for her, that is why she resides with the Wolf clan,” Raynor said.
“My thought as well,” Tarr admitted. “That is why you and I shall go alone to the Wolf clan to speak with Giann.”
“We tell no one of our plans.”
“Kirk knows,” Tarr admitted.
“He will say nothing; he is a friend,” Raynor said. “Which I hope now we are since you wed my sister.”
Tarr acknowledged by offering Raynor his hand. “Our clans join, though there is the matter of the Isle of Non to settle.”
“I am sure we can agree on something,” Raynor said, and shook his hand.
“I am glad you two have laid the past to rest,” Fiona said. “But there is one thing that has not been mentioned.”
The two men waited for her to explain.
“If Giann thought Aliss and me in harm’s way, enough to remove us from our home—”
Raynor finished for her. “Then the threat comes from within the clan Blackshaw.”
Chapter 33
Aliss was enjoying hot mulled cider with Kirk’s wife Erin when the cottage door burst open and Fiona marched in.
“What are you doing here?” Fiona went on questioning before Aliss could answer. “Are you not supposed to be resting? Have you miraculously recovered? Why is your wound no longer bandaged? And where is mother? I go to your room and you were not there, and mother was not there—”
“Fiona,” Aliss interrupted abruptly, though calmly, “join us, the cider is fresh and hot.”
Fiona slipped the green cloak off her shoulders, dropped it over the back of the chair she sat in, and quietly said, “I was worried when I could not find you.”
“My fault,” Erin said.
Aliss was quick to amend. “No one’s fault, the babe was not feeling well and Erin requested my help. I thought I would return before the keep stirred.”
“What of mother? And who brought you the message? It could have been a ruse. It could have been—”
“It was not. Kirk came for me and escorted me to his cottage. And as for mother, I sent her to her own bedchamber to sleep. She is exhausted from tending me and needs rest herself. I am well enough now and need no pampering or fussing, and my wound needs fresh air. And what brings you after me so early?”
“I could not sleep another wink,” Fiona admitted. “The sun hit my face and that was that, so I went to your room—”
“Found me gone and panicked.”
“What did you expect me to think, the sun barely risen and you are not in your bed?”
“What made you come here?” Erin asked.
“After panicking, I thought I better find out if perhaps Aliss had been summoned to help someone. The village was stirring and the few who bid me good morning had not seen you. Then I caught sight of Kirk, and he pointed to his cottage.” Fiona shook her head. “I almost fell to my knees in prayer.”
Aliss patted her sister’s hand. “I am not foolish. You need not worry so much.”
“Someone tried to kill you. I need to worry.”
“I do not blame your sister for worrying,” Erin said, and looked down at the babe sleeping in the cradle beside her. “I do not know what I would do if my son went missing.”
“I am sorry. I was so concerned with Aliss I forgot to inquiry about your son. How is he?” Fiona asked.
“No more than a tummy ache,” Erin said with relief. “I feel terrible about disturbing your sister when she still recovers from her wound.”
“I am fine and I am glad to be out of that room. I could not bear another day’s confinement. Tarr promised me a cottage, and today I intend to find one that will suit me.”
“You cannot leave the keep yet,” Fiona ordered.
Aliss understood her concern for she worried for Fiona as well. They both still were at risk, but soon, two days to be exact, Fiona would wed and begin a new life, and Aliss wished to begin her own.
“I know, Fiona, but I would like to prepare so that when this culprit is found and dealt with, I can move to my cottage.”
“Are there any empty cottages close to the keep?” Fiona asked Erin.
“I think there is one, though it is small. There is a good-size cottage that borders the woods and has plenty of land for a garden.”
“It sounds like it is a distance from other cottages,” Fiona said.
“It does sit off on its own, but it is not completely removed from the village.”