Page 4 of Moon Craving

Talorc's seneschal was right. The leader of the Balmoral clan, now married to the

Englishwoman his king had first bid him wed, would no doubt go to war over her. As

impossible as it might be for Talorc to understand, all indications led him to believe the

other Chrechte laird loved his outspoken wife.

Osgard spun to face the younger warrior and would have knocked him to the

ground, but another warrior's hand stayed him. The big, battle-scarred Chrechte stared

impassively at the old man. As big as Talorc's second-in-command, Barr's twin, Niall,

could intimidate without effort. His hard features were made more imposing by the scars

that marred the left side of his face.

Killing a Chrechte was no easy task, but Niall had almost died in the same battle

that had claimed his older brother Sean, Talorc's former second-in-command and

brother-in-law.

Osgard flinched, even though no threat had been spoken from the massive

warrior.

Talorc had to bite back amusement. Little intimidated the old Scot, but Niall did it

without effort. In fact, besides himself, the only other member of the Sinclair clan that did

not tremble in Niall's presence was his twin, Barr.

Opening and closing his mouth like a fish, Guaire stared with wide eyes at Niall and

Osgard.

"I see you decided to join us," Barr said to his twin.

"I heard a messenger from the king had arrived."

"You heard correctly," Talorc replied.

"What did he want this time?" Niall asked, as if demands from Scotland's monarch

came frequently.

"You can release my arm," Osgard groused.

"You will not hit the boy."

"He insulted our laird," Osgard said.

"I am not a boy," Guaire said at the same time, and then when he realized what

Osgard had said, he puffed up with offense. "I did no such thing."

Niall released Osgard's arm but stepped between the old man and the young