goddess is Lelomai, the goddess of defense.”
She held out her arms and let herself transform. First her claws, long and sharp, next her fangs, and then, her body. She stood before Fallon, hoping, praying, he would be the salvation she sought.
Chapter Seven
Fallon could only stare awestruck at Larena. He’d never seen anything so beautiful before in his life. She was a stunning woman, but when she transformed she was … breathtaking.
He rose and walked toward her. She glowed with all the colors of the rainbow, muted though they were. He touched a lock of her hair, amazed to find the iridescent color was also there. Of all the Warriors he had seen, none had had hair that changed color.
His gaze took in her shapely form that glimmered, sparkled. He lifted her hand in his and looked at her long claws of the same color as her skin. They were narrower than his, but just as deadly. A glance at her parted lips showed him her fangs.
She was definitely a Warrior. A female Warrior. Who would have guessed one existed?
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured.
Her troubled iridescent gaze met his as she removed her hand from his. “I’m the only female Warrior that I know of, Fallon. Deirdre knows nothing of me. Yet. But it is only a matter of time.”
He understood then why she had sought him out. “You want my protection.”
“I do.”
How could he possibly turn his back on her? He was here to help his brothers, but finding Larena would also help their cause in fighting Deirdre. Another Warrior only improved their odds. “You have it. How long have you been a Warrior?”
“A hundred years.”
She’d been alone for so long. He ached for her. “And why did you come to the king’s castle?”
“Malcolm agreed to help me try to uncover anything we could regarding Deirdre.”
“Where have you been before this?”
She shrugged and looked away. “Though I was banished from my clan, I stayed near because of my father. It was in the forest that Robena helped to train me with the things I would need to know to be a Warrior.”
“Why come to Edinburgh now?”
Her gaze met his and he saw defiance and determination in the depths. “It is my duty to stay out of Deirdre’s grasp. I was learning nothing of Deirdre or other Warriors in the forest.”
“Maybe, but you were hidden.”
“Not exactly. I’ve been battling wyrran since my goddess was unleashed. Since most Warriors are loners and hidden, I figured I would have a good chance learning how far Deirdre’s reach had gotten while in the king’s castle.”
“You think Deirdre has control of the king?”
“Nay,” she said with a shake of her head. “At least not yet. But it was while I’ve been here that I discovered the MacLeods had been found.”
“And why you sought me out,” he finished.
“I may have been alone, but I can defend myself.”
He glanced at her claws and smiled. “I imagine you can.”
“Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I cannot take care of myself. I’ve killed a man before. I gave him my body because I was naive and believed he cared for me. He betrayed me and murdered my father.”
“By all that’s holy,” Fallon murmured, unable to believe someone would do such a thing.
“I was so angry. Once the fury took hold, I wasn’t myself. The next thing I knew, I was looking down at his dead body.”
Fallon nodded. “You were betrayed, Larena, by someone you trusted. Your goddess defended herself, and in the process killed the man. Don’t let your father’s murderer and your betrayer haunt you anymore.”
She gave him a shy smile in answer. The more he learned of Larena, the more he was impressed by her bravery and courage. “What other powers do you have?”
Right before his eyes she disappeared. Fallon turned one way and then the other. “Larena? Where did you go?”
“I’m standing in the same place,” she said.
He heard her voice, but he couldn’t see her. The power she held was vast and could greatly aid in their coming battle. “Amazing.”
She materialized before him and her goddess faded away, leaving the beauty that he had lain with just moments ago. “As I said, I can protect myself, and I can help you.”
“I would have taken you back to the castle anyway. You are a female Warrior, Larena. Deirdre would stop at nothing to have you.”
“I’ve been careful, but I fear she will find me soon.”
“Then we’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
He saw the relief in her eyes and gathered her in his arms. For the first time in a very long time he felt needed, as if he could make a difference. He wouldn’t make the same mistakes he’d made with his brothers. He would protect Larena — with his life if necessary. He might have disappointed his brothers all these centuries, but he would not fail Larena.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling.
“You’re not alone any longer, Larena. You have me. Once we get to my castle, you’ll meet my brothers and the other Warriors and Druids who are there. You will be protected.”
She nodded. “I thought you would be repulsed.”
“Repulsed?” He pulled her out of his arms and tilted her face up to his, the urge to kiss her strong. “You didn’t get to choose the goddess. The goddess chose you. You bear the same trials that the rest of us do, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman.”
There was something in her eyes. She had more to tell him, a secret she didn’t think she could trust him enough with. He understood that. He wouldn’t trust him either, but he would earn her confidence. It wouldn’t make up for all the wrongs he had done his brothers, but it would help. He would be the man his father had wanted him to be.
“Does Malcolm know?” he asked.
“Aye. He knows everything. I tried to keep it from him, and I fear now that Deirdre will learn he has helped me.”
Fallon inwardly cursed. “Malcolm has put himself in a dangerous position. Deirdre will go after him if she learns of him.”
“I know,” Larena said. “I’ve used the same argument before, but Malcolm said he wanted to make up for what our family did to me. He’s next in line to be laird, and I don’t want anything to happen to him. He shouldn’t even be here with me.”
“Then he needs to return to your clan. Immediately.”
She nodded. “I agree. Once I assure him you’ll protect me, I’ll send him home.”
Fallon had an uneasy feeling. How had Larena stayed hidden from Deirdre all this time? “The wyrran?”
“I killed it,” she admitted. “I waited until it left the great hall.”
“Did anyone see you kill it?”
“Nay. I then took the body into the woods. Malcolm is there burning it now.”
He ran a hand down his face. “And you came back to the castle the same way you left?”
“Aye. Unseen.”
It was a large castle, full of nosy people. Could they have been lucky enough for Larena to have escaped detection? “I wonder if the wyrran was here for me or you.”
“I think you,” she said. “After all, Deirdre doesn’t know about me. I’ve been here for over a year, Fallon, and
