Hooves racing beneath him, the horses heavy breathing thick in the air, Liam made it back to the keep and swung off his horse, tossing the reins to a stable hand. Swiftly he removed his mantel with a whoosh passing it wordlessly to a servant as he made his way inside, aiming to find his brother Kennedy immediately. He found Kennedy just casually taking his seat at the family table in the dinner hall for the noon meal, laughing heartily with Cillian and Aedan as they each lifted a mug of ale to their lips.

"What is going on?" Liam boomed uncharacteristically, chest heaving, brows high in slight panic. Silence loomed around the hall as all eyes turned to the lord and master of the keep.

Jade orbs glowered in frustration aimed directly for the trio of his brother, best friend and son, cheeks reddening with rapidly growing peevishness. He was given the distinct impression something along the lines of an attack or some other emergency had been upon them.

The men at the table froze, their cups not quite reaching their mouths, as they noted the unusually gruff mood of the lord of their household. Clearing his throat, Kennedy opened his mouth to reply but the sound of a little girls happy, high pitched squeal broke through the din followed by the sound of an equally happy, faux growling teenage boy.

"I told you I would get you!," the young man jested, tickling the young girl who was now slung over his shoulder.

She happily squealed and squirmed, kicking her feet furiously, filling the dining hall with a pleasant sound that had not been heard in far too long and greatly missed. Liam's chest tightened, eyes squeezing shut at the painful nostalgia clenching in his chest.

"This is what you get for hiding from Colleen!" The boy continued his playful scolding. He stopped frozen in his tracks when he saw the scowl on his father's face. Liam was not pleased. With wide eyes so much like his mother's blue sapphire gems, the young man promptly put the girl down and cleared his throat. "Hello, Father."

"What...is going on, Connor?" Liam growled. He thought his family was in grave danger only to come back and see they were feasting and playing games? No, he was not pleased at all. "And who is this?" Jutting a finger out, Liam pointed at the once smiling girl, who shrank back, hiding behind Connor who held her there protectively.

"This is Ashlynn," Connor replied, chin jutting upward in confidence boldly matching Liam's stern tone boldly meeting his father's glare. Today of all days, Liam's temper was always on a short string. Connor knew that honesty and staying calm were the best things to do in order to calm his father down.

"Her mother, Erin, is upstairs, injured and sleeping," Kennedy added, stepping forward and standing beside Connor.

"Someone better start explaining," was Liam's stern reply.

****

Erin had taken a wonderfully relaxing bath which helped soothe her pounding head greatly. A servant brought up a plate of meats, cheeses and fruit for her along with a clean dress laid out beside something the servant girl called a shift. Erin assumed it was underwear or supposed to be for a nightgown. The clothing she had seen everyone in was so strange yet historical and now she was expected to dress the same way. Their accents hadn't gone unnoticed by Erin, either. She just hadn't said anything aloud.

Her head still throbbed and all her body called to do was sleep. She had been reassured that Ashlynn was safe. Something about these men made her feel she could trust them. Slipping the sheer white dress over her head, Erin was pleasantly surprised at its softness.

The large, soft bed in the room called her name and the glowing fire encouraged her to climb in and sleep. As soon as her head touched the pillow, the throbbing subsided allowing her to fall fast asleep.

****

Liam followed Kennedy from the dining hall, up the stairs and down the hallway toward the room Erin had been brought to earlier in the family wing. Ashlynn skipped happily up to Liam's side, slipped her hand in his smiling adorably up at him. The fear from his harsh tone earlier long forgiven and forgotten.

"My mommy is this way? I haven't seen her yet. Is she ok?" the girl asked him, eyes gleaming with excitement of at last seeing her mom.

"I...suppose so," he answered, brows dipping quizzically at this radiant child. Sadness tugged at his heart feeling the hand of a little girl in his again. It made him miss his own daughter, Orla, deeply.

Kennedy knocked lightly on the door. There was no answer, so he slowly opened it. When he saw Erin was sleeping peacefully, he held his index finger vertically on his lips gesturing to Liam and Ashlynn to be quiet as he led them into the room.

Ashlynn ran up to the bed and climbed excitedly up onto the edge of the bed. Erin was fast asleep. Still there was no stopping the young girl from going to her mother. Erin slept peacefully on her back, one arm extended above her head and the other laying relaxed across her stomach with some curly chestnut hair laying across her face. Ashlynn attentively pushed the hair away and placed a gentle kiss on her mother's cheek. She then laid on top of her mom giving her a loving hug.

"I'm so glad you're ok, Momma," She whispered.

The men observing this open display of affection had no way of knowing this routine "bed invasion" was a ritual for Ashlynn and her mom. None of it woke or disturbed Erin. It took a lot more than this to rouse Erin from sleep.

Once Liam saw this woman's face, his breath hitched. The light from the fire gave an animated golden glow dancing across her fair skin, adding a fiery sparkle to her slightly wavy hair. His heartbeat sped up, too. He hadn't felt like this since the first time he saw Kyla as a young teen boy. Liam shook his head to dismiss the warmth filling his chest.

Kennedy smiled to himself at the sight of the sleeping woman. Her chest rose and fell in relaxed, steady breathes. She truly was stunning. He looked forward greatly to this conquest. He could already tell she was nothing like any of the other women in the village he had already plundered. A potential challenge would be nice for a change.

Liam quietly padded over to the bed, placed a gentle hand on Ashlynn's back and whispered, "Have you eaten yet today? It is time for the noon meal. Come with me."

Ashlynn sat up and obeyed, especially at the mention of food which made Liam smirk slightly. Food always wins with children. Carefully climbing down from the bed after whispering, "I love you, Mommy." Ashlynn tiptoed quietly out the door but once in the hallway skipped happily back toward the dining hall to find Connor.

Hesitantly following shortly after, Kennedy left Liam still staring at the sleeping guest unaware he had taken steps closer. She looked so peaceful. He couldn't help but compare this woman to Kyla. They were so different in appearance. Kyla was tall and thin, yet radiantly elegant. This woman had curves in all the right places, outlined by the thin blankets. He was anxious to speak to her, find out where she was from and what happened that caused her head injury. They would all let her rest for now. He would speak with her tomorrow.

Tentatively and gingerly, Liam lightly cupped her cheek, stroking it lightly with his thumb. Feeling the warmth of his touch, Erin turned her head into his hand and nuzzled, releasing a soft sigh of relaxed contentment. She shifted slightly in the bed, turning so she laid on one hip, one leg crossed over the other, the arm once on her stomach draped lazily over her side.

Liam let out a soft sigh through his nose as he pulled his hand away. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips when he saw her brows furrow at the absence of his hand. Kyla still held his heart. Ice had formed a thick layer around it to always keep their love timelessly preserved.

He wasn't ready to give up Kyla, yet.

It wasn't time.

Happy New Year's!  <3