Moon Burning - By Lucy Monroe Page 0,94

they are pregnant.”

“Once the third moon of our pregnancy has passed, we lose the ability to shift until the first full moon after giving birth.”

“The Faol cannot shift into their wolf form from conception,” Niall added for his clearly curious mate.

“You are too vulnerable as a raven with your wounded wing,” Barr said, ignoring the discussion of shifting.

“It is almost healed.” She would be able to fly again soon.

“Almost will not keep you safe.”

She had never had anyone so concerned for her well-being since her parents’ deaths. Once she’d renounced her status as future leader of her people in favor of joining the protecting warriors, her entire life had been seen as forfeit to the safety of others.

“Your horse is big.”

“Like me.”

This was true. But Barr’s size did not scare her. “I do not make it a practice to be so far from the ground unless I am flying.”

“I will make sure you do not fall.”

“I have no intention of falling.” Though she was not quite sure how, precisely, she was supposed to avoid doing so.

“Then you have nothing to fear.”

“I did not say I was afraid.”

He merely looked at her. He was wolf; of course he had scented her concern about riding one of these great beasts. “I have never actually wished to ride.”

“We are not walking. The journey would take three times as long.”

She had no argument. Time was not on her side. But still she hesitated.

Barr jumped up onto his horse, making the huge animal seem even bigger. Then Niall’s hands were on her waist and she was being tossed upward. Barr caught her, swinging her around to land, straddling the horse behind him.

It was a good thing she was not one of the modest clanswomen because her skirts were rucked up to reveal a great deal of her leg. Guaire stepped forward and adjusted them without a word, getting awfully close to the powerful back legs of the beast. She could not help admiring his courage.

She gave him a taut smile as her own was tested. “Thank you.”

He nodded.

“Hold on tight,” Barr instructed as the horse began to move.

She could only do so with her healthy arm; she hoped that would be enough. He kept the horse to a quiet, steady walk until they were in the forest and then they were galloping and a completely unintentional scream snaked out of her throat. She bit it off almost immediately but was mortified all the same.

Warriors did not cry out in fright. Ever.

Nevertheless, she tightened her hold on her mate until he grunted. Her other hand held his belt in a deathlike grip and she pressed her body against his, following his movement more easily than that of the swift-moving behemoth beneath her.

Chapter 20

They rode hard until long after the sun rose in the sky. Shortly before midday, he stopped near a stream where they dismounted in silence. Her legs were weak as water and she had to hold on to Barr for several moments before she could walk. He did not rush her, but she felt the need to resist clinging.

Things had changed between them and she did not understand this feeling of vulnerability that plagued her. Love was not a comfortable emotion and she did not understand why others thought it so wonderful. Perhaps when you were certain of its return, the overwhelming feelings brought joy rather than distress.

Neither spoke while they ate food Barr pulled from the pack on the horse. She was busy trying to determine if they had been followed, unwilling to be surprised by the arrival of an enemy like she had been with Wirp in the forest.

She did not know why Barr kept his own counsel. It could have been for the same reason, or it could have been that he had nothing to say to her.

She realized she did not want to know if the latter was the case and, even when she was fairly certain no danger lurked around them, did not initiate conversation.

The burbling water over stone was the only sound to break the silence around them. Even the animals were quiet, but that was often the case when predators were present. And as controlled as he was, Barr was one hundred percent predator.

Suddenly Barr stood, his gaze intent as he carefully surveyed the surrounding area. “You have weapons?”

“Yes.” Verica had not hesitated when Sabrine had gone knocking on her door in the wee hours to ask to borrow the sword and dagger before leaving the keep