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 heard her sister’s worried voice before she saw her push past her mother at the open door to enter the room. Raynor followed, though remained just outside the door near his mother.
“Fiona?” Aliss asked with concern. “I came to join you for the morning meal and did not find you downstairs. I worried since you never miss a meal.”
Fiona smiled at her sister and gave a quick glance around the room at everyone present. They loved her, each and every one of them in their own special way; she truly was lucky.
She jumped up tugging Tarr along with her. “I am starving.”
Aliss laughed. “I suggest we get to the table before her or else there will be nothing left for us.”
Fiona zipped past her sister, leaving Tarr in her wake. “I will beat you there.”
Aliss yelped and hurried after her while a laughing Anya attempted to catch them.
Tarr walked over to Raynor. “The buttery is stocked, we are safe and will not starve.”
Raynor grinned and, as they walked, said quietly, “We have received word from the Wolf.”
Chapter 34
“What does the Wolf say?” Tarr asked, entering his solar, Raynor shutting the door behind him.
“That Giann will meet with us in five days time.”
“Five days? Why the delay?” He was anxious to have this done with. He wanted Fiona and Aliss safe once and for all.
“He gave no reason.”
“What does he want in return?”
“Nothing,” Raynor said skeptically. “Though I question that.”
“As do I, except . . .” Tarr shook his head. “He could know something that we do not. He does have Giann to advise him.”
A knock sounded before Fiona entered without permission. “What goes on here?”
Tarr had grown accustomed to her interference, though he no longer thought of it that way. She was part of his life and as he had told her, he wished to share everything with her.
“Word from Wolf,” Tarr said, and Fiona quickly shut the door behind her.
Raynor reiterated what they had already discussed.
“So then it was Giann who has decided this delay,” Fiona said.
Tarr watched her nibble at her lower lip, a habit of hers when she gave serious thought to a matter. Her rosy lip would plump from her chewing and look delectable enough to kiss, which he had done on occasion and thoroughly enjoyed.
He doubted she was fully aware of how often he wanted to make love to her. She responded to his every touch and kiss. There was not a time she would deny his passion and there were many times she had seduced him. There was no way he intended on losing this precious woman.
He was stuck with her as she had told him, and nothing or no one would ever separate them. He would kill anyone who tried.
“Giann obviously knows something we do not, and waits,” Fiona said.
“Why does she wait?” Raynor asked.
“I do not know, but I know we are missing something here,” Fiona said, pacing between where Tarr and Raynor stood. “A connection, something that connects all the parts of the past that brings us to this point in time.”
“Are you saying Giann knew this time would come?” Raynor asked.
Fiona stopped pacing. “I would say she prepared for this time.”
Another knock interrupted them and Tarr bid the person to enter. Anya popped in, bubbling with excitement. “Your father has arrived.”
Fiona and Aliss found themselves exhausted after all the introductions. It seemed as if the whole Blackshaw clan had arrived for the wedding celebration, which appeared to take place as they spoke. Food and drink flowed all day while arrangements were made to house the many visitors.
Aliss was approached by Glenor, a woman well into her years and gentle in tone and manner. She was the Blackshaw healer and was eager to talk with Aliss. They fast became friends and were soon deep in conversation.
Anya was busy helping the servants arrange the various rooms to accommodate the overflowing crowd, and Raynor was not wasting a minute in introducing Tarr to boyhood friends.
That left Fiona on her own, though she did not lack for conversation. She just did not feel like playing hostess to strangers. She had too much on her mind to celebrate. Aliss and she were in more danger than ever before. She feared whatever was brewing within the next five days, for she had no doubt it had to do with her and Aliss.
She meandered her way toward the door and was just about to slip out unnoticed when her father stepped out of the shadows.
She jumped, her hand going to her chest. “You frightened me.”
“You would not be frightened if you were not sneaking.”
“I need a breath of fresh air,” she protested.
He leaned close to whisper. “I think you were making an escape, and shame on you for not taking your father with you.”
Fiona grinned, and with a finger to her lips warning him to be silent as they snuck out of the keep together.