Her thoughts had her hopping out of her seat and, with a quick kiss to Tarr’s cheek, she said, “I am off, the bright day summons me.”
She grabbed her sister’s dark green shawl from where it had fallen on the bench, draped it around herself, and tossed the end over one shoulder, then out the door she went.
Tarr watched her go, his eyes remaining on the closed door, and after seeing that it remained closed, he turned to Oleg.
“I am concerned for the twins’ safety.”
Oleg nodded to his son. “We have thought the same as does my Anya. She fears leaving them alone.”
That brought a laugh from Tarr and Raynor.
“God help the man who attempts to abduct Fiona,” Tarr said.
“He will live to regret it,” Raynor chuckled.
Oleg’s words turned the room silent. “I myself do not worry about another abduction. My concern is for their safety. What if this time they want them dead?”
Chapter 27
Tarr watched Fiona pick heather alongside the women of the clan. Her cheeks were spotted red from the crisp wind that made its way down the sloping hill. A purple flower was tucked in her bright red hair, which resembled a mass of fiery flames kept aglow by the bright sun overhead.
She had not put the sprig in her hair nor did she collect the heather for the joy of it. She was not that type of woman, all flowery, soft, and gentle. She was a woman of great passion, tremendous strength, and courageous heart.
She would prefer to clean her sword, tend her mare, or string a bow, instead she picked heather for her sister.
He returned the wave she sent him once she spotted him standing there, then she resumed her task with a smile. He could not explain how or when this woman worked her way into his heart, or how she obtained permanent residence there.
He just knew he never wanted to lose her. He had expected little to change in his life when he took a wife; he was wrong and glad of it.
Fiona had filled an emptiness inside him that he had not known existed. His life had been a constant learning in preparation to lead the clan. His father had reminded him daily of his duties, including finding a woman who would bare him strong sons so that the Hellewyk clan would always prosper.
His mother had been a good woman and in her own way loving, though distant. That she had loved him he had no doubt, her quiet nature and gentle voice he would always remember, but strength?
If it was there he never saw it.
Fiona displayed her strength with pride, and he felt honored to love and be loved by such an extraordinary woman. His heart swelled and so did his passion. He had to laugh to himself. He had thought of his husbandly duties as a necessity. He grinned wide, a chuckle rippling beneath his breath.
It would be no chore but a pleasure to do his duties with a woman who found as much joy in making love as he did.
Tarr saw Fiona stop suddenly, glance his way and, after a few words to the women around her, she walked his way.
He waited with arms crossed over his chest and a devilish smile on his lips.
Her pace was unhurried, her hips swung in a provocative sway, and her breasts bounced gently beneath her blouse with each step. Her hands went to the knotted shawl at her waist and she untied it as she approached him.
“Your eyes tell me you are hungry.” She slipped her shawl over her shoulders to hide her fingers as they loosened the ties of her blouse. “I myself am famished.”
Her nipple peeked at him from the edge of her blouse. “You seduce me here and now?”
“Aye,” she said, her eyes turning wide, “and with much impatience.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I got more than I bargained for when I chose you for a wife.”
She poked at his crossed arms. “It is I who chose you, and lucky you are that I did.”
“Aye, I am lucky that you love me.”
Her hand came to rest on his arm. “Let me show you how much I love you. I want to taste you as you did me.”
His eyes turned round and he leaned down close to her face. “If we were not standing in the middle of the village, I would scoop you up in my arms and rush you to bed.”
She leaned closer. “Coward.”
He threw his head back and roared with laughter, then with a swiftness that had her yelping, he swept her up into his arms and walked to the keep. Giggles and wagging tongues surrounded them, but Tarr paid them no heed. He was on a mission and nothing would stop him.
He pushed the door to his bedchamber open with his shoulder and kicked it shut behind, then walked over to the bed and dropped her down on it. She scurried to her knees and reached out to help him undress.
“I want you naked so that I can touch and taste and—damn, my body tingles every time I touch you.”
He grabbed her hand and placed it over the hard length of him. “This is what my body does every time you touch me.”
She grinned. “Good, I like you that way.”
She started stroking him, his thick muscle growing ever stronger with each lazy, tempting stroke. And when he went to move her hand away, she brought her tongue to him and stroked the cloth that covered him, nipping at him between tastes.
He groaned when she slipped his leggings down and as soon as he sprung free she took him in her mouth. There was no hesitation or repulsion, she feasted on him as if his flavor intoxicated her and she could not get enough.
A sudden rapid knock at the door tore them apart and Tarr hastily pulled up his leggings while Fiona scurried off the bed.
“An urgent message in the great hall for you,” a servant called out.
“I will be right there.”
Fading footsteps told them they were once again alone.
Tarr reached out and wrapped his arm around Fiona’s waist and yanked her up against him. “We will finish this.”
“Not soon enough for me.”
He laughed and kissed her, and together they went to the great hall.
Raynor and Oleg waited near the dais along with one of Tarr’s warriors.
“Shamus, what are you doing here?” Tarr asked as he approached.
“The Wolf has attacked the keep again.”
“Damage done?”
“Minor with no lives lost, but the clan MacElder have sent word that they are being troubled by a bordering clan and ask for help.”
Tarr turned to Raynor. “We leave within the hour.”
“I and some of my warriors will go with you,” Raynor said. “And do not bother to argue. You do not know who may lie in wait along the trail. And I want my sisters safe.”
Tarr raised a brow.
“I lost them once, I will not lose them again,” Raynor said in defense of his actions.
Oleg stepped forward. “Accept his help, please. I would feel safer knowing my son escorts his sisters. Then Anya and I will follow in a few days along with family so that we all may celebrate your wedding.”
“I honor your request, Oleg, but once Fiona is my wife, I will see to her protection.”
“As it should be.”
Anya hurried to her husband’s side. “I heard as I entered the hall. You cannot wake Aliss; she finally rests comfortably. Leave her with us, we will bring her.”
“The decision rests with Aliss,” Tarr said.
Anya turned pleading eyes to Fiona.
“Aliss would not leave me behind without a word and I would do the same for her.”
Anya relented with a nod. “She will go with you; you two are inseparable, perhaps a cart so that she can rest?”
“A cart would slow us, but if Aliss is not strong enough—”
“Aliss needs no cart,” Fiona said, irritated they should think her sister weak. “She is strong and will ride along with me as always.”
She turned and marched out of the hall.
“She defends her sister like a mother cub,” Raynor said.
“Well, what do you expect?” Anya snapped at her son. “She is the older one and feels responsible.�
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Raynor shook his head. “She is only ten minutes older.”
Anya walked up to her son shaking her finger. “Those ten minutes seemed like ten years to me, and gives my daughter the right to claim the title of older sister and protector.”
Raynor held up his hands in surrender. “Whatever you say, Mother.”
“See that food is prepared for their journey while I go help my daughters.”
Oleg grinned at Tarr as Anya left the hall. “I told you Fiona was like her mother.”
Fiona hated waking her sister but as soon as she explained the circumstances, Aliss was out of bed gathering her things.
“I look forward to a permanent home,” Aliss said on a yawn, while she finished placing the last of her healing herbs that had been drying on the table in her basket.
“I will see that you have a fine room in the keep.”
“You are happy; I can see it on your face.” She smiled, pleased for her sister.
“Love is grand. You will see for yourself when you find it.”
Aliss did not bother to reiterate her intentions to remain free of a burdensome husband. Fiona was set on her being as happy as she, so there was no point in disappointing her.
To avoid a confrontation she returned to her sister’s previous remark. “About a room in the keep?”
“I would prefer my own cottage,” Aliss said.
Fiona dropped the garment in her hand. “You want to live away from me?”
Aliss went to her, the shocked expression on her sister’s face making her feel guilty. “It is not that. I wish time to work with my herbs and help heal those in need. It would be best if I had my own cottage, then the ill could seek me out day or night without disturbing you and Tarr. I would still be close by.”
“Maybe you are right.”
It was Aliss’s turn to appear shocked. Her sister agreed much too easily.
“Tarr and I will need time alone. Your own cottage may be just what you need. After all I can see you any time I want.”
Aliss giggled. “You enjoy making love with him.”
Fiona hugged herself and grinned. “It is amazing, and more amazing I want him all the time.”
“Then you do not need me in the way.”
“You are right, that is why you shall have a cottage,” Fiona agreed hastily.
“I had expected you to be stubborn about it,” Aliss said, returning to her packing.
“I am feeling generous instead of stubborn.”
“I think passion rules your decision.”
The twins laughed as a knock sounded at the door and they both bid the person entrance.
Anya entered with teary eyes. “I came to help.” She burst into tears.
Aliss and Fiona went to her and helped her to a chair.
“I am sorry,” Anya said sighing heavily. “It is just that I have finally found you both and again you are taken from me.”
“You will be with us in a few days time,” Fiona reminded her.
“I know.” She looked from one twin to the other, tears continuing to fall. “I just want to get to know you both. You are my daughters and I know so little about you. I had hoped sometime today we would talk and now . . .”
Fiona crouched down beside her. “I punched a little boy when I was six for pushing Aliss.”
“He landed on his backside crying and I helped him up,” Aliss said.
Fiona shook her head. “She forever tended people, even ones who did not deserve it.”
Anya laughed and listened as her daughters’ lives unfolded in story after story.
The door suddenly burst open and in walked Tarr followed by Raynor.
“Told you,” Raynor said with a grin to Tarr.
“An hour,” Tarr said to Fiona. “I told you we would leave within the hour and here you sit chatting.”
Fiona walked over to him. “We are ready. We were waiting for you to finish.”
“I have been ready and waiting for you in the great hall.”
“It is you who has delayed our departure,” Fiona accused with a grin.
Aliss approached the bickering couple. “Let us be on our way. I look forward to returning home. Is the weather good for our journey?”
She chatted endlessly as they left the bedchamber and entered the great hall, and did not stop until they had mounted the horses and were ready to leave.
Raynor rode over to her. “You must surely be winded by now, though your chatter did the trick. It got everyone moving without further arguing.” He laughed.
“Hold strong to your humor, dear brother, for it is now your turn to mediate the loving couple.”
His laughter ended abruptly.
They rode off leaving a tearful Oleg and Anya waving after them.
The journey was tedious and long, Tarr refusing to stop, insisting that they would travel straight through the night so that by midmorning they would be home. No one objected. It seemed as if the return journey was long overdue.
Aliss fought the yawns that frequently attacked her and the fatigue that racked her body. She did not wish to delay the journey, and besides she was looking forward to finally settling down to a normal existence. No more charade. No more worry of what was to become of them. They were together and they would stay that way.
Tarr finally relented and allowed them to stop for a couple of hours of rest, but Aliss felt as if she no sooner had closed her eyes than she was being shaken awake. She reminded herself that they would be home soon, that she would sleep the rest of the day and the entire night away.
Several hours after midday they approached the keep.
Aliss rode behind Fiona and Tarr, Raynor following at the rear with his men.
Aliss had kept her eye on the dark gray cloud that looked about ready to burst. It had trailed them for the last hour, and now the rumble of thunder in the distance convinced her the storm was about to descend.
They had arrived just in time, the thought of a blazing hearth and warm bed had her smiling. She was about to call out to Fiona when suddenly she was hit with great force on the side of her head, and as she toppled to the ground the world went black.
Chapter 28
The warriors’ frantic shouts had Fiona and Tarr turning simultaneously, their hands reaching for their swords.
Fiona froze for a moment, her heartbeat stilled and her breath caught in her throat. Aliss lay crumpled and lifeless on the ground, her bold red hair covering her face. She shook herself into action and bolted off her mare. In seconds she was on her knees at her sister’s side, her hands anxious yet hesitant to touch her.
She could be dead.
The dire thought froze every muscle in her body and tears crept into her eyes. She refused to surrender to either weakness and forced herself to gently brush her sister’s hair away from her face.
She gasped. “Oh my God.”
Tarr dropped to his haunches beside her and Raynor fell to his knees opposite them.
“An arrow has gashed her temple,” Raynor said.
Tarr exchanged knowing glances with Raynor before he stood. “Tend her while I see to the culprit.” He marched off.
Fiona shook her fear away and sprang into action. She began tearing the hem of her skirt. “I need to stop the bleeding and see if the wound needs stitching.”
“Can you stitch?” Raynor asked, gently peeling away strands of blood-soaked hair from the wound.
“Not as good as Aliss, but sufficient enough.” Fiona grimaced when she finally cleared the wound of blood enough to examine the gash. “The excessive blood has made it appear worse then it is. The arrow merely grazed her skin, the bone is not exposed.”
“This is good?”
Fiona nodded. “The worry now is that it will fester. Aliss spent much time cleansing wounds; she felt it important.”
“If it festers?”
“Fever usually sets in. Aliss does all she can to draw the poison out of the wound; sometimes she is lucky other times she is not.”
“So what do we do?”
“Clean the wound with fresh water, bandage it and”—she choked on her words—“pray that she wakes up.”
Tarr watched Fiona from a distance. He wanted to go to her, take her in his arms and absorb her pain. But she would not appreciate interference now while she tended her sister. She would expect him to see that whoever did this was apprehended and punished.
He had every intention of doing just that for the coward that did this was surely a fool to think that he could penetrate Hellewyk’s borders, harm a member of the clan, and escape unscathed.
Tarr tempered his rage, losing it would do him no good. He must keep reason clear and his mind sharp so that he could outwit this man who dared to challenge him so blatantly.
“Shamus,” he called out, and the young man hurried to his side. “Ride to the keep and inform Kirk of what has happened, also tell him that we require a cart and more men.”
Shamus took off on his horse and Tarr’s glance was once again drawn to Fiona. She hovered over her sister, protectively administering to her gently. That she feared losing her was obvious, and he suddenly regretted ever trying to separate them.
They possessed a special bond he had come to understand and respect. He would not force them apart; he would provide for Aliss as if she were his own sister. He would do this because he respected and admired Aliss and because of his love for Fiona. He wanted her happy and content, and that would not be possible without her sister’s presence.
He directed his horse over to Fiona and as he approached he could see her hands tremble and noticed how she nibbled at her bottom lip in worry. She had bandaged Aliss’s head and blood was seeping through the cloth.
Fiona’s head jerked up and her green eyes implored him for help.
“I sent for a cart and more men. We will get her home safely so that she may heal.”
“She needs to wake up,” Fiona nearly shouted on the verge of tears. She glanced down at her sister. “Do you hear me, Aliss, wake up!”
Raynor stood and reached out to calm her but she rejected him, jerking her arm away.
The Daring Twin Page 19