had been more of a sister than Anice.
Anice had always been concerned with wherever her mind had taken her from day to day. Some days she was coherent. Other days, not at all. Because of Anice’s affliction, they had never been close.
The women at MacLeod Castle—Cara, Larena, Marcail, Isla, and Reaghan—were her true sisters in every sense of the word. And she had left without a word to them.
“Thank you,” she said, and took her favorite comb. She began to try and brush through the vast tangles, but it would take hours, and Sonya simply didn’t have the strength.
She set the comb aside and stared into the orange flames of the fire. It was Broc’s gentle touch on her injured hand which drew her gaze.
“You weren’t supposed to get the bandages wet,” he said with a small grin. “Jean will no’ be happy.”
Sonya watched as he tenderly unwrapped her bandages before tossing them into the fire. There was a hiss before the flames engulfed the material. A moment later, fresh bandages covered her wound.
“My hand slipped while I tried to stand,” she explained.
“I knew I should have stayed to help you. You’re still weak from lack of food and the fever.”
Sonya nodded, knowing he was right. She deserved the irritation she heard in his voice. She had been reckless, something she had never been in her life. Even now, she couldn’t explain why she had left the castle.
Her world had tilted, the anchor that kept her doing as she must snapping when she had seen Broc holding Anice. The savage grief etched on his face would forever be in her memory. Just thinking of it made her turn away from him.
“There’s another gown and underclothes for you in my satchel,” Broc said.
Sonya heard movement but didn’t turn to see what he was doing. Then she felt a soft tug on her hair as a comb was pulled through the strands.
“Everyone is worried about you,” he continued. “We searched everywhere before I left to find you.”
Sonya knew he wanted some sort of explanation. He deserved one, as did everyone at the castle. She just didn’t know if she could give it to him yet.
“I wasn’t sure what to pack for you. Cara, Isla, and Larena took care of most of it. If you doona have what you need, I’ve coin.”
Each time he came to a lump of knotted hair, he would take his time and slowly work it free. Not once did he pull her hair. The slow, even strokes began to lull her, as did the warmth of the fire and blanket around her.
“Anice is buried in the forest behind the convent ruins.”
Sonya blinked to hide the rush of tears. “I didn’t look for her after the battle. I assumed she was safe in the castle. I should have looked for her.”
“Too many Druids lost their lives that day. I’m sorry I wasna able to save them all.”
“You did what you could. We all did.”
He blew out a breath as his fingers moved her wet hair away from her ear. “You weren’t the only one to run away.”
“Malcolm.” It wasn’t much of a guess. Sonya had feared he would leave one day. It made sense that he would do it while everyone was occupied with the battle.
“Aye.”
Sonya tugged at the end of the blanket. “He didn’t think he could help in the battle, and he didn’t want to hide with the women.”
“Larena wants me to look for him once I return with you.”
Sonya turned to look at him over her shoulder. “Malcolm left because he no longer wants to remain at MacLeod Castle. You cannot force him to return.”
“Him? Nay. You? That’s a different matter entirely. You are a Druid, and if Deirdre learns you are no’ protected at the castle anymore, she will come for you.”
She was unable to continue to look into Broc’s brown eyes. They were such a deep, rich brown that hid so many secrets. She had once thought she might be able to get him to share some of those secrets.
But everything she had thought she knew of Broc was wrong.
Sonya turned back to the fire and licked her lips. “I warned