Deirdre froze, her eyes burning with fury. “Loch Awe? Are you sure?”
“Aye, mistress.”
She tipped back her head and let out a scream so full of rage that Dunmore took a step away from her. Deirdre had always been easy to anger, but he had never seen her like this.
The scream finally ended and her chest rose and fell rapidly as she focused on him. “Forget finding the Druids before they reach MacLeod Castle, Dunmore. I have another task for you. I think a visit to the MacClures is in order.”
“As you wish,” he murmured. Dunmore knew Deirdre’s mind. Whatever she had planned with the MacClures would mean battle. And death.
He smiled, eager to begin.
TWENTY
Galen stared up at the night sky, so different from the night before. Not a cloud marred the beautiful darkness, the moon just a sliver among the sparkling stars.
Even while Galen admired the beauty above him he knew where Reaghan was at all times. His senses were honed in on her, as if an invisible thread connected them.
He had kissed her in front of everyone, uncaring that others saw or what they might think. He hadn’t asked Reaghan, hadn’t thought of anything other than holding her against him. Of sealing her lips with his. He was powerless to do anything about the attraction, the passion that had him in its grip. What was worse, he didn’t want to do anything.
Yet, he worried about Reaghan. She wanted answers to her past, a past the elders had kept from her because she had asked them to. The secret Mairi and Odara carried, one that Logan and Galen were now a part of, weighed heavily upon them, and Galen didn’t know how much longer it could be kept from Reaghan.
A secret that the entire MacLeod Castle would be privy to soon.
Galen blew out a breath and circled the sleeping camp on silent feet. He had no doubt Reaghan would find a home at MacLeod Castle. The Druids there were friendly, loving. They would eagerly invite her into their group.
Even once the headaches and fever took her memories, Galen was sure nothing would change. But what about ten years later? Or ten years after that?
When would Reaghan begin to feel the need for answers again? He wanted to tell her everything.
“I know that look,” Logan said.
Galen grunted, unsure if he wanted to talk. Or even if he could, his mind was so mired in thought.
“I doona need magic to know your thoughts are on Reaghan.”
“They seem forever on her,” Galen admitted.
They stood twenty paces from the Druids, but they kept their voices low, whispers not even the wind could hear. “If you’re worried she doesn’t care for you, ease your mind. She only has eyes for you, my friend.” “I wish that was all that troubled me.” Galen scrubbed a hand down his face and shifted his feet. “After what Reaghan told me, I believe she will stop at nothing to find her answers. It’s very important to her.” Logan nodded thoughtfully. “Mairi said with the increase in her headaches her memories would be gone soon.” “I doona know if I can keep this from her. It seems she deserves to know. What if she ends up alone?”
“You will be with her, Galen.”
“And if Deirdre takes me captive again? Or I’m killed?”
“She will be looked after,” Logan replied. “You should know that without having to ask.”
Galen turned away, feeling more of a fool than he had since he was a young lad. “There is this worry in my gut, Logan, worry that I cannot rid myself of.” Logan stepped around to face Galen, his brow furrowed and his gaze intense. “Is it Deirdre?”
“I doona know what it is. Ever since I saw the man with the wyrran looking at Reaghan, I’ve felt doom was ever on the horizon.” Logan let the tension out of his body with a deep sigh. “I think what you are feeling is common. Any man who has a woman who could be in danger would feel the same anxiety. However, we should pick up our pace on the morrow.” “We covered more ground today than I had hoped,” Galen said. “We may be able to reach MacLeod Castle day after next.” Logan wrinkled his face in a grimace. “A day too long. Now if we were surrounded by water, I could help with that.” Galen chuckled at the humor sparkling in Logan’s hazel eyes. “You mean you would want to show off.”
“Only a wee bit.” Logan grinned brightly. “Besides, I like to keep these Druids on their toes.”
Galen saw how Logan’s gaze shifted to Braden, who slept curled on his side, the deep sleep of an innocent. “The lad does make things bearable, doesn’t he?” “Aye,” Logan murmured. “Do you know, he asked me to teach him how to use a sword when we reach the castle?” Galen’s brows rose in surprise. “What did you tell him?”
“How could I say nay? Apparently his mother gave her permission, and he was so excited. I’ll need help.” “You?” Galen shook his head and wrinkled his nose. “You’ll do fine.”
“I doona want to ruin his training.”
The honesty and panic in his eyes hit Galen square in the chest. Gone was the teasing tone and laughter, and in their place was a Logan he had never seen before.
“You willna ruin anything, Logan. He has come to you because he trusts you, and he adores you. All of us will help with his training if that is your wish.” “I’d rather someone else train him,” Logan said, and propped his hands on his hips as his chin fell to his chest. “I doona want him depending on me. I’ll disappoint him, and I couldn’t stand to see the sorrow in his eyes when it happens.” Galen wanted to reach out, to clasp his friend’s shoulder, but Galen knew he would see exactly what was causing the remorse coursing through Logan. And Galen wouldn’t do that to his friend.
“I know you and Hayden have a tight bond, Logan. I know you have shared secrets with each other. I’m no’ Hayden, but I will help if I can.” Logan lifted his face and grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes, which burned with misery. “There is much Hayden doesn’t know. He is my brother in every way except by blood. You all are, yet I cannot share what I have buried inside me.” Galen knew only too well how Logan felt. “We all have pasts we’d like to forget. We’ve all done things we regret. Doona let whatever is in the past destroy you.” “I thought leaving the castle for a bit might help, but it hasn’t,” Logan said as he looked into the distance.
For a moment Galen thought Logan might run off into the night, but he knew the Warrior would never leave him to protect the Druids alone. “If you doona return to the castle, Hayden will skin me alive.” That brought a snort from Logan. “Hayden would, too.”
“I know. I’m fond of my hide where it is. Besides, it would upset Reaghan, and I cannot have that.”
Logan’s gaze swung back to Galen. His eyes crinkled in the corners and a genuine smile appeared. “Did you just make a jest? Galen Shaw, you surprise me.” “I have to do something to save myself from Hayden.”
This time Logan chuckled deep and low. He reached up and slapped Galen on the shoulder before he walked away.
Galen stood rooted to the spot, his face frozen as a brief image of a young boy calling after Logan, begging him to return home, sliced through Galen’s mind. He sucked in a mouthful of air and looked at Logan’s retreating back.
The terror and distress Galen had heard in the young boy’s voice as he called after Logan was agonizing. Galen wondered who the boy was, but he couldn’t — and wouldn’t — ask Logan about the memory.
“Just what secrets do you hold, my friend? And will they tear you apart as I fear they might?” Galen whispered into the night.
*
Reaghan awoke with a start, the dream so vivid in her mind she could still feel the wind from the sea, still feel the spray of the waves on her face.
She swallowed and sat up, afraid to think about the images she had seen in her dream. She had worn a
