“I feel the same myself. They have not once treated us like outsiders.”
“It would be a good place to call home.”
“I agree,” Fiona said. “It has been a long time since we have felt at home.”
“Uncle Tavish did his best to make us feel welcomed.”
“And Leith did his best to make us feel like outsiders.”
“He was jealous of you,” Aliss said. “He was jealous that his father talked more with you, his niece, than with his own son.”
“That was because uncle Tavish knew his son was an idiot.”
They both laughed.
Aliss spoke low. “Perhaps here among the safety of those who care for us we could begin to find out about our past.”
“Mother warned us to be careful,” Fiona reminded. “She was adamant about us trusting no one.”
Aliss looked up at the blue sky dotted with white clouds. “Do you ever wonder who we really are, Fiona?”
Fiona followed her sister’s glance, her eye catching a cloud in the shape of a large woman. “That I do. I wonder about the woman who would give her twin daughters away, and if she did it to protect us or because she did not want us.”
“I wonder if she gave us names.”
Fiona took her sister’s hand. “Is that what has upset you?”
“It has been a haunting thought since we have begun this charade. We switch names that truly are not our given ones. The question then is, who are we?”
“There will come a day we will find out.”
“Mother waited too long to tell us,” Aliss said. “She barely had a breath left in her when she confessed that she was not our mother and that we were to be very careful and let no one know. She feared for us but could speak no more.”
“Her last whisper was of her love for us,” Fiona said, a tear catching in the corner of her eye.
“I will never doubt our mother’s love. She showered us with it and I will be forever grateful that we were left with such a generous and loving woman to care for us.” Tears clouded Aliss’s vision and she wiped them away with her finger.
“It is this ruse of ours that has brought this all to light.”
“Perhaps it is time that we discover our true identities,” Aliss said. “We have spoken of it in whispers and secrets and now may be the time for us to begin our search.”
“Let us settle this with Tarr first, and then we can pursue our past in earnest.”
The sisters squeezed hands and kept them locked firmly as they always had done as a sign of reassurance. Together they would survive and they would let no one come between them.
It was late, the keep settled for the night, when Aliss was summoned to Raynor’s room. He complained of severe pain in his head, and she hurried along the stairs having hastily dressed.
Suddenly a hand covered her mouth, cutting off any chance to scream. She was yanked into the dark shadows and pressed against a muscled body.
“It is me, I will not hurt you,” Raynor whispered in her ear.
His words did not alleviate her fear; she remained tense.
“I leave now. Do you and Fiona wish to come with me?” He dropped his hand away from her mouth.
“No, we have not finished our work here, though I wish you Godspeed.”
“You are sure?”
“Aye, Fiona and I have talked and it is not time for us to leave.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” he said.
A rag was shoved in her mouth and a sack draped over her head before she realized what had happened. Her arms were secured behind her back and she was hoisted up and flung over, she assumed, Raynor’s shoulder. She heard mumbling, which led her to believe there was someone with Raynor, and with a shuffle of footsteps and a sudden burst of fresh air she knew they had left the keep.
Careful steps, quick stops, more mumbling, and cold air seeping through her light garments was what followed for what seemed like hours. Crunches of leaves and twigs went on from there, and she assumed they were traveling into the forest near to the keep.
She was not certain what this all was about; she was however certain Raynor would not harm her. He felt indebted to her, which would not allow him to see her hurt in any way.
Why Raynor saw fit to abduct her, she could not imagine, and when she had a chance to speak with him she was certain he would explain. That did little, however, to alleviate her concern regarding her sister.
Once Fiona discovered her gone, all hell would break loose. She would follow to the ends of the earth in search of her and then . . .
She cringed thinking of the punishment Fiona would serve on the person responsible for her abduction.
The man carrying her stopped abruptly and slipped her off his shoulder. He carefully removed the sack and the gag.
She stared at Raynor and waited in silence for an explanation.
“You will not be harmed,” he said.
“I never feared I would be.”
“I am pleased to know that you trust me.”
“I said nothing of trust. I know you feel obligated to me for taking care of you and therefore would see no harm done to me.”
Raynor nodded.
She waited again for an explanation.
“You will understand in time why I took you.”
“Fiona will come for me.”
He smiled. “I am counting on it.”
Chapter 16
The horn sounded and Fiona sprang out of the bed, dressing with haste and reaching for the sword she kept tucked beneath the bed, close enough to swiftly grab.
It took her a moment to realize that Aliss was not in the room, then she recalled her being summoned to Raynor’s room. She burst from the room on a run and did not stop until she was a few feet from his room.
There was utter chaos, warriors seemed to be everywhere, and she pushed her way through the sea of them and into the room. One guard lay unconscious on the floor and the other guard sat in the chair holding his head. Tarr and Kirk flanked the man. Raynor was nowhere to be seen.
“My sister,” Fiona demanded loudly. “Where is she?”
Silence fell suddenly and all eyes turned on her.
“Raynor has taken her,” Tarr said.
“How do you know this?”
Tarr pointed to the guard in the chair. “He heard part of their plans before he was knocked unconscious.”
“Their plans?”
Tarr’s face muscles grew taut and anger glistened in his dark eyes. “Raynor’s men have escaped along with him.”
“How?” Fiona asked incredulously.
“Raynor managed to attack the one guard while the other guard went to get Aliss. His men had already made their escape, though I still do not know how they managed to coordinate their plans. One joined him in the room while the other hid in the shadows outside the door. That is how he”—Tarr nodded to the guard in the chair—“learned part of their plans.”
“To take one of the twins.”
Tarr approached her with heavy footsteps. “Not one of you—the healer twin.” He stopped in front of her. “Did he choose the right one?”
“You will rescue my sister!” It was a fierce demand that had all eyes spreading wide.
“Answer me.” Tarr’s demand was just as fierce.
Fiona stepped forward, nearly touching his broad chest. “It matters not which one of us he took. What matters is that you rescue my sister and waste no precious time arguing about it.”
“I will have my answer before any rescue party is dispatched.” Tarr folded his arms across his chest.
Fury churned inside her like a violent volcano about to erupt. Her sister was gone and the useless debate caused lost time and meant more distance between them and less likely the chance of catching them.
She turned as if she intended to leave the room and then swiftly drew her sword, pressing the point to Tarr’s throat.
His men drew their swords after a moment’s hesitation, her action startling them.
“My blade will pierce his throat before you reach me,” she warned.
Tarr raised his hand to halt his men and all hands dropped off their swords.
“I will cut out your cold heart if you do not see my sister returned safely to me.”
“Tell me which twin I rescue.”
Fiona glared at him with heated eyes. She had no choice. She surrendered her identity or else . . . chance never seeing her sister again?
With a spiteful toss of her head she announced, “I am Fiona.”
Tarr stared at her while he shouted, “Gather the men; we ride at first light.”
“Why do we wait?” Fiona asked, her blade remaining at his throat, while his men began to file out of the room.
Tarr pushed the blade away with one finger. “Traveling on foot at night is difficult and foolish, since tracks are hard to detect. We will catch up with them fast enough. In the meantime we will prepare and be ready to travel and do what we must to rescue Aliss.”
Fiona lowered her sword to her side. “I will go get ready to join you.”
“You do not go with us.”
“You cannot stop me.”
He grabbed her arm, a path clearing for him as he shoved her out of the room and walked her rapidly to his room, kicking the door shut behind him.
“I can and I will, Fiona. You are a skilled warrior, but this time it concerns your sister—”
Fiona yanked her arm out of his grasp. “He took my sister, therefore it is my battle.”
He pointed at her. “Your anger may cause foolish actions and bring dreadful results. You will remain here under lock and guard if necessary.”
She pointed right back at him. “I will not make foolish decisions and you better not try locking me away.”
“You threaten me?” He took a step toward her.
She advanced on him with the same determined step. “If I must.”
“Watch your tongue with me, woman.”
“It is my tongue, and I will not change it to suit a husband. I will have my say whether you like it or not.”
“Have your say, but you will not have your way,” he said, his face close to hers.
“I will or you will rue the day you challenged me.”
“There you go threatening me again.”
“I will see my sister safe,” she shouted at him.
“Aye, you will, for I will see to her safe return.”
“Not without me.”
He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her off the floor. “Stubborn fool, I will not let you risk your life.”
Her blazing green eyes calmed in color and sadness drifted over her face. “I must; Aliss knows I will come for her. She knows nothing will stop me; not even you.”
Tarr lowered her gently to the floor, his hands remaining at the curve of her waist. He stared at her for several moments, the fire leaving his dark eyes.
“You will obey my commands?”
“Aye, I will follow your lead.”
“Your word on this?” he asked.
“My word.”
“Then go ready yourself to join me.”
She hurried to the door.
“Fiona.”
She turned around before opening the door.
“No one takes what belongs to me without consequences. I had all intentions of rescuing your sister.”
She nodded slowly. “It is good to know you are a man of honor.”
They left at first light just as Tarr promised, fifty men went, and Kirk remained behind ready to follow with another fifty if necessary. There was, however, the defense of the keep to consider, and with the unexpected attack of the barbarians, Tarr was taking no chances. Warriors would be dispatched as necessary. If they could catch them before they got to Raynor’s land it would be an easy capture with little fighting, and that is what Tarr hoped for.
Fiona rode beside him, rigid and alert, prepared to battle at any moment.
“You have sent men ahead to scout and see that we travel the right trail?”
“I have,” he answered, knowing she meant no insult by questioning his leadership. She was concerned for her sister. He had realized the full extent of that concern when she had told him her sister would expect her. He had understood at that moment the inseparable bond that existed between the twins. A bond of love and honor; he had no right to force her to break.
“The signs have been clear so far?”
“Aye, they have, and I expect they will continue to be so,” he assured her.
“Aliss will not be fearful; she is very brave.”
“A trait that you share.”
“Many think me stronger than Aliss.”
She shook her head and he could see her eyes glaze with tears, though she would not spill a one. She was too stubborn.
“They are wrong; she is the stronger, far stronger than I.”
He let her talk, her worry forcing her words.
“Our mother died in her arms,” she blurted out. “She comforted her, shed not a tear, but spoke gently to her, letting her know we would be fine and that she would find peace in God’s home. But it was peace our mother found in Aliss’s arms. I stood behind her crying, not being able to control my tears. Aliss eased her suffering with her gentle voice and loving embrace, that is why she is an exceptional healer for she heals with her heart and soul.”
“I have known no healer that heals as successfully as she does.”
“She is an angel,” Fiona said with a smile. “Our mother always called her, her little angel.”
“What did your mother call you?”
Fiona laughed. “Bullheaded, mulish, pigheaded, willful, and some I dare not repeat. My willful nature surfaced early, and my mother could not quite understand a daughter who preferred stringing a bow to sewing a stitch. My father, however, encouraged my interests. What of your mother and father?” she asked.
“My father taught me what it took to be a chieftain. My mother . . .” He paused in an attempt to find the right words. “I know she loved me; she hugged me often enough, but I always felt she was unhappy, though she saw to her duties and was respected by the clan.”
A rider approached, interrupting their conversation.
“The trail rears off around the next bend and it appears they picked up pace.”
“Follow and report to me what you find,” Tarr said.
“They pick up pace in an attempt to get to Raynor’s land and safety,” Fiona said.
“With his land bordering mine, there are a number of places where he can cross onto his land.”
“And be close to his keep?”
“No, it is a good day’s ride.”
“Then longer on foot,” she said. “You look troubled. What concerns you?”
He shook his head. “I have known no one who can sense my thoughts as you do.”
“I see it on your face and in your movements. Now tell me.”
He could see the same in her. It was odd how much alike they were and comforting to share that kindred spirit with her. He had never known that closeness with anyone and it puzzled him.
“Tell me,” she said again.
“Raynor rears off sooner than I had expected. His keep is farther north—”
“His men could be waiting for him,” Fiona said, her glance quickly darting to her surroundings.
“How would they know of his approach?”
She settled into a brief moment of silence before finding an answer. “His men could have been scouting the area since his capture.”
“Waiting to see if he escaped.”
“But why take Aliss, and how did he know it was Aliss he took?” Tarr asked.
“Raynor could tell us apart,” she admitted.
“How?” Tarr shook his head at the heavens. “I do not believe he could tell you apart and I could not.”
“Raynor claimed it was easy.”
“When I get my hands on him he will tell me this secret.”
A scout’s approach sile
nced them.
The scout was quick to inform Tarr. “Horses, they were met with horses.”
They camped for the night with no fire’s light to chase the chill and to alert no one to their presence.
Fiona sat braced against a large boulder, a blanket wrapped around her. She had worn her shirt, blouse, and a wool jacket of her father’s, which she had kept for use when riding. Still she felt the chill of the cold ground creep through her clothes and send her shivering.
She watched the activity of the camp, the men moving more quietly than she ever expected from ones so large. The horses even seemed to know silence was expected of them. Guards were being posted and men settling in for the night with orders that they ride again at first light.
Tarr approached after talking with a few men, she watched him walk, his strides long and confident. He wore his plaid with a white shirt beneath. A night wind stirred his auburn hair so that it spread like the wings of a raven, and his handsome features appealed even more for his look was intense, with a spark of fire to it. A fur was draped over his arm and she silently sighed with the thought of its warmth, though shivered at the thought of him sharing it with her.
He settled down beside her, tossing the fur over them and tucking it around her before taking her into his arms for her to rest comfortably against him.
She did not object; she welcomed his warmth and the fur, and she smiled at the stir of desire his closeness caused in her.
“Comfortable?” he asked, resting his one arm just beneath her breasts.
“Very,” she said, and snuggled into him.
“You know we will wed upon our return.”
“We will discuss it,” she said on a sigh.
“We will do well together,” he said as if all was settled.
She lifted her head to look at him. “Kiss me.”
He laughed. “You are not a shy one.”
“I like when you kiss me and you have never kissed me knowing me as Fiona.”
He looked baffled. “Have I ever kissed Aliss?”
Fiona laughed. “She would never kiss you.”
“Why?” he said as if insulted.
She moved closer to his lips as she spoke. “She does not care for you.” She ran her lips across his. “I do like the taste of you.”
He grabbed her chin. “Once we share this kiss, Fiona, you are mine forever.”
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