Tarr shook his head. “I do not want secondhand information. I will hear the truth from this Giann, not through anyone else.”
“Have Giann brought here.”
“If she favors the Wolf clan, then they offer her protection. I will speak to her directly and learn the secrets that have been kept hidden all these years.”
“At least take someone with you, do not go alone,” Kirk urged.
“I would then be perceived as a threat; if I travel alone the leader will know I wish only to talk with him.”
“This is not a good time for you to be away from the clan. There is the trouble with the MacElder borders—”
“You know that I have already dispatched a troop of warriors to help quell the disturbance along the borders and to show proof that the MacElder and Hellewyk clans unite. Your other concern for summoning me home pertained to the Wolf clan. You mentioned that they scout the area, which means another attack is imminent. My meeting with the leader may prevent that attack.”
“Still, you place yourself in grave danger. At least take one other with you,” Kirk suggested, then added quickly. “Take Raynor, two warriors from different clans would appear a possible truce.”
The door suddenly swung open and Fiona stood hands on hips. “I go if you go.”
Tarr rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I will not argue this with you, Fiona.”
“Good, then we have no problem. I am ready to leave when you are.”
“You are not going!”
“Then neither are you!”
Tarr marched over to her and planted his face in front of hers. “You will not dictate to me.”
“Nor you to me.”
“You will obey me on this.”
Kirk cringed and slowly slipped out the door.
“Obey? I owe you no obedience.”
“You will be my wife—”
“I am not your wife yet,” she emphasized.
“You change your mind?” he challenged.
“A stupid question.”
“Why?”
Fiona stabbed his chest with her finger. “Because I love you and just because you make dumb decisions, it does not mean I will stop loving you or love you any less. You can, however, count on me to let you know when you are foolish.”
Tarr grabbed her face and kissed her lips. “I love when you tell me you love me.”
“Do not change the subject.”
He pulled her close and rubbed his body against hers. “I think we should finish what we started before.”
“After this matter is settled.”
He leaned down to nuzzle her neck but her hand stopped him.
“You go, I go. I will have your word on this.”
“You know I cannot do that.”
She pulled away from him.
He yanked her back, her outstretched hands preventing any contact between them.
“Let me protect you and Aliss.”
“Not by placing yourself in danger.”
“He wants something from me, I want something from him. We can trade.”
“Aliss’s exact suggestion,” Fiona said.
“She sees reason.”
“And I do not?” Fiona snapped.
“When you want to.”
She surprised him when she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. “I could not bare losing you.”
His arms wrapped around her waist.
She released her stranglehold on him. “Please, at least do as Kirk suggested, take Raynor with you. I know he would want to go. And please—” She hesitated, looking uncertain.
Tarr tugged at her waist. “Tell me what else you want of me.”
She rested her forehead to his. “Wed me now.”
Chapter 32
Tarr lifted her chin to tilt her head so he could look into her eyes. His breath almost caught when he saw the love that shined in them. It was potent and palpable, and he wondered why he had never noticed it before. Or had he never looked for it before?
He had only been interested in wedding her, not loving her. Much changed when he discovered he loved Fiona. He had to admit it was a grand feeling and one he would not surrender for all the world.
He kissed her gently, lingering in her familiar taste, then brushed his lips over hers before saying, “Your proposal touches my heart.”
She smiled and laughed softly. “Never expected to hear such words from me, did you?”
“No, but I must admit it is good to hear.”
She placed a tender hand to his cheek. “I want to be your wife, Tarr. I will be a good wife. I will stand by you, care for you, protect you, and love you.”
“And I will do the same, but tell me why do you wish to wed this day? Your family has yet to arrive and a celebration has yet to be planned.”