“And you are showing it to me?”

“Yes. I trust you with all that I am.” He put the torch in a holder and took both her hands. “The only one who knows of the treasury is the protector and his chosen helper. My mother did not know of its existence, nor did my sister Cait. I do not know how Tamara learned of it from my father, but she did. His second-in-command was the only other person who knew about it.”

“Niall and Barr’s father.”

“Yes. When my father told me of the treasure, on his deathbed, I chose to share the knowledge with Niall rather than his older brothers. My wolf chose him as my partner in protecting the treasure as he chose you to be my mate.”

“Your own mother did not know about this?”

“No.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

“All that I am is yours.”

“You really mean that.”

He nodded. Then he turned to the casket. “Would you like to see it?”

“If you want to show me.”

“I do.”

He lifted the lid of the marble casket. Inside there were bones, a large cross like priests carried during mass, a smaller cross on a chain, a modest crown and a sword without even a jeweled handle.

“These are treasures of the heart, not of gold.”

He smiled, clearly pleased she understood. “The bones of the right hand of St. Columba, the warrior saint.”

“The hand that held his sword and his pen.”

“Exactly.”

“And the other bones?”

“The skull and right hand of Uven, son of Oengus, the last king over all the Chrechte tribes. The sword and crown are his as well. The cross on the left belonged to Columba, and the one on the right Uven wore into battle.”

“Your stepmother was a fool. This treasure may be worth dying to protect, but it is not worth killing to steal. Its value lives in the hearts of the people for whom it signifies history.”

“You are an amazing woman, Abigail of the Sinclair. Truly, my secrets are safe in your small hands.”

“And my heart is safe in your big ones, though mighty, they are gentle with it.”

“Always.” Then he saluted like a warrior, right fist over his heart.

She was smiling when she threw herself into his arms to kiss him.

She had found more than a place of security in the world that had been less than friendly since her tenth year; she had found true love and a sacred mate.

No woman could want for more.

Epilogue

Scotland’s king did not send a messenger to his favored laird, Talorc of the Sinclairs, in reply to his laird’s latest words. He came himself. To meet the woman that inspired such loyalty, he said. Though, it soon became clear he had a secondary motive. He wanted Barr to rule the Donegal clan until young Circin had been trained and reached an age to lead the smaller clan.

Talorc left the choice up to Barr. Barr accepted with the stipulation that Osgard could come with him. The old warrior had admitted to setting both Talorc’s horse after Abigail and putting pebbles on the stairs so she would trip. It was clear from his rambling confession that the old man had begun to confuse the present with the past.

He had not intended Abigail serious harm, though both pranks could have resulted in her death. He had wanted to show Talorc what a liability she was to the clan, so he would petition to the king for dissolution of the marriage.

Talorc wanted to kill him, but Abigail pleaded for mercy, and Barr’s suggestion was accepted as a workable compromise. Barr left with the four Donegal youths a week after the king.

Una left two days later, after once again countermanding one of Abigail’s orders. Talorc overheard this time and took immediate exception, sending the housekeeper back to her family’s clan, since the widow had joined the Sinclairs through marriage. Word came a couple of months later that Una had married, taking on a widower with four children under the age of six, and was blissfully happy.

Abigail enjoyed sharing responsibilities with Guaire as seneschal too much to take over Una’s position completely, so she promoted one of the other cooks and was well pleased with the results.

But nothing was more pleasing than the gift of each day with her beloved Talorc. Her werewolf was the most amazing and wonderful man that had ever lived, she was sure of it. And she was so very, very grateful that she was his mate. She did not understand it, but miracles were by their nature incomprehensible.

She only knew that far from being cursed as others might claim because of her deafness, she was blessed with this rare gift of life and love.