Terrified but unwilling to leave the man she loved behind, she turned
the horse toward the forest from which the wild boar had come.
Abigail! Go back to the keep, Talorcs voice demanded in her head.
I wont leave you, she said in her own head, feeling more than a little crazy for replying to the imaginary voice.
Obey me. The voice had never sounded so harsh.
But it wasnt real and no matter how insistent it sounded, she did not have to listen. She wasnt leaving Talorc behind. She skirted the fighting wild animals, but kept her attention on them in case they lost interest in each other and came after her.
With a spray of blood, the wolf tore out the boars throat. The big gray beast put his head back and howled. Heavens above, she really was going mad. She felt an insane and almost irresistible urge to stop the horse and approach the wolf, to commend it for fighting so bravely and effectively.
The beast turned his head to look at her. Showing she truly had lost all sense, she halted the horse and stared back at the blood-covered wolf. If she didnt know it was impossible, she would have thought the look the wild animal gave her was one of possession. That made no sense.
Without warning, the wolf spun and ran into the forest. Filled with trepidation and undeniable curiosity, she kneed the stallion to follow.
They had only gone a couple of yards when Talorc came striding out of the forest. He was covered in blood, explaining where her husband had been. He must have been fighting another boar. Guaire had told her the wild pigs with deadly tusks sometimes traveled in groups.
Talorc had been protecting her, and just like the massive wolf, he had clearly won his fight. He gave her an indecipherable look before turning to dive into the lake.
He did not come out until all the blood was gone.
Abigail had managed to get her plaid on while her husband bathed. He said nothing as he donned his own clothing.
You are not hurt? she asked. She had not seen any marks, but she could not be sure.
His jaw set, he shook his head.
Did you see the wolf? I believe the beast saved my life. She bit her lip. Not that you did not protect me, too. Clearly you were in your own battle in the forest, but a second boar came into the clearing.
A second boar?
She nodded and pointed to the bloody carcass. Over there.
Talorc stared at her for several tense seconds but said nothing.
She had spent years in silence, but this one felt more than a little uncomfortable. I must rethink my view on wolves. Niall told me the gray wolf I met at the hot springs would never hurt me. You will probably think me mad, but I believe it was that wolf that helped you save me today.
It was.
You know this wolf, too? Is he a mascot for the clan then?
A mascot? No.
But he is a friend to the clan.
That is one way to put it.
Wishing her husband did not look so very stern, she nodded. What caused the boar to charge, do you think?
It is their mating season. Our presence may well have been the only cause.
Oh.
He turned and headed for his horse. She followed, not sure what was going on between them. They had been so happy before the wild boars attacked. It had been upsetting to be sure, but Talorc acted angry. Though not overtly. It was like fury simmered under the surface and she did not understand why.
Was it because he believed he had not protected her enough? If the gray wolf had not shown up, the boar might well have gotten her. Talorc was the sort of man that would find reliance on another, even a wild beast, a trial. He often acted as if he believed he and he alone was responsible for the safety and well-being of his people.
He pushed himself and his warriors harder than any English baron she had ever seen or heard of.
Their ride back to the fortress was a silent one. Despite riding pressed one to the other, Talorc held himself apart from her behind an invisible but undeniable wall of hostility. Abigail made no attempt to speak, not knowing what to say. She only wished she understood what had upset Talorc.
When they returned to the keep, he led her directly to the great hall. She was surprised to find a handful of his elite warriors seated at one of the banquet tables. The evening meal was still a couple of hours off and the warriors did not usually come inside to congregate this early in the day. But Niall, Barr, Earc, Fionn and Airril were all there, along with Osgards glowering presence.
Una served water and mead to the seated warriors before scurrying from the hall with a single, baffled, backward glance at Abigail.
Guaire was there as well, standing on the other side of the room
from the warriors, though he looked as puzzled by the presence of the other men as Abigail.
Talorc stopped in the middle of the hall with her. Turn your back to the soldiers, he instructed.
What? Why? She worriedly bit at her bottom lip. Turning her back on others was a recipe for disaster in Abigails silent world.
Anger simmered in his blue gaze. Just do it.