Free Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks Page B

bloody awful. She’d made it to the door and was about to open it when it swung open. She scowled at the intruder, letting him know his bursting in wasn’t welcome.
    Caelen scowled back, letting her know he wasn’t impressed with her ire.
    “How is he?” he demanded.
    She swept her hand toward the bed. “See for yourself. He was awake a few moments ago. He’s hungry.”
    Caelen strode past her and she made a face at his back. When she turned around to exit, she nearly ran into Ewan.
    “I don’t suppose you’ll forget you saw that,” she muttered.
    Ewan’s lips twisted in amusement. “Saw what?”
    Keeley nodded her approval and then walked past, not really knowing where she was going, but she could definitely use some air. She could still feel Alaric’s mouth on hers. She could still taste him.

CHAPTER 10

Alaric kept his gaze fastened on the lass until she disappeared from view. Then he shot his brothers the full force of his glare.
    “Is there something you wanted?” he asked irritably.
    “Aye,” Caelen drawled. “For instance, to know whether you were still alive or not.”
    “As you can see I am. Isn’t there something else you could be doing?”
    Ewan shook his head and sat on the stool next to the bed. “Forget your fascination with the lass for a moment. There are things we must know. Starting with who did this to you.”
    Alaric sighed. His side ached. His head felt as though he’d spent the last week drowning in a tankard of ale, and he was hungry and grouchy to boot. The last thing he wanted was an inquisition.
    “I don’t know,” he said honestly. “They ambushed us in the middle of the night. It was a slaughter. We were outnumbered at least six to one. Maybe more. I barely managed escape and don’t remember much beyond waking up feeling as though I was being burned by the fires of hell but with an angel soothing the pain.”
    Caelen snorted. “More like a she-demon likely mated to Satan himself.”
    “She saved my life,” Alaric said.
    “Aye, she did,” Ewan agreed. “She has a fine hand at healing. I plan for her to attend Mairin’s birth.”
    Unexpected pleasure—and excitement—coursed through Alaric’s blood, stirring desire he hadn’t felt for a woman in a long time. He had plenty of dalliances. A quick tup now and then was good for a man’s disposition. But Keeley fired his senses like no other. He was on edge, his skin way too tight, all because she wasn’t near.
    “She agreed to come here and be our healer?” Alaric asked casually.
    Caelen chuckled. “Not exactly.”
    Alaric narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”
    “It means we didn’t give her a choice in the matter. You needed her skills and so will Mairin. So I brought her here,” Ewan said with a shrug.
    Typical Ewan. He made a decision and acted on it. Though he liked the idea of Keeley being near, it didn’t sit well that his brothers had manhandled her. It would explain her sharpness with him.
    “Forget the woman,” Caelen said darkly. “Unless you forget, you have an agreement to wed McDonald’s daughter.”
    Nay, he hadn’t forgotten. He may have pushed it from his mind temporarily, but he hadn’t forgotten why he’d embarked on the journey where he’d lost several of his best men.
    “I received a missive from Gregor a few hours ago,” Ewan said. “He was concerned that you hadn’t arrived yet. I held off sending him word of what transpired until I knew myself what exactly had happened.”
    “ ’Twas as I said,” Alaric said wearily. He raised his hand and rubbed his aching temple. “We’d stopped for the night. Six men were standing guard. In the middle of the night we were attacked with speed and ferocity I haven’t witnessed since the attack that decimated our keep eight years ago.”
    “Cameron?” Caelen asked with a scowl.
    Ewan blew out his breath, his eyes as dark as a winter storm. “Who else? What purpose would anyone else have to launch such a vicious attack?