Highlander Lord of Fire Page 8

  Snow’s eyes opened wide and she was ready to scream, seeing the shadow hovering over her.

  “It’s me, Snow. Tarass. I’m here. You’re safe,” he said quickly, seeing the fear that consumed her face.

  Snow jolted up, her hands stretching out, connecting with his bare chest and hurrying to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him tight.

  Tarass’s arms instinctively went around her, hugging her to him just as tight. “A nightmare. You had a nightmare.”

  “I was caught in the snowstorm again. Someone touched me. It wasn’t a gray shadow I usually see. This one was a dark blur, as dark as the night, and I knew it was evil.”

  “You’re safe. You have nothing to fear here,” Tarass assured her, though he didn’t like that she had dreamt of a dark evil shape. Dreams could sometimes warn of things to come.

  Snow’s breathing began to calm, though her heart continued to thunder in her chest and her arms remained firm around Tarass.

  Tarass kept tight hold of her. She wore a soft pale yellow nightdress that was a thin barrier between her breasts and his bare chest. Fear had puckered her nipples hard and they poked at him through the soft wool. And he silently cursed himself for even letting himself think about it.

  Thaw crawled over, from where he waited at the foot of the bed, to nudge his head under Snow’s arm. She let one arm fall away to rest on the pup’s head and let him know all was well, then she hurried it back around Tarass’s neck.

  “You are safe with me. I’ll let know one harm you,” he assured her again.

  Safe. How long had it been since she felt safe? When she had her sight. She hadn’t felt safe since losing it, not knowing who was in a room with her, who approached her or how to simply maneuver through a room. She certainly hadn’t felt safe in the snowstorm and if it hadn’t been for Tarass, she would have never survived.

  At the moment, with his arms tight around her and her body pressed firmly against his, she felt safer than she had ever felt since going blind, and she couldn’t imagine letting go of feeling that secure, at least not yet.

  Tarass gave no thought to releasing her, not until she was ready. He could feel her body still quivering with fear and he would keep hold of her until it dissipated even if it took all night.

  He did think, however, talking to her might help calm her. “Thaw came and got me. I imagine he tried to wake you and when he couldn’t, he ran for help.” When she didn’t say anything he continued, “You know my whole clan believes the pup is named after the mighty god Thor and will treat him with respect even though he snarls at most of them.”

  He felt a small chuckle run through her. “He is named after a winter thaw and not the god Thor, right? A winter thaw fits well with Snow.”

  “Thaw and I fit perfectly together,” she said as she plucked her face out of the crook of his neck and turned it up toward his face and didn’t realize the distance between their lips.

  Her lips brushed his with a delicate faintness that could barely be felt, yet it sent a sharp jolt to her senses, sending a rush of tingles through her. Instinct had her hurrying back away from him, while passion-filled pokes urged her to return to his arms and his lips.

  Thaw hurried into her lap as she moved away and she quickly snatched him up in her arms to hug him to her.

  Tarass stood with haste and stepped away from the bed. The way her lips had brushed his could barely be called a kiss, and yet he had never felt as much intensity from a kiss than he had from the faint touch of her lips on his. If a faint touch could produce such a bolt of pleasure, what would a full kiss feel like?

  He had to restrain himself from finding out, a good reason to leave, and yet he didn’t want to. He wanted to linger in that shot of pleasure that aroused him enough to turn him hard. Another reason to take his leave quickly. And still…

  “I will go. You need more sleep,” he forced himself to say as he backed away from the bed and turned toward the door.

  “Tarass,” she called out.

  “Aye,” he said, not turning around.

  “Thank you.”

  “Sleep,” he snapped and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  He went straight to his bedchamber and dropped back against the door after closing it. He couldn’t get the faint touch of her lips on his off his mind. It had followed him all the way up the stairs and into his room and had turned him hard, rock hard.

  He would get no sleep if he didn’t ease his ache. He thought of the various women always available no matter when, day or night, but the thought of burying himself deep inside any of them brought him no satisfaction. Nor did the thought of poking anyone else.

  Damn, he didn’t want to poke anyone but Snow.

  He shook his head. That wouldn’t happen. That meant marriage and she was not what he wanted in a wife. Marriage to her brought no benefit with it and with her being blind she would be more of a hindrance than anything.

  Snow was not for him, not for one night, not ever. He would do something he had never done. He would deny himself for tonight and tomorrow enjoy a good poke with some woman.

  But as he slipped beneath the blanket in bed, the insane thought came again.

  Nobody but Snow will satisfy you.

  Chapter 9

  Snow had been surprised and relieved when Nettle told her that the snow had stopped and with the accumulation minimal, it had to have been sometime in the middle of the night. The villagers were now busy clearing paths. She’d also been surprised to hear that Tarass had taken Thaw out for his morning walk and the pup had actually gone with him without protest. But then Thaw had gone to Tarass for help last night, a sign that he trusted him.

  She nibbled on her lips as she thought about last night and how her lips had brushed against Tarass’s lips. Such a faint brush, yet such a jolt to her body. She shivered slightly at the memory. It had been the first time her lips had ever touched a man’s lips and though it hadn’t been a kiss, it had felt like one. At least she thought it did, but perhaps that was because she had never been kissed.

  Thaw’s growl caught her attention. He had sat by her side since entering the Great Hall, growling now and again, which meant someone passed by too close to her to his liking. She and Thaw had finished the morning meal hours ago and was told by Fasta she and the pup were to stay put and not get in anyone’s way, since Nettle was needed for a chore in the kitchen.

  Nettle had assured her she wouldn’t be long, but it had been a while now and Snow was growing restless. However, she didn’t dare take a chance and try to maneuver without help in unfamiliar surroundings.

  She tried to listen to what was going on around her, but there was too much noise and she couldn’t distinguish all the sounds or shadows.

  “I’ve brought you a hot brew,” Nettle called out to let her know she approached.

  Snow liked Nettle. While her penchant to detail everything might annoy others, it helped Snow greatly. It was like Nettle painted a picture for her and she could see it clearly. She had detailed the various foods on the table this morning and where each sat, making it easier for Snow to help herself.

  “I’ve placed a tankard in front of you,” Nettle said when she reached the table.

  “Thank you, Nettle. You have been most kind and helpful and I do appreciate it.”

  “I enjoy assisting you and I’m grateful you don’t mind my chatter. I sometimes think it’s because I spend so much time alone that I talk endlessly when around others. I do try to mind my tongue, but I fear it’s a helpless cause.”

  “It’s the way you detail things that helps me see through your eyes. Like now, can you tell me what goes on? It almost feels like everyone is running about and I think I hear whispers but I’m not sure.”

  Nettle sat and slid close to Snow, keeping her voice low. “Everyone wonders about the two dead men Lord Tarass’s warriors brought to the village.”

  “Two dead men? Are you sure?” Snow asked anxiously. She and Tarass had come across one body. Whe
re had the other body come from or had Tarass sent his men to search for Finn’s body?

  “Aye, many saw the bodies being carried into the village not long ago. It couldn’t possibly be anyone in the clan since all are accounted for, so that’s why tongues are wagging. That and Lord Tarass wears a scowl and Rannock wears a scowl as well, and it’s never good when they both wear scowls.”

  Snow recalled meeting Rannock when she first arrived, his comment about Thaw not making much of a meal still on her mind.

  “Do the people worry that they are in danger with the discovery of two dead men?” Snow asked.

  Nettle chuckled. “Not with Lord Tarass leading them.” She lowered her voice, her chuckle gone. “From the tales I’ve heard, Lord Tarass is not only a skilled warrior but a vicious one as well. There are not many who would challenge him and those who do have rarely lived to tell the tale.”

  “Is your tongue wagging again, Nettle?” Fasta scolded loud enough for all to hear.

  Nettle hurried to her feet, but Snow responded before the lass could.

  “We share a conversation, which I very much enjoy,” Snow said with an air of authority her sister Sorrell would surely compliment.

  “Nettle is needed in the kitchen. She can take you to your room before she goes, since she will be gone for some time,” Fasta said.

  Snow heard the annoyance in Fasta’s voice and also the satisfaction it brought her that she was sending Snow to her room.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Snow said. “I will wait here for Nettle.”

  “It will be quite a while before she is free,” Fasta argued.

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m content here,” Snow said and to make it clear she would hear no more, she turned away from Fasta to where she knew Nettle stood. “I will see you later, Nettle.”

  “Do not get in anyone’s way,” Fasta snapped. “Nettle, the kitchen… now.”

  It didn’t take long for Snow to grow bored. At home she would be busy, walking through the village with Thaw, visiting with the new mums and the elderly, or spending time in her mum’s solar secretly trying to teach herself to stitch while blind. She had loved to stitch when she had her sight. She would make garments for the new bairns born to the clan and make repairs on the garments of those in the keep, and she missed doing it.

  Eleanor had come upon her one day and had offered to help guide her stitching with a row of loose stitches she could follow by touch, and it had helped greatly. It was still difficult to accept how dependent she was on others, but Sorrell had often scolded her when Snow had made mention of it.

  “You’re no more or less dependent than any of us,” Sorrell would say. “We’re family and each of us depends on one another for something.”

  But Sorrell and Willow had their own families now with others depending on them. While she should feel grateful she had James and Eleanor and the clan, there were times she felt more in the way of things than being helpful to anyone. No one certainly made her feel that way, but with her sisters marrying and James and Eleanor close to marrying, she had begun to feel more alone than ever.

  Feeling tears well inside her, she stood. Feeling sorry for herself, especially in a strange place, would do her no good.

  “Come, Thaw, you will guide me while we walk,” Snow said, grabbing her cloak that lay beside her on the bench. She had brought it with her, hoping to get outside for a bit.

  Thaw barked, then took hold of the hem of her tunic in his mouth and gave a tug.

  She had realized when they had taken their morning walks that Thaw actually guided her. He’d bark and push against her leg to let her know something was in her path and, on several occasions, he had taken the hem of her tunic in his mouth and tugged her in a particular direction, keeping her on course. Pleased by his innate ability to help her, she had begun to teach him with commands.

  Snow was pleased when Thaw got her through the Great Hall and outside with bumping into only one table. She wasn’t surprised that none of the shadows around her offered any help since, Thaw still managed to snarl and grumble, with her hem in his mouth, if anyone approached them. For a little fellow, he presented the air of a mighty beast.

  “Let’s see if we can find Tarass,” Snow said, curious to find out about the two dead men.

  Thaw dropped the hem of her tunic, barked, then leaned against the front of her legs, preventing her from taking another step.

  It was an action he took when warning her not to take another step, which meant he warned her of the stairs. They had practiced going up and down the stairs at home and Thaw had learned quickly. She had wondered if it was familiarity with his surroundings that had made it easy for him. She would find out now.

  “Guide me down the stairs, Thaw,” she ordered as she had done at home when teaching him about the stairs.

  Thaw stepped down and barked once and Snow followed. With each bark he alerted Snow to another step until they had reached the bottom and Thaw barked several times, letting her know there were no more steps.

  Snow smiled with glee as she reached down, rubbing and praising the pup. “You did wonderful, Thaw. I’m so proud of you. Now to find Tarass.”

  Though she had Thaw to help maneuver her, she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. When she had first arrived at Willow’s new home, her sister had taken her around and detailed the village and keep to her and Thaw. It had helped greatly and it had taken only a couple of days for her to feel comfortable in walking around on her own. Of course, there were some mishaps along the way, but she had expected that.

  Here, however, she had no idea where she was venturing. She had to rely completely on Thaw. No one offered assistance, but then again Thaw’s snarls kept people at bay.

  The snow scrunched beneath her feet as Thaw kept her on a cleared path that wound its way through the village. She was just rounding what she assumed was a cottage when something hit her cheek. Thaw snarled and snapped, but didn’t leave her side, and Snow quickly raised her hand to her face.

  Snow.

  “My lady, I’m so sorry. We didn’t see you. Our Apologizes. Please, I beg of you don’t tell Lord Tarass.”

  The voice of a young lad continued begging for mercy.

  “Was it meant for you?” Snow asked.

  “Aye, there is only me—Roy—and Todd against three,” he explained.

  “That’s not fair. You need another to help you. I can help,” Snow offered, since she was already being reckless by taking a chance on walking through the unfamiliar village with only Thaw to guide her. Why not be even more reckless, or was she being impulsive, by taking a moment to have some fun?

  There was a moment of silence before Roy finally spoke. “Excuse me, m’lady, but you’re blind.”

  “I’m not addressed as my lady, my name is Snow, and if you tell me where to throw the snowball I just might hit someone or at least distract them so you can hit your mark.”

  A moment of silence followed again.

  “There’s also my pup, Thaw. He will force them from their hiding places,” Snow said.

  Hesitation proceeded the response. “What of Lord Tarass?”

  “Is he here? He can join in the fun if he wants,” Snow said with a chuckle and heard the young lad laugh.

  “Lord Tarass is not about, but the three are watching us now,” the lad said, keeping his voice low.

  “Then have Todd fetch me a snowball or two and a few for you and him as well and tell me where to throw them and as soon as they retaliate, hit them with all your might,” Snow said. “But don’t let them see what you have planned. It needs to be a surprise attack.”

  “Aye, my… Snow,” Roy corrected himself. “Todd is making the snowballs now. We should be ready soon to attack.”

  “And don’t worry if I get hit with snowballs. They’ll be expecting you to protect me. Go after them, and victory,” she encouraged.

  “Aye, Snow,” he said with joyous enthusiasm.

  “Listen, Thaw, I have a chore for you,” Snow s
aid.

  The pup sat, leaning against her leg to let her know he was listening, and fixed his eyes on her.

  “Follow the snowballs when I throw them and chase our foe from their hiding spot,” she explained, though didn’t know if the pup understood.

  “All here say the pup is like the god Thor, mighty and fearless,” Roy said.

  Snow smiled. “That he is.”

  “We’re ready,” Roy whispered and slipped two snowballs to Snow. “Todd has a pile of snowballs a short distance to your right. Todd and I will walk away as if our talk is done. Standing where you are, if you throw straight ahead of you, you’ll hit their hiding spot.”

  “Perfect. Now I’ll wag my finger at you as if scolding you, then you and Todd can shake your heads and walk away.”

  “Aye,” Roy said.

  “Now be on your way,” Snow ordered with a wagging finger and as soon as she heard Roy and Todd walk off, she threw the snowballs and smiled when she heard someone yell out.

  “I’m hit. It’s a ruse.”

  Snowballs started pelting her.

  “Get them, Thaw,” Snow ordered and dropped down to reach for the pile of snowballs and started throwing them.

  Thaw charged toward the group, barking and snarling as if he was ready to tear someone apart. Snow was proud of him as she continued her assault and smiled when she heard one lad yell.

  “Thor’s coming for us… run!”

  “Turn to your left and throw,” Roy called out.

  Snow did as the lad said, snowballs continuing to rain down on her as she enjoyed the fun of a good snowball fight just as she had done with her sisters throughout the years, even though Sorrell always won.

  Snowballs flew, Thaw barked, laughter and yells were heard, then suddenly like a snap of the fingers all turned silent.

  “What goes on here?” Tarass demanded.

  Snow couldn’t resist, she just couldn’t. She turned until she caught sight of the large gray blur and let loose a snowball.

  The sharp, loud gasps let her know she had hit her mark and she wasn’t surprised when the gray blur moved to stand in front of her.