It was only a leg, she told herself, but damn, damn, damn, if the heat of him did not penetrate her skirt or his muscle did not grow taut, relax then grow taut again. And why should all that excite her?
Because she wanted him so badly she could scream. Lord, did she enjoy making love with this man.
The clatter of tankards and pitchers being placed on the table interrupted her musings, and she silently scolded herself for getting lost in desire when there were more important matters to discuss.
“What do you know of Giann?” Tarr asked Raynor.
“That her predictions always prove true. Odo is more familiar with her than I am. She spoke with me only once, and her prophecy came true.”
“She predicted our reunion?” Fiona asked curious.
“She predicted that I would find my sisters.” He frowned. “Strange that I should just recall that she warned me to tell no one of this.”
“This Giann knows much and yet she is out of our reach,” Tarr said frustrated.
“That has never stopped you before,” Kirk challenged.
“Odo could help us,” Raynor suggested. “He knows Giann well.”
“That I do,” Odo said, entering from the shadows near the entrance to the hall.
“Sit,” Tarr offered, “and tell me what you know of this Giann.”
“I concur with Raynor,” Odo said, and instead of sitting he stood near the hearth. “Her predictions always ring true as Raynor has proved.”
“What had she told you of the twins’ abduction?” Tarr asked.
“Not enough to offer any hope of finding them, though obviously with her words to Raynor, she had known they would be found.”
“Giann is the key to this mystery,” Fiona said.
“Is it known where she resides?” Kirk asked.
Odo answered. “The Wolf clan is probably where you will find her. She favors the people there.”
Fiona watched the way Odo’s eyes shifted around the room, looking at everyone whether he spoke to them or not. He was a man much aware of his surroundings, and prepared. She noticed he made certain to stand with his back protected by the hearth and a weapon lodged in his belt.
“My brother and I have spent years trying to find the twins and when Raynor grew old enough, he joined us,” Odo said proudly. He looked to his nephew. “I remember when he was eight and had practiced with a sword all day until his hands blistered. He informed me quite seriously that he intended to find his sisters and bring them home safely, then he would find the person responsible and kill him.”
“My sisters are safe,” Raynor said. “It is now time for me to complete the promise I made to myself. I will journey to the Wolf clan and find Giann.”
“You will not.” Fiona’s tongue was sharp and adamant.
“Well, that does that,” Tarr smirked. “You are not going.”
“The choice is mine,” Raynor said firmly.
“It certainly is not.”
The voice was not Fiona’s but it sounded enough like her, and Fiona smiled at her mother as she approached the table.
“I finally have my family all together and together they will stay.”
“This is important, Mother,” Raynor said attempting reason.
Anya looked to her brother-in-law. “You go, Odo.”
Raynor attempted to protest. “I—”
Anya did not give her son a chance. “Odo is friends with Giann. It is better he goes.”
“I will gladly go,” Odo said, stepping forward.
A debate began to rage amongst the men as to who should go, with Anya insisting her son was not going. While the heated discussion continued, Fiona slipped away, though not before Tarr caught her eye and nodded, letting her know he was aware of her departure.
Fiona went to see her sister. Aliss was practical, always looking at all sides of a discussion and determining the best approach and solution.
Aliss was sitting at the table sorting through herbs. “Thank goodness it is you. I feared mother’s return.”
“Feared?” Fiona queried.
“Not real fear,” Aliss attempted to explain. “Fear of her constant fussing and insisting I remain in bed. I need to move around and do something. I know when to rest and besides—”
“You do not like being the one who is ill.”
“I abhor it. And to lie abed all day?” She shivered and shook her head. “I cannot abide it.”
“I trust you know what you do so I will not argue with you.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Fiona,” Aliss sighed. “Someone who finally agrees with me. Sit and tell me what goes on.”
Fiona plopped in a chair and watched her sister skillfully blend a variety of herbs that would eventually be used to make potions and salves. She forever worked to perfect her talent and expand her knowledge, seeking advice from the older women of the clans and determining whether it was myth or fact they shared with her.
That was probably what made her view everything with reason. With facts and sound judgment, Aliss felt solutions could be reached for all.
“It seems that this prophetess Giann may be the key to our kidnapping, which means it would be worth our while to speak with her.”
“The problem is that she resides with the unfriendly Wolf clan, as mother mentioned.” Aliss shrugged. “An easy solution to two problems.”
Fiona shook her head. “Easy? Two problems?”
“This Wolf has something that Tarr wants, and it seems that Tarr has something this Wolf wants. An exchange seems the solution.”
“That does make sense.” Fiona sat straight.
“Simple things often do.”
“What if this Wolf does not agree?”
“Then he looks for something Tarr would not be willing to give. Either way, Tarr will have gained knowledge of his enemy that he did not have before.”
“Good point.” Fiona reached out and began helping her sister sort the herbs.
“You do not think of going in search of this Giann, do you?”
“I gave it thought.”
“Leave it thought,” Aliss ordered. “It is not a wise choice.”
“I determined that myself, but sitting here waiting for something to happen is not a wise choice either.”
“You do not think we are safe here?”
Fiona stopped sorting and smiled.
“Do not think to lie to me.”
Fiona’s smile faded quick enough. “It was a fleeting thought.”
Aliss chuckled. “You do not lie well.”
Fiona looked affronted. “I can when necessary.”
“Not really,” Aliss affirmed, her chuckle having turned to a wide grin. “You are much too blunt and honest to lie.”
“Well, being blunt and honest can get you into just as much trouble as lying can.”
“There are times people do not want to hear the truth.”
“Too bad,” Fiona said. “It does no good being ignorant of the truth.”
“It would seem that mother and father thought ignorance of our situation was best for us.”
“I would think that too, except that Tarr pointed out how mother and father actually prepared us both for what we might face.”
Aliss stopped sorting. “I never thought of it that way, but Tarr is right. Mother encouraged me to learn all I could about healing—”
“And father taught and encouraged me to defend.”
“They knew our lives were in danger,” Aliss said.
The twins grew silent, both lost in memories.
Aliss spoke after several minutes of silence. “Mother was insistent that we stay together until we marry.”
“Actually she was insistent about us marrying. Remember how she would repeatedly tell us to find good husbands who would provide and protect.”
“She would get so upset when I would insist I did not want to wed,” Aliss said.
“She knew we were in danger and that husbands would protect us.”
Aliss caught a yaw
n with her hand.
“You should rest.”
“You are right. All this thought has made my head ache.”
Fiona followed her sister to the bed and tucked her in. “I will make certain no one harms us.”
“Father prepared you well to see to our safety.” Another yawn had Aliss closing her eyes.
Fiona stood beside the bed watching Aliss drift off to sleep, her words repeating in Fiona’s head. They echoed Tarr’s, and a sudden thought came to her. What if she and Aliss were purposely taken to Peter and Eleanor, the parents who raised them? What if it was their purpose to prepare the twins for the future? What if this whole thing had been planned from before their birth?
Fiona hurried to find Tarr.
She discovered he was at the storehouse with Kirk and was about to rush out of the keep when her mother insisted she put on a wool cloak.
“You will catch a chill,” Anya said, draping a green wool cloak over Fiona’s shoulders. “The day is gray and cold.”
Memories tugged at Fiona’s heart. She recalled how her mother had fussed over her, made sure she had been warm, hugged her to her warm body when Fiona had been chilled. She felt safe and secure in her mother’s arms, and there had been times she could not wait to feel them wrap around her.
How Anya’s arms must have ached for those moments with her daughters.
“That is better,” Anya said, closing the cloak over Fiona’s chest. “Now you will be warm.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Anya looked teary-eyed. “Go, perhaps later you will share some of Aliss’s special brew of hot cider with me. She instructed me on how to prepare it and promised I would enjoy it.”
“It is perfect for a cold day. It chases the chill out of the bones.”
“Good, I will expect you later in Aliss’s room so that we may share it all together.”
“I will be there,” Fiona said and almost turned to leave but stopped, stepped forward, and hugged her mother tightly. Anya returned the affection and Fiona could feel her reluctance to let go, and she understood it. The fear of losing her daughters would always haunt her.
“Until later,” Anya said, and hesitantly turned away and hurried off.
Fiona watched her brave retreat and admired her strength. Aliss and she were actually lucky. They had a wonderful mother who raised them with love, and now they had another mother who was as equally wonderful and loving.
Fiona braved the gray day with a smile and went to find Tarr.
“You cannot mean to do this,” Kirk said.
“What choice do I have?” Tarr asked, looking over his shoulder to see if anyone approached the storehouse. Once inside with the door partially left ajar for sufficient light and to watch that no one lingered about, he told Kirk of his intentions. He, Tarr, would go meet with the leader of the Wolf clan.
“Let someone go in your place.”
“Who?” Tarr frowned, his own frustration annoying him. “I do not know who to trust.”
“Anyone in the clan would—”
“Would not be received well by the leader of the Wolf clan,” Tarr argued. “And while I believe I can trust Raynor and his parents, I will not chance that I may be wrong and place my future wife and her sister in the hands of those who wish them harm.”
“So you go alone into the clutches of your enemy.” Kirk shook his head. “I do not agree with this plan of yours.”
“This Wolf attacks us but inflicts little damage. It seems he wants something from me and now I want something from him. We will see what can be agreed upon.”
“I thought the man Odo agreed to go find this Giann.”
“How do I trust him to do as he says?”
“Send some of our warriors with him,” Kirk said.
Tarr shook his head. “I do not want secondhand information. I will hear the truth from this Giann, not through anyone else.”
“Have Giann brought here.”
“If she favors the Wolf clan, then they offer her protection. I will speak to her directly and learn the secrets that have been kept hidden all these years.”
“At least take someone with you, do not go alone,” Kirk urged.
“I would then be perceived as a threat; if I travel alone the leader will know I wish only to talk with him.”
“This is not a good time for you to be away from the clan. There is the trouble with the MacElder borders—”
“You know that I have already dispatched a troop of warriors to help quell the disturbance along the borders and to show proof that the MacElder and Hellewyk clans unite. Your other concern for summoning me home pertained to the Wolf clan. You mentioned that they scout the area, which means another attack is imminent. My meeting with the leader may prevent that attack.”
“Still, you place yourself in grave danger. At least take one other with you,” Kirk suggested, then added quickly. “Take Raynor, two warriors from different clans would appear a possible truce.”
The door suddenly swung open and Fiona stood hands on hips. “I go if you go.”
Tarr rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I will not argue this with you, Fiona.”
“Good, then we have no problem. I am ready to leave when you are.”
“You are not going!”
“Then neither are you!”
Tarr marched over to her and planted his face in front of hers. “You will not dictate to me.”
“Nor you to me.”
“You will obey me on this.”
Kirk cringed and slowly slipped out the door.
“Obey? I owe you no obedience.”
“You will be my wife—”
“I am not your wife yet,” she emphasized.
“You change your mind?” he challenged.
“A stupid question.”
“Why?”
Fiona stabbed his chest with her finger. “Because I love you and just because you make dumb decisions, it does not mean I will stop loving you or love you any less. You can, however, count on me to let you know when you are foolish.”
Tarr grabbed her face and kissed her lips. “I love when you tell me you love me.”
“Do not change the subject.”
He pulled her close and rubbed his body against hers. “I think we should finish what we started before.”
“After this matter is settled.”
He leaned down to nuzzle her neck but her hand stopped him.
“You go, I go. I will have your word on this.”
“You know I cannot do that.”
She pulled away from him.
He yanked her back, her outstretched hands preventing any contact between them.
“Let me protect you and Aliss.”
“Not by placing yourself in danger.”
“He wants something from me, I want something from him. We can trade.”
“Aliss’s exact suggestion,” Fiona said.
“She sees reason.”
“And I do not?” Fiona snapped.
“When you want to.”
She surprised him when she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. “I could not bare losing you.”
His arms wrapped around her waist.
She released her stranglehold on him. “Please, at least do as Kirk suggested, take Raynor with you. I know he would want to go. And please—” She hesitated, looking uncertain.
Tarr tugged at her waist. “Tell me what else you want of me.”
She rested her forehead to his. “Wed me now.”
Chapter 32
Tarr lifted her chin to tilt her head so he could look into her eyes. His breath almost caught when he saw the love that shined in them. It was potent and palpable, and he wondered why he had never noticed it before. Or had he never looked for it before?
He had only been interested in wedding her, not loving her. Much changed when he discovered he loved Fiona. He had to admit it was a grand feeling and one he would not surrender for all the world.
He kissed her g
ently, lingering in her familiar taste, then brushed his lips over hers before saying, “Your proposal touches my heart.”
She smiled and laughed softly. “Never expected to hear such words from me, did you?”
“No, but I must admit it is good to hear.”
She placed a tender hand to his cheek. “I want to be your wife, Tarr. I will be a good wife. I will stand by you, care for you, protect you, and love you.”
“And I will do the same, but tell me why do you wish to wed this day? Your family has yet to arrive and a celebration has yet to be planned.”
Her hand fell away to rest on his chest. “I know not what any of this will bring, and I wish to be your wife if only—”
He grabbed her hand. “Do not dare say what I think you mean. Nothing will happen to you, I will see to it. I will always keep you safe.”
She pressed her fingers to his lips. “I know your heart believes that, but we both know life is unpredictable. We never truly know what will happen. I want to be your wife. I would be proud to be your wife for a very long time, so I ask you again. Marry me this day so that we may begin our lives together as husband and wife.”
He kissed her fingers and took her hand in his. “I would join hands with you this day, but the cleric who joins us before God and man will not be here for another three days.”
“Then promise me you will not meet with the Wolf clan until after we wed.”
“I want you safe.”
“Wed me and I will be safe. Who would dare hurt Tarr of Hellewyk’s wife?”
Tarr nodded slowly as if a thought dawned. “You are right. Whoever is responsible may think twice before attempting to harm my wife and sister-in-law.”
“It is well known that anyone who threatens your clan would suffer your wrath.”
“True, for many have seen the results of such actions.”
“Then it is agreed?” Fiona asked hopefully. “We marry first?”
His laughter released his concern if only for a moment. “In three days time, woman, you become my wife.”
They hugged and kissed and hugged some more until Fiona kicked the door shut, leaving total darkness to embrace them.
“We should finish—”
Tarr did not let her finish. His mouth settled on hers with a hunger that fueled both their appetites.
“This is not a place of secure privacy,” Tarr said between kisses.
The Daring Twin Page 22