by Donna Grant
“You wouldn’t mind a child by me? Even with the god?”
“Nay, Lucan. I wouldn’t.”
He smiled and warmth filled her. When she would have pulled her hand away, he laced his fingers with hers and gave her a wink.
The door to the castle opened then and Galen sauntered in. “Good morn.”
“Good morn,” she replied. “Have you already eaten?”
Lucan snorted. “He’s constantly eating. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a person eat as much as he does.”
“What can I say? I’m hungry.” Galen gave her a lopsided grin. “Fallon told me you were the one that baked the bread.”
“Aye.”
“Is there more?”
Cara pointed to the bread on the table. “That’s the last of it, but I can bake more.”
“Later,” Lucan said. “She needs to train this morning.”
Galen held up his hands. “All right. By the way, Lucan, Quinn went down to the sea to fish.”
“I thought he might. Thanks.”
Galen bowed his head and left.
Cara tapped her finger on the back of Lucan’s hand. “Admit it.”
“Admit what?”
“Don’t play dense. Admit that you like Galen.”
Lucan sighed loudly. “Maybe a little.”
But it was enough for now. Cara had the feeling Galen was going to play a big part in the coming battle—and the MacLeod brothers’ lives. “So, I’m to have more training?”
“Of course. This time, I won’t be using a wooden sword.”
“I never thought I would look forward to this kind of instruction.”
He nodded knowingly. “You like it, don’t you?”
“I do. It’s like a chess game, though it moves much quicker. You have to be prepared for your opponent to do any number of things. If your enemy outmaneuvers you, it’s over, so you must stay aware at all times.”
“It’s easy to think it’s fun while you’re training, but remember, it will be much different when the attack comes.”
She swallowed down the thread of fear. “You worry that I will be too afraid to fight.”
“I worry that you’ll be separated from me somehow and that the Warriors will take you before I’m able to get to you. You have every right to fear what’s coming, Cara. If you didn’t, I would be worried.”
His words helped to soothe her. “I wish we knew how many were coming.”
“Sometimes it’s better not to know.”
“How so?”
He finished the last mouthful of bread, his thumb stroking her hand. “You know there are four Warriors here. If we learned there were twenty Warriors coming and a hundred wyrrans what would you think?”
“That we don’t stand a chance.”
“Exactly. Once your mind sets on that, there’s no turning it back. You will fight, but you won’t fight to win.”
“I see,” she said, as understanding dawned. “By not knowing, your mind is set to win.”
“At all costs. Now. Are you ready for your training?”
Cara grabbed the last of her oatcake and rose. “I’m ready.”
She wasn’t surprised to find Fallon and Galen sitting on the castle steps deep in conversation. She touched Lucan’s hand when he glanced at his brother and frowned.
“What is it?”
“Fallon. He’s changed.”
“I’ve noticed. He’s not drinking as much.”
Lucan bent his head near hers. “It’s more than that. He’s . . .”
“More like he used to be?”
Lucan nodded. “Aye. A wee bit.”
Cara waited until they were in the bailey and away from Fallon before she asked, “Has he tried to . . .” She waved her hand, searching for the right word. “Transform?”
“Nay. I don’t think there is anything that could make him turn to the god inside him.”
Cara wasn’t so sure. Fallon’s gaze that was once unfocused and distant was now sharp and intent. He had forgotten the man he was, but she had an idea he was gradually remembering.
“I just wish Quinn would get better,” Lucan said.
“Maybe he will.” And she held out much hope for the youngest MacLeod. Quinn’s problems ran deeper than Fallon’s. If Quinn wouldn’t face his, there was no chance for him.
Cara backed up a few steps from Lucan and looked around for her sword and dagger. She spotted them to her left, but when she grabbed the dagger she realized it was different from the one she had been using.
The blade was curved and the hilt was engraved with the head of a griffin. She jerked her gaze to Lucan. “You?”
“Me,” he said with a nod. His eyes held hers and she saw how deep his feelings went. “The hilt should fit your hand better.”
It did, but that’s not what made her eyes water. Lucan had made something for her, something that bound them. A Highlander did not give his symbol to a woman carelessly. Her thumb caressed the griffin head as her heart thudded in her chest. Nay, a Highlander did not give his symbol to just any woman. When he did, it was for life.
She straightened with the weapons in hand. “It’s stunning, Lucan. I shall treasure it always.”
“I have a sheath for it as well. You need to keep it on you at all times, Cara.”
She widened her stance and gave him a nod. She was ready to begin the day’s training. One moment he was Lucan standing before her with his green eyes twinkling, and the next he was a black blur coming toward her.
Cara ducked the arm she saw coming toward her and sidestepped to the left. She barely had time to get her bearings when he came at her again.
Lucan’s claws were extended, but she knew he wouldn’t harm her. It surprised her how close he got to her, his large hands inches from her face. She dodged one swipe after the other. She was hesitant to use her weapons, because even though she knew Lucan would heal, she didn’t want to hurt him.
Yet the quicker he came at her, the more she knew he was waiting for her to use them. Cara spun to the left and slapped the flat of her new dagger on his thigh before repeating it again behind his knee. She was moving away when his hand grabbed her hair.
He yanked her back against him. “Don’t worry about the second hit. It gave me time to reach you.”
“You’re so fast.” His arm was under her breasts, reminding her of their lovemaking. Her blood heated and her nipples puckered.
He kissed the side of her cheek and released her. “You kept up.”
Cara shook her head to clear her passion and faced him. “I was losing energy fast.”
“There will be more than one coming at her,” Fallon called from the steps.
She blew out a breath. Fallon was right. There would likely be several wyrran attacking her at the same time. And Warriors.
“We’ll keep the Warriors busy,” Lucan said.
The crunch of footsteps told her Fallon and Galen had moved from the steps.
“You mean we’ll try,” Galen amended. He looked over Cara’s weapons. “She’s good. How long has she been training?”
A satisfied male smile pulled at Lucan’s lips. “Just a few days.”
Fallon moved in front of Cara. “Forget it’s Lucan in front of you. Use your weapons at all times. Get as many hits as you can, but he was right. If your enemy is quicker, don’t worry about the second hit. Just make sure you get out of his reach.”
“And stay out,” Lucan added.
Cara nodded. “Let’s go again.”
This time when Lucan launched himself at her, she was ready. She used her sword and her dagger to stop several swipes of his hands. Then she used her quickness to stay just out of his reach, coming close only long enough to slap her weapon against him.
“Good,” Fallon called when she had caught Lucan three times in a row without him touching her.
She smiled up at Lucan as his eyes shone with pride. “How was that?”
“You’re getting better every day.”
She beamed.
Until she saw Galen watching her with a calculating look.
“That was impressive,” Galen said. “But as we told her, there is likely to be more than one attacking her.”
Lucan raised a brow. “She’s not ready for that.”
“I need to be,” she said in her defense. “Give me a moment to rest and we can try.”
“Tomorrow.”
Fallon folded his arms over his chest and stared at Lucan. “They could attack tonight. Don’t you want Cara prepared?”
She heard Lucan mumble something beneath his breath that sounded suspiciously like he was going to rip Fallon’s head off his body.
Fallon just smiled. “You always did hate when I was right.”
“Don’t,” Lucan said, and pointed a claw at him.
Cara chuckled as the brothers glared at each other. “Lucan, please.”
He lowered his arm as the black faded from his body. “All right, but rest first.”
It didn’t matter how many times she saw him transform; it still intrigued her. She watched him walk to the steps and sit.
“May I see the dagger?”
She jerked, startled to find Fallon had moved closer to her. She held the dagger out, hilt first. “Of course.”
“Interesting.” He examined the dagger closely before testing the weight. “It’s been a long time since Lucan has made any weapons.”
“I didn’t know that. It will mean even more to me now.”
Fallon held the dagger pommel up and regarded the griffin head.
Cara wrapped her fingers around the hilt. “My feelings for your brother run deep.”
“Apparently, his do for you as well. He wouldn’t have given you the griffin if he didn’t care greatly for you.”
She took the dagger from Fallon and started to turn away when his words stopped her.
“Love can do wondrous things, Cara, but it canna stop death.”
She knew that all too well. “You’re referring to me being mortal and Lucan immortal.”
“I am,” Fallon said.
“I cannot say what tonight will bring, much less next year. No one can. All I know is that when I’m with Lucan, I’m complete. I don’t want him hurt any more than you do. I tried to leave.”
Fallon held up a hand to stop her. “I know. He went after you. He’ll always go after you. You are Lucan’s, and he is yours, regardless of what anyone wants.”
“You don’t approve.” She liked Fallon. Being with them had felt like a family, a real family. It hurt deeply to think he might not want her to be a part of Lucan’s life.
Fallon shook his head. “I like you, Cara. You’re good for Lucan. What I fear is what will become of him when you’re gone.”
She knew that Fallon meant when she was dead. There were no words she could say to ease his fears, so she turned and walked to the steps. Lucan raised a brow in question, but she shook her head. She would not tell him of her and Fallon’s conversation. Lucan was already upset that Quinn had questioned their being together.
The problem was the brothers had a right to question it. She had been Lucan’s from the first moment they kissed. Yet no matter what she knew was for the best for everyone, her heart wouldn’t allow her to follow it. Her place was with Lucan.
For now, for eternity.
Lucan wasn’t a fool. Fallon had said something to Cara that had distressed her. The vivacious smile that had graced her beautiful face moments before was gone, replaced with a thoughtful frown.
Lucan handed Cara the sheath for the dagger. “So you can keep the weapon with you always.”
His gaze watched her for a moment as she tied the sheath around her waist and slid the dagger in place. The gold griffin head shone in the sun. It felt right for her to have that part of him.
“It’s a clear day,” Galen said. “Spring is shaking loose winter’s hold.”
Lucan glanced at the bright blue sky. There wasn’t a cloud in sight. “Just how much do you know of us?”
Galen grinned and shrugged. “I’ve heard stories of the MacLeods since I was but a wee lad. Tales of how the clan was killed, how three brothers escaped, never to be seen again. You and your brothers are spoken of from the Highlands to England. I doubt there are a few who don’t know of you.”
“Interesting.” Lucan wasn’t at all happy to hear that. If he was ever to leave the castle, he would have to change his name. And that’s one thing he didn’t want to do.
“And you’ve been here the entire time?” Galen asked.
Lucan looked up at the castle. “For most of it. There was nowhere else for us to go. Our lands were divided, but the castle still stood. People were afraid of it, so we used that to our advantage.”
“A brilliant idea.”
“And you? You stayed in the forest?”
Galen shrugged. “I venture out every now and again. I like to keep up with the world. It’s changed so little, yet so much.”
Lucan glanced at Galen’s threadbare kilt. “Aye.”
“There is no telling how long any of us will live, Lucan. You need to leave the castle and see the world. There’s no reason you can’t blend in.”
Lucan glanced at Cara to find her watching him. “I could, but Quinn cannot. Fallon, either, for that matter. We’re a family. We stay together.”
Cara’s hand slid around his arm. He covered her hand with his. The simplest touch from her was like a piece of heaven. He gazed into her mahogany depths and found serenity.
“Ready?” she asked.
He stood and helped her to her feet. “Ready.”
Fallon leaned against the castle, his arms crossed over his chest. Lucan knew that staid look of his brother’s. Fallon wouldn’t transform.
That left only Galen.
Lucan grimaced.
Galen laughed and jumped to his feet. “Don’t look so upset, Lucan. I wouldna hurt Cara. I like her.”
Lucan felt his teeth lengthen as anger burned his veins. Galen’s knowing grin told Lucan he had known exactly what his comment would do to him.
“Stop it,” Cara said. “Both of you. Lucan, Galen won’t hurt me. Galen, Lucan needs to trust you. This isn’t helping.”
“You’re right.” The smile faded and Galen faced Lucan with sincerity in his blue eyes. “My apologies, Lucan. It’s been a while since I’ve needled anyone. I couldn’t help myself.”
Lucan nodded to Galen, then turned to Cara. “We’ll start out slow and pick up speed.”
He glanced at Galen, who gave a tilt of his head as they both turned. Lucan was the first to attack Cara. He went after her hands, but she was quick and kept out of his reach. Her blade hit against his chest as she spun away.
Lucan followed her, and this time Galen attacked from behind. She arched her back to avoid Galen’s reach and put the tip of her sword at Lucan’s neck.
He smiled at her as they stepped back. The next attack, Galen went first. He reached for her. She slammed the hilt of her dagger in his face. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her. Lucan joined in, and when he would have grabbed for her legs, she kicked him in the gut.
Lucan staggered back, amazed at the power she wielded in her legs. When he looked at Galen again, he was bent over, holding his nose, while Cara stood a few paces away.
Fallon clapped. “You get better each time, Cara. I almost feel sorry for the Warriors and wyrran that try to attack you.”
“Aye,” Galen said as he straightened. He wiped his nose, even though the blood had already stopped. “What have you been teaching her, Lucan?”
Lucan looked at his woman, pride swelling his heart. “She’s a natural.”
Galen snorted. “I don’t know that she needs much more practice. It might be good if we could get Quinn and Fallon to join in, give her an idea of what it will really be like.”
“Maybe.” Lucan didn’t want her to experience anything. He wanted her kept safe, locked away where Deirdre could never reach her.
But deep down Lucan knew Deirdre would ca
pture Cara. There was nowhere he could take Cara, nowhere he could hide her, that Deirdre wouldn’t find.
Whether he wanted Cara prepared or not, she had to be.
She walked to him. “I’ll stay by your side in the attack.”
He pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. She sank into him, parting her lips so their tongues could meet. His body hardened, hungering for yet another taste of her. His balls tightened as he imagined lifting her in his arms, her legs wrapped around his waist as he buried himself in her wet heat. When he broke the kiss, the pulse at her neck jumped and her eyes dilated.
“That was nice,” she whispered.
Behind her, Lucan saw Fallon and Galen turn away. He didn’t care that they had seen him kiss her. He wanted them to know Cara was his. He wanted to shout it to the world, that this amazing, courageous woman was his.
He was about to take her into the castle to make love to her when he heard Fallon say something.
“What was that?” Lucan asked.
Galen laughed and walked into the castle.
Fallon turned around and shrugged innocently. “I asked if either of you were ready to work on the traps.”
Lucan didn’t believe him for a moment. Even with Lucan’s advanced hearing, his desire for Cara had prevented him from hearing what Fallon had really said.
“Aye,” Cara said, and pulled out of Lucan’s arms.
Lucan had no choice but to follow. However, he intended to find some time alone with Cara. Soon.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Cara had just finished setting aside some bread to rise when Quinn walked into the kitchen and laid six large fish on the table.
“I don’t think that will be enough with Galen’s appetite,” she said with a smile.
Quinn shrugged. “It’s why I’m going hunting.”
“The others are setting the traps for the Warriors.”
He glanced at her, his green eyes holding no emotion. “Let Lucan and Fallon know I’ll be back later.”
Quinn left the kitchen on silent feet. It was obvious he wanted, and needed, time alone. She wished she could help him. None of the Warriors were responsible for what was inside them. They deserved happiness, but it appeared some didn’t want it.
