Highlander Lord of Fire Read online

  “I’ll take you to Runa,” Tarass said.

  “Let me give her a hug first, she’s such a sweet thing,” Twilla said. “Nettle, bring her to me. These old bones ache too much for me to take another step.”

  Nettle took Snow’s arm and walked her the few steps to Twilla, then stepped away.

  Twilla hugged Snow and whispered in her ear. “Be careful, don’t provoke the Lord of Fire or you may release the devil himself.”

  Snow forced a smile, the old woman’s warning words frightening and alarming her, but she didn’t want anyone to see that. James had warned her time and again about making the Lord of Fire angry.

  “You don’t know what he’s capable of, Snow,” James would say.

  Tarass had shown her some kindness so was he truly as formidable as so many warned? And did she want to take the chance and find out?

  Tomorrow.

  She would go home tomorrow and this all would be over.

  Snow laid in bed unable to sleep, the day’s events churning in her mind. She felt a twinge of guilt when she had seen how concerned Tarass had been when he had taken her to Runa.

  Runa had even commented when they had been alone for her to examine Snow’s wound that Lord Tarass had seemed so anxious she had worried that he would remain in her cottage to see the wound himself. Not a proper thing for him to do at all. Still tender to the touch, Runa assured her that the wound showed no signs of turning putrid. She had been glad to hear that since she couldn’t see the wound herself.

  Thaw laid sound asleep at the bottom of the bed, having moved there when Snow had disturbed him with her twisting and turning. She wished sleep would capture her and hug her tight, ridding her of endless, frustrating thoughts.

  It seemed like forever before her eyes finally grew heavy and sleep drifted over her, and she was plunged once again into a nightmare.

  The snowfall blinded, Snow couldn’t see anything. She called out for Thaw, but he didn’t answer her. She took a step and heard the snow crunch beneath her boots. She kept taking cautious steps one after the other, yet felt as if she remained in the same place since nothing changed around her.

  One more step, one more, then another and another, she silently encouraged herself and thought she saw the snow clearing up ahead. She took an eager step and suddenly felt herself tumbling to the ground. She hurried to get herself up out of the snow, but plopped down on her bottom when she realized her foot was stuck on something. She stretched her hands expecting to find her foot stuck beneath a tree branch. She was shocked to feel cold flesh and even more shocked when she suddenly was able to see what trapped her. It was an arm and painted on the inner forearm from fold to wrist was a drawing of an arrow.

  She started screaming. “Tarass! Tarass! Tarass!”

  Thaw flew off the bed and out the door, making a mad dash for Tarass’s bedchamber, barking all the way up the curving staircase.

  Tarass was at the door by the time the pup reached it, and Thaw hastily turned and headed back down the stairs, Tarass nearly on top of him.

  He rushed to the bed and yanked Snow up in his arms, wrapping her tight against him. “I’ve got you. You’re safe, Snow. You’re safe.”

  She flung her arms around his neck and she had no intention of letting go of him. He was alive and there with her and that was what mattered. The thought jolted her. She had been terrified to think Tarass was dead. What did that mean? Did she care for this man?

  Impossible.

  They did nothing but argue and disagree, and yet when frightened she looked to him for comfort and safety. When in his arms, she felt the safest she had in years. Like now. There was no other place she wanted to be but here warm and snug in his arms, and protected.

  “It was a nightmare, nothing more. I’m here and you’re safe,” he assured her again.

  His words soothed and his arms comforted, and she snuggled her face in the crook of his neck.

  The way she settled herself against him, he knew she didn’t plan on going anywhere and either did he. He would stay with her and comfort her for as long as she needed him to.

  He situated them comfortably on the bed and pulled the two soft blankets over them. He would wait until she was in a peaceful slumber before he left her.

  He settled himself around her, forgetting one thing… he had run naked from his bedchamber.

  Chapter 11

  Tarass woke with a start, jolting Snow awake since she was wrapped in his arms. He hadn’t known what startled him until he looked at the bottom of the bed to see Thaw standing there, wagging his tail at Nettle.

  Tarass saw the shock in the young woman’s wide eyes and the way her mouth hung open. “You will say nothing about this, Nettle,” he ordered sharply.

  Snow hurried away from Tarass, her hand rushing to push at his naked chest, but as she did, he moved and her hand fell low on his stomach. She realized then that he was completely naked and she hurried her hand off him, yanking the blanket up around her as she scrambled to move away.

  He grabbed her before she fell off the side, and she stiffened. “Any further and you’ll fall out of bed.”

  He let her go, not expecting a response, not wanting one. What he wanted and needed was for Nettle to keep what she saw here a secret and that might be impossible for her to do.

  Tarass left the bed, not caring about his nakedness. He walked to the door and shut it and saw Nettle pale.

  “I’m going to warn you again, Nettle. You are to say nothing about what you saw here, since nothing happened between Snow and me. If you allow your tongue to wag, I will be forced to wed Snow, and you will lose your tongue. Do you understand, Nettle?”

  “Aye, my lord. I will say nothing,” Nettle said a quiver in her voice.

  “I’ll have your word on that.”

  “You have my word, my lord,” she rushed to say.

  “Make sure you keep it or you’ll have no tongue to wag,” he threatened again and walked out of the room without saying another word.

  Snow hurried to speak when she heard the door close with force. “I had a nightmare and Thaw went and got Tarass. He comforted me and we must have fallen asleep. Nothing happened between us. He doesn’t wish to wed me and I don’t wish to wed him.”

  “I don’t want to lose my tongue and I don’t want you forced into marriage. I saw nothing, so there is nothing for me to say.”

  “Thank you, Nettle. I owe you much,” Snow said with relief and a touch of sorrow, wondering how one moment Tarass could be so kind to her and the next so cruel.

  “It is I who owe you. It has been such a pleasure serving you and I will miss you when you go. You spoke up for me when no one else did, and this morning, on my way here, two women who never said a word to me, approached and talked with me. Of course, the talk was about you and the snowball fight you engaged in yesterday and how much the young lads enjoyed it, but at least they talked with me and actually seemed to enjoy it. It felt so good to be included in chatter with others.”

  “How nice for you, Nettle, and I will miss you as well,” Snow said and eased herself out of bed, hoping today she would be able to go home. “It isn’t snowing again, is it?”

  “No, and hopefully we’re spared any more snow, giving you a chance to get home.”

  “Time to dress and get Thaw outside,” Snow said, guiding herself along the side of the bed to the end and reaching for her garments that Nettle had left on the chest in front of the foot of the bed.

  The door suddenly burst open and Tarass stood there. “Come, Thaw, outside with you.”

  “I will see to him,” Snow said, feeling the need to keep Thaw with her.

  “See to yourself. When you’re done meet us in the Great Hall,” Tarass ordered. “Now tell Thaw to go with me.”

  His snappish tongue warned her she was better off not arguing. “Thaw, go with Tarass. He will take you outside.”

  Thaw trotted over to Tarass and right out the door.

  “Will I be able to go home today?” Sn
ow asked.

  “I’ll make sure of it,” Tarass said and hurried the door closed behind him to follow Thaw down the stairs.

  He was angry with himself for having foolishly fallen asleep in her bed last night and for being naked. He was also angry that he had slept so comfortably beside her that he hadn’t woken during the night, something that had become a habit of his, though not with Snow. He had slept soundly and felt more rested than he had in some time.

  Never had he slept through the night when he had shared a bed with a woman. And he had always made sure to take his leave of a woman before sunrise. It was an action that he felt made it clear that he wasn’t interested in any more than what they had shared that night.

  The pup rushed through the Great Hall and he had no problem keeping up with him. He was glad for the cold air that stung his face when he stepped outside.

  “Angry so early in the morning?” Rannock asked as Tarass descended the stairs.

  Tarass didn’t like when he allowed how he felt to show, but Rannock was a friend and often saw what others didn’t.

  “Women can annoy,” Tarass said.

  “You’re only finding that out?” Rannock asked with a laugh. “Though I’ve heard many a man say, if you’re annoyed with a woman watch out, it might be you’re annoyed with yourself for falling in love with her.”

  “Are you saying that I’m falling in love with Snow?” Tarass snapped with an angry snarl.

  “That set a burr in you.” Rannock laughed again. “What happened?”

  “Nothing. She goes home today. I want six warriors to ride with us. Have them ready. We leave after the morning meal,” he ordered and turned away from Rannock, calling out for Thaw who was already a distance ahead.

  Tarass walked with a strong gait and a deep scowl through the village. Everyone left him alone, not even calling out a greeting to him. All knew it was best to leave him be when he got angry. Otherwise his tongue would unleash a lashing that left far worse scars than any weapon.

  His own foolishness had nearly cost him all his well laid plans. He intended to make a beneficial marriage, not be forced into one, and he certainly had no use for a blind wife. He needed Snow gone so she could no longer distract him. He needed to keep his attention focused. It troubled and worried him that someone had killed Finn and while with Snow.

  “Thaw!” he snapped, ready to return to the keep and when he heard no bark, he looked around and didn’t see the pup. “Thaw!” he called out and still the pup didn’t answer. Had he run back to the keep without Tarass seeing him? “Thaw!” he shouted again.

  Tarass headed back to the keep, asking some of the villagers if they had seen the pup, but none had. He hurried up the stairs and called out for the pup as soon as he entered the Great Hall.

  “Thaw!”

  Snow shot to her feet with such force she sent the bench rocking. “You’ve lost Thaw?” she cried out and hurried around the table, stretching out her arms. “Nettle, get me outside.”

  “Aye,” Nettle said.

  “Get her a cloak,” Tarass ordered sternly. “I’ll take her out.”

  “How could you lose him?” Snow asked, panic rising in her.

  “He’s not lost. He has to be somewhere in the village. I thought he might have returned without me,” Tarass found himself explaining, something he never did.

  “You weren’t keeping watch on him,” she accused, fear causing her voice to rise.

  Tarass took hold of her arm and kept his voice tempered, seeing and hearing how worried she was that the pup could be lost. “He’s never wandered off far before. Something must have caught his interest.”

  “And if you had been watching him, you would not have lost him.”

  “He’s not lost. He’s somewhere in the village and I will find him,” Tarass said as if it was already done.

  “We will find him,” she corrected.

  Nettle returned with her cloak and one for herself.

  “You need not help, Nettle,” Tarass said.

  “She comes with us,” Snow ordered, slipping on the cloak Nettle had handed her.

  Tarass bent his head, his lips near to her cheek. “Command me again and you will wait in your bedchamber while I search for Thaw.”

  Snow turned her head enough that she hoped she looked him in the eye. “Try keeping me from finding Thaw and you will regret it.”

  “You dare threaten me?”

  “It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.”

  “I’m a lucky man not to have to wed you,” he whispered.

  “Pray that your luck continues and we find Thaw or—”

  “Or what?” Tarass challenged before she could finish.

  Her sister Sorrell popped into her head and words she would use shot out of her mouth. “Or I’ll cut your balls off.

  Loud gasps echoed around the room, though Snow thought she also heard a chuckle in there somewhere.

  “Be careful, Snow, you don’t want to know why they call me Lord of Fire.”

  His harsh whispered threat sent a shiver through her.

  “We will find, Thaw, you will eat, then I will take you home.”

  “I have no appetite, I’d rather go home after we find Thaw,” she said, keeping as calm as she could.

  “You’ll eat first or you won’t go home until tomorrow,” he ordered.

  If she could see, she would walk home, but that wasn’t possible, and she wisely kept quiet.

  Tarass couldn’t believe that she had spoken to him the way she did, but then he hadn’t dared thought that she would tell his da that he lied when they had been young. Snow had surprised him then as she did now and all the times when he had stopped at the Macardle keep and Thaw would growl and bark endlessly at him. She would defend the pup regardless of what he had threatened.

  Giving it thought, he realized when those Snow loved were threatened, she spoke up without thought to any consequences, and that took courage. And in that sense, she would make an excellent wife, since a husband could count on her, defending him and their bairns.

  Tarass kept a firm hand on her arm as they descended the stairs so she wouldn’t fall in her haste, some spots slippery from the snow. He wasn’t surprised when Snow started shouting for Thaw as soon as they reached the bottom.

  “Thaw! Thaw! Come here at once!” she yelled, worry ringing out with her command. “Now, Thaw!”

  They took only a few steps when they heard a bark.

  “Thaw!” Snow called out again, her heart pounding in her chest that the bark came from him.

  The bark grew stronger and closer and Snow continued calling to him.

  “There he is,” Tarass said as soon as the pup came into view.

  Snow let out a heavy sigh as if she’d been holding her breath far too long and she gripped Tarass’s arm, her legs growing weak with relief.

  Thaw barked continuously as he ran toward Snow, and she smiled. She truly believed the pup understood that she couldn’t see and did what he could to help compensate for it.

  Snow reached down to scoop him up as soon as he jumped against her leg. “Where were you? You had me so frightened.”

  Thaw licked her face, his tail wagging furiously as happy to see her as she was to see him.

  “You can’t wander off like that,” she scolded much too softly and with a smile.

  “His curiosity grows along with him just like with a young bairn. Though, I don’t think Thaw would have wandered off if he was with you,” Tarass said. “He’s far too protective of you.”

  Snow hugged Thaw tightly and lavished his head and snout with kisses before he wiggled in her arms to be released. When she placed him on the ground and he started barking, she understood.

  “Your little adventure made you hungry,” she said with a laugh. “You want to eat?”

  Thaw barked several times in response, then grabbed the hem of Snow’s shift and tugged to help her up the stairs.

  “Nettle, take the hungry pup and feed him while I help Snow up the st
airs,” Tarass ordered.

  “Go with Nettle, Thaw. She will see that you eat,” Snow said, not wanting to keep the pup waiting while she made her way up the stairs.

  Thaw barked and darted up the steps.

  “He really is hungry. He’s already at the top,” Nettle said and hurried her way up the stairs, though with more caution than Thaw.

  Snow was grateful that Nettle let her know what went on. It allowed her to see instead of wonder what went on around her.

  Tarass took her arm again. “Hold tight. The steps are slippery in spots and I don’t want you to slip and fall.”

  Snow reached out and rested her hand over his. “Before we go, I want to apologize to you. I was so frightened that Thaw might be hurt somewhere or that I’d never see him again that I behaved badly and in your own home.” She shook her head. “I should have never done that and I am truly sorry.”

  Tarass was shocked not only by her genuine apology but by the fact that she felt she behaved badly and sought to correct it. He would never apologize or even admit there was reason he should. He recalled what she had said to him one time when he was at the Macardle keep and he demanded she apologize for calling him pigheaded.

  I apologize for calling you pigheaded. And I apologize for the next name I call you and the one after that, since I’m bound to insult you again.

  “You once extended apologies for future names you’d call me, so I believe you’re well covered when it comes to that,” he said.

  Snow cringed. “Names are one thing, threatening to—”

  “Cut off my balls,” he said with a smile he was glad she couldn’t see.

  She cringed again. “My sister Sorrell popped into my head.”

  “That explains it,” Tarass said and couldn’t stop from laughing. “Though, I don’t believe you need your sister to be as courageous as you are.”

  She tilted her head to look at what she hoped was his face. “Or as foolish.”

  “You are no fool, Snow. You protect those you love no matter the consequences and that takes courage. A husband and bairns would be well-protected with a wife like you.”

  “No man wants a blind woman for a wife,” she said but kept the thought that followed to herself. Especially you.