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)
“It is his own fault.”
“Why do I doubt that?”
Fiona glared at her sister. “You take his side.”
“I do not think sides exist in this matter. I think you are both stubborn and refuse to see the truth.”
“What truth?” Fiona demanded.
“That you both love each other.”
Fiona was ready to give a quick response, instead her mouth dropped open.
“It is obvious.”
“Truly?”
“Raynor even made mention of the way Tarr looks at you.”
“How does he look at me?” Fiona asked anxiously.
“Like a love-sick puppy,” Raynor said, joining them at the table. “If the man were not my enemy, I would feel sorry for him.”
“He cannot be your enemy,” Fiona said curtly. “For then I would have to be your enemy too.”
“You put this man before your brother?” Raynor asked incredulously.
“I do.” Fiona was unyielding.
“It must be love,” Raynor said with a laugh.
Fiona leaned across the table. “If we had grown up together, I imagined I would have clobbered you more than once.”
“You wish.”
“I know—”
“And I—” Aliss interrupted—“would have continually settled your foolish disputes.”
“While we both protected our little sister,” Raynor said like a pompous older brother. “Lord, but it feels good to sit here and talk with my sisters this way.”
“It is strange to learn we have a brother,” Fiona admitted.
“I can understand. It will take time for you to grow accustomed to me. But please understand that I have missed you both these many years and that I feel I reunite with you.”
“We were mere babes when we vanished,” Aliss said.
“True, but I was your older brother and loved you from the day you were born. My love did not tire and grow old or dissipate through the years. On the contrary it grew in strength and determination to find you and return you home. When word came of the twins Tarr was bringing to Hellewyk, I dared to pray for a miracle.” He grinned proudly. “And I got it.”
“Attention was drawn to us because of Tarr,” Fiona said.
“Aye, I had heard no word of the twins of the clan MacElder before that,” Raynor said. “I had passed through that clan years before but saw no twins.”
“We had yet to arrive,” Aliss said.
“I missed you by a few months according to what you have told me of your mother’s passing.” The sadness that had marked his tone turned cheerful. “Now we are together again, and we have much absent time to make up for.”
“While that is true,” Aliss said, “there is Fiona’s situation to consider.”
“I agree it must be addressed, but it must wait until mother and father arrive.”
Fiona bristled. “I will make my own choices.”
“I never doubted you would. I only ask that you wait on our parent’s arrival.”
“It will not make a difference in my decision,” Fiona insisted.
“You never know,” Raynor said.
Chapter 21
Tarr and Raynor stood as Fiona entered the great hall for supper. Her face shined from its recent scrubbing, her brazen red hair fell like wildfire to her shoulders, and a green shawl was knotted at her waist and hung over her hip.
She weaved her way through the trestle tables and collapsed in the chair between the two men.
“Where is Aliss?” Tarr asked.
“She is finishing up after a lengthy delivery, though mother and babe are doing fine,” Fiona said.
“She must be exhausted and hungry,” Raynor said. “I have heard the delivery took all night.”
Fiona reached for a chunk of cheese. “I will see that she eats and rests.”
“And what of yourself? You helped your sister,” Tarr said.
“I took my leave right after the delivery, which is why I am refreshed, feeling good and starving.” Fiona reached for a piece of succulent lamb and continued reaching until her plate was piled high.
“The clan talks of Aliss’s skills and hopes she remains here with us,” Raynor said, “though I have heard mumbles from your warriors, Tarr, that the healer belongs to them.”
Fiona stared at Tarr, a smile tempting the corners of her mouth. Tarr appeared to ignore her obvious pleasure over the news.
“I heard they boasted of her talent.” Pride rang in Raynor’s voice as he continued. “Telling tales of how she healed several of their warriors and clan members, and of course they spoke of how she defended me when I could not defend myself.”
“We may just have a war on our hands over Aliss, especially now with her saving Ellie and her son’s life and—”
“Where Aliss resides is her choice,” Tarr interrupted, shocking Fiona into abrupt silence.
She stared at him, his words echoing like a distant thunder in her mind. Had she heard him correctly? Had he just removed the major stumbling block to their joining? Did he really mean that Aliss could remain with the clan Hellewyk, which meant they would not be separated? Had their talk last night caused him to reconsider?
“Since the sisters refuse to be separated, Aliss will remain with the Hellewyk clan,” Tarr said confidently.