Page 63 of Moon Craving

They stopped to water the horses again but did not dismount, just like the day

before. This time, she noted no one spoke though. The warriors were all alert, and Talorc

looked grimmer than usual.

She met Niall's eyes and asked a question with her own.

"Enemy territory," he mouthed.

Her eyes widened. It had not occurred to her that they would have to cross enemy

territory to get to Sinclair land. She did not remember mention of her stepfather's soldiers

having to do so when they escorted Emily to the Highlands nearly three years ago.

Suddenly, Talorc was there and she was being swept from her horse to his. She

landed against his chest with a silent gasp.

He looked down at her with a fierce expression, as if prepared for her to argue the

change. She simply let herself go limp against him and closed her eyes for sleep.

She wasn't a warrior, and if he was going to give her an unexpected opportunity for

a nap on this bone-jarring ride, she was going to take it.

She sensed his surprise but ignored it as his arm wrapped her close and secure

against him. She was asleep a moment later.

Bemused, Talorc held his sleeping wife to him.

He was not sure what had prompted him to put her on his horse with him. She'd

been tired, but his action had been an instinctive reaction to the silent exchange between

his wife and his warrior at the water.

Talorc had had no idea that he and his wolf would become so possessive with a

wife--particularly an English one. He had not reacted thus with Emily, but then three years

ago, he had had no intention of marrying the Englishwoman sent to him by order of their

kings.

That must be the difference this time. Abigail was indisputably his wife, not a

woman he was supposed to marry.

Yes, that must be it.

She moved in her sleep but made no sound. Not that it would matter now. They

were in safer territory now and would be until midday tomorrow when they would cross

Donegal's holding. Donegal's people were not Talorc's enemies, but the other clan was