A shout drew their attention and Raynor waved to them. “Our parents have arrived.”
Chapter 24
“I do not know if I am ready for this,” Aliss said to her sister while they stood on the steps of the keep watching a procession of impressive warriors enter the village.
Fiona took her sister’s hand. “We have each other. That is all that matters.”
Tarr walked up from behind. “You also have me.”
Raynor paced at the bottom of the steps, looking about ready to burst with excitement. Though he appeared a potent warrior in a dark brown leather tunic and leggings, he seemed more a young boy eager to reunite with his parents.
The warriors divided to the left and right before reaching Raynor. Then finally, two horses approached and on them rode a man and woman. The woman’s eyes rounded when she spotted Raynor, and she rushed to dismount.
Raynor hurried forward and helped her, though she needed none. She was on the ground, her arms stretched out, before Raynor could reach her.
The woman was stunning, her height equal to Fiona’s. Her hair was dark like her son’s and plaited in a braid that hung over her shoulder. She wore a simple though elegant gown of a heather color with a rich purple cloak draped over her shoulders. She was slim, and though she had to be at least twenty years older than Fiona, she showed little signs of an aged woman.
The man walked up behind her and Raynor stepped around his mother to greet his father with a bear hug.
He was several inches taller than his wife and there was no doubt he was Raynor’s father, they looked so much alike. Traces of gray, heavy at his temples, ran through his darker shoulder-length hair. His dark eyes were framed with a mixture of worry and laugh lines, which added to his fine features. And love and pride shined in his eyes when he looked at his son.
With their reunion finished, the man took the woman’s hand and they followed Raynor up the steps.
“Aliss,” Fiona said, and stretched her hand out.
Aliss joined hands with her sister and they stood together as one.
Raynor was all smiles as he made the introductions. “May I present our parents, Anya and Oleg. Mother, Father, this is”—he bowed his head—“Aliss and”—he pointed—“Fiona.”
Tears shimmered in Anya’s eyes, and it took her a moment to speak. “I know I am a stranger to you both and I cannot expect you to think of me as your mother, but in time I hope . . .” Her voice faltered.
Aliss went to her and took her hand. “It is an awful tragedy to lose a child, but a miracle has been granted us. It would be foolish of us not to be grateful and take joy in what has been returned to us.”
A single tear dropped from Anya’s eye. “You have the quiet strength of your father, and you are so very beautiful.”
“Then is it your candor that I possess?” Fiona stepped forward.
Oleg smiled at his wife. “She truly is your daughter.”
Fiona knew she must introduce Tarr and chose a simple introduction. “This is Tarr of Hellewyk.”
Tarr paused a moment before stepping forward.
Fiona knew he waited to see if she intended to explain that they were to wed, but she could not offer him that courtesy, her decision yet to be made.
She was not surprised when he clarified his identity.
“Fiona is to be my wife, and I am pleased to meet her parents.”
Oleg and Anya looked ready to greet him warmly when Raynor stepped in.
“There is much for us all to discuss. Let us retreat to the great hall to feast and talk.”
Aliss walked beside her sister, slowing her step for Fiona to keep pace with her and let the others walk ahead.
“Be careful you do not regret your actions,” Aliss whispered.
“Until I come to know these people I cannot treat them as my parents.”
“You know it is not Anya and Oleg of whom I speak. Tarr stood beside you—”
“When it was not necessary.”
“He was there for you,” Aliss snapped.
Fiona stared at her, surprised by her outburst.
“He is trying, Fiona—”
“What is he trying?”
“To love you, if only you would let him.”
Aliss stomped ahead, leaving her sister behind, and walked up beside Tarr.
Aliss never got angry with her. They had had their disagreements, but never had they been angry at each other. The thought upset Fiona and the more she thought, the more upset she got. This was all because of Tarr who had