Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Fiona will come for me.”
He smiled. “I am counting on it.”
Chapter 16
The horn sounded and Fiona sprang out of the bed, dressing with haste and reaching for the sword she kept tucked beneath the bed, close enough to swiftly grab.
It took her a moment to realize that Aliss was not in the room, then she recalled her being summoned to Raynor’s room. She burst from the room on a run and did not stop until she was a few feet from his room.
There was utter chaos, warriors seemed to be everywhere, and she pushed her way through the sea of them and into the room. One guard lay unconscious on the floor and the other guard sat in the chair holding his head. Tarr and Kirk flanked the man. Raynor was nowhere to be seen.
“My sister,” Fiona demanded loudly. “Where is she?”
Silence fell suddenly and all eyes turned on her.
“Raynor has taken her,” Tarr said.
“How do you know this?”
Tarr pointed to the guard in the chair. “He heard part of their plans before he was knocked unconscious.”
“Their plans?”
Tarr’s face muscles grew taut and anger glistened in his dark eyes. “Raynor’s men have escaped along with him.”
“How?” Fiona asked incredulously.
“Raynor managed to attack the one guard while the other guard went to get Aliss. His men had already made their escape, though I still do not know how they managed to coordinate their plans. One joined him in the room while the other hid in the shadows outside the door. That is how he”—Tarr nodded to the guard in the chair—“learned part of their plans.”
“To take one of the twins.”
Tarr approached her with heavy footsteps. “Not one of you—the healer twin.” He stopped in front of her. “Did he choose the right one?”
“You will rescue my sister!” It was a fierce demand that had all eyes spreading wide.
“Answer me.” Tarr’s demand was just as fierce.
Fiona stepped forward, nearly touching his broad chest. “It matters not which one of us he took. What matters is that you rescue my sister and waste no precious time arguing about it.”
“I will have my answer before any rescue party is dispatched.” Tarr folded his arms across his chest.
Fury churned inside her like a violent volcano about to erupt. Her sister was gone and the useless debate caused lost time and meant more distance between them and less likely the chance of catching them.
She turned as if she intended to leave the room and then swiftly drew her sword, pressing the point to Tarr’s throat.
His men drew their swords after a moment’s hesitation, her action startling them.
“My blade will pierce his throat before you reach me,” she warned.
Tarr raised his hand to halt his men and all hands dropped off their swords.
“I will cut out your cold heart if you do not see my sister returned safely to me.”
“Tell me which twin I rescue.”
Fiona glared at him with heated eyes. She had no choice. She surrendered her identity or else . . . chance never seeing her sister again?
With a spiteful toss of her head she announced, “I am Fiona.”
Tarr stared at her while he shouted, “Gather the men; we ride at first light.”
“Why do we wait?” Fiona asked, her blade remaining at his throat, while his men began to file out of the room.
Tarr pushed the blade away with one finger. “Traveling on foot at night is difficult and foolish, since tracks are hard to detect. We will catch up with them fast enough. In the meantime we will prepare and be ready to travel and do what we must to rescue Aliss.”
Fiona lowered her sword to her side. “I will go get ready to join you.”
“You do not go with us.”
“You cannot stop me.”
He grabbed her arm, a path clearing for him as he shoved her out of the room and walked her rapidly to his room, kicking the door shut behind him.
“I can and I will, Fiona. You are a skilled warrior, but this time it concerns your sister—”
Fiona yanked her arm out of his grasp. “He took my sister, therefore it is my battle.”
He pointed at her. “Your anger may cause foolish actions and bring dreadful results. You will remain here under lock and guard if necessary.”
She pointed right back at him. “I will not make foolish decisions and you better not try locking me away.”
“You threaten me?” He took a step toward her.
She advanced on him with the same determined step. “If I must.”
“Watch your tongue with me, woman.”
“It is my tongue, and I will not change it to suit a husband. I will have my say whether you like it or not.”
“Have your say, but you will not have your way,” he said, his face close to hers.
“I will or you will rue the day you challenged me.”
“There you go threatening me again.”