Page 131 of Moon Craving

badly it took three tries to get her pleats to stay tucked into her belt, much less straight.

This would not do. She had to get ahold of herself. She could not change her

circumstances; she could only pray she did not hear the voices again. With that thought

firmly in mind, she left the room.

Abigail was halfway down the steps when she sensed she was being watched.

She looked away from the steps in front of her toward the great hall. At first she

thought it was empty, everything was so still. Then she noticed the old man who had

vocalized his displeasure at Talorc's marriage the day before. He was glaring at her from

his place at the far end of the nearest banquet table. And if looks could catch fire, she

would be singed for sure.

She tried a tentative smile, but his glower did not waver. Already upset by her

earlier thoughts, Abigail came close to stumbling on the stone steps but caught herself in

time.

Suddenly, Niall was there. He said something to the old man Abigail could not

catch. The gray-haired warrior frowned at her and shook his head.

Niall looked up at her, his own disapproval evident. "Talorc said you were to be

accompanied coming down the stairs."

"I'm perfectly capable of walking down a set of stairs," she said, but she could tell

by his look that she had not projected her voice enough to be heard.

Wonderful. She put her hand against her throat and tried again, glad the vibrations

grew stronger, which meant her voice was louder.

Sure enough, Niall's confusion cleared, but he did not look appeased by her words.

He crossed the room and was taking the stairs two at a time before she'd come down two

more steps. His features set in implacable lines, he put his arm out to her.

She rolled her eyes but accepted his assistance and allowed him to guide her

down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, she saw that Guaire and Una had

arrived. She smiled at her new friend and tried not to frown at the woman who had been

less than pleasant the day before.

Regardless of Una's attitudes, Abigail was relieved to see that she was still acting

as housekeeper to the tower. At least, that was what Abigail assumed the other woman's