Page 31 of Moon Craving

movement. "No, please. She believes it is her right to dictate my life and force my will to

bend to hers." Abigail was sure it was the same for most parents among the nobility.

"Regardless, my stepfather does not deserve death. He stopped her. He promised to

protect me from a marriage that terrified me."

Abigail's throat muscles hurt from all this talking. Sometimes, days and days would

go by without her uttering a single word and now she was forced to converse as she once

had with Emily. Only she knew Talorc made no effort to read her lips, so she had to

modulate her voice to be heard. Even if it was a whisper, it was there.

"He would challenge me over the vicious bitch you call mother?"

Abigail's gasp was not audible to her, but she could feel the expulsion of her

shocked breath. "Yes," was all she said though.

"They will never be welcome on Sinclair land. She hurt you. He should have done a

better job of protecting you."

"Okay." She did not care if she ever saw her parents again. Emily was another

matter entirely. She swallowed for courage. "But Emily, she is welcome on your land?"

"The Balmoral is an ally. His wife is welcome."

"I am glad. I have missed her."

Talorc nodded and then spun on his heel and started walking away. Niall didn't

leave, however. He took up a guard's stance a few feet from the cottage. When she

looked over at him, he winked.

She smiled back and mouthed a thank-you.

He jerked, as if surprised, but then grinned back before turning to face the front, his

expression gone serious, scary even. A few minutes later, two of her father's soldiers

joined him, but the big soldier did not leave.

When she checked out the front window, sure enough, she had both a Hamilton

guard as well as one of Sinclair's soldiers.

Abigail went to sleep, feeling safer than she had in a very long time.

Talorc stood before the English priest in the small chapel. The MacDonald warriors

and most of the English baron's soldiers had to remain outside. His own warriors, the

MacDonald and five of his men, his bride's family and a few English soldiers were the only