TWENTY-NINE


Reaghan snaked her hands around Galen’s neck. “Shouldn’t we go down to supper?”

“Hm,” Galen moaned as he kissed her throat. “I suppose if you’re hungry. Or I could go down, get us some food, and bring it back here.”

“Now that sounds heavenly.”

Reagan was deep in Galen’s kiss when the knock came. Galen sighed and put his forehead to hers. “I suppose you had better see who it is.”

Reaghan would have preferred to stay in bed with Galen. She hurried to pull on her chemise and gown, forgetting her hose and shoes, and opened the door to find Braden. She smiled down at the boy. “What can I do for you?”

“Mairi has bade me find you,” the lad said, as he kicked the toe of his boot against the floor in obvious displeasure.

Reaghan glanced over her shoulder at Galen. “I’ll return shortly.”

“I’ll have food by the time you return.”

Reaghan took Braden’s hand and ushered him away from her chamber as she shut the door. “How did you know where I was?”

His small shoulders shrugged. “I asked Logan. He said I could most likely find you in your chamber. I like Galen. He makes you smile.”

Reaghan squeezed his hand. “I’m pleased to hear you like him. He and the other Warriors have been kind to bring us to their castle.”

“Aye. Mum is glad to have their protection. She doesna like that the others are talking about leaving. Are you leaving?”

Reaghan shook her head as they stopped outside Mairi’s chamber. “I’ve found my place. Tell your mother she doesn’t have to leave.”

“I will,” Braden said with a smile, and ran off.

Reaghan took a deep breath and squared her shoulders before she knocked. The door swung open almost instantly. Reaghan stepped inside the spacious room and found Odara in the chamber as well.

“You wanted to see me,” Reaghan said with a smile.

Mairi sat next to the window using the last of the fading light of the sun to mend a gown. She didn’t raise her head in greeting, and Odara refused to meet her gaze as well.

A feeling of trepidation ran down Reaghan’s spine.

“We have taken a vote,” Mairi said. “We will be leaving this place.”

Reaghan narrowed her eyes when she heard the elder speak with such disdain. Though Mairi hadn’t trusted the Warriors, she had never shown such hatred. What had happened to cause such a change all of a sudden? “I didn’t know there was a vote. I didn’t get to cast mine.”

“It doesn’t matter. We didn’t need your vote,” Mairi said with a slight lift of a shoulder.

Something wasn’t right. Mairi never acted so harshly, even with those she didn’t care for. “I didn’t hear you complaining about the Warriors when they were saving us from the wyrran.”

“Those Warriors led the wyrran to us.”

Reaghan looked at Odara to find the elder standing against the wall, her hands clasped before her and her chin to her chest. “There are other Druids here, Mairi. Why would you want to leave this place and chance having the wyrran catch you?”

Before Mairi could answer there was a soft rap and then the door opened. Reaghan stared in shock as Isla carried a tray into the chamber and set it on the table beside Mairi.

“That will be all,” Mairi said, dismissing the Druid.

Reaghan saw the anger in Isla’s blue eyes, and she couldn’t blame her. Mairi and the others had no right to treat them as servants.

Reaghan stepped in front of Isla to halt her. “Why are you bringing Mairi food?”

“She refuses to come to the great hall and share our table,” Isla said with a glance at Mairi. “None of us will see your fellow Druids starve, so we bring them their meals.”

“And they treat you as servants,” Reaghan finished. She fisted her hands and looked over Isla’s head to meet Mairi’s gaze. Why was Mairi acting this way? “You have no right.”

Mairi set aside her sewing and stood. “I have every right. Those Warriors brought the wyrran to our home and put us in danger. They needed to take us from there. Now that we are safe, we will find our own way.”

Isla chuckled and faced Mairi. “You are a fool if you think the wyrran won’t find you. They know you are here, and they will make sure no one leaves. And if they see you, Deirdre will have you.”

Mairi spat. “And you would know, wouldn’t you, drough? You are worse than those animals that call themselves men.”

“Mairi!” Reaghan yelled, so surprised at Mairi’s attitude that it had taken her a moment to react. “Enough.”

But the elder wasn’t listening. She advanced on Isla, who held her ground. Mairi poked Isla in the shoulder with a knobby finger. “You deserve to rot in Hell with the other droughs.”

“Talk to my wife that way again, and I’ll deliver you to Deirdre myself,” said a deep voice from behind them.

Reaghan turned to find Hayden’s large form filling the doorway. She couldn’t believe Mairi was saying such hateful things, nor could she believe Odara wasn’t doing anything. They couldn’t be acting so horribly just because they didn’t trust the Warriors. Could they?

“It’s all right, Hayden,” Isla said as she walked to stand by her husband. “This … Druid … doesn’t bother me. She is looking for someone to blame, and we take the brunt of it.”

Hayden glared at Mairi. “Watch your tongue, old woman. No one is holding you here. If you want to leave, then go, but the castle is open to those who wish to stay.”

“We’ll all be leaving,” Mairi said.

Reaghan had heard enough. She moved to stand beside Isla and Hayden. “Nay. I won’t leave. Fiona and Braden also wish to stay. I don’t know what has happened in the short time we’ve been here, but you must stop this, Mairi. These are good people.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” the elder shouted. “You will see, Reaghan, you will see that all I’ve told you is the truth about the Warriors.”

“It is fear of the Warriors that has led you to mistrust them. Give these people a chance.” Reaghan was embarrassed to her core to have her emotions get away from her like that. She shook her head and backed out of the chamber. “You need to rest. I’ll return in the morning and we can talk.”

Mairi laughed, the sound empty and filled with madness. “Ask your Warriors why they didn’t tell you they healed the pain of your head last eve?”

“You need to stay here. You are protected from Deirdre as long as you remain,” Reaghan said, ignoring Mairi.

She left before she crumpled into a heap of tears on the floor. Mairi’s words echoed in her ears, driving a stake through Reaghan’s heart.

“Reaghan, wait,” Isla called behind her.

She didn’t want to talk to the petite Druid, but Reaghan slowed her steps. “I cannot apologize enough for Mairi. I don’t know what’s come over her.”

Isla grabbed her arm and turned Reaghan to face her. Hayden was ever near his wife, his black eyes watching Reaghan carefully.

“Never mind Mairi. I wanted to tell you that Sonya and I did use our magic last night. You were in great pain, and Sonya’s healing magic is very powerful,” Isla explained. “None of us will stand by and watch someone hurt if we can do anything about it.”

Reaghan took a steadying breath. “Why didn’t someone tell me?”

“Galen was worried,” Hayden explained. “He had seen you experience such pain on your travels here, and he wanted to spare you.”

Reaghan glanced at the floor, just noticing her bare toes peeking from beneath the hem of her gown. “Thank you for telling me. If the others won’t eat with you, then let them get their own food. I don’t want any of you serving them again.”

Isla’s smile was soft, her ice-blue eyes holding a wealth of kindness. “You’ve found a place here, Reaghan. I hope you can speak to the others and let them know they are welcome as well.”

“I will try,” she said.

Reaghan didn’t move for several moments after Isla and Hayden walked away. She was still shaken from everything Mairi had said and done, and what Odara had not said and not done.

What had happened to the wise and tolerant elders she had known on Loch Awe? Had traveling away from their home done something to them?

Reaghan realized, now more than ever, that she had to know about her past and the memories her mind had blocked. She continued to her chamber, her feet as cold as the blood in her veins. When she entered her room she found Galen reclining on the bed with food surrounding him.

As soon as he saw her his smile faded. He rose from the bed and walked to her. “What happened?”

Reaghan shut and bolted the door. She walked to the window and stared out over the darkening sky and the clouds of deep red and the dark pink from the sun’s descent.

“Reaghan, you’re scaring me.”

She chuckled at his words.

“You think that amusing?”

She shook her head and faced him. “I didn’t mean to laugh, but the thought of an immortal Warrior with powers from a primeval god inside him being frightened struck me as humorous.”

“We fear many things, especially since most of our families were murdered. Now, tell me what has happened.”

“Did I suffer a headache last night?”

He searched her face for only a moment before he slowly nodded. “Aye. Braden rushed to the hall and told Logan. Sonya and Isla eased you.”

“Something is wrong with Mairi and Odara.” She swallowed, remembering the viciousness of Mairi’s words. “Mairi was saying such hateful things, things she has never before uttered. And Odara isn’t standing up to her as she usually does. They aren’t the women I knew.”

Galen shrugged and looked away. His dark blue eyes were troubled. “If you want, I can read her mind.”

Tears sprang to Reaghan’s eyes at his offer. As much as he hated to touch others, as much as it pained him to see and feel their thoughts and emotions, he was offering his power to help her.

“Nay,” she whispered. “I would not put you through such a thing.”

“For you, I would do it.”

“Why me? Is it because you cannot read my thoughts?” She prayed he spoke the truth, because she couldn’t handle another lie, not when she was so close to breaking down.

Galen gave her a half-smile. “The first time I saw you I was struck by your beauty. I’ve never been so tempted by a woman, and then when I gave in and kissed you and didn’t see into your mind, I had to have you.”

There was no lie in his eyes, of which she was grateful.

“So it was only because my memories are blocked,” she said, not bothering to hide the sadness in her voice.

“In the beginning, I think that was part of it, and though I am thankful I can touch you and kiss you without worrying about my power, it’s you, Reaghan, that I’m drawn to. Your smile, your kindness, your search for yourself.”

She could see the truth of his words shining in his eyes. Reaghan let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding and walked into his arms. “Thank you for not lying. I am so tired of the lies.”

His large hands rubbed up and down her back, offering her comfort and his strength for as long as she needed it. “Tell me what Mairi did.”

“I’m so angry at her I could toss her out of the castle myself.” She pulled out of the safe haven of Galen’s arms and climbed onto the bed. She was starving, and the food smelled delicious.

Galen grunted as he joined her on the bed. “Sounds like it didn’t go well at all.”

Reaghan tore off a chunk of bread and gave the larger portion to Galen. “She summoned me to say they had taken a vote and were leaving.”

“What?” Galen’s face was a mask of confusion and irritation. His lips were parted, the bread halfway to his mouth. “Are you jesting?”

“Unfortunately, I’m not. I don’t know who was involved in the vote, but I wasn’t. On the way to Mairi’s, Braden said he and Fiona wished to stay, so I told Mairi. She wasn’t happy, but it was when I told her I wasn’t going that she really grew furious.”

“I’m sorry.”

She pulled apart some of the smoked fish and put it in her mouth. “The worst was when Isla brought Mairi a tray of food, and Mairi dismissed her as she would a servant. She was so hateful to Isla, telling her that she belonged in Hell with the other droughs.”

Galen grimaced as he used a dagger to cut the venison into smaller portions. “She’s lucky Hayden wasn’t there.”

“He was. He threatened to take Mairi to Deirdre himself if she continued. That’s when Mairi told me about my headache. As if she wanted me to believe everyone was keeping it from me.”

“I did want to keep it from you,” Galen confessed. “I know how worried you are about them.”

Reaghan placed her hand atop his forearm. “I appreciate it, but I’d much prefer the truth, as difficult as that truth may be to bear.”


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