front of the cottage to the back. The front door hung open, the hinges broken, shards of broken pottery lay strewn about, and a bench tilted precariously on one leg. She stared for a moment imagining how it would look once repaired, the garden renewed and bursting in the spring with herbs and flowers. She hurried forward eager to see what other repairs would be necessary to her new home.
“Great,” Fiona mumbled. “She likes it.”
“What is wrong with that?” Tarr asked.
“It is far from the keep.”
Tarr glanced over his shoulder. “The keep is directly behind us.”
“It is not next to it,” Fiona snapped, and walked off to join her sister.
“Fiona is so accustomed to protecting Aliss,” Raynor said. “It is not easy to relinquish that responsibility after all these years.”
“I can take care of them both. She need not worry, though I do understand it,” Tarr admitted hesitantly. “I wonder what Fiona will do when the day comes that Aliss weds.”
“Aliss claims she will never wed.”
“Not likely,” Tarr said, “but the choice will be hers to make. I will see to it.”
“Good, I am pleased to hear that. Now, let us go help Aliss convince her sister that this cottage is perfect for her.”
Raynor remained with an ecstatic Aliss who was busy making mental notes of the repair work needed before she could move in while Tarr and Fiona returned to the keep.
“You are upset with your sister’s intended move,” Tarr said, their pace unrushed.
“She is so happy.” Fiona looked off, avoiding Tarr’s eyes.
He slipped his arm around her to snuggle her close to his side as they kept walking. “Of course she is, she has a home here with her sister. She is relieved and finally feels settled, and makes plans to be a permanent part of the clan Hellewyk.”
Fiona turned a sudden smile on him. “You are right. I had not thought of it that way. She is happy here because we are together and shall remain so.”
“Then you approve of the cottage?”
Fiona stopped and turned her head to glance over her shoulder. “She will be safe there?”
“Once this matter is settled, she will be safe anywhere on Hellewyk land.”
She took hold of his hand, locking her fingers tightly around his. “I once thought you selfish and demanding. I see now that you unselfishly provide for your clan. They come first to you—”
“You come first to me,” he whispered, almost as if it were a prayer on his lips. “I no longer think of you as the woman I will wed but of the woman I love.” His smile came slowly as he pushed the fiery strands of her red hair out of her face. “You stole my heart and glad I am that you did.”
She brought his hand up to her mouth and kissed it. “I may have stolen your heart, but I gave you mine.”
“I would have stolen it if you had let me.”
“You were taking much too long; it was easier to just give it to you.”
Tarr wrinkled his brow. “Easier? When was that?”
She poked his chest with their joined hands. “I was not that difficult.”
Tarr laughed, drawing several glances their way.
“Make fun of me it matters not. I love you and you are stuck with me.”
“I like being stuck with you,” he whispered, laughter rippling along with his words. “Besides who else would have you?”
They continued walking, Fiona remaining silent. They entered the keep and she released his hand to walk away but he held firm.
“What is wrong?”
“Nothing,” she answered, forcing a weak smile. “I will see you later.” She freed her hand and backed away from him. “There are things I need to tend to.” She turned and rushed off.
She made it the bedchamber she shared with Aliss and shut the door. She leaning against it, wanting to cut off everyone for the moment and have a bit of solitude.
She was upset and wanted no one to know why. She walked over to the bed and sat wondering over this weakness she felt. She prided herself in her strength and boldness, and did not understand why she should allow this to upset her now.
Who else would have you?
Fiona knew Tarr only teased her, but his words had struck her like a slap in the face, for he spoke the truth. No one else had ever wanted her. No men had sought her affection or spoke kind words to her or had even attempted to kiss her.