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)
She closed her eyes and shook her head. At the moment there was little to do but think and worry. She was good at thinking while worry irritated her, it usually set her into action. For this situation, she was not sure what type of action was called for, so she silently recited a prayer for her sister’s speedy recovery.
Aliss could reason better than she, and would know what to do.
Her eyes sprang open as she was suddenly wrapped in strong arms and ensconced with Tarr in a warm wool blanket. He tugged at her shawl and she released it to drop at her feet. He drew her back against him and she welcomed his heat. It drifted through her body, chasing the chill away and toasting her flesh.
“You will make a good husband; you keep me warm.”
He nibbled playfully at her ear. “I prefer you hot.”
“Keep that up and you will ignite me.”
He stopped after placing a kiss on her cheek. “Something bothers you. I can hear it in your voice. You and Aliss are safe, you have my word.”
“How can we be safe when we do not know who pursues us? He could be in this keep right now, planning his next attack.”
“If you believed that, you would be at your sister’s side this instant.”
“Anya would not hesitate to kill anyone who dared to threaten Aliss’s safety. She will not lose her daughter twice. She is the best guard Aliss could have at the moment.”
“You have not considered Anya a threat?”
“Briefly, but I dismissed it. You can see the pain she has suffered these many years in her eyes and the relief of finding us. Have you not determined the same yourself?”
He hugged her and pressed his cheek to hers. “We think alike and reach the same conclusions. We make a good match.”
“It took you long enough to realize that.”
“It took me?” he asked with an incredulous laugh.
“Aye, but I forgive you your stubbornness.”
“My stubbornness?” His laughter continued.
“In time you will learn patience.”
Tarr laughed, sputtered words that made no sense, then laughed again.
“It takes a strong man to admit his weaknesses.”
When his laughter finally subsided, he whispered in her ear. “I have but one weakness—you.”
She turned in his arms and took his face in her hands. “I love you, and do you know why?”
“Tell me.”
She kissed him first, tenderly as if in gratitude. “Because you love me for who I am: stubborn, impatient, sometimes impossibly willful, but all of me—Fiona—and you often do it with a smile. That smile tells me how much you care.” She pushed up at the corners of his mouth. “Even when it’s barely a smile, I see it there and it fills my heart with joy.”
Her fingers fell away as his smile grew freely.
“You make me happy; I cannot help but smile.”
“And you make me happy, more happy than I ever thought possible.”
“I have been told love does that to you, now I know it is true,” he said, and kissed her.
She responded as always and they were soon laughing between kisses as they stumbled together to the bed.
A knock interrupted them.
“What do you want?” Fiona snapped irritated.
“Sorry to disturb,” Raynor said with a chuckle from the other side of the door. “Aliss wakes and wishes to talk with you.”
“She is well?” Fiona asked anxiously.
“Aye, but she is eager to see you,” Raynor said.
“Tell her I will be right there.”
Raynor acknowledged with, “I’ll go to talk with my men. I will see you later.”
Tarr dropped the blanket that held them together. “Go, your sister needs you.”
“You will make a very good husband. I am glad I picked you.”
He shook his head and dressed along with her.
“Come with me?” she invited as they left the bedchamber.
“Aliss asked for you.”
Fiona took his hand. “We are one now; her summons would be for both of us.”
“You are so sure?”
“It is how I would feel if Aliss were wed and since we are twins and think alike.” She tugged at his hand. “Come. She is eager to see us.”
Aliss was sitting up in bed, a white cloth wrapped around her head and not a speck of blood soaking through. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes alert, and she was smiling.
“Fiona,” Aliss cried out happily, “Mother is spoiling me.”
“And happy I am that I can do it,” Anya said and moved out of the chair beside the bed, leaving it for Fiona.
Fiona hurried to hug her sister. “You heal well?”
“Mother has done a good job tending me. She keeps the wound covered and clean, bathes my face with cool water to keep the fever away, and makes certain I drink the brew I instructed you to make. I feel good, though I still must be watchful and not do more than I should.”
“Which is why she will remain abed a few more days,” Anya said firmly.