we’re glad of that,” Hayden said.
Galen glanced at the kitchen doorway. “Did you question Odara?”
Lucan gave a small nod. “She thinks Reaghan might be hiding the location of a large mass of magic.” Galen cursed and raked a hand through his hair. “I feared it might be something like that.” “We doona know for sure,” Ian cautioned.
Arran grunted. “Whether it is a hidden source of magic or something else, we all know it must be important.” Galen inhaled deeply. “We can focus on this later. For now, let’s prepare for battle.” Duncan slapped his hands together and rubbed them. “I’ve been itching for another battle. Though it hardly seems fair to fight mortal men and wee wyrran.” “Maybe so, but I’m more than ready,” Camdyn said, deadly intent in his gaze.
Galen caught sight of Malcolm, who stood at the back of the hall in the shadows, silent and always watching. The mortal couldn’t return to his own lands, and he wasn’t a Warrior, so he didn’t quite fit in at the castle.
When Malcolm realized Galen watched him, he pushed from the wall and walked away.
“What do I say to him?” Fallon asked.
Galen turned his gaze to Fallon. “He cannot fight with us nor can we send him with the women.” “Nay. He was a fine warrior for his clan before he was attacked. But with his one arm useless, I fear he will only get himself killed.” “That may be exactly what he wants.”
Fallon scratched his chin and cursed. “For my wife’s sake, I hope that’s no’ true. Larena will be devastated if Malcolm died.” “And yet Malcolm wants to be set free. He’s only existing, no’ living,” Galen said.
Galen stretched his arms over his head and studied the sky as he stood on the battlements, waiting for any sign of Broc and Sonya. The hours had passed at a steady rate. It was well into the afternoon, and it wouldn’t be long before the sun disappeared from view altogether. Broc and Sonya had been gone longer than anyone expected. The women were nervous for their return, the men determined to find them.
“You think something happened, don’t you?” Reaghan asked from beside him.
Galen took comfort in her nearness. He had a bad feeling about the coming attack, and an even worse feeling about Broc and Sonya. “It shouldn’t have taken so long.” “Broc will protect Sonya.”
“That’s what I fear.” Galen gripped the stones and silently willed Broc to appear. Suddenly, amid the heavy clouds, Galen spotted the large, dark blue wings. “Here they come!” Behind him, Galen could hear the others rushing into the bailey as Broc flew over them.
No sooner had Broc landed and set Sonya on her feet than Ramsey asked, “What took so long?” Broc looked at Ramsey, his face grim. “I had to land in a tree. Sonya needed to touch one of them as they spoke to her.” But it was Sonya’s words that gave everyone pause. “There is a group of Druids heading toward us. My sister is among them.” Galen’s stomach clenched. Druids arriving at the same time they were being attacked? It couldn’t be coincidence.
He listened with half an ear as Sonya spoke about her sister and the Druids she had been raised with. Galen took Reaghan’s hand and brought her attention to him. “I wish I could take you somewhere safe.” “I am safe. I’m with you.”
Galen could see the truth of her statement shining in Reaghan’s gray eyes. “I doona like the feeling I get about the upcoming battle.” “It’ll be all right. We’ll have more Druids here to protect as well.”
“If they get here before the battle.”
*
Supper was a somber affair. Ever since Galen had told her he had a dreadful feeling about the battle, Reaghan couldn’t shake the worry that assaulted her. The perfect time to tell Galen of her feelings had been when they were alone on the battlements, but now his concentration was on the upcoming battle. She didn’t want to interfere with that.
Reaghan nudged her trencher away from her. She couldn’t eat with the heavy atmosphere in the castle. Before the meal was half finished, Fallon and Larena rose and left the hall.
A few moments later Quinn and Marcail followed. Just a heartbeat after that, Lucan and Cara were the next to leave. Hayden and Isla stood as one and made their way to the stairs.
Reaghan wasn’t surprised to see Fiona lift Braden in her arms and make her way to their chamber. The remaining Warriors spoke in low tones, both eager for battle and uneasy about protecting the Druids.
“Come with me,” Galen said as he took her hand.
Reaghan let him pull her to her feet and then up the stairs to the battlements. As soon as the cool night air touched her face, Reaghan took in a deep breath.
Galen sat against the wall and pulled her down between his legs, her back leaning against his chest. No words were spoken, though there was so much Reaghan wanted to say.
She looked up at the sky and smiled. She had always thought it a beautiful sight to see the clouds, darkened by the night, moving over the moon.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Galen asked.
Reaghan nodded. “Sometimes when the moon is large and hangs low in the sky, it makes you feel as if you could just reach up and touch it.” Galen chuckled, his chest rumbling with the sound. “As a lad, I used to climb up the trees and try to reach for it.” “Did you ever touch it?”
“Nay, but there were times I thought if I were a wee bit taller I could have.”
His arms tightened around her. It felt so good to be enveloped in his warmth, his strength. She could believe for just a moment that they were the only two people in the world.
“I’m glad you came to Loch Awe,” she said. “For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted an adventure.” “You certainly got it.”
She could hear the smile in his voice. “Aye. I also found you.”
“Nay, I found you.”
“We found each other.”
He bent and kissed the side of her neck. “Aye, Reaghan. We did find each other.”
“Cara told me Deirdre has attacked the castle before.”
“Three different times.”
Some of Reaghan’s apprehension waned at the news. “What happens tomorrow?”
“We wait for the attack. If the Druids arrive at the same time, we’re hoping Isla’s magic shielding us will give all of us the time we need to bring the Druids inside before the wyrran break through.” “How do you know the MacClures and the wyrran won’t see the Druids?”
“We doona.”
Reaghan understood then the extent of everyone’s nervousness. “I worry for your safety.” “No need,” he said, and tugged at one of her curls. “I’m immortal, remember. Besides, Deirdre willna kill us. She will imprison us again.” “To torture and to try to turn you to her evil ways.”
“Aye. I survived in her mountain once. I can do it again.”
Reaghan lifted his hand and put her palm against his before linking their fingers. The thought of him once more enslaved by Deirdre sent a cold chill down her spine. “Don’t get captured.” “I ask the same of you.”
It was the way he said it, the words forced, as if he couldn’t put enough emphasis on them. She snuggled against him and watched the moon and clouds. “I’ll make sure to keep away from any danger.” “Good, because you mean too much to me.”
Reaghan smiled, the warmth from his words spreading over her body. It was the right time to speak, the right time to tell him of her feelings. “I love you.” He sucked in a breath, and though no words passed his lips, his arms tightened around her. It was enough for Reaghan.
Whatever tomorrow brought, she had this moment.
And Galen.
THIRTY-EIGHT
