The door opened and Lucan stepped into the chamber. “Hungry?”
She laughed. “Famished.”
He held out his hand for her, and she took it without hesitation. Even the weight of her magic as a Druid and their uncertain future couldn’t dampen her happiness. What she had with Lucan was special, and she intended to enjoy it to the fullest for however long they had together.
“Did you see anything last night?” she asked.
“Nay, though Fallon did catch a glimpse of a wolf.”
Lucan smiled, but she saw it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Once in the great hall, she noticed they were alone. He escorted her to the table, and when she had taken her seat he slid onto the bench opposite her.
Only after he had handed her an oatcake and a slice of bread did she lean over the table and take his hand. “What is it?”
He sighed and shook his head, his brow furrowed with worry. “It’s Quinn.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“That’s just it: I don’t know. He warned me about being with you last night.”
Cara wasn’t surprised. She would do the same thing if her sibling were in this predicament. “He’s looking out for you.”
“I think it’s more than that. Fallon told me later that Quinn admitted that he couldn’t remember what his wife and son looked like.”
She winced, her heart aching for Quinn. To blame himself for their deaths, then to lose his memories of them. It was a terrible blow to one such as Quinn. “I can see how that would bother him. He blames himself for their deaths.”
“How did you know that?”
“It’s in his eyes. He was the male, the one that was supposed to take care of them, but he wasn’t there. He will carry the weight of their deaths with him forever unless he can forgive himself.”
Lucan shook his head. “He willna ever forgive himself, Cara.”
“Then all you can do is be there for him just as you always have been.” Cara chewed the food and wondered at the frown marking Lucan’s brow. There was something else. “What else did Quinn say?”
Lucan shrugged. “He said I might get you with child.”
Cara paused and swallowed. A child. It had never occurred to her, though it should have. She wanted very much to have Lucan’s child, but he might not view it that way. “Can you get a woman pregnant?” she asked instead.
“I don’t know. I haven’t been with a woman since we were changed. None of us have.”
“Would Galen know?”
Lucan scratched his neck. “I asked him, and he doesn’t have an answer.”
“So we could be worrying for nothing.”
“It isn’t nothing, Cara. The baby could be like me.”
“Or it could be like me.” She squeezed his hand. “Is it that you don’t want a child?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. But getting a woman with child hasn’t been something I’ve thought about in three hundred years.”
“Then don’t think about it now.” She knew she was asking a lot, but in truth, it didn’t matter to her. If she became pregnant, she would welcome the child. If she didn’t, then it was God’s choice. None of them knew whether being a Warrior would allow a man to impregnate a woman or not.
“You wouldn’t mind a child by me? Even with the god?”
“Nay, Lucan. I wouldn’t.”
He smiled and warmth filled her. When she would have pulled her hand away, he laced his fingers with hers and gave her a wink.
The door to the castle opened then and Galen sauntered in. “Good morn.”
“Good morn,” she replied. “Have you already eaten?”
Lucan snorted. “He’s constantly eating. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a person eat as much as he does.”
“What can I say? I’m hungry.” Galen gave her a lopsided grin. “Fallon told me you were the one that baked the bread.”
“Aye.”
“Is there more?”
Cara pointed to the bread on the table. “That’s the last of it, but I can bake more.”
“Later,” Lucan said. “She needs to train this morning.”
Galen held up his hands. “All right. By the way, Lucan, Quinn went down to the sea to fish.”
“I thought he might. Thanks.”
Galen bowed his head and left.
Cara tapped her finger on the back of Lucan’s hand. “Admit it.”
“Admit what?”
“Don’t play dense. Admit that you like Galen.”
Lucan sighed loudly. “Maybe a little.”
But it was enough for now. Cara had the feeling Galen was going to play a big part in the coming battle—and the MacLeod brothers’ lives. “So, I’m to have more training?”
“Of course. This time, I won’t be using a wooden sword.”
“I never thought I would look forward to this kind of instruction.”
He nodded knowingly. “You like it, don’t you?”
“I do. It’s like a chess game, though it moves much quicker. You have to be prepared for your opponent to do any number of things. If your enemy outmaneuvers you, it’s over, so you must stay aware at all times.”
“It’s easy to think it’s fun while you’re training, but remember, it will be much different when the attack comes.”
She swallowed down the thread of fear. “You worry that I will be too afraid to fight.”
“I worry that you’ll be separated from me somehow and that the Warriors will take you before I’m able to get to you. You have every right to fear what’s coming, Cara. If you didn’t, I would be worried.”
His words helped to soothe her. “I wish we knew how many were coming.”
“Sometimes it’s better not to know.”
“How so?”
He finished the last mouthful of bread, his thumb stroking her hand. “You know there are four Warriors here. If we learned there were twenty Warriors coming and a hundred wyrrans what would you think?”
“That we don’t stand a chance.”
“Exactly. Once your mind sets on that, there’s no turning it back. You will fight, but you won’t fight to win.”
“I see,” she said, as understanding dawned. “By not knowing, your mind is set to win.”
“At all costs. Now. Are you ready for your training?”
Cara grabbed the last of her oatcake and rose. “I’m ready.”
She wasn’t surprised to find Fallon and Galen sitting on the castle steps deep in conversation. She touched Lucan’s hand when he glanced at his brother and frowned.
“What is it?”
“Fallon. He’s changed.”
“I’ve noticed. He’s not drinking as much.”
Lucan bent his head near hers. “It’s more than that. He’s . . .”
“More like he used to be?”
Lucan nodded. “Aye. A wee bit.”
Cara waited until they were in the bailey and away from Fallon before she asked, “Has he tried to . . .” She waved her hand, searching for the right word. “Transform?”
“Nay. I don’t think there is anything that could make him turn to the god inside him.”
Cara wasn’t so sure. Fallon’s gaze that was once unfocused and distant was now sharp and intent. He had forgotten the man he was, but she had an idea he was gradually remembering.
“I just wish Quinn would get better,” Lucan said.
