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 rolled her eyes at her sister.
“Your silence tells me I speak the truth and have nothing to fear.”
“How do you get people to trust you so quickly?” Fiona asked, stepping away from the bed in fear of throttling the injured man.
Raynor answered her. “Her heart is honest and pure. There is anger, though courage, in your heart. You both are easily distinguishable.”
“It is a good thing he is not Tarr,” Aliss said.
“Sounds as if you do not favor Tarr,” Raynor said, sounding pleased.
“That is none of your concern.” Fiona pressed a finger to her lips, warning her sister to be careful of what she says. “We must go, Aliss.”
“You cannot leave me, Aliss,” Raynor protested.
“She most certainly can,” Fiona informed him.
“You are presently my eyes. Do not leave me to suffer in darkness.”
Aliss sat on the bed beside him.
“Touch her and I keep my promise,” Fiona warned, and received a scathing look from her sister. She shrugged it off and kept her hand on the hilt of her sheathed knife at her belt.
“I will not be long. I will return with food, and once you have eaten I will again tend to your eyes,” Aliss assured him.
“How long before I see again?”
“Hopefully by the end of this day,” she said. “I will leave a soaked cloth over your eyes in my absence, perhaps it will help.” She examined the stitches on his head. “Your head wound heals nicely. There are no signs of impurities and only minor swelling; with rest you should heal better than I anticipated.”
“You thought I would not survive?”
“You were unconscious. I could tell nothing.”
“Yet you refused to give up on me.”
“It is the healer in me,” Aliss said.
“It is your pure heart,” Raynor corrected.
“Enough,” Fiona snapped. “We need to go.”
Aliss placed the water-soaked cloth over his eyes. “I will not be long.”
Fiona hurried her out the door and down the hall. “Tarr waits on us for the morning meal.”
Aliss stopped her sister before they descended the stairs. “I do not know if it is wise to tell Tarr that Raynor is awake.”
“Tarr has a right to know his enemy is alert. He could, with his eyesight restored, prove dangerous. I know you fear Raynor’s fate, but Tarr is right when he says Raynor sealed his fate when he chose to attack us.”
“I will inform Tarr that he stirs and may wake soon.”
“Once his vision is clear you tell Tarr or I will.”
“Agreed,” Aliss said, satisfied. “Now, let us hurry; I am starving.”
“Heavenly words to my ears and my rumbling stomach.” And with a dash Fiona challenged her sister to a race, both laughing as they entered the great hall at the same time.
Tarr acknowledged them with a nod before returning to his conversation with Kirk. The twins were left to enjoy their meal and talk by themselves, which suited them perfectly.
Aliss ate more than usual, doubting she would have enough time to eat again before the evening meal. She had to tend to Raynor, and while he rested she hoped to see how the other wounded warriors were fairing.
“Calm yourself.” Fiona whispered a warning. “You look ready to take flight.”
“I have much to do.”
“Tarr probably has plans of his own for us. He has made it clear enough he will see this ruse of ours finished soon, which means we must, under all circumstances, remain alert not only to his watchful eye but to our actions.”
“You do better with Tarr than I do, and since he cannot tell us apart, he has no idea which twin he spends time with. He can spend all the time with you and not even know he has held company with the same sister repeatedly. All you need do is act differently at times and he will never know.”
“Why do I get stuck with him all the time?”
Aliss lowered her voice to a bare whisper. “Because you would kiss him if given the chance, where I would not. And I think you should find out if perhaps Tarr would make a fine husband.”
“I look for love, he does not,” Fiona reminded her sister.
“Love can strike even the most uncooperative man.”
“Ladies,” Tarr called out, startling both women. He stood and walked toward them. His smile started slow and languished as if uncertain, then suddenly it burst free and spread across his handsome face along with a devilish glint that sparked his eyes.
Fiona responded instantly, a smile bursting out before she could stop it.
“It is a fine morning for a walk. Who will accompany me?” He did not give either one a chance to respond; he reached out for Aliss.
Fiona could detect the panic in her sister, though she contained it well enough. Tarr did not notice that her smile was forced and that her eyes pleaded with Fiona for help.
Fiona struck with a curt remark. “Good, I had enough of your company last night.”