Page 52 of Moon Craving

"Barr has command of the clan while I am away," Talorc replied.

"I see. So, Niall is your second-in-command at present." She nodded, satisfied by

her ability to reason that out in her current state of exhaustion.

Talorc did not reply. No doubt because he did not wish to admit she was right.

"I will look forward to meeting him, then."

"Why?"

"Because he is your second, and I like his brother. I am bound to like him."

"You like Niall?" Talorc asked.

"You needn't be so incredulous. I do not hate the Scottish as you do the English."

"Most in our clan find Niall intimidating."

"Then they must find you positively terrifying."

That had Talorc looking pleased and Niall laughing, which from the shocked

expressions of the other soldiers, must not happen often.

Abigail decided she had had enough of the discussion and attempting to be awake

when all she wanted was to sleep. So, she curtsied and excused herself before ducking

into the tent. Bright moonlight filtered between the edges of the plaids draped to make the

walls of the tent and soon her eyes adjusted.

She had barely removed her shoes so she could settle on the furs when Talorc

joined her, making the already small quarters feel overwhelmingly crowded. She scooted

to the very edge of the tent to make room for him.

He handed her an apple. "Eat."

She thought of arguing, saying she just wanted to sleep. Only it would probably

take more effort to convince the big warrior than to eat.

She accepted the apple and took a bite. Crisp and juicy, the fruit's flavor exploded

over her taste buds, reminding her body how long it had been since she'd last fed her

stomach. When she finished with the apple, he handed her a skin of water to drink from.

She drank and then found herself presented with a hunk of yellow cheese and a hard roll.

She ate the cheese.

However, after one bite of the hard roll and chewing it for what seemed forever,

she placed it aside. "I'll just save this for the morning."