Children of the Moon 04 - Dragon's Moon

gladly.” It was Everett’s turn to speak.
    That, more than anything, spoke to the evil that MacLeod perpetrated. Faol were loyal to their pack. “So, it is war?” she asked, fearing she knew the answer.
    Niall’s jaw ticked. “After the Faolchú Chridhe is found.”

Chapter 23

Isn’t it the sweetest mockery to mock our enemies?
    —S OPHOCLES
    “W ouldn’t a smaller group be better then?” Ciara asked, really wondering now what was driving the warrior’s decisions. “We would be less likely to be discovered.”
    “And protecting you would be more risky,” Eirik said, sounding entirely unimpressed by the prospect.
    “Surely you jest.” She was getting tired of him acting like he wasn’t enough to protect her. He was her mate and he was dragon, protector of an entire race. “If we are discovered, no force could stand against your fire. Had my brother and Luag been with a force ten times their size, you would have disintegrated them.”
    Entire trees had gone up in flame.
    Her mate’s expression closed and he turned toward the water. “The others will be here shortly.”
    “That is much faster than he and Mairi made the crossing over.”
    “There are four able-bodied soldiers to row this time.”
    “Four?” she asked in confusion and wondered if that was going to be her state from now on.
    She’d mated a confusing man who shared only what he thought necessary, which apparently was not a great deal.
    “The Balmoral sent his second to get a report on the MacLeod soldiers from Niall.”
    “Oh.” She hadn’t known Drustan was making the crossing, but then Ciara hadn’t known any of the others were coming. “I think I’ll go sit over there.” She waved vaguely at the fallen log outside the cave where her clan kept supplies. “It’s clear my input is not needed here.”
    Eirik frowned, but he didn’t gainsay her.
    She crossed the beach with leaden feet. Ciara had always fought the idea of taking a mate because the prospect of losing him and/or any children they might be able to produce terrified her. She’d never once considered the possibility that she might have a mate and yet not have him because his heart was not engaged.
    You are upset, Eirik said through their mindspeak. Though he was faced away, his focus on the boat pulling closer to shore with every row of the oars.
    I am fine.
    You are sad.
    Stop reading my emotions.
    His shoulders tensed, but he didn’t turn around. I cannot help it.
    Well, stop commenting on them at least.
    Do you regret our mating?
    Did she? I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, does it? We’re mated and according to the kelle, until we were the Faolchú Chridhe wasn’t going to be found.
    When you are chosen as the protector of your people, your life ceases to be your own. There was a certain amount of bleak acceptance in his tone.
    He ought to know. Eirik’s life had been all about sacrifice for his people.
    Did you mate me for the good of our people? she asked him, not entirely sure she wanted an answer, but unable to stop the question.
    The silence in her mind was all the answer she needed.
    His, Not entirely, came too late and was far too little.
    She swallowed back her emotions and forced herself to feel nothing. She’d done it before; she could do it now.
    What are you doing? He’d spun to face her, his expression dark with worry.
    Nothing, she said in a monotone across their link.
    Do not lie to me.
    You said I couldn’t. You would always be able to tell.
    I can.
    I am tired.
    You were fine on the flight over. Joyful in fact.
    I like to fly with your dragon.
    I have never enjoyed flight as much as when you ride on my dragon.
    That was something, she supposed. Your raven wants to fly with me.
    You remember our dream.
    Yes.
    Good.
    Why was it good? She’d believed his beasts’ desire to share their natures with her meant he would want to share his heart. Clearly, she had been wrong.
    Will we always share dreams now? she asked him.
    Only when we want to.
    So, I can kick you out of my dreams?
    You could, yes.
    How?
    You create a barrier against me with your mind, but why would you want to?
    Like this? she asked, drawing on her connection to her Chrechte nature to build a barrier in her mind.
    Suddenly he was standing in front of her, amber gaze shooting fire and six feet, five inches of vibrating fury. “Do not ever do that again.”
    “Why?”
    “Our mindspeak is not only a way for us to grow closer in our mating, but it helps me to keep you