be safer for her absence.

She swallowed hard against the sting of tears in her eyes, and bowed her head in agreement. "I understand." She looked to her father. "When will we be leaving?"

Her father glanced at the window. "'Tis getting on toward evening already, and riding at night isnae wise." He turned to Daemon. "Laird MacMillan, I beg yer hospitality fer one night more. Me daughter and I will leave fer MacDougall Keep first thing after breakfast in the morning."

"Well enough." Daemon's eyes met hers, then turned to the assembled council. "I want the warriors provisioned and ready tae ride as soon as Laird MacDougall returns from escorting his daughter home."