and he told me he would tell me he loved me every day of our life together.”
“How beautiful and unselfish, for I tell you there will be days he may feel differently,” Anya said with a laugh.
“Tarr loves me,” Fiona said as if accepting it for the first time.
“Know it in your heart and it is so.”
“My heart has known and accepted it far longer than I have.”
“Then tell him this,” her mother urged.
“He must think me a fool.” Fiona grimaced. “I called myself a fool before leaving him.”
“Do not worry. He probably thinks himself an idiot.”
“Why?” Fiona asked surprised.
“Because he sits now wondering what he did wrong.”
“He did nothing wrong.”
“But he thinks he did, and he berates himself for it and wonders how he can make it right.”
“I hurt him,” Fiona sighed.
“It is not the first hurt and it will not be the last,” her mother advised.
“He told me he would never make me cry.”
Anya laughed. “Oh, dear, sweet daughter, as much as he believes that he will not make you cry, he will, though not intentionally, and he will be distraught by your tears and seek to make it right between you. It is inevitable; it is love.”
“Does love bring more grief than pleasure?”
“That is up to those who love.”
“I have brought grief to our love,” Fiona admitted with reluctance.
“Then it is time to turn it to pleasure.”
Fiona looked doubtful.
“Patience with yourself. This is all new to you, and it will take time to understand. Let your heart lead you and forget everything else.”
“That is easier than it sounds.”
“Let go of the fear, Fiona, and it will be much easier than you think.”
“The fear has kept me cautious all these years.”
“You need it no more,” her mother said gently. “You have me and your father now. We may have failed once to protect you girls, but I give you my word we will not fail again.”
Fiona smiled. “You are telling me that if you thought Tarr no good for me you would stop this marriage.”
“Immediately. Oleg and I want what is best for you girls even if it means losing you to a husband when we have just found you.”
“Our parents were like that, putting Aliss and me above their needs.”
“You do not know how happy it makes me to know that you both were loved. I feared you might have suffered a harsh life. I am glad, so very glad you had loving parents.” Anya sniffled. “Though I cannot say it does not upset me that I missed all those years with you.”
It was Fiona’s turn to comfort. “We have many more years ahead of us, and between Aliss, Raynor, and me you will have many grandchildren to spoil.”
Anya kissed her cheek and whispered, “Do not keep me waiting.”
Fiona hugged her. “I am anxious.”
“I would bet that Tarr is eager.”
“What if he thinks me insane?”
Anya grinned. “Insanely in love with him. Go to him with nothing but love on your mind. Let no doubt enter your thoughts, and be ready to love him with all the passion your heart holds for him. Believe me when I say your actions will be enough. There will be no need for talk.”
“Thank you,” Fiona said with a hasty hug, and hurried out of the room before she lost her courage.
Chapter 26
Fiona rushed into Tarr’s room, slamming the door behind her so hard she could have sworn she shook the entire keep.
Tarr remained as she had left him sitting on the bed.
He stood when she did not move and they stared at each other, both questioning with their eyes until Tarr stretched out his arms to her.
She flew across the short distance and would have knocked him over had he not braced for the impact and glad she was that he did, for his arms wrapped around her and held her against him with a strength that assured he would never let her go.
She looked up at him and he shook his head.
“No words this time. This time I show you how much I love you.”
Love him, just love him.
She smiled and turned her head to the bed.
He smiled along with her as he lowered her to the bed, but before he joined her he shed every piece of clothing he wore and his nakedness left Fiona breathless.
He was magnificent, big and solid and confident as he crawled over her.
“Your turn.”
He took off each of her garments slowly, his fingers stroking her naked flesh as he went along. Short strokes, long