by Donna Grant
Galen hadn’t tried to fight the desperation that had driven him to Reaghan’s chamber. He had to touch her, kiss her. Claim her.
And God help him, with every arch of her back sending him deeper into her scalding wetness, he fell further under her spell.
Her sheath was tight as it drew him in, clamping around him firmly until his only thought was to see her peak, to hear her cry out, his name on her lips.
Galen’s lids were heavy, his breathing rasping in his throat as he continued to thrust inside her, bringing them ever closer to the precipice of pleasure.
He was beyond control, but from the moans coming from her and the way her body bucked against him, so was she. He heard his name on her lips, knew she was about to peak.
Galen thumbed her clitoris, drinking in every sigh, every cry, until his blood boiled and his own climax threatened.
And then she came apart. Her body shuddered and her walls clamped down on his cock. The roar in his blood grew as the contractions of her sheath took him over the edge.
He plunged deep and let his release take him.
His body jerked with the force of the orgasm. He threw back his head and shouted with the power of it, the sheer intensity.
As the orgasm subsided, Galen wrapped his arms around Reaghan, and still inside her, he fell to his side, taking her with him. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled her rosemary scent while fulfillment and contentment wrapped them in its web.
He placed his hand over her heart and felt its rapid, erratic beating. Galen let his eyes drift close. Holding Reaghan against him, he felt as if everything were, right.
Perfect.
As if fate had aligned them together. But Galen knew how quickly life could be snatched away from him. It had happened before. It could happen again.
The thought of Deirdre getting her hands on Reaghan made his fury rise, but also his fear. Reaghan was precious to him. Not just because she held some secret from Deirdre, but because of who she was. His attraction to her might have begun because he couldn’t read her mind, but it had gone far beyond that.
Galen didn’t want to take a closer look at his feelings for her. All he knew was that he wanted her, needed her. Yearned for her.
Reaghan’s smile, her sweet laughter had brought a light into his life he hadn’t known he was missing. He had seen how close Hayden had been to losing himself to his god, how close Logan now was.
Would he also find the darkness taking him if something should happen to Reaghan?
Galen knew the answer. He had come close once before when he had used his power to control another’s mind. He didn’t even want to think about it. But the coming days couldn’t be ignored. Deirdre would see to that. If only they had managed to kill Deirdre the first time. Had they known her black magic was so powerful, maybe they could have been better prepared.
It wasn’t just Deirdre’s coming attack. There was also Reaghan’s spell. He wished he knew exactly what she had done to herself. The why of it was obvious — she was hiding from Deirdre.
But was she just hiding herself or was she hiding something else, some secret? That was the question. And one that was likely never to be answered.
Galen had seen how Reaghan studied the castle that morning. He had wanted to ask her if what she saw was the same as her vision, but he hadn’t wanted to speak of it. He’d been selfish and wanted Reaghan to only think of him and their time together.
Yet he knew they would both have to face her memories soon. How much she could recall without harming herself was what really worried Galen.
“What makes you fret so?” Reaghan asked.
Galen squeezed her. “I’m wondering if I should have someone stand guard in case Mairi tries to come through the door.”
Reaghan’s laughter shook her body. “I haven’t seen Mairi since we arrived. The only Druid who has come down from her chamber is Fiona, and I think that’s because of Braden.”
“You haven’t spoken to the others?”
“Nay. Cara says they overheard a few of them speak of leaving. The others won’t come down because of you.”
He frowned, wondering what he had done to the Druids other than save them. “Me?”
“Not you specifically, but ‘you’ meaning all the Warriors. They are fearful.”
“I was afraid of that.”
She frowned and softly caressed his arms. “I’m sorry, Galen. None of you deserve to be treated this way. I will speak with them.”
“Doona worry about it. We want them to stay because they know we will protect them, and because Deirdre is searching for any and all Druids. There aren’t many of you left.”
“I know.”
It was the acceptance in her voice that gave him pause. “Are you frightened here?”
“Nay.” She turned in his arms until she faced him. “I don’t know how to explain it, but it feels as if I’m supposed to be here.”
“Your magic is telling you that, I suppose. Whatever the reason, I hope you stay. If Mairi wants to leave, she will try to talk you into going with her.”
“I won’t. As I told you, I want to help fight Deirdre.”
Galen ran the back of his fingers down the side of her face, marveling at her satiny skin. “It is verra important to her that you stay with them.”
She scooted closer to him and rested her head on his chest. “I wish I could remember the spell and why I did it. I feel as though it’s important, as if something hinges on my remembering.”
“The past sometimes is better left buried.”
“Is that what you wish you could do with your memories?”
Galen let his fingers glide over her back as he thought of the day the wyrran came for him, the day he lost his family. And of the day he had ruled another’s mind. “Sometimes.”
“And others?”
“Other times those memories of my family help keep me steady.”
She inhaled deeply and fisted her hand on his chest. “I don’t have those kinds of memories.”
“Maybe no’, but you’re making new ones.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
He rolled her onto her back and kissed her. “I’ll give you all the memories you could want.”
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 al
most 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?”
