Page 172 of Moon Craving

She giggled at the implication. "Not because he is feminine. He may not be as

fierce as you, but he is a strong soldier. I would trust my safety in his hands," she said,

repeating something similar to what Una had said once.

"So, how does he remind you of Emily?"

"He saw value in me before he learned my secret and that did not change after."

Talorc's brows drew together. "According to what I saw at dinner tonight, many

members of the clan feel the same."

"Yes, it is amazing. Only Guaire was already a good friend, and then he showed

himself to be a true friend both standing by and standing up for me. Even with Niall, who

intimidates most clan members."

"Like Emily did when you first lost your hearing," Talorc said, clearly able to draw a

logical conclusion.

"Emily saved my life twice." Abigail wanted to make her husband understand why

her sister was such an important part of her life. "When I had the fever, no one wanted to

risk exposure to nurse me."

"Not even your mother?"

"Especially not my mother."

"So, Emily nursed you?"

"Yes."

"You said she saved your life twice."

"Fear of the inexplicable is strong in my father's keep."

"Yes?"

Abigail nodded. "If the rest of the keep had been made aware of my loss, they

might well have insisted on ridding the keep of me."

"Your father would have submitted to the demands of his people?"

"I know only that my mother would not have been disappointed to see me gone."

He said that word again, the one she did not understand.

Unable to meet his gaze directly and say what she wanted, she peered up at him

through her lashes. "I did not believe I would ever have a person in my life who was more

important to me than my sister."