The Viper (Highland Guard #4)(96)

“Nothing,” Lachlan said. That was the point, wasn’t it? Peace. Solitude. No one to answer to. No one to be responsible for. A place to call his own. It sounded like heaven.

Didn’t it?

His chest burned tighter.

She would expect him to stay. To fight. To bind himself to her and the cause. But he didn’t believe in anything, damn it. She expected too damned much. She didn’t even know what she wanted from him. Maybe nothing.

Damn it, why the hell was he thinking about this?

“Will you stay for Templar’s wedding?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“He’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

Surprisingly, Lachlan wanted to, but in some ways he suspected it would be easier if he didn’t. A clean break was what he needed.

Wasn’t it?

“And what of Lady Isabella?”

Lachlan tensed almost imperceptibly. Almost, but he suspected the king had seen it. Still, he couldn’t prevent the anxious spike of his heartbeat. “She’s well?”

“Well enough.” A wry smile turned the king’s mouth. “Better than you, from the looks of it.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” At least he should be. But part of him had hoped … what, that she’d been suffering the way he had?

“She’s concerned for her daughter, of course,” Bruce added.

Not my problem. But he found himself asking anyway, “Do you plan to send the team after her?”

Bruce shook his head. “Nay, the girl is safe enough where she is—”

They heard voices outside right before the door burst open. Lachlan’s heart stopped when he recognized one of them.

“Damn,” Bruce cursed under his breath, echoing Lachlan’s thoughts.

Lachlan’s reluctance to see her was understandable, but the king’s was not. He frowned, wondering if something had happened between them.

“Robert, I—” She startled like a deer in the hunter’s sights when she saw Lachlan.

He steeled himself, but it wasn’t enough to prepare him for the gash of pain that dug across his chest when their eyes met.

A month hadn’t been nearly long enough to clear his head. He realized a lifetime wouldn’t be long enough.

Bella’s heart lurched. Her blood, her thoughts, her voice, everything drained from her body. Except for her heart. That throbbed painfully.

After a month it shouldn’t hurt so much. But seeing him again brought all those wounded emotions rushing back in full force.

“You’re back,” she said dumbly.

He stood up. “For the council meeting.”

Of course. She hadn’t expected anything different, had she? Her chest pinched. Only a fool would think he would have changed his mind and that she hadn’t been the only one suffering these past weeks. She’d missed him so much.

Though he did look more disheveled and exhausted than she’d ever seen him. His hair was longer and one long, wavy lock slumped forward across his forehead. The hard, lean angles of his handsome face seemed sharper and even more predatory. A couple of weeks’ dark stubble lined his jaw. Most surprising, however, was the layer of dust and grime that coated the leather of his cotun. She’d never seen him so unkempt. He looked as though he’d just dragged himself back from the battlefield. He was back to his ruffian ways, no doubt.

It infuriated her that it only seemed to make him more attractive. Weren’t women supposed to be attracted to shining armor? How did he make rough, rugged, and gritty so appealing?

It didn’t matter. She was done being a fool. He’d made his feelings—or lack thereof—painfully clear.

He’d left her. He didn’t care enough.

“I wasn’t expecting him for another week,” Robert added.

She might not have attached any significance to the information had she not caught the sharp look Lachlan threw the king. Her heart leapt. Did it mean something? Had he come back for her?

God, she was doing it again. Looking for hidden meanings when the truth was plain to see. Would she ever learn?

She forced her thoughts back to the letter in her hand. “I’m sorry to disturb you. I can wait outside if you aren’t finished.”

“Is there a problem, Bella?” the king asked.

Bella nodded, tears filling her eyes, despite Lachlan’s presence. “Aye, it’s my daughter.”

Lachlan took a step toward her. “What’s—”

“That will be all, MacRuairi,” Robert stopped him. “I will send for you if I need you.”

It was almost as if Robert didn’t want him to hear what she had to say. For a moment, it looked as if Lachlan might argue. But after a long pause, he nodded.

“Don’t forget what I said,” Robert added as he turned to leave.

Lachlan’s mouth tightened, and he gave the king a curt nod before bestowing an equally curt bow on her. “My lady. I—” He hesitated. “We can speak later.”

The words had an ominous lilt, but she knew it meant nothing. She stiffened, forcing a coolness to her voice. “That won’t be necessary. I don’t believe we have anything left to say.”

She didn’t want to talk to him. It hurt too much to even look at him. She might do something foolish, such as beg.