Page 101 of Moon Craving

Nevertheless, it was good to check. Talorc did not need an enemy cropping up

from a source he was close to naming friend. "You are satisfied?"

Circin nodded, sadness tingeing his gaze. "I am."

Even knowing the outcome before the first blow was struck, there could be no joy

in defeat.

"Good." He placed his right fist over his heart.

Circin copied the action and bowed his head.

"Tell your laird the Sinclair laird would consider it an honor to train Chrechte

warriors from his clan should he desire it."

Circin's eyes lit with excitement. "You mean it?"

"The first thing you need to learn, boy, is that an alpha never says something he

does not mean or cannot back up," Niall chided from his position between Abigail and the

omega.

"Even Muin?" Circin asked.

"Muin is your brother?" Talorc asked, rather than reply.

Circin wiped blood from the corner of his lip with the back of his hand. "Yes."

"An omega is always welcome among his Chrechte brethren, regardless of what

colors they wear."

"You adhere strictly to the Chrechte laws."

"Aye." Even if the Balmoral had believed for a time he did not.

"I will pass your invitation on to my laird."

And would not take no for answer, if Talorc's guess was accurate.

He was not surprised when Abigail invited the Donegal warriors to share in their

evening meal. He was only surprised by the fact her presumption in doing so did not

bother him. He supposed that she was his wife after all.

"I could not help but notice you did not take your horse hunting," Abigail said,

breaking the silence she had maintained since inviting the other soldiers to eat with them.

His wife was a curious mixture of timidity and boldness. She had not hesitated to

confront him before he faced Circin's challenge, but she had spent the hours since then

watching everyone else and saying very little. 'Twas odd. In his experience, women