The Scroll was a list of all the surnames of every Celtic man who had been inhabited by a god to drive out the Romans. It was a list that Deirdre would want at all costs since she could then easily find the men whose bloodline housed a god.
Larena would never forgive herself if the Scroll fell into Deirdre’s hands. It was one of the reasons she kept the secret to herself. The only reason Malcolm knew was because he was family and had been told by his father.
“It’s why you want to talk to the MacLeod, isn’t it?” Malcolm guessed, breaking into her thoughts. “You think he and his brothers can protect you.”
“If anyone can help keep me from Deirdre, it’s the MacLeod and his brothers.”
“And if he says nay?”
She blew out a breath, not even wanting to think of the possibility. “Then I will face Deirdre on my own.”
Malcolm’s arm muscles clenched beneath her hand before he turned and led her back to the castle. “I pray you’re right about MacLeod.”
“So do I,” she murmured.
Her life was nothing, but the Scroll she guarded was too precious to fall into evil hands.
Chapter Three
Fallon watched Larena Monroe from his window. He had been surprised to see her walk into the gardens alone. For a moment she had dropped the smile and let herself relax. In that instant, he had seen the despair and anxiousness in the small frown that marred her smooth forehead.
As soon as the man had joined her, she quickly brought the smile back, however. It was an easy smile, not the obligatory one he saw in the great hall. Whoever this man was, she obviously cared for him. And that annoyed Fallon more than he cared to admit.
Larena and the man had sat for several moments talking before they stood and walked through the garden. Fallon knew he shouldn’t spy on her, but he couldn’t help himself. Everything Larena did fascinated him. From the tilt of her head to the lift of her hand, her every movement was graceful and elegant. The golden curls that framed her face tantalized him with a view of her slender neck.
In the quiet of his chamber, he was able to observe her at his leisure, and he found he quite enjoyed what he saw. The more he looked, the more he wanted to look. It was no wonder every man in the castle wanted her. It wasn’t just her beauty, it was the strength and resolve inside her that drew men’s gazes like a moth to flame.
The way the man held her, as if she were his, caused Fallon’s fists to clench. Was he observing a clandestine meeting? He hadn’t bothered to ask anyone if she was married. As much as Fallon told himself it didn’t matter, the simple truth was it did. Because he wanted her for himself.
“It cannot be,” he told himself.
Yet, as daft as it was, he did want her.
Fallon turned and walked to his bed. He fell facefirst on it and took a deep breath before rolling to his back. His gaze moved to the burgundy velvet canopy that reminded him of Larena Monroe and the gown she wore.
He wished he knew what was going on at his castle. Had Deirdre sent additional Warriors to attack? Were the repairs going according to plan? Had more of Galen’s Warrior friends found their way to the castle? Had Cara and Sonya found the spell that would bind their gods?
Too many questions and no answers. But those questions weren’t what kept him awake at night. Nay, it was his worry of Quinn in Deirdre’s dungeon. He had no idea what Deirdre was doing to his youngest brother, and that scared him as nothing else could.
“I’m coming, Quinn. Hold on, brother. Hold on,” he whispered into the chamber.
He had wanted to go after Quinn immediately, but cooler heads had prevailed. They needed leverage against Deirdre. Besides Lucan’s wife, Cara, there was only one thing Deirdre wanted more — the Scroll.
The Scroll was a list of all the names of men who had housed the gods when the Celts fought the Romans. Deirdre had her own ways of discovering these men who could have the god inside them, but the Scroll would give her all the surnames instantly. It would help her to triple her Warriors in a matter of weeks instead of years. And with those Warriors, Deirdre would have control over Scotland — and the world — all too soon.
Fallon wanted to discern whatever he could about the Scroll, but so far he had found nothing that led him to believe the Scroll was even real. So much got added to stories in the retelling that the legend of the Scroll could have been included at any time.
He sat up when there was a soft knock on his door. Fallon rose and let his claws lengthen. He didn’t trust anyone, and he would be damned before he was caught unawares by Deirdre.
“Who is it?” he called.
“A servant, sir, sent by Baron MacNeil. He has sent you a message,” said the feminine voice.
Fallon walked to the door and opened it a crack to find a young girl with auburn hair standing before him. She held out the missive, her hand shaking and her eyes downcast.
He retracted his claws and reached for the parchment. “Thank you.”
She dipped into a hurried curtsy and started to turn away.
“Wait,” Fallon said. He opened the note and read it. Fallon clenched his jaw when he learned Iver had sent a missive to the king even after Fallon had told him not to.
“Aye, milord?” Her gaze briefly met his.
Fallon folded the parchment. He would deal with Iver later. He leaned his shoulder against the doorway and pushed the door open wider. “Tell me what you know of Lady Larena Monroe.”
The young girl fiddled with her skirts. “She is very beautiful and kind to everyone.”
Fallon lifted a coin and held it before her. “Is it true all the men want her?”
“Aye, milord. She is sought after by many. Her brother is very protective.”
Damn. He handed her the coin and lifted another. “A brother, aye? Who is he?”
“Lord Malcolm Monroe. He’s a handsome devil. He’s as sought after as his sister.”
Fallon narrowed his gaze as his mind raced. “Is that so? Which man is seeking Lady Larena’s favor now?”
“Milord?” the servant asked, her brow furrowed.
He sighed and held up another coin. “What man is in her bed?”
The girl’s eyes grew large. “I wouldn’t know, milord. For all the gossip, there is no man I’ve heard claim that he’s had her.”
“Interesting.” Fallon pulled out some more coins and handed them to the servant. “Thank you for the information.”
Once the door shut, he leaned back against it. He had learned more than he expected. There might not be men boasting of having Larena, but he imagined many had shared her bed. She was, after all, a very beautiful, very alluring woman.
And they were in the king’s castle where favors were traded for anything. It only made sense that Larena and her brother had come to the castle to gain something, as everyone did. Why the men kept quiet about their affairs with Larena was intriguing. Did they do it out of respect? Or did they fear her brother?
It had been a long time since Fallon interacted with people, but he found it more than odd that there wasn’t at least one man willing to claim he’d had Larena.
Fallon tossed aside the missive and left his chamber. He wouldn’t get anything accomplished staying in his room, and he needed MacLeod Castle turned over to him.
Three hours later and Fallon was no closer to finding someone who could help him learn if the king really was coming to Scotland or not. Everyone had a different opinion.
He had thought he could come to Edinburgh and see the king. It never occurred to him the king of Scotland would prefer to rule in England. Of course, it still boggled his mind that the king ruled both England and Scotland.
