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)
“None of this matters now,” Rogan shouted. “I got what Mother wanted for me. The Isle of Non is mine.”
“That can be remedied,” Tarr warned.
“You renege on your gift?”
“It was no gift,” Tarr corrected snidely. “It was ransom for return of my sister-in-law.”
“Enough, Tarr,” Fiona warned.
The reminder, however, had done its damage, though not to the intended target. It hit Aliss where it could do the most damage, in her heart. She stood firm, though, and let no one see the pain it caused her, except her sister who knew and shared her hurt.
“This stops now!” Fiona ordered with a strength that shocked both men silent. “You two are behaving like spoiled children who want their own way. You are grown men, warriors who have faced difficult battles and yet emerged victorious. You both should be ashamed of your actions. This matter is not about the two of you. It is about a woman who after all these years and from beyond the grave wishes to be heard. When do you both intend to listen to her?”
Aliss wanted to applaud her sister’s words. She had put the problem in proper prospective for them. Would they realize it and handle it as Fiona advised, with the dignity it deserved?
Aliss nudged her husband. “Fiona is right. Your mother does not deserve being argued over. I suspect she would want you both to act like . . . brothers, long lost and recently united.”
Fiona continued to encourage them along with her sister. “Think of it as a door opened to you both where—”
Aliss gasped. “That is what Giann meant.”
“You met Giann?” Fiona asked, excited.
“Yes, and she recited the prophecy, which was different from what we were told.”
“What is it?” Tarr asked.
Aliss recited the words she heard in her head. “’On a full moon twin babes are born, with their birth sounds the horn, eyes of green, hair of red, destruction comes if for love they do not wed, for true love will open the door, for peace to reign forever more.’”
They stared at her and she shook her head.
“Don’t you understand? Fiona and I must love the men we wed, our love brings you both together, opening the door for peace to reign among all our clans forever more.”
Raynor shook his head. “I don’t understand. You both were kidnapped to bring you to this point in time and reunite two brothers?”
“Destiny takes many twists and turns until it is appeased,” Aliss said.
“You sound like Giann,” Rogan said.
“I think I finally understand what she attempted to tell me. What is decided here this day between you and Tarr does not only determine our destinies—” She paused and gave thought to the babe she finally was certain she carried inside her. “But future destinies as well, and for some reason that is important.”
“You two better make amends,” Fiona threatened.
“Is that an order?” Tarr snapped.
Fiona poked her husband in the chest. “It certainly is.”
“Give me a good reason why I should be intimidated by your threat.”
“You’re going to argue with me about this, here and now?”
“Unless you can give me a good reason why I shouldn’t.”
Fiona bit at her bottom lip, grimaced for a moment, took a deep breath then said, “Because I think I am about to give birth to your child.”
Chapter 38
Chaos took hold and everyone attempted to do something while actually nothing got done, until Aliss finally took charge.
“I have all I need at my cottage. It is best to take Fiona there,” she said, offering her sister comfort with a squeeze of her hand.
“Whatever you say,” Tarr said, and lifted his wife in his arms.
“I’ll go ahead and see that Anna has the bed prepared,” Rogan said, and rushed out of the hall.
Tarr was close behind him, while Raynor appeared lost and turned to Aliss.
“What can I do?”
Aliss grabbed his arm. “You have the most important chore of all.”
“I do?”
Aliss nodded. “You must keep peace between Tarr and Rogan.”
“You ask a lot,” Raynor admitted. “They are both ready to throw fists, though I cannot blame them. The news of them being half brothers is startling.”
“See that they don’t, please, for your sisters’ sake. There will be time later for the two to dispute the finding; for now Fiona must be considered.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Then I won’t worry,” Aliss said, kissed his cheek and rushed out of the hall. Raynor followed close behind.
Fiona was settled comfortably in the bed, her husband by her side, holding on to her hand as if he dared not let her go.
Aliss looked from one to the other. “It is better if Tarr leaves.”
“No, I’m staying,” he insisted.
Aliss shook her head, grabbed his arm, and yanked him away from Fiona. “No, you are leaving.” She pushed him to the door. “I will summon you as soon as the babe arrives.”