“I have to. Most won’t listen, I’m sure. Mairi is a good leader, but her mind is clouded now. Whether by our travels or because of what we’ve always believed, I’m not sure.”
“You’ve been taught the same things. Why don’t you feel the same way about us?”
Reaghan rolled onto her back and looked at the ceiling. “Part of it is because you helped us against the wyrran and brought us here. You could have left us to face Deirdre alone.”
“It could all have been a ruse to bring you to Deirdre.”
“It could have been,” she said, and turned her head so she looked at him. “But I looked into your eyes, Galen, and I knew I could trust you. I knew you spoke the truth.”
He shifted to his side and propped up on his elbow. “You didna know me.”
“It felt right to go with you and Logan, to give you my trust. If it hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gone.”
“It could have been my kisses,” he said with a lopsided grin.
Reaghan laughed and tapped his lips with her finger. “That could have had something to do with it.”
“You might want to consider taking Cara, Marcail, or Sonya with you when you speak with Mairi. I would say leave Larena since she’s a Warrior, and also doona include Isla because she was a
“I like Isla, regardless of whether she was a
“I know, but your people need to trust us, and what better way to begin than with Cara, Marcail, and Sonya?”
Reaghan slowly nodded. “Now I understand how Deirdre came to be in power.”
“How?”
“The
“We will,” Galen said. “And any Druid who wants to fight her.”
“I will stand with you.”
Something dark and possessive passed across his cobalt eyes. “Deirdre wants nothing more than to get her hands on any Druid she can.”
Before she could respond there was yet another knock on her door. Galen jumped from the bed and began donning his kilt. Reaghan sat up and reached for her chemise.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Marcail,” came a soft voice.
Reaghan smiled and hurried to finish dressing. She glanced at Galen to make sure he was clothed, and unbolted the door. As soon as it opened she moved aside so Marcail could enter.
Marcail’s gaze alighted on Galen sitting on the bed and a slow smile spread her lips. “Good morn, Galen.”
He pulled on his boots and winked as he stood. “Marcail. Is there plenty of food this morn?”
“For you? Always.”
“I’ll see you both downstairs then.”
Reaghan was surprised when he paused beside her on his way out the door to give her a quick kiss. Her gaze followed him until he walked through the door.
When she turned back, Marcail was staring at her. Reaghan licked her lips. “I suppose I should explain.”
“Think nothing of it,” Marcail said. “I came because Isla and Hayden told us what happened last night with Mairi.”
“What Mairi said was unforgivable.”
Marcail waved away her words. “Isla is a strong Druid. It will take more than hurtful words to bring her to her knees. Deirdre tried for five hundred years and never succeeded. I don’t think your village elder will do it in one night.”
“And Hayden? He was very angry.”
“When it comes to protecting their women, all Warriors get irate. Mairi would do best to stay clear of Hayden for a while.”
Reaghan glanced at the floor. “I told Isla not to serve my people again. None of you are servants, and you shouldn’t be performing such duties.”
“We were hoping that once a day or so went by, they would feel as if they could share a meal with us, but after what happened with Mairi, I don’t know if that’s possible.”
“This is very unlike Mairi or Odara. I don’t know what is wrong with either of them.”
Marcail linked her fingers together over her stomach. “They do plan to leave still?”
“Mairi does, but I know Fiona and Braden wish to stay. I want to talk to the others and see if I can convince any of them to stay as well.”
“I offer whatever help you need.”
Reaghan smiled. “Thank you. Galen suggested I take you, Cara, or Sonya with me.”
“Galen is often correct in his thinking. Ramsey said almost the same thing.”
“Ramsey?” Reaghan said.
Marcail laughed and motioned Reaghan out the door. “I keep forgetting you haven’t met many of the Warriors.”
“I know very few, in fact.”
“Then let’s rectify that, shall we? I’ll point out all of them while we break our fast.”
She walked alongside Marcail to the great hall. As soon as she spotted Galen sitting at the table, she felt her lips curving into a smile.
“He watches you even when you don’t realize it,” Marcail whispered from beside her.
Reaghan jerked her gaze to the Druid. “He does?”
“Always,” she said with a small nod and proceeded down the stairs.
THIRTY-TWO
Galen motioned Reaghan next to him. As soon as he’d seen her, he’d had to make himself stay seated and not go to her, not kiss her so that every male there knew she was his. Marcail whispered something before Reaghan walked over to him.
“What was that about?” he asked
“She was going to have the Warriors introduce themselves so I would know their names.” Galen set down his goblet. “Tell me who you know.”
“You, Logan, and the MacLeods. I know Hayden, as well as Broc.”
“All right,” Galen said. “You know Cara is with Lucan, aye?”
“Aye. Marcail is married to Quinn, and Larena, the female Warrior, is married to Fallon.” Galen handed her an oatcake. “Correct. What do you know of Hayden?”
“Only that he is very protective of Isla. And very tall.”
“True enough,” Galen said with a chuckle. “So that only leaves six for you to know. The scoundrel across from me is Ramsey MacDonald.” Ramsey, with his cropped black hair and piercing silver eyes, regarded Reaghan for a moment. “Welcome to MacLeod Castle.” “He doesn’t say much,” Galen said. “But when he does, we tend to take notice.”
Reaghan smiled at Ramsey. “I appreciate the welcome.”
Galen then pointed down the table to the twins. “Those are the Kerrs. The one with the long hair is Duncan. The other is Ian. They are so similar, that without their hair being different, I fear none of us could tell them apart.”
