Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Tarr sat up, swinging his legs off the bed to sit on the edge. “We best wed quickly for you are bound to get with child soon.”
Her hand rushed to cover her stomach. “How exciting to think that I could now be carrying your child.” She hurried over and threw herself at him.
He caught her and they fell back on the bed together.
She snuggled her face against his. “I would be proud to carry your child.”
“I am pleased to hear you say that, but I will worry endlessly about you.”
She sat up on top of him. “Why? I am strong and healthy and I will push that babe right out.”
His hands went around her waist as he laughed. “I bet you will, but I still fear—”
She poked him in the chest. “What do you fear?”
He pulled himself up so that their noses were touching. “I fear losing you.”
Her hands ran up his arms to grab hold near his shoulders. “I am not going anywhere. You are stuck with me for a very long time.”
“Promise?” he asked with desperation.
“Aye, I promise you, Tarr of Hellewyk, that I will live a long life with you, and when it is my time to go I will expect you to follow.”
He placed a sweet gentle kiss on her lips. “I will follow you, Fiona, whether it is heaven or hell you go to.”
She laughed, hugged him, and slid off him to kneel between his legs. “Mmm,” she murmured, and slowly traced her lips with her tongue. “I wish we had more time.”
He shut his eyes and ordered, “Get dressed.”
She laughed again and did as he said, but not before running a hand over him.
Tarr kept his eyes closed. “Let me know when you are dressed.”
“Coward,” she teased, hurrying into her garments but sauntered to the door as she laced the ties to her blouse. “I am done.”
He opened his eyes.
“Not with you, though. Tonight I shall have my way with you.” And with another lick of her lips, she scooted out the door with a laugh.
Fiona did not stay long at her sister’s beside. It was not necessary. Anya was fussing over Aliss like a mother hen tending a favorite chick. She had cleaned Aliss and combed her hair, tying it to the side away from the wound. A light blanket covered her and she checked her head at least three times for fever while Fiona spoke with her.
That she enjoyed tending her daughter was obvious, and that she intended to let no one interfere was also obvious, so Fiona left her to fuss.
She hurried down the stairs eager to learn why Tarr had been summoned to the great hall and grinning over what had delayed him.
Her grin soon vanished when she entered the hall to see the solemn faces on Tarr, Kirk, and Raynor, the three men present. A shiver ran through her, something was wrong and she worried that it had to do with her and Aliss.
She raced forward and took hold of Tarr’s arm. “What is wrong?”
“The stable lad who took your mare to tend on your arrival has discovered that your saddle strap has been slashed near through to the end.”
Fiona stared at him for a moment, comprehension dawning like a bright rising sun that blinded then shed light.
She nodded slowly. “Then it is so, someone wants Aliss and me dead.”
Chapter 30
The sun was rising though bleak clouds and a cold wind whistled past the window, reminding that the weather this far north was often unpredictable, bright sun one moment, freezing rain the next.
Fiona stood in front of the window watching the fast-moving clouds swallow the debuting sun, and wrapped her shawl more tightly around her naked body. She gave a quick glance over her shoulder to see that Tarr still slept, his large body sprawled across the bed. Of course if she were in the bed he would be wrapped around her. It was now like that when they slept; it was as if they were one, forever entwined.
She sighed and turned to look out the window once again. She had awakened just before sunrise, unable to sleep any longer; her mind heavy with thoughts and her heart weighted with sorrow.
Who could possibly want twin babes dead? They could harm none.
Raynor was in line to inherit the leadership of the Blackshaw clan, while the sisters would be absorbed into other clans once they wed. Perhaps their abduction was a spiteful act against Anya and Oleg?
She shivered and hugged herself as the drafty room took on a decisive chill from the relenting wind. She should return to the warm bed and the heat of Tarr’s body, but she felt restless with her nagging thoughts and would only disturb him.
Normally she would ride her mare when she felt like this and had the need to clear her head. But she had given Tarr her word that she would not ride off on her own, and besides, it would be a foolish thing to do when she knew that someone hunted her.