Chapter 19

19

T he early morning light filtered through the narrow window of the room, casting soft beams over the stone floor. The faint chirping of birds outside added to the stillness, giving the castle an almost tranquil air.

Erica sat next to Lily, with an open book in her lap. But her mind wasn’t on the story. Instead, her thoughts kept drifting back to everything that had occurred before Hunter and Calvin excused themselves.

Her body still thrummed with the memory of their heated argument. His anger had been palpable, raw and fierce, but even in the midst of it, Erica couldn’t ignore the strange pull between them—the way her heart raced when his body had been so close to hers, the way her breath hitched when his voice dropped to an intimate murmur. There had been something in the way he had looked at her, something so forceful and unyielding.

Was it just anger? Or was there more?

Lily shifted beside her. The little girl had curled up with a small blanket, her eyes still sleepy but filled with curiosity. “Aunt Erica?”

Erica blinked, a little startled. “Aye, sweetlin’?”

Lily’s eyes were wide and innocent as she asked, “Can ye read me a story?”

Erica smiled, glancing down at the open page. “Of course, love. Let me find a good one to read ye until yer uncle comes back.”

She started to read aloud, her voice smooth and gentle as she spoke the words. Lily settled back into the bed, clutching her blanket tightly with her small hands and listening intently.

The story was one of adventure and mystery, the kind of tale that Lily seemed to love the most. But Erica’s mind wasn’t fully focused on the words. The tension from the night before still lingered between her and Hunter, even though he hadn’t been near her since their argument.

Suddenly, she heard heavy footsteps approach the room. Her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t need to look up to know that it was him . Hunter’s presence filled every space he occupied. His footsteps were familiar, and despite the distance, Erica felt drawn to him.

The door to the room swung open with a soft creak, and there he was, standing in the doorway. His coat was slung over his shoulder, and his hair was slightly disheveled, which made her wonder what his conversation with Calvin was about. The faintest shadow of exhaustion clung to his features. But to Erica, he still looked undeniably… captivating .

He scanned the room before his gaze fell on her. She could feel the weight of it, a quiet intensity that made her pulse quicken. He stood there for a moment, almost as if he were searching for something—an answer, perhaps—or maybe someone. Then his eyes flicked to Lily, whose face lit up at the sight of him.

“Wife,” he said, his voice low but firm. “A word.”

Erica’s stomach twisted.

Of course, he wants to speak to me. After all the tension this mornin’, it seems he has more to say.

She glanced down at Lily, who seemed content to watch their exchange, but she didn’t want to drag the child into whatever conversation Hunter had in mind.

“Lily, why dinnae ye give us a moment? We’ll continue the story in a minute.”

Lily nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “All right, Aunt Erica. I’ll wait for ye.”

Hunter followed Erica into the hallway, his footsteps steady and resolute, like a man who knew exactly what he was doing.

Erica’s heart beat faster, but she refused to let her nerves show. She folded her arms over her chest, bracing herself for whatever was to come.

“What is it, Hunter?” she asked, keeping her voice steady, though she could feel her nerves bubbling beneath the surface.

Hunter’s eyes were sharp as they raked over her. “Struan said that Lily wasnae feelin’ well yesterday. Why didnae ye tell me?” His voice was gruff, a little more accusatory than she had expected.

Erica’s chest tightened at the mention of Struan’s name. She couldn’t escape him, his sly comments and manipulative tactics. It didn’t surprise her that he had something to say, even if it wasn’t true.

“Struan,” she uttered.

The man seemed to dissolve in and out of her life without a consequence.

“Aye, he was just outside and told me that Lily was sick yesterday.”

“She wasnae sick,” she stated firmly, not backing down. “She was perfectly fine. Ye should ken—I was with her all day.”

Hunter furrowed his brow, his jaw tightening. “Struan seemed to believe otherwise. Why would he lie about somethin’ like that?”

“Because he’s lookin’ for a way to undermine ye, Hunter,” Erica shot back, her voice rising slightly with frustration. “Do ye nae see? He’s just lookin’ to cause trouble, to drive a wedge between ye and everyone else.”

Hunter’s lips pressed together into a thin line as he stared at her, his expression unreadable. There was a moment of silence, the kind that felt thick, like a fog rolling in between them.

“What do ye mean?”

Erica took a deep breath. She didn’t want to sound paranoid or create unnecessary tension, but her concerns demanded to be voiced. Her thoughts were jumbled up, and they started to spill out of her.

“Ye said that Struan found ye this mornin’. I can only assume that he must have gone out of his way to do so. Am I wrong?”

Hunter straightened. “It was Struan who brought it up, and I dinnae see the reason as to why he was up here or even outside at all to interrupt the conversation Calvin and I were havin’. So, aye.”

Erica hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Why would he do such a thing?”

Hunter’s jaw tightened, his gray eyes darkening like a storm brewing on the horizon. “Struan’s role is to stay informed about the clan’s well-being,” he explained, though there was a sharp edge to his voice. “He obviously remembered from yer run-in yesterday and was simply askin’ after Lily, kennin’ how much she means to me.”

Erica shook her head. “Maybe, but it doesnae stop there, does it?”

Hunter’s back stiffened, the tension unmistakable. “What are ye suggestin’, Erica?”

Erica swallowed hard, her gaze unwavering despite the intensity of his stare. “I’m suggestin’ that Struan is playin’ a game, one that involves ye—and possibly me. If he’s willin’ to use Lily’s health to push ye, what else might he do to get his way?”

Hunter fell silent, the flickering torchlight casting shadows on his face. For a long moment, he said nothing, his thoughts racing. Finally, he exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair.

“Struan’s loyalty to the clan has never been in question,” he said, though there was a hint of doubt in his voice. “It seems everyone around me needs to be reminded that he has served this clan for years, long before I became Laird.”

“That doesnae mean his motives are pure,” Erica pressed gently. “He might believe he’s doin’ what’s best for the clan, but that doesnae make it right. And it doesnae mean his actions are in yer best interest—or mine, or Lily’s.”

Hunter crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze dropping to the floor as he mulled over her words.

Erica could see the conflict in his eyes, the struggle between his trust in Struan— his father’s trust in Struan—and the possibility that she might be right.

“Ye think he means to undermine me, then?” he asked finally, his voice low.

“I think,” she said carefully, “that he’s pushin’ ye to make decisions that benefit him more than they benefit ye. Whether that’s underminin’ ye or steerin’ ye in a direction he prefers, I cannae say for certain. But I do ken that it’s worth payin’ attention to.”

“And ye reckon that I’ve been blind to this?”

Erica shook her head. “I think ye have had enough on yer shoulders without needin’ to question the people closest to ye. But that doesnae mean ye shouldnae.”

The silence stretched between them, thick with tension and unspoken words.

Finally, Hunter spoke again. “Struan’s counsel has always been sound,” he murmured, though his voice lacked conviction this time. “But I’ll admit, some of his suggestions lately have… been unsettlin’. And nae just to me. Calvin has voiced his concerns on more than one occasion.”

“Like what?”

“He’s the one who advised me to compete for yer hand.”

“He did?” Erica gasped, disgust lacing her words.

Hunter chuckled at her reaction and then nodded.

“That should have been yer first concern! Why would anyone, with the prosperity of their clan in mind, wish for their Laird to compete for a woman’s hand?”

“That’s one way to put it,” Hunter drawled, leaning his back against the doorframe.

“Why did he nae simply advise ye to answer at least one of me maither’s previous invitations?”

“He did.”

Erica’s eyes widened. “What is his obsession with Clan McFair?” she blurted out.

Hunter tilted his head to the side. “What do ye mean?”

“It just seems strange.”

“Strange? I dinnae follow.”

“Ye clearly havenae listened to the advice of yer closest councilman. Ye are a good, strong leader, Hunter. Ye dinnae need someone pullin’ the strings behind the scenes to tell ye what’s best for yer clan—for yer family.”

Hunter studied her, the word ‘family’ striking him like a whip.

He pushed off the doorframe, lowering his voice. “Maybe ye are right. But I’ve got more important things to worry about. The borders, the council… Struan and the other councilmen help by remindin’ me of other matters of equal importance?—”

“The borders again,” Erica interrupted as her imagination ran rampant with images of a lone ride at the edges of McFair Keep. “Ye have been obsessed with them for days now. I get it, but ye are actin’ as if the world’s goin’ to fall apart if we dinnae defend every inch of the borders.”

Hunter’s eyes flashed with a sudden intensity, and before she could react, he took another step toward her, his voice rising. “I’m doin’ the best I can, Erica! I have to protect ye—both of ye.”

His words stung, not because she didn’t appreciate his protection, but because she hated that he seemed to think she couldn’t stand on her own feet.

“I ken that well enough, husband,” she bit out, her sharp voice cutting through the air. “But ye dinnae have to make me decisions for me—as if I’m incapable of doing anythin’ on me own!”

Hunter’s eyes widened slightly as if he hadn’t expected her to push back so fiercely. “That’s nae what I meant, Erica. Ye?—”

“Then what did ye mean, Hunter?” she cut him off again, her temper flaring. “Ye’re so focused on the borders, on Struan, on everythin’ except the people around ye. Ye are losin’ sight of what’s important. If there’s real danger, then we—Lily and I—might be better off at McFair Keep. It would certainly be safer.”

The words were out before she could stop them, and she regretted them immediately. The air between them seemed to freeze, and for a brief moment, Hunter’s expression hardened, his lips thinning.

“Ye wish to leave?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “After everything we’ve been through, ye want to run back to yer faither’s keep as if nothin’ is wrong?” Anger radiated from his body.

Erica’s breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she almost wished she hadn’t said anything at all. But she couldn’t back down now. Not when she felt so strongly about it.

“If it means protectin’ Lily and meself, then aye, I do.”

The fire in Hunter’s eyes was nearly tangible, like a storm ready to break. “Ye think ye can just leave whenever ye want? Ye think I cannae handle this on me own?” He inched closer to her again, his tall frame looming over her. “This is yer home now. Ye’re me wife, Erica, and Lily belongs here with me. Ye are mine. Ye belong here.”

“I’m nae questioning ye,” Erica snapped, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. “But ye have too much on yer plate, and I dinnae want Lily to be caught in the middle of whatever’s comin’ next.”

Hunter’s chest heaved with labored breaths, and for a moment, Erica thought he would shout at her. “Where is this comin’ from? Why now, at the mention of me borders, do ye bring up goin’ back home?”

“I—” she started to explain. “Thomas wrote to me. I found his letter yesterday while ye were out.”

“A letter?”

“I wasnae sure how to bring it up, or even if I would,” she admitted. “But… it’s been on me mind ever since.”

Hunter’s expression remained neutral, unsure where the conversation was heading. “Go on then, what did yer braither say?”

“Thomas wanted to update me on how our faither and everyone else back home was doin’. He mentioned our siblings, how they’re managin’ in me absence, and…”

Sensing her hesitation, Hunter asked quickly, “And how is yer faither’s health?”

Erica’s chest tightened as she recalled Thomas’s words. “He said our faither hasnae improved, but that the healer has him on a new tonic that eases his pain.”

“Is that what’s troublin’ ye, or is there more?”

“There’s more,” Erica admitted, her fingers gripping her skirts tightly. “He mentioned somethin’ odd. He said there had been a rider near the borders. A stranger on horseback, circling the keep at odd hours. None of the guards recognized him, and he never approached them—even disappeared when they rode out to meet him. He just… watched.”

Hunter’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. His back stiffened, his shoulder rose to his ears, and his gaze sharpened with a predatory intensity. “A rider? How long has this been goin’ on?”

“Thomas didnae say, but the impact was enough that Reid insisted he write to me about it. I reckon he kenned I would share it with ye.”

A tense silence settled between them. Erica could almost see the wheels turning in his mind, considering possibilities and forming strategies. He looked around, most likely for Calvin, who was nowhere to be seen.

“Why did ye nae tell me this sooner?” he asked, his voice clipped.

“I wasnae sure it was worth mentionin’,” she admitted. “I thought maybe Thomas was bein’ overly cautious, or that it could be a coincidence. But now…” She hesitated, her voice growing softer. “Now, I’m nae so sure…”

“What does yer gut tell ye, Erica? Do ye honestly think that this is all just a coincidence? The arrow, me absence, Calvin’s warnin’?”

“Nay, I dinnae think it is. Though, I’m nae privy to whatever it is that has pulled ye away from the castle. So, ye have kept things from me for me own ‘safety’, and look where it’s gotten us.”

“A stranger watchin’ McFair, possibly followin’ ye here… it’s nae something to keep to yerself, Erica.”

“There’s more,” she added bravely, her cheeks flushing.

“Och?” Hunter murmured, giving her the space to voice her concerns.

“It’s just a feeling’, now that me mind is workin’, but… Struan might ken more than he lets on.”

“Struan again?”

“Aye, he seems too keen on certain things. Me family, the competition, our marriage, an heir, Lily. It feels like he’s orchestratin’ something, controllin’ the situation from behind the scenes. I mentioned puppets before, but what if it’s true?”

Hunter stayed silent, her words hanging in the air between them.

“Maybe he thinks he’s helpin’,” she relented. “But if he’s pushin’ ye in ways that arenae right for ye or Lily, that’s something to consider.”

“Calvin,” Hunter said, his eyes landing on something just over her shoulder.

“I’ve heard it all me Laird,” a low voice growled from the shadows.

The man-at-arms stepped out into the light, revealing himself.

Has he been there the whole time? Of course, he has.

“Calvin will go to McFair Keep to investigate this with the guard and meet with yer faither on me behalf.”

At that, Calvin silently slipped away.

Erica heard his footsteps retreating down the corridor. “Why can I nae go too? I could take Lily with me, and we’ll both be safer there,” she pressed again.

“I willnae get into this again. Me decision is final—dinnae press me.”

“I’ll nae submit to ye, Hunter Buchanan,” Erica hissed, fire behind her words.

But before either of them could say another word, they heard a soft voice from behind them. “Are ye two fightin’ again?”

Lily stood in the doorway, her small face a picture of concern, but with a hint of exasperation.

Both Erica and Hunter froze, the heat between them instantly dissipating.

Erica’s heart sank as she saw Lily standing there, watching them. She didn’t want the little girl to see them like this.

“Lily…” Hunter began, his voice softening. “It’s nothin’, lass. Just a little misunderstandin’.”

“Right,” Erica agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. But her frustration still simmered beneath the surface. “Nothin’ at all.”

Lily put her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing with a maturity far beyond her years. “Ye both need to stop actin’ like children, but ye are supposed to be the grown-ups,” she declared, before stepping forward and tugging on Hunter’s sleeve. “Can we get back to the story now? I dinnae want to wait anymore.”

Hunter hesitated, his jaw tightening as his gaze flicked to Erica. “This isnae over,” he muttered under his breath, his voice low enough so only she could hear. Then, he turned back to Lily and offered her a small smile. “Of course, lass.”

Lily took his hand and pulled him back toward the bed.

Erica watched them for a moment, her chest heavy with the weight of everything she had said. She had pushed him—too hard, too fast—and now it felt like the distance between them was wider than ever.

As Hunter sat down beside Lily, opening the book and beginning to read in his deep, soothing voice, Erica stood in the doorway, unable to bring herself to leave.

Her gaze lingered on her husband, on the way his rough hands handled the delicate pages, on the way his expression softened as he spoke to his niece. She couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the anger he’d shown moments ago and the tenderness he displayed now. It was maddening, how he could switch so effortlessly between the two.

Her thoughts wandered as she leaned against the doorframe, her fingers absently brushing the fabric of her dress. She caught Hunter glancing at her once, his eyes roaming over her before returning to the book. Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her gaze to the fire, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

What am I supposed to do?

She truly believed that taking Lily to McFair Keep was the right thing to do, but Hunter’s reaction had shaken her. He was so fiercely protective of his home, his niece, his pride—it was almost overwhelming. And yet, the idea of leaving him to face this danger alone felt wrong.

Erica sighed softly, crossing her arms as she continued watching them. Whatever was brewing between them, it wasn’t going to be solved until the book was read and Lily was satisfied that they were getting along once again.

The quiet of the early evening stretched over the castle grounds like a soothing balm. Hunter stood at the bottom of the stone staircase, his arms crossed, waiting for Erica to emerge.

He had been trying to decide how to go about this all day. Asking her to join him for a walk felt… unusual. It wasn’t something he did often, certainly not with someone who managed to get under his skin the way Erica did.

But after their argument that morning and everything that had transpired between them over the last few weeks, he knew he owed her—at least a moment of civility. Though conflicted, he considered what she had said during their argument.

Would she really go back to McFair Keep? And if she does, would she take Lily with her?

Hunter knew he would have to bring it up again. Nothing had been resolved between them. Although he anticipated that the argument that was in store would turn into a much bigger affair. It would dredge up the reasons why he hadn’t claimed her yet, even though he sent her that note. It would dredge up her safety, and Lily’s safety. It would dredge up the council and her family. And, knowing Erica, it would probably dredge up a hundred other things that he couldn’t even wrap his head around.

“A ball of madness, she is,” he groaned and rubbed his eyes in frustration.

When he dropped his hand, spots blurred his vision, but not enough to obscure her as she rounded the corner.

Erica’s skirts swished softly with each step, her hair catching the fading light. Her face lit up with a faint smile when she saw him waiting, but there was a hint of trepidation in her eyes that made his chest tighten.

She always looked at him like she was trying to figure him out, like she was about to challenge him in some way. And damn it all, it always worked.

“Good evenin’, husband,” she teased lightly, descending the final step. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Hunter rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the smirk that tugged at his lips. “I thought ye might like some fresh air. Or are ye too tired after runnin’ circles around Lily all day?”

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Nae at all. Though Lily might have other ideas about who was runnin’ circles around whom.”

Hunter gestured toward the garden path that wound through the castle grounds. “Come on, then. I’ve had enough of the castle and councilmen for one day. I could use the company of someone… less insufferable.”

“That’s quite the compliment,” Erica quipped, falling into step beside him. “I’ll take it.”

The moon had risen high, its light spilling over the gardens in soft silver waves. The night was crisp but not cold, and the scent of earth and blooming flowers hung in the air.

Erica filled the quiet with her stories—talking animatedly about the games she and Lily had played earlier, the way Lily had laughed until tears streamed down her face when she pretended to trip over her feet during a chase.

Hunter listened, his hands folded behind his back. He found himself stealing glances at her as she spoke. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her voice warm and filled with genuine care.

She had a way of bringing lightness to even the heaviest of days. And while her words danced in the air between them, Hunter’s heart swelled slightly with something he didn’t dare name.

“Ye are good with her,” he said suddenly, cutting her off mid-sentence. His voice was quieter than he had intended, almost gruff.

Erica stopped walking and turned to face him, arching an eyebrow in surprise. “What?”

He cleared his throat, shifting on his feet. “With Lily. Ye are good with her. I see how she looks at ye. How she laughs around ye. She’s been happier since ye came here.”

For a moment, she simply stared at him, as if trying to process the unexpected praise. Then a smile spread across her lips, warm and genuine. “Thank ye, Hunter. That means a lot to me. Though I’ve had a bit of practice, what with being the second eldest of six siblings.”

“Six siblings…”

Hunter’s thoughts drifted back to his four brothers. His wife was not so unlike him in that regard. He recalled when he, too, was a playful child, stirring up mischief and tomfoolery. The memory tugged at his heartstrings, and guilt for enjoying his time with Erica washed over him.

He nodded, his gaze dropping to the ground briefly before meeting hers again. “I should have said it sooner. I… I owe ye.”

Her smile widened, though there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—curiosity, maybe. “What do ye owe me?”

“Ask me anythin’ ye wish.”

“Anythin’?”

“Aye. I’ll tell ye if it’s off limits, but ye can ask anyway.”

“All right then. How did ye end up so reserved?” she asked, tilting her head. Her voice was soft, but her question was loaded. “Ye arenae exactly forthcomin’ with yer gratitude or affection—with anything, really. It’s like ye intentionally bear all yer burdens by yerself so ye dinnae inconvenience anyone else around ye.”

Hunter huffed out a short, mirthless laugh. “Reserved is a kind way of puttin’ it.” He hesitated as he dropped his arms to his sides. “It’s nae by choice.”

When she didn’t press him, he took a slow breath and started walking again, though his pace was slower now.

“I wasnae supposed to be the Laird,” he began, his voice steady but low. “That was me eldest braither’s role. Duncan was older, stronger… better suited for it. He was everythin’ the clan needed in a leader.”

He glanced at Erica, who walked quietly beside him, her expression attentive but soft.

“When the illness swept through our lands, it didnae just take him. It took nearly half our people. Me parents, cousins, friends, braithers… all gone in a matter of weeks. I was left standin’ in the ruins, with Lily barely old enough to speak, and the weight of a laird’s responsibilities on me shoulders.”

The words came easier than he had expected, but the memories clawed at him.

“I didnae ken how to handle it. Nae only did I never pay attention when our faither and clansmen were teachin’ Duncan, but I was too angry, too… broken. So, I focused on one thing at a time. The first was rebuildin’ the clan, then securin’ our borders—and really just survivin’. And in doin’ all of that, I failed Lily.”

Erica’s steps slowed, and she turned to face him again. “Ye didnae fail her, Hunter.”

“I wasnae there for her,” he said, his voice thick with guilt. “She needed me, and I wasnae there. I couldnae be. I couldnae look at her without seein’ Duncan, without being reminded of what I’d lost. She deserved better than that.”

Erica reached out, her hand brushing against his arm lightly. The touch was brief, but it was enough to make him stop in his tracks. When he met her gaze, her wide eyes were filled with something he didn’t expect—compassion.

“Lily adores ye,” she said firmly. “She talks about ye constantly. She wants to be near ye, to make ye proud. She’s nae carryin’ any of the anger or guilt ye are holdin’ onto.”

Her words hit him like a blow, but not in a painful way. It was as though she had cracked something open inside him—something he had kept locked away for years.

He looked away, his jaw tightening as he wrestled with the maelstrom of emotions inside him.

“Thank ye,” he muttered, the words barely audible. “I cannae help but feel like I’m failin’ her faither. Duncan just kenned how to be a faither. Murdoch, too… he and Ailsa just kenned how to do everythin’. I had nay idea what I was doin’. I wasnae worried about any of it. I mean, hell, I didnae even think I was goin’ to get married.”

“Why nae?”

“It just was never a priority for me, nor for me faither. With Duncan and Murdoch settled, me youngest braither Fergus and I were just free to be whatever we wished.”

“What did ye wish to do?”

Her question gave him pause. “I was in charge of the guard with Calvin.”

“I see.”

“And when the dust settled, it was all I kenned. Lily was there at every turn—a reminder of just how inadequate I was for her.”

“Children dinnae ken that. She loves ye, Hunter. More than anythin’.”

Hunter looked back at her, his gray eyes meeting hers with an almost unnerving intensity. “Will ye keep helpin’ me? With her, I mean. I dinnae ken how to fix what I’ve broken.”

Erica’s smile returned, though there was a hint of mischief in it now. “Of course, I’ll help ye,” she agreed. She curled her fingers in the skirts of her gown and raised an eyebrow at him. “On one condition.”

His brow furrowed. “Condition?”

Her grin widened, and she stepped back slightly, hiking up her skirts. “Only if ye catch me.”

Before her words registered, she took off running, her laughter ringing out like music on the cool night air.

Hunter stood there for a moment, stunned, before shaking his head with a low chuckle. “Ye have lost yer mind, woman.”

But despite his protests, he couldn’t help but follow her. She darted through the garden paths, her skirts billowing behind her as she ran, her wild hair dancing in the wind. The fading light caught her figure, illuminating her in a way that made his breath hitch. She looked like something out of a dream—wild, untamed, and entirely too captivating.

Hunter quickened his pace, though he didn’t close the distance between them. He let her keep the lead, relishing the way her laughter carried through the air, the way she glanced over her shoulder with a teasing glint in her eyes.

“Ye are goin’ to regret this,” he called after her, his voice rough but laced with amusement.

“Only if ye catch me!” she shot back, her voice full of challenge.

Hunter’s heart pounded—not just from the chase, but from the way she made him feel. It wasn’t just the exhilaration of the moment; it was the way she brought life back into his world, the way she reminded him of what it meant to truly feel.

Finally, he surged forward, his longer strides closing the gap between them.

Erica let out a surprised yelp as he caught her by the waist and spun her around, before setting her back down on her feet. She was breathless, her cheeks flushed, and her green eyes sparkled with laughter.

“Caught ye,” Hunter said, his voice low, almost a growl.

She laughed, leaning back slightly to look up at him. “That’s nae fair. Yer legs are too long.”

Hunter smirked, his hands still resting lightly on her waist. “Ye set the rules, lass. Dinnae complain when I play by them and win.”

Her laughter faded slightly, though the smile remained on her lips.

Their gazes locked, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them grew heavier, charged with something unspoken. Hunter’s grip on her waist tightened slightly, his pulse quickening as he took in the way her chest rose and fell with each breath, the way her lips parted slightly as if she were about to speak.

But she didn’t say anything, and neither did he. The only sound was the faint rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets.

Hunter swallowed hard, his voice gruff when he finally broke the silence. “Thank ye… for everythin’. For yer help with Lily. For this.”

Erica’s smile softened, and she reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. The touch was brief, but it sent a shiver down his spine. “Ye are welcome, husband,” she murmured.

For a moment, Hunter considered leaning in and closing the small distance between them. But she stepped back, breaking the spell. Her smile turned playful again, and she nodded her head toward the path leading back to the castle.

“Come on, now,” she said, her voice light. “We’ve had enough excitement for one night.”

Hunter nodded, following her again. But his mind was reeling .