Page 12 of Lucie
“Consider it done,” he assured her with a smile.
She kissed his cheek, then walked away to talk toYulen. Lucien turned to leave again, but found LiamMaGrathblocking his way. The gray-haired physician cocked his head, then closed the gapbetween them to envelope Lucien in a hug.
“You know something, Luc? You have, and always will be, a miracle child. You were never meant to be, yet here you are. You were never supposed to grow up, much less be strong and healthy, yet look at you now.” The elderly man took him in from head to toe, and gave his arm a squeeze. “Trust your instincts, Luc. Trust this.” He lightly thumpedLucien’s chest. “And this.” He pressed a forefinger to Lucien’s forehead. “You haveMutahin you. You have the best of what makes aMutah, and it’s not an outward mark. It’s innate. Your mother is the strongest and most courageous woman I’ve ever met. Even stronger than your grandmother, and she’s a powerful force, as you very well know.” He flashed a grin, then he grew serious once more. “I expectyou and Iain to return. Don’t let us down.”
“I won’t,” Lucien promised.
The man clapped him on the shoulder asYulencalled his name from the other end of the table.
“Time to saddle up, Luc.”
“Yes, sir!” he replied, and hustled out the main doors.
He wasn’t that much surprised to findMistellewaiting for him by his horse.He could tell from her reddened eyes that she’d been crying, and he didn’t blame her. As far back as he could remember, she’d gone on every expedition with Mom and Dad, and this would be her first time to be left behind.
Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around him to fiercely hug him. After which she planted a kiss on his cheek. “I’m going to miss having you around, dogging my steps,”she halfway teased.
“Don’t get too used to being on your own. We’ll be back before you know it.”
“I’m holding you to your word,” she almost growled. Giving him another quick embrace, she stepped away and swiped her eyes with the back of her hand as she sniffed. “Take care, little brother. Love you.”
“Love you, too, sis,” he softly admitted. It was rarethat they exchanged such emotions.
She gave a nod, then turned to walk over to whereAttywas checking the cinch on her mare. As they embraced, Lucien turned his back to them and checked his own saddle, but it was damn hard with blurred vision and a tickle in his nose.
