Page 90 of Moon Craving

"There is just me and my brother Barr now. Sean died in the battle that left me this."

He indicated his scar. "And our father in the battle that took our previous laird."

"What of your mother?"

"She died birthing Barr and I. Two babies at once were too much for her human

nature."

What an odd way to put it. "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Growing up without a mother must have been difficult."

"Easier than growing up with that harpy that gave you birth, I'd say."

"She was not always so cruel. I . . ." Abigail bit her lip and fought the urge to tell the

truth. Despite her years of practice at hiding her affliction, lying did not sit well with her. "I

disappointed her."

"Then she is a fool."

Abigail wanted to believe that was true. "Talorc's former second-in-command was

your brother?" she asked by way of changing the subject. "Is it a family position or

something?"

"Our families have been close for generations. Sean was the eldest, so he was the

first to be chosen as beta, I mean second to our laird."

"And now your brother Barr holds his position."

"He's a fine warrior," Niall said with evident pride.

"I'm sure he is. For Talorc to choose him over you, he must be incredible."

Niall's face took on a ruddy hue, and Abigail had to bite back the urge to laugh

again. She did not want to offend the man. After all, her praise had already obviously

embarrassed him.

"I do not want the responsibility. Being second to our laird requires more than great

skills as a warrior; it needs diplomacy." He said the last word with a distasteful grimace

that left no doubt what he thought of that element to his brother's position. "I would rather

knock heads together than help disgruntled clanspeople reach a compromise."

If he'd said "diplomacy" with a marked lack of enthusiasm, Niall made it clear that

the word compromise left a foul taste in his mouth indeed.