“I came across her in the snowstorm,” Tarass said and continued before his friend could ask more questions. “I’ll explain later. Right now, we need food and shelter from the cold that has burrowed into our bones. She’ll be staying with us until I can return her home safely. I also need Runa. Snow was injured in a fall.”
“I’ll bring Runa to the keep,” Rannock said and he took the wolf’s headdress that Tarass handed him.
Snow turned her head toward Tarass. “You will command him not to harm Thaw.”
“Rannock jests. He will not harm Thaw.”
“I would never harm a creature who carries the name of our great god Thor,” Rannock said.
Snow didn’t correct him. It was better that Rannock thought Thaw was named after a god. The barbarians here would then surely leave the pup alone. Though, she did wonder if Tarass thought the same of Thaw.
She didn’t take a chance, though, she held onto the pup.
The warmth of the Great Hall was most welcoming as was the bench Tarass set her on.
“Lord Tarass, welcome home,” a woman’s voice called out.
Snow couldn’t help but hear in her voice how pleased the woman was over his arrival.
Tarass returned the greeting. “It is good to be home, Fasta. I need food and a hot drink to warm us and a room made ready for our guest. This is Snow of the Clan Macardle and she will be staying here until I can return her home.”
“The blind Macardle sister?” Fasta asked.
“Aye and I will also need someone to assist her while she is our guest, since it will be impossible for her to maneuver her way around the keep on her own,” Tarass said.
Snow wondered how they were familiar with her name when she hadn’t been here since Tarass’s return home. Though, perhaps, he had voiced his annoyance with her to his clan. A thought she disliked, but she also disliked when things were decided for her and in front of her as if she wasn’t there or she had no say in the matter. But she wasn’t home with family. She was at the mercy of the man she had verbally battled with on more than one occasion. And he was right about her making her way around his keep. She would hold her tongue unless, of course, there came a time she couldn’t.
“I will see to everything, my lord, and will you want a bath prepared for you later?” Fasta asked.
Snow thought her question sounded more like an invitation and she couldn’t help but think that Fasta and Tarass were more than lord and servant. Though, his direct and abrupt response squashed the thought.
“I’ll let you know later, Fasta,” Tarass said.
Snow had placed Thaw on the floor after she had sat and she looked around for the gray blur as she shed her cloak. It was quickly snatched off her and out of her hands.
“I’ll see that you get clean, dry garments, and have your cloak taken to your room,” Tarass said. “Thaw sleeps by the hearth.” He took her hand and pointed it in the direction where the pup was curled up. “You are both safe. Do not worry.”
“I appreciate your generosity, Lord Tarass,” she said, relieved to see Thaw content.
He much preferred when she called him Tarass, but it was better she addressed him properly in front of others, so tongues wouldn’t wag.
“I will get you home as soon as possible,” he said and stepped aside as servants appeared with food and drink.
Snow’s stomach grumbled at the delicious scents and Thaw gave a bark.
“I need food for Thaw,” Snow was quick to say.
“He does not fend for himself?”
Snow recognized Fasta’s voice. “No, I give him food from the kitchen in the morning and the evening.”
“Dogs find their own food,” Fasta said, though sounded as if she admonished.
“You will see that the pup eats as Snow says. He is our guest as well,” Tarass ordered.
Snow caught the reprimand in Tarass’s tone and she worried the woman might hurt Thaw. “I can share my portion with Thaw.”
“Thaw will have his own food,” Tarass commanded with such authority that he had Fasta apologizing.
“Forgive me, my lord, I am unaccustomed to the ways of this land.”
Snow spoke up. “I would feel more comfortable giving Thaw some of my food.”
“Do you suggest I would harm your dog?” Fasta accused.
“I don’t know you or your ways and I will not take a chance with anyone harming my pup,” Snow said defensively.
“Enough!” Tarass commanded. “No one will harm Thaw. He will be fed according to Snow’s directions.”
“As you say, my lord,” Fasta said. obedience in her voice.
Snow remained silent, since Tarass’s orders were clear.
“Bring food and drink now,” Tarass demanded sharply.
Snow heard the woman scurry off.
“I will return shortly. You’re safe here,” Tarass said.
Snow listened as his footfalls faded away and she sat alone, or at least she believed herself alone. She had never been inside the keep when she had had her sight so she had no memory of it. Her one visit here when she was young had been in the summer and she and her sister had been left outside to occupy themselves.
Fear welled up inside her with such unfamiliar surroundings and not being around family or friends. There was no one here to rely on and Fasta was not someone she would trust. A shiver ran through her even though the fire’s warmth surrounded her. She turned to the one who never failed to bring her comfort.
Before she could call Thaw to her, his nose was nudging its way under her hand on her lap. She scooped him up and hugged him tight, placing her face next to his.
“I need you now more than ever,” she whispered and the pup licked her face and cuddled against her, letting her know he would not leave her side.
His closeness helped, but it didn’t alleviate her fears. How could it when she was stuck here with the Lord of Fire? A man who had made it clear that obedience was expected above all else.
Fear ran a shiver through her and she jumped when a wool shawl fell around her shoulders.
Chapter 7
“You’re still cold?”
“Tarass,” she said, wondering why she hadn’t heard him approach and worried that she hadn’t. How would she detect when he was near if she couldn’t hear his footfalls? Or had she simply been too deep in thought to have heard him?
“You shiver,” he said, trying to ignore the way his name slipped in a whispery softness from her lips. A sudden thought narrowed his brow. “Does something trouble you, Snow?”
She went to make an excuse, any excuse than to tell him the truth, but she decided otherwise. “All is unfamiliar to me here.” She was surprised when he sat beside her on the bench, feeling his leg press against hers, though she was not surprised to hear Thaw send him a warning growl.
“You know me and that’s all that matters,” he said softly and wanted to tuck the stray red strand of hair falling on her cheek behind her ear, but he didn’t want to startle her. And it was far too familiar of a gesture if anyone should see it. “I give you my word you are safe here and you will have all the help you need in maneuvering the keep. My healer, Runa, will be here shortly and will see to making sure your wound is healing along with your many scratches. You will be returned safely and well-healed to your family.”
It can’t be soon enough, Snow thought, but said, “I appreciate your help.”
Snow was caught off guard when he moved away from her and she found herself missing his warmth. His leg hadn’t been the only part of him to rest against her. As he had talked, his shoulder had pressed against her and his face had been so close she had felt his breath whisper across her cheek. And strange as it was to admit, she had felt safe with him there beside her.
A mixture of voices sounded and Tarass was quick to say, “Food and drink are here. Enjoy. I will return soon.”
With chatter, the shuffling of feet across the floor, and the food being set on the table, Snow had difficulty distinguishing anythin
g and Thaw must have sensed her distress, since he had remained on her lap staring and growling at anyone who got close to her.
“A dog at the table and we’re called barbarians.”
Thaw snarled and Snow calmed him done with a soothing stroke. She recognized Fasta’s snappish voice and chose not to acknowledge it. She had no wont to argue. She wanted her time here done and be on her way home, never to return here again.
“Please extend your hand so I may introduce you to Nettle, and make sure that dog doesn’t bite her,” Fasta said with an annoyance that was obvious. “She has been assigned the chore of looking after you.”
Snow no soon as raised her hand then she felt a hand grab it, give a shake, then heard Thaw’s snarl stop and felt his head stretch up for what she assumed was for a rub.
“Nice dog. What’s your name?”
“His name is Thaw,” Snow said and he barked as though confirming his name.
“Named after the powerful god Thor. You have a lot to live up to.”
Snow didn’t bother to correct her.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Thor. You’re a handsome one with that chestnut colored hair and those black paws.”
Thaw gave a bark as if appreciating the compliment.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Snow,” Nettle continued. “I’ll take good care of you. You are so beautiful and—”
“That’s enough, Nettle,” Fasta scolded. “Keep hold of your tongue and serve Snow well. I imagine she requires help feeding herself so see to feeding her.”
Snow stared after the shadow that retreated.
“She’s off to torment some other poor soul,” Nettle whispered as she sat across from Snow at the trestle table. “There’s a bowl in front of you and food on platters. Shall I help you?”
“Thank you, Nettle, but I can feed myself,” Snow said and wondered over the woman. Curiosity always had her wondering what people, she’d only met since blind, looked like.
“Let me know what you need help with and I’ll see to it,” Nettle said.
With this stranger given the chore of helping her, Snow felt the need to know more about her. “You have a Scottish tongue while other tongues I hear are unfamiliar to my ear.”
“Lord Tarass found me along the way home, starving and grubby I was. My mum threw me out after my da died. Told me she never wanted me and named me Nettle, after the stinging Nettle plant, because I stung her so badly when she birthed me. She was a mean one, never wanted bairns. My da did, though, and he was a good da.” She laughed softly. “We often talked about running away but my da was too honorable a man to do such a thing. Not so my mum. She had a man in her bed a week after she buried my da and put me out a couple days after that. Though, not before she told me that I was like my da too ugly for anyone to ever love me.”
“That’s terrible,” Snow said, appalled that any mum could do or say such horrible things to their child.
“I’m lucky Lord Tarass offered me a home and barbarian or not, I accepted it.”
“Lord Tarass is a Scot as well,” Snow clarified.
“Aye, but he mostly has barbarians with him,” Nettle said softly as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her.
“Are you telling tales again, lass?”
Snow smiled, recognizing the voice. “Twilla.”
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Snow,” Twilla said and gave her a hug. “How are you doing? And who is this fine looking pup?” She reached down and gave Thaw a rub behind his ear.
Thaw gave the old woman a quick look and accepted her attention graciously, then plopped his head down and closed his eyes, deciding the woman posed no threat.
Snow had met Twilla before she had lost her sight and from what Sorrell had told her, the old woman hadn’t changed much since then. She was old but saucy with long sliver hair she kept in a braid, rail thin, though not for a lack of a hardy appetite, and dark blue eyes with the keen sight of a hawk.
“I’m doing well, Twilla, and this pup is Thaw,” Snow said. “And how do you fare?”
“At my age, as long as I wake each morning, I’m good,” Twilla said with a laugh. “I heard Lord Tarass found you in the snowstorm and brought you straight here.”
“And how lucky was I that he did,” Snow said, going along with Tarass’s explanation so that no one knew they spent time alone together in the cottage. It would make for a difficult situation, neither of them wanting to be forced to wed.
“No doubt you’ll be with us a few days with this endless snow,” Twilla said.
“It was a light snowfall when we arrived. Has the snow grown worse?” Snow asked, having hoped it hadn’t since she wanted to return home as soon as possible.
“It’s raging out there again,” Twilla informed her, “but you’re safe here now so no need to worry. Eat, you must be hungry.” She leaned past Snow and grabbed foods, from different bowls and boards, to place in Snow’s bowl. “There’s some salted hake and cod, tasty bread, and stewed kale. What’s this ale doing here? Go fetch a pitcher of the freshly made cider, Nettle.”
Nettle was up and off in a flash.
“If you’re wondering about Nettle, she’s a good lass, though pokes her nose where it doesn’t belong at times. She’s ten and seven years and by all rights should be wed with bairns of her own by now, but she’s a plain one and not built too sturdy so the men Tarass brought home with him don’t favor her much and there aren’t many Highland men that visit here. She’ll probably spend her days serving here in the keep, but at least she has shelter and a clan to look after her.”
Snow felt a kindred spirit in Nettle, like her, she was destined to be alone.
“Now eat and tell me about Sorrell and Willow and their new husbands,” Twilla urged as she took a seat across from Snow.
Nettle returned with the cider and the three women talked and laughed and for a while Snow felt herself at home.
“What are you doing here, Nettle?”
The lass jumped and almost fell off the bench at Tarass’s demanding question. “Fasta gave me the chore of helping Snow, my lord.”
“Go get Fasta and return here with her,” Tarass ordered.
“You need to eat and get some rest,” Twilla said.
“I need no coddling, Twilla,” Tarass snapped.
Twilla snapped right back at him. “Need it or not, I give it.”
Snow ignored the two, placing Thaw on the ground along with her bowl that Twilla had filled again for her.
“Do not feed that pup until you have eaten,” Tarass ordered.
“I have already eaten and I will feed my pup as I please,” Snow said more calmly than she felt. “Has something happened? You snap and snarl as badly as Thaw.”
“Nothing that concerns you,” Tarass grumbled.
“I would hope you would tell me if it concerned me,” Snow said.
“You need not concern yourself about anything.”
“I am not your wife. I am a guest, though if I were your wife I still would demand the same. I will not be treated like a child. If there is an issue that pertains to me, I expect to be informed about it,” she said, determined not to be ignored.
“If you were my wife, you would learn fast enough not to demand,” Tarass said tersely.
Snow’s response was just as curt. “Thank the heavens that’s not now an issue nor will it ever be.”
Twilla watched the play of words between the two and a smile crept over her face.
“You summoned me, my lord,” Fasta asked, preventing anymore exchange between the pair.
“You assigned Nettle to Snow?” he asked his authoritative tone demanding an explanation.
“Everyone is busy with this snowstorm. She was the only one available,” Fasta explained.
“I like Nettle, she will do fine,” Snow said, upset the two spoke in front of the lass as if she wasn’t capable of helping Snow. It reminded her of how people spoke in front of her with no regard to how their words would affect her.
“I wil
l speak to you later, Fasta,” Tarass said, dismissing her, then turned to Nettle. “You, Nettle, will hold your tongue while helping Snow.”
“Why? Is there something you don’t want her to tell me?” Snow asked.
“You, Snow, will not interfere when I speak to my servants,” Tarass scolded.
Snow stood and Thaw hurried to her side, having gobbled down his meal. “I most certainly will when it concerns me.” Thaw punctuated her words with a snarl. “Now if you will excuse me, I am in need of a wash and rest. Nettle, please help me to my room.”
Nettle didn’t wait, she hurried around the table and took hold of Snow’s arm. “This way.”
Tarass’s hand swung out to grab hold of Snow’s arm as she walked past him.
Snow turned her head to face him, at least she hoped she looked directly at him. “Don’t bother to tell me about obedience. Need I remind you again I’m not your wife? I am a guest and I expect to be treated accordingly.”
“It’s a good thing you aren’t my wife.”
“Why? Would you punish me?”
Tarass leaned in close, his cheek brushing hers as he whispered, “I would take you to our bedchamber and teach you what it means to obey your husband.”
Snow swallowed her gasp and where her response came from she couldn’t say. “Or perhaps I would teach you what a wife not only needs but wants from her husband.” She pulled her arm free. “Let’s go, Nettle.”
She walked away glad Nettle had hold of her arm, afraid her trembling legs would fail her.
“I’m assuming your anger has something to do with the body you came across in the woods?” Twilla asked after Snow was gone from the room.
Tarass swerved around to glare at the old woman. “How do you know about the body?” He shook his head while answering his own question. “Rannock.”
Twilla ignored him and continued with questions. “Has the body been retrieved? Do you know the identity of the person? Friend or foe?”
“Enough, Twilla,” Tarass ordered.
“No, it’s not enough,” Twilla snapped. “Year after year I stayed here, alone, and guarded your home so it would not fall to another clan. As long as a MacFiere occupied the keep, the surrounding clans had to protect it, so I stayed and kept my promise to your da. I thought all of you; your da, mum, and you would return. It broke my heart to learn of your parents’ death, and I want revenge for their murders as much as you do. So for my loyalty alone, I ask that you tell me what goes on. I am sure your da told you that I know many of the MacFiere secrets and will take them to my grave, meaning you can trust me with anything… my lord.”
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