Reaghan nodded. “We ran as fast as we could. We kept away from other Druids. I fought against the plan my father had, but it soon became clear it was the only way.”
Cara’s brow furrowed as she asked, “What was the plan?”
“My father convinced me to use a spell that would erase my memories and continue doing so every ten years so that I could fit in with the Druids of Loch Awe. They agreed to take us in, and lent their magic to my father’s plan.”
She paused, unsure if she could go on. The pain and loss threatened to swallow her whole.
“It can wait,” Lucan said.
“Nay, I need to finish.” Reaghan glanced at Galen before she continued. “I didn’t know the spell was so powerful there would be a price for using it. My father knew if he had told me I would refuse. He used all of his considerable magic to push the spell, but in granting me immortality it took his life.”
Galen pulled her against him and kissed the top of her head.
“What was so important that your father would give his own life, as well as put such a spell on you?” Odara asked.
Reaghan straightened and looked around the table again. “There are a few reasons. One, because of the strength of my magic. If Deirdre got a hold of it, it would increase hers tenfold.”
“Which we doona need,” Ian murmured.
Lucan ran a hand across his jaw. “And the other?”
“I alone know the location of Deirdre’s sister, Laria.”
The silence was deafening.
“Her sister?” Quinn repeated, disbelief in every syllable.
Reaghan nodded. “Her twin, to be exact. Deirdre thought she was the one who received all the magic. They were raised in a small community of
“I cannot imagine Deirdre allowing anyone to go free,” Isla said.
“It was thought Laria had no magic, so she never underwent the ceremony to become
Camdyn shook his head in confusion. “How? Deirdre has used black magic to become immortal. Did Laria do the same?”
“Nay. The
“A portion?” Ian asked.
“Aye. From what my father told me, Laria is entombed in a maze.”
Cara asked, “Why not just have Laria battle Deirdre right then if the seer knew Laria could defeat her?”
“It is Laria who will defeat Deirdre, but Laria is supposed to have help in the form of a rather powerful male Druid who comes from the Torrachilty Forest.”
Arran frowned. “What if this male Druid was already born and dead?”
“I don’t believe it will matter. The Druids there, especially the males, were supposed to be some of the most powerful.”
Galen blew out a long breath. “And the dreams you were having?”
“My memories of places and people I had known.”
“So you saw Deirdre?” Broc asked.
Reaghan shuddered just thinking about it. “I had to go near Cairn Toul as I left my home. It was the safest, easiest way. I stayed far enough away, but I did see her when she came out of the mountain.”
Galen folded his hand over hers. “It’s over now.”
“Actually, it’s just beginning.” Reaghan looked at Fallon. “You sent Galen and Logan to find the artifact, to find me. Now that I have my memories back along with my magic, we need to awaken Laria to end Deirdre.”
Duncan stood. “Then let’s go.”
Reaghan cringed and bit her lip. “It’s not quite so simple, I’m afraid. There are other objects we will need to obtain to work our way through the maze to Laria.”
“Do you know what the objects are?” Galen asked.
“We need to begin on the Isle of Eigg.”
As the hall erupted in conversation, Reaghan turned to Galen. “With my spell broken, I’m no longer immortal.”
“You being mortal doesna stop me loving you. I’m no’ saying we’ll have an easy go of it, but I’m no’ about to give you up because you aren’t immortal.”
She smiled and gave him a quick kiss. “I also suppose this means you will worry about me?”
“Endlessly,” he vowed, a twinkle in his blue eyes.
“As long as I’m able to worry about you.”
“I have something to tell you,” Galen said.
She raised a brow. “And what might that be?”
“I finally have control over my power.”
Reaghan threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. She leaned back and asked, “How?”
“I gave in to my god and the power during the battle. I didna try to back away from it. Somewhere amid all the killing, I discovered I could touch anyone and feel none of their thoughts or emotions. I still have the ability to feel thoughts, but to do so I have to put more effort into it.”
“I would never have thought giving in to your power would help you control it.”
He shook his head. “Me either. I’m just glad I can live a normal life now. Or as normal as a Warrior can.”
“Want to read my mind to see what I’m thinking about?”
“Nay. Tell me,” he urged as he nuzzled her neck.
“You, our future, and our love.”
Two days after the battle, Broc still felt the loss of Anice as if it had just occurred. He had looked for her among the Druids, searching for her so he could bring her to the castle. How had he missed her?
He regretted his words to Sonya even more. He needed to find her and apologize. It wasn’t her fault Anice had died. If it was anyone’s burden to carry, it was his. He should have looked for Anice first, but he had assumed he would spot her in the pandemonium of battle.
How wrong he had been.
Broc left his chamber and descended the stairs to the great hall. The women were smiling, laughing, as they brought out the morning meal. One more Warrior had found his woman, adding to the love and laughter that was MacLeod Castle.
Broc was happy for Galen, but his own self-recriminations stopped him from celebrating with the others.
He waited for Sonya to exit the kitchens, hoping to catch her for a moment of privacy. Broc had been to her chamber many times over the last few days, but not once had she been there to hear his apology.
One by one the women exited the kitchens. When they sat and began to pass the food, a cold numbness began in Broc’s stomach.
“Where is Sonya?” he asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Cara shrugged. “I went to her chamber yesterday, but she wasn’t there. I thought she needed some time alone after Anice’s death.”
“I haven’t seen her since the attack,” Reaghan said.
Marcail nodded. “Me either.”
One by one, everyone in the hall said the same thing. The last time Sonya had been seen was the day of the
