“Five days? Why the delay?” He was anxious to have this done with. He wanted Fiona and Aliss safe once and for all.
“He gave no reason.”
“What does he want in return?”
“Nothing,” Raynor said skeptically. “Though I question that.”
“As do I, except . . .” Tarr shook his head. “He could know something that we do not. He does have Giann to advise him.”
A knock sounded before Fiona entered without permission. “What goes on here?”
Tarr had grown accustomed to her interference, though he no longer thought of it that way. She was part of his life and as he had told her, he wished to share everything with her.
“Word from Wolf,” Tarr said, and Fiona quickly shut the door behind her.
Raynor reiterated what they had already discussed.
“So then it was Giann who has decided this delay,” Fiona said.
Tarr watched her nibble at her lower lip, a habit of hers when she gave serious thought to a matter. Her rosy lip would plump from her chewing and look delectable enough to kiss, which he had done on occasion and thoroughly enjoyed.
He doubted she was fully aware of how often he wanted to make love to her. She responded to his every touch and kiss. There was not a time she would deny his passion and there were many times she had seduced him. There was no way he intended on losing this precious woman.
He was stuck with her as she had told him, and nothing or no one would ever separate them. He would kill anyone who tried.
“Giann obviously knows something we do not, and waits,” Fiona said.
“Why does she wait?” Raynor asked.
“I do not know, but I know we are missing something here,” Fiona said, pacing between where Tarr and Raynor stood. “A connection, something that connects all the parts of the past that brings us to this point in time.”
“Are you saying Giann knew this time would come?” Raynor asked.
Fiona stopped pacing. “I would say she prepared for this time.”
Another knock interrupted them and Tarr bid the person to enter. Anya popped in, bubbling with excitement. “Your father has arrived.”
Fiona and Aliss found themselves exhausted after all the introductions. It seemed as if the whole Blackshaw clan had arrived for the wedding celebration, which appeared to take place as they spoke. Food and drink flowed all day while arrangements were made to house the many visitors.
Aliss was approached by Glenor, a woman well into her years and gentle in tone and manner. She was the Blackshaw healer and was eager to talk with Aliss. They fast became friends and were soon deep in conversation.
Anya was busy helping the servants arrange the various rooms to accommodate the overflowing crowd, and Raynor was not wasting a minute in introducing Tarr to boyhood friends.
That left Fiona on her own, though she did not lack for conversation. She just did not feel like playing hostess to strangers. She had too much on her mind to celebrate. Aliss and she were in more danger than ever before. She feared whatever was brewing within the next five days, for she had no doubt it had to do with her and Aliss.
She meandered her way toward the door and was just about to slip out unnoticed when her father stepped out of the shadows.
She jumped, her hand going to her chest. “You frightened me.”
“You would not be frightened if you were not sneaking.”
“I need a breath of fresh air,” she protested.
He leaned close to whisper. “I think you were making an escape, and shame on you for not taking your father with you.”
Fiona grinned, and with a finger to her lips warning him to be silent as they snuck out of the keep together.
A cold wind greeted them. Oleg took his fur cloak off and draped it around Fiona’s shoulders.
“What of you?” she asked, though favoring the warmth of the fur.
“I am well protected with the many wool garments I wear.”
He was donned in layers of wool from leggings to tunic, and all the garments in between, leaving Fiona feeling less guilty and more grateful for accepting his generosity. “Thank you.”
“It is good to offer my daughter warmth while I share a walk with her.”
They strolled the village, though after several interruptions from those needing introductions to either Fiona or Oleg, they changed course and walked to sit in a favorite spot of Aliss and Fiona’s near the meadow that afforded them more privacy.