Galen continued to trudge through the rain and soaked ground for nearly an hour until he crested a hill and finally spotted the old cottage. Many times he had used it on his travels, and he was surprised that no one had made it theirs yet.
It wasn’t large, and with all the Druids inside they would be quite crowded. But they could build a fire and get dry.
He slowed his pace and whistled to Logan. Galen didn’t want to get closer before he knew for certain no one lived there.
Logan ran past him. Galen watched as his friend scouted the cottage looking for tracks — of any kind. Only when he found none did he venture toward the cottage. A few moments later, Logan waved him forward.
Galen leaned down and kissed Reaghan’s brow. “Soon you’ll be dry,” he promised.
The Druids were as eager as he to get to the cottage, and they didn’t wait for him. They ran toward Logan, who had disappeared inside the cottage and was most likely already starting a fire.
Galen took his time, careful not to jar Reaghan too much and cause her more pain. Her hand still clutched him, her body taut with suffering.
By the time he reached the cottage, he could barely shoulder himself inside. He was disappointed not to find a fire, but when he saw the clean bed with a blanket waiting, he gave Logan a nod of thanks.
Galen tried to lay Reaghan down, but she refused to release him. He would have gladly held her the rest of the night, but she needed to get out of her wet clothes.
Mairi stepped forward and tried to pry Reaghan’s fingers open. “You need to rest, Reaghan. Release Galen so we can get you out of your wet gown and cover you.” There was nothing Mairi could do that would make Reaghan release her hold. Galen finally leaned down so his mouth was next to her ear and said, “Reaghan, I doona want you to become ill. Let them take care of you. I will be back.” Her fingers loosened and he laid her gently on the bed. Reaghan never opened her eyes, but he could feel her reluctance to let go of him.
Maybe it was because he knew how much pain she was in, maybe it was because she knew Mairi and Odara kept the truth of her past from her, but he was disinclined to leave Reaghan.
And strangely, he felt as if he should be holding her, as if he could do something for her pain.
SEVENTEEN
Reaghan felt the loss of Galen’s heat instantly. She hadn’t wanted to let go of him.
But now that he was gone, the throbbing consumed her. Her stomach pitched violently, and she feared she would become sick, spilling what little food she had consumed.
Hands began to tug at her dress and limp body. She wanted to yell at them to leave her alone, but all her strength was being used to stop her nausea.
The cool air on her wet skin made her shiver, which only increased the pain in her head. She rolled into a ball and prayed they would leave her alone. Finally, a blanket was placed on top of her. She snuggled beneath the warmth, wishing someone would warm her feet. They were so cold they ached nearly as much as her head.
“How is she?” she heard Galen ask.
Reaghan tried to open her eyes so she could see him, but she had her back to the room. The bed was up against a wall, and it would take too much of her waning strength to turn over.
She winced as wood popped from a fire. People were speaking, their voices low and their words unintelligible, but she knew they were packed close together.
Outside the sound of the rain was a constant roar punctuated by the thunder and flashes of lightning. The storm was ferocious and would delay them.
Reaghan hated her weakness and the pain that assaulted her. She had felt the headache coming before they halted for the noon meal. Two in one day. Two brutal ones at that.
It frightened her just as much as her unknown past did.
A wave of renewed pain washed over her. Reaghan gripped the blanket with all her might, wishing it was Galen and hoping she could stay out of the darkness that wanted to take her.
She didn’t know how she knew the darkness wanted her. Maybe it was the way it came at her quicker, more forcefully, each time, but she was powerless to stay conscious when it swarmed over her.
Her lips parted and she whispered Galen’s name. She tried to shout, but was too weak for more than the murmur she was able to form.
She needed Galen. His strength was the only thing that could keep the darkness away. While he had carried her, she’d been in pain, but the darkness hadn’t dared to come.
Now it collected around her, and in one fell swoop took her under.
*
Galen watched as Reaghan’s hand went slack on the covers. He had built the fire as quickly as he could, but then Mairi had wanted to talk about the storm and their journey.
He knew she was worried about Reaghan and was talking to quell her own fear. He listened to her as long as he could before he excused himself and weaved his way through the Druids to the bed, only to find Reaghan unconscious.
“It’s all right,” Odara said. “This is better for her. She can no longer feel the pain.” As her words penetrated his mind, he turned his head to look down at her. Odara’s bent form hovered near the bed, her wrinkled face lined with worry. “What do you know of these headaches?” “Only that they will get worse. And Mairi cannot stand to watch Reaghan in pain.”
“Does this have something to do with Reaghan’s magic?”
Odara’s eyes snapped up to his. “What did you ask?”
“Her magic?” Galen repeated. “It was her magic we felt upon finding the loch. She has more magic than all of you combined.” “I know. Reaghan’s magic is very strong.”
“So why make her believe she has none? And does it have anything to do with her headaches?” “In a way,” Mairi grudgingly answered as she joined them.
Galen looked from Mairi to Odara. “And the other? Why make her believe she has no magic?” Odara shrugged and smoothed a hand over her wet hair, which was pulled back in a tight braid. “We thought it would be best.” “She seeks answers. If you doona tell her, she will find someone who will. You are her family, the people she trusts. Whatever the answers are, however distasteful, they should come from you.” Galen bent and placed a hand on Reaghan’s brow. Her skin was hot to the touch and a fine sheen of sweat covered her face. He wanted to lie beside her and gather her in his arms, but he needed to keep watch since Logan had left to hunt.
“When she wakes she will be better,” Odara said. “I’ll stay with her, Warrior, and let you know as soon as she opens her eyes.” Galen sighed and straightened. “Thank you.”
He turned from the bed before he gave in and lay down beside her. Mairi’s gaze met his before she turned and exited the cottage. Her intent was clear. She wanted to speak with him. Galen didn’t waste a moment following her.
“You wanted to talk?” he asked as he closed the door behind him and stepped into the downpour.
“Thank you for helping us with Reaghan.”
Galen walked closer to Mairi. “I would have helped anyone in need. Do you still fear me?” “I cannot help what I’ve been raised to believe, Galen. I see you with Reaghan and I know there is something growing between the two of you.” “Maybe.”
“She is important to me, to our people.”
He narrowed his gaze and advanced on her. There was a sinking feeling in his gut, as he began to suspect just how important Reaghan was. “How?” “I cannot tell you. I’ve taken a vow, Galen.”
Despite the tremor in her voice and the misery in her gaze, Galen had to know. “I’m going to ask you once more, Mairi. Tell me how Reaghan is important.” “Reaghan is ours to protect. Leave it at that, I beg you.”
It was fear and worry for Reaghan that made Galen take another step toward Mairi. He knew he shouldn’t
