Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
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.