Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
A deep blue wool cloak clung to her shoulders but didn’t hide her protruding stomach. Her sure-footed steps made Aliss jealous; Fiona showed no signs of having been sick at sea and she was heavy with child.
Aliss approached her sister with a smile, ready to greet her with a hug.
“Where is Raynor?” Fiona asked on her approach, and stopped in front of her sister. “He sneaked off to visit you without telling me. I finally discovered where he went.” She paused for a breath. “And please tell me you have come to your senses and have chosen not to remain with the Wolf.”
“Good day to you too,” Aliss said with a gentle laugh.
“It would be if you tell me you’re returning with us.”
“You should not have traveled this distance with your time drawing near,” Aliss chastised, determined to ignore her sister’s persistent nature.
“There was no convincing her of that, once she learned where Raynor went,” Tarr said, looking accusingly in his brother-in-law’s direction.
“I didn’t tell her because I knew this would happen,” Raynor protested vehemently.
Fiona shot him a heated glance.
“He wanted to rescue me,” Aliss said in her brother’s defense.
“Tell me he did,” Fiona said, her hands folded in prayer.
“It wasn’t necessary. I realized how well suited they are for each other,” Raynor admitted.
“What?” Fiona snapped. “You cannot be serious? Aliss deserves someone better.”
“Aliss deserves someone to love her and Rogan loves her,” Raynor argued.
Tarr stepped into the middle of the dispute. “Neither matters, as I have decreed that the choice belongs to Aliss. So there is no sense in you two bickering.”
“Nor was there any sense in you making this trip,” Aliss said. “Rogan and I had plans to come and stay with you within the next two weeks so that I would be there in plenty of time to deliver the babe.”
“She refused to listen to reason,” Tarr said with a shrug.
“My sister is making the mistake of her life and I’m to sit back and watch? I do not think so.”
“It is my mistake to make,” Aliss argued.
“So you admit it is a mistake?” Fiona asked hopefully.
“That’s the point, Fiona, it doesn’t matter. It is mine to make. Just like you chose Tarr of your own accord.”
“He is a good choice,” Fiona said, hooking her arm in her husband’s.
Aliss turned to her husband who stood a step behind her. She had known he had quietly taken a spot behind her, yet he had remained silent, allowing her to speak for herself. She was grateful for his understanding and confidence in her.
She placed her hand on Rogan’s arm. “My husband is a good choice for me.”
“You are stubborn,” Fiona spat.
Tarr and Raynor laughed.
“This is not funny,” Fiona scolded. Then she suddenly doubled over, grabbing her stomach.
Tarr had his arms around her in an instant. “What’s wrong?”
Fiona’s eyes clouded with tears, her tone worried. “A sharp pain.”
Aliss was already at her side. “This voyage was too taxing. You need to rest.”
“The babe?” Fiona asked, concern making her words tremble.
“Will be fine. You’re here with me now,” Aliss assured her with confidence that brought a smile of relief to her sister’s face. “Let’s get you back to the keep and in bed so that you can rest for the remainder of the day.”
Tarr lifted his wife in his arms.
“It is too far for you to carry her all the way,” Rogan said. “We will take turns.”
“He’s right,” Raynor said. “We will help.”
Tarr nodded and hugged his wife to him.
Aliss watched for her husband to catch up with them, since he had lagged behind to issue orders for his men to help Tarr’s men secure the ship and unload whatever was necessary. It didn’t take him long, though it did take Tarr some time before his wife grew burdensome in his arms.
Aliss wasn’t surprised to see Rogan offer to relieve him.
“Raynor can carry me,” Fiona protested.
“Let Rogan carry you for a while, then I will carry you the remainder of the way,” Raynor said and walked ahead slowly.
Aliss was glad he had refused their sister. Fiona would have to get used to Rogan sooner or later and she preferred it be sooner.
They spoke not a word to each other and Fiona kept her arms crossed over her chest, refusing to take hold of Rogan. Aliss could only shake her head and walk alongside her husband in support of him.
Another pain had Fiona grabbing Rogan’s shirt. “Stop. Stop.”
Rogan stopped dead and Tarr reached out to take his wife. She buried her head in his chest, while he looked to Aliss with fear-filled eyes.
Aliss went to her sister and spoke softly to her while she ran her hand over her stomach. She felt no hardness, as some women get just before they go into labor.
“Tell me the truth,” Fiona pleaded.
“You would get nothing but that from me,” Aliss said.