Page 39 of Leila’s Legacy

Niall adjusted his back against the hard-stone wall. He’d slept in worse places. Admittedly, his cock hadn’t been raging with lust in such conditions, but he’d definitely managed rest in locations more rugged than the interior of a keep.

He wasn’t worried Alban would approach without his notice. Niall had never slept deeply. No warrior ever truly did.

Nay, his inability to sleep had more to do with her husky voice bidding him good night from the opposite side of the door. It was the flushed pleasure on her lovely face when he brought her to release with his hand, the sweet scent of her desire flavoring the air and driving him nearly mad. It was how she had asked him to stay and how damn hard it had been to decline.

He gave an irritated grunt and shifted against the wall once more. The stone stair beneath his bottom was hard and cold and only served to heighten his discomfort. A whimpering sound pierced the air.

Niall jerked upright.

A cry came this time, a protest from the other side of the door where Leila slept. Niall regarded the door warily and settled back once more. Alban wouldn’t have been able to get inside unless he’d gone through the window, which wasn’t likely.

Niall had just decided to ignore what was most likely a night terror when the thrashing of a struggle sounded, along with cries of fear. He scrambled to his feet, his fingers fumbling with the ring of keys.

By some miracle, he managed to choose the right one on the first try and flung the door open. He’d expected to find Alban in the room, based on her wild screams, but she was alone in the bed, flailing as though fighting for her very life.

“Leila,” he said softly.

She did not wake. He approached the bed. “Leila.”

A sob burst from her. “Nay.” She began to struggle again.

Niall reached for her shoulders to gently wake her. She shrieked and fought against him with balled up fists.

He pinned down her arms with his elbows and held her shoulders in place. “Leila, ye’re having a dream. Wake now.”

Her eyes flew open. “The Lion,” she whispered. “You’ve come for me already.” Her breath came faster, and she yanked free of him. “Please don’t do it.” Her voice was small. “I cannot bear for it to be you.”

Chills raked down his spine at the frightened hurt in her tone. What was she talking about?

He put his hands up and stepped back from the bed, so she did not perceive him as a threat. “Leila, I think ye’re still dreaming. Ye need to wake, lass.”

She blinked and looked around her, as though coming to the realization as to where she was. “My family,” she said. “Have you had news of Werrick Castle?”

Niall stared at her. Was this still part of her dream?

“I’ve no’ heard anything of Werrick Castle,” he replied slowly. “Is there news I ought to have been informed of?”

She sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. Her hair was tousled around her shoulders and her eyes wide as she turned her gaze up to study him. She shook her head, her brows furrowed with concern. “Nay. ’Tis nothing.”

He ought to have accepted what she said and walked away. He never should have even entered the chamber in the first place. But he was there now, and her stricken face revealed more than she would allow herself to say.

“If ye tell me, I can help.” He offered.

Her eyes filled with tears, but she wiped them away and shook her head. “’Tis only a night terror. Like you said.”

“Do ye want me to stay with ye?” He stepped closer slowly to show he wasn’t a threat to her, that he meant well.

She drew in a shaking breath. “Aye. Please.”

He nodded and went to the door to close and lock it. That done, he lay down in front of it.

“Do you mean to sleep on the floor?” Leila asked.

He tucked his hands behind his back. “I was sleeping on stone on the stairs. I must say, the wooden floorboards are an improvement.”

“Would you—” Her gaze slid away uncomfortably. “That is, I would not…” She shrugged shyly. “Growing up, my sisters and I slept together in one large bed. I found it comforting. I still had night terrors but having them near me did much to allay my dreams.”

“Ye want me to sleep in yer bed with ye.” Niall lifted his head from the cradle of his hands to stare pointedly at her.