Page 198 of Moon Craving

Guaire blushed. "I find many warriors attractive, but the only one who makes me

wish to act on those feelings is Niall. I want him so much, I tremble with it. One day, he is

bound to notice. And then he will probably kill me."

"Because you are a man?"

"Nay, matings within the Chrechte can be between two men or two women. It does

not happen often, but enough that they recognize God's blessing on such love. Niall

would be furious to find out how much I love him because I am not Chrechte. He thinks I

am weak because--" Abruptly, Guaire stopped talking.

"Because you do not have a wolf nature like he does," she finished for him. "Emily

told me the truth of the Chrechte when she was here."

"Talorc believes you are still ignorant."

"I know." It was her turn to feel defeated.

"He is slow to trust, but it will come one day."

"When I am old and gray, perhaps." Abigail sighed. "Tell me more about Niall."

"You do not find my love an abomination?" Guaire asked with a puzzled frown.

"Of course not."

"But the Church teaches it is so. We are not so worried about Rome's edicts here,

but I have always been led to believe the English follow her religious edicts without

question."

"Some do, some don't." Abigail shrugged. "The Church also teaches that women

are last in God's love, even after animals of burden."

Guaire's eyes widened in surprise. "Our priest would never be foolish enough to

say such a thing."

"Your clanswomen are fierce."

"Nay, 'tis our warriors that would chase him from our lands for such idiocy."

Abigail smiled. "The Church also teaches a husband has not only the right, but the

responsibility to beat his wife."

"Now I know you are joshing me. Not even England's Church would say such a

terrible thing."

Abigail wanted to cry at his innocence. "It is the truth. The abbess says that when