nature, Aliss wished to heal and protect, which meant she found excuse after excuse to see that Fiona spent more time with Tarr than she did.
A large shadow fell over her, blotting out the bright sun.
“You look lost,” Tarr said.
She caught her tongue before she could claim boredom. The twins appeared busy enough with all the healing Aliss had done. Letting him know she was bored would alert him to her identity.
“I am relaxing in the early morning sun.”
He stepped to her side so that the sun could once again drench her.
She smiled at his considerate action and got the sudden urge to spend time with this man who so intrigued her. But she did not wish to stroll his land, or sit and talk. She wanted to be involved with his daily routine and discover his true nature.
“What are you doing?” she asked, standing.
“I am going hunting.”
She almost jumped for joy. She had not hunted in weeks and ached to feel her bow in her hands, but again that would alert him to her identity.
“Would you like to go with me?”
He laid a trap for her, knowing full well Fiona would jump at the chance to hunt. Besides, his dark eyes glistened with a hint of mischief and a smile lurked at the corners of his mouth. He obviously enjoyed this little trick, thinking he was about to snare his prey.
Fiona set a trap of her own. “I would like to see how good of a hunter you are.”
He appeared ready to laugh. “You doubt my skills?”
“Not all warriors make good hunters.”
He pounded his chest. “I am good at everything I do.”
Fiona let loose with laughter.
“You doubt me?”
She stifled the last bit of laughter, amazed with his sense of humor. She had believed him a staunch warrior who thought of nothing but battle and gaining wealth, but there was more to this mighty warrior.
He was respected and loved by his people and he provided well for his clan, and he had a good sense of humor.
“I need proof,” she challenged.
He held his hand out to her and she eagerly took it.
“You shall have fresh meat for supper this evening.”
They walked into the woods, Fiona wishing she had her bow. Unfortunately, she would be a spectator only for this hunting expedition.
She caught the sight of tracks early on but said nothing to Tarr. Her father had taught her to hunt well, and she had sharpened her skills through the years. She would not chance ever going hungry.
“I would teach you how to track,” Tarr whispered. “But silence is best when hunting.”
She nodded and paid careful attention to his steps and actions. It did not take long to realize his trap remained set and that he waited to snare her. Fiona drifted away from him to purposely cross the animal’s tracks that she had seen and had thought Tarr ignored.
He grabbed her arm and shook his head. “Follow in my footsteps. You trample tracks.”
Fiona looked with eager eyes at the ground around her. “Where?”
With an exasperated huff, he tugged her behind him.
She pursed her lips to keep her giggle silent. She could only imagine how confused he must feel, and a part of her sympathized with him—but only a tiny part. After all, he had brought this on himself and would suffer his own consequences just as he had proclaimed for Raynor.
They moved along, Fiona turning her footsteps light so they could barely be heard. When finally a rabbit was spotted, they both stilled. Tarr took aim and missed.
She could have told him his aim was off just by the way he held his bow, but she remained quiet and alert. She wanted to grab the bow from his hands when he missed the second animal, but wisely remained quiet.
She was glad she had, for when he missed the third she knew then that his haphazard aim was off on purpose. He truly was a skilled warrior, especially adept at subterfuge.
“I think you need some practice,” she whispered in his ear.
He turned. “Let us see if you are any better.”
She could not refuse his offer since he shoved the bow into her hands. The smooth wood was warm from his grasp, but without the sweat found on the bows of warrior’s lacking confidence.
Tarr had no such problem. He had a faith in himself that Fiona admired. At first, she had believed him arrogant and dictatorial, but lately, after getting to know him, she had revised her opinion. He was a man