“Too long,” he whispered harshly and shoved her hands away, ripping his eyelids apart before Aliss could stop him.
Aliss watched the pain wash over him and his eyes blink several times. He fought to keep them open. Finally, he settled a stare on her face.
“Oh my God,” he said before he passed out.
Chapter 9
Tarr stood by the window in his bedchamber looking out at the starless night. All was not going as he had expected. He thought to have the twins’ charade settled within a few days. A week and a half, and he was more perplexed than when this all began.
His desire was simple, a strong wife to bear strong sons. Instead he got twins who he could not possibly tell apart. Just when he thought he had it figured out, he realized he had not, and he would once again be back where he started.
He had even yet to determine if he spent time with the same woman or if they took turns. Their features were identical, and while their beauty appealed to him, what attracted him more was the bold nature displayed by one of the twins. Which one he was not certain, but it had to be Fiona. She was the sister with the bold personality. The one who would stand up to a man and, without fear, challenge him.
When presented with this ruse, he had given brief thought to wedding either twin. But he recalled the difference between them, and while he respected the skill of the twin who was the healer, he favored a wife whose confidence and bravery he respected.
He had not considered love; it was a useless emotion serving no good purpose. It caused intelligent men to make foolish mistakes. He had no time for such foolishness and definitely not for mistakes. He had a clan to consider and protect; he could not, nor would not allow, anything to stand in the way of his chieftain duties.
He rubbed his square chin then crossed his arms over his chest. The twins’ face drifted in front of his eyes. It had to be Fiona who always spent time with him and the one who stirred his blood when they kissed.
Her passion matched his own, and there was no doubt they had desired each other. A good start for an arranged union; it bode well for their future together.
Fiona.
He had to have kissed Fiona.
He rubbed his chin harder, kneading his flesh with his fingers while staring off into the dark night, wondering who the devil he had enjoyed kissing.
A scream suddenly jolted the silence and had him running out of his bedchamber, across the hall, and into the room that held Raynor. The two guards who had been posted outside the door had already entered the room and were presently being held at bay by a twin who looked ready to do harm if anyone dared to touch the unconscious man in the bed.
“What goes on here?’ Tarr demanded.
Before she could respond the other twin entered the room with a flourish and settled herself beside her sister. Their identical features startled the senses. There was no physical trait that could distinguish them. It was as if they were mirror images.
Raynor groaned, coming out of his faint.
Tarr stepped forward and Fiona braced her hands on her hips as if daring him to try and pass her.
“I will speak with him,” Tarr commanded.
“Not now,” Aliss said, and leaned over Raynor to whisper in his ear.
“Now!” Tarr was angry. How dare she dictate to him.
“He will make no sense,” Aliss snapped. “Give him until morning. His head will clear and you will get answers from him then.”
“Leave now, both of you.”
“Go,” Raynor ordered. “I will talk with Tarr.”
Fiona took her sister’s arm and nearly dragged her out of the room, but not before sending Tarr a scathing look.
He returned it in kind as the door slammed.
Tarr and Raynor were alone, the two guards having disappeared when they recognized the warning tremor in their chieftain’s voice.
Raynor pulled himself up to a slumping position.
Tarr kept his eyes on his enemy’s every move. He remained at the side edge of the bed, and though he lacked a weapon he did not fear. He knew Raynor was in no condition to fight him, and besides, he was confident in his ability to defeat him.
“You will answer my questions.”
“You will tell me how many of my men you hold.”
“I will tell you nothing,” Tarr said through gritted teeth.