Children of the Moon 04 - Dragon's Moon

fight.”
    Mairi’s smile of relief had barely formed when Lais said, “But he’s not a warrior to balk at killing, either. He knows when it is better to end a life than prolong it. Even when that life is Chrechte.”
    By the look Lais gave her, Ciara knew the words were as much for her sake as they were for Mairi. More so, if he had a brain in his head.
    Warriors!
    He wanted her to understand and accept Eirik’s actions seven years ago in the forest, she comprehended that. But did he comprehend the impact his words had on the human woman standing before him, looking so frightened and tired?
    Ciara did not think so.
    Besides, as unexpected as she might find her own feelings, Ciara found that she had already come to terms with Eirik’s actions. The dragon was protector of his people. Whether Galen had to die was not a point for discussion any longer. The fact was, he did die and not as innocently as she had once tried to make herself believe, either.
    “I take your meaning, but I do not think your patient finds your words as comforting as you might have expected.” Ciara indicated the pale features of the human woman who looked about ready to faint.
    Lais let out a Chrechte curse and Ciara had to turn herhead to hide her smile this time. She felt badly for Mairi, but could not help being amused by Lais’s realization of the effect of his words.
    Maybe he would think twice before meddling between Ciara and Eirik in future. It was not as if there was something between them that needed meddling, either. Mind-melting kisses aside, Eirik could have no permanent place in her life.
    He was not looking for a mate, he had said so. And she did not want one. No mate to lose. No mate that would mean children she would love with everything left of her long-shattered heart.
    He would help her find the Faolchú Chridhe and that would be that.
    ’Twas too bad that she’d always been better at deceiving others than her herself. Because she could not make herself believe those words, not even a little bit.
    T he flight to Balmoral Island was even more magical than the first time Ciara had ridden Eirik’s dragon. To be able to see the earth below in all its glorious color and the bright blue of the sky was astounding.
    The feel of the wind on her face combined with the bright sunlight was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
    The truth was, flying on the back of the dragon could become all too quickly something she craved.
    They flew even higher than they had the first time, no doubt Eirik not wanting his dragon to be but a dot in the sky to any who might see him from below.
    It was cold, but Ciara was fully dressed for this ride and Eirik had insisted she unfold her fur and blanket to wear like a double cloak. She’d scoffed, intending to shrug them off when they were in the air. Only she’d quickly discovered how very cold the summer air could be when the dragon flew so much faster than any horse she’d ever ridden. And the higher they went, the less the sun warmed her.
    She snuggled in her fur-lined plaid against the dragon’s neck and laughed with the sheer joy of living in that moment.She could not remember the last time she had felt such happiness and she did not care, or hope for it to last. For this minute in time, she was truly delighted to be alive.
    There was no worry about the Faolchú Chridhe , no concern about how easily Ciara lost herself in Eirik’s kisses, no secrets to hide or reveal as the case may be, simply Ciara and the dragon in the wide-open sky.
    Eirik threw his head back and roared, a sound that went right through his massive dragon’s body and vibrated Ciara’s as well. And she laughed, loving the sensation of sharing in his delight. Then, he cast fire, huge flames that filled her vision. It was the most incredible adventure of Ciara’s life.
    In that instant, she felt more connected to him than she had to anyone else…ever. She did not question how this could be, she simply enjoyed it for the temporary pleasure that it was.
    It took no time at all to fly to the island. However, they did not land on the beach Ciara was used to from the yearly trips to Balmoral Island she had made with her adopted family. Instead, Eirik brought Ciara to a deserted stretch of beach around the curve of the island.
    A guard of two men came out from the forest, their eyes big, their mouths dropped open in shock. With hair the color of the red sunset and looking vaguely familiar, the one on the left was a