The snow returned, hard and heavy, stranding everyone for days, not that Snow minded. She spent time with her husband, time talking, time laughing, time making love, lots and lots of love and she smiled at the memories. What was even more wonderful was that shapes were beginning to take form and while they had first vanished as fast as she had seen them, they were beginning to last longer and longer.
Snow found herself able to maneuver around the keep more easily, and she let everyone believe it was because she had grown familiar with the area. She had to be sure that what she was seeing wasn’t something temporary. That her vision was improving, if only a little, and would remain so, or dare she hope continue to improve.
“I don’t think Lord Tarass is going to be pleased with you venturing out of the keep,” Nettle said, handing Snow gloves. “It still snows, though not as heavily and while some paths have been cleared, it is still not easy to walk through the village.”
Thaw barked and Snow smiled able to make out a shape, part of it wagging like crazy, near the door.
“He’s eager to play in the snow and I’m eager to visit with Twilla,” Snow said. “And isn’t Rannock seeing to the repair of a roof that got damaged. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind seeing you, since you two have been talking quite a lot lately.”
Nettle laughed. “We went from arguing to talking, which I must admit is nice. I don’t know what happened to change it in the last few days, maybe a week now, but it’s been enjoyable.”
“Then take Thaw and let him enjoy himself in the snow while you talk with Rannock,” Snow said. “I’ll be fine with Twilla until you return for me and if you see Lord Tarass before that, let him know where I am.”
“As you wish, m’lady,” Nettle said and took Snow’s arm, Thaw leading the way out of the keep.
It was a bit more of a trek along the snow-covered ground than Snow had expected and she was relieved to park herself in a chair at Twilla’s table, a hot brew in hand.
“My old bones ache with the winter cold,” Twilla said, hugging her tankard. “This is the time I miss my husband the most. We kept each other warm in the winter. I won’t be surprised if late summer or early fall brings a harvest of bairns.”
Snow’s hand went to her stomach, hoping she’d be one of them. “That would be nice.”
“Tarass’s da was beside himself when Haldana carried Tarass. She had miscarried two previous bairns and he feared they’d lose another, though he feared more that he’d lose her. It was a joyous occasion when Tarass was born and with more ease than expected. She miscarried twice after Tarass, then no more. They both had hoped for many bairns but fate thought differently.”
Snow couldn’t imagine the pain of losing a bairn before it even had a chance to be born. How difficult it must have been for Tarass’s mum.
“How did Tarass’s da meet Haldana?”
“At the market on a trading trip far north,” Twilla said. “Her people had come to trade as well and from what I’ve heard they fell in love at first sight. When you saw them together, you could see how much they loved each other. His da had been furious when he brought her home and announced he’d wed her, but she won the old lord over and even more so when she had Tarass. It meant the Clan MacFiere would live on, as it will in you and Tarass.”
“I pray for many bairns. I want our life filled with lots of love, laughter, and wonderful memories,” Snow said, keeping the thought strong in her heart.
“I have no doubt your prayers will be answered. You and Tarass will have what his parents had so hoped for and they will live in both of you and your children,” Twilla assured her as if she knew it was so.
Thaw’s bark outside the door brought a smile to Snow. “He’s come to fetch me home.”
“Aye, and home is where you are,” Twilla said and reached out to give Snow’s hand a squeeze.
Twilla opened the door as Snow stood and Thaw ran in, shook the snow off himself, and ran to plop down in front of the hearth.
“He looks to be alone,” Twilla said, taking a quick glance outside before shutting the door against the wind and light snow.
“I guess he wandered away from Nettle,” Snow said, knowing Thaw would be urging her to follow him if anything had happened to the young woman. “Nettle probably got lost in conversation with Rannock and doesn’t even know Thaw has deserted her.”
“The two are warming to each other. It won’t be long before they realize they were made for each other,” Twilla said.
Snow stood. “I have heard the yawns you’ve tried to hide. It is time for me to take my leave.”
“I’m old. I yawn all the time, and you can’t think to leave without Nettle,” Twilla said.
“Thaw will guide me home,” Snow said confidently and Thaw barked as if agreeing.
“You should wait,” Twilla urged.
“Thaw and I will do well. Worry not,” Snow said and after slipping on her cloak and gloves, gave Twilla a hug and stepped outside. “Take us to the keep, Thaw.”
The wind had grown stronger, whippingwiping at her face as she tried to make out shapes, but the wind and swirling snow made it difficult.
Snow kept her hood pulled low and her face averted from the wind as best she could and followed slowly as Thaw tugged her along. She stopped suddenly when she thought she heard someone cry out and when Thaw pressed against her leg and barked, she knew he had heard it as well.
The cry came again and it sounded like someone in distress. What if someone was hurt?
Snow looked around trying to make out any moving shape, but all was still, the snowstorm keeping most indoors.
The cries of distress continued and Thaw whined. He was impatient to hurry off and see what was wrong, but he would not leave her side without permission.
Snow made a hasty and she hoped not unwise decision. “Someone needs help, Thaw, take me to the person.”
Thaw barked, grabbed the hem of her garment in his mouth and took off at a pace that had Snow slipping and sliding through the snow.
She listened as the moans grew closer and called out, “Who’s there? Are you hurt?”
“Help,” could be heard in the lingering moan.
When Thaw suddenly stopped and growled, fear nipped at Snow. Someone was there. Someone Thaw didn’t like.
“It’s Fasta, I need help.”
Snow hesitated. A sudden thought that this could be a trap grew her fear. “Are you injured?”
“I’m in terrible pain. It’s what made me collapse.”
Snow heard her fear and her trembling voice betrayed her tears.
“I’m going to die,” Fasta cried.
“No, I’ll get help,” Snow said.
“I prayed for help and what was sent me? A blind, useless woman,” Fasta said bitterly.
Snow ignored her disparaging remark. “Thaw, we need help. Go get Tarass.”
Thaw barked and didn’t move.
“He’s as useless as you,” Fasta said.
Snow patted her upper thigh and Thaw jumped up, resting his front paws there. “I know you don’t like Fasta, but you must do as I say. Go and hurry. Get Tarass.”
He barked at the strong command in her voice and took off running.
“We need to get you out of the snow and someplace warm,” Snow said, leaning down, her hand stretched out searching for the woman, though worried she might refuse her offer of help. She was surprised when Fasta grabbed onto her hand, squeezing it tight as though she feared letting go.
Snow realized she was laying prone in the snow, which meant she was growing colder by the minute.
“Can you sit up?” Snow asked and with her other hand followed along Fasta’s arm to her shoulder to slip beneath it. “You can’t stay here in the cold.”
“You are too small and fragile to be of any help to me,” she complained through more tears.
Snow heard the disappointment and the tremble of fear that worsened in Fasta’s voice. “I am stronger than you think.” She lifted her back to help her sit up.
An anguished moan fell from Fasta’s lips as her head dropped forward. “Oh my God! Oh my God! I’m bleeding. The dwarfs, they’ve come for me.”
Snow was about to soothe her worries when she caught a blur rushing toward them and heard a cackle of laughter.
“We’ve come for you. We’ve come for you,” a high-pitched, cackling voice called out.
A blur circled them so fast or it was the swirling snow that made it seem that way and made it impossible for Snow to tell if one or more were present.
“Don’t let him get me, m’lady, please don’t let him get me,” Fasta begged, gripping Snow’s arm. “He’s ugly so ugly.” Fasta cried and pressed her face against Snow’s arm.
Snow responded out of instinct, yelling in a commanding tone, “Be gone with you. Your tricks will not work here.”
A face popped in front of hers and Snow startled more from the fact that she could make out a long, hooked nose and that her own nose wrinkled at the horrid scent when the creature spoke in a whispery cackle.
“We’re coming for you.”
Thaw’s distant bark could be heard and the creature vanished from in front of Snow’s face and she watched, scrunching her eyes, to see a blur scurry off in the snow.
Thaw was suddenly at her side and she heard him sniffing the air, catching the awful scent. Fearing he would give chase, she gave a sharp command, “Stay, Thaw!”
“What goes on here?” Tarass demanded, coming upon Fasta buried tight in his wife’s arms.
“Fasta is hurt. She needs help,” Snow said.
Tarass stopped abruptly when he saw the blood.
Nettle and Rannock followed close behind him and one look had Nettle crying out, “Good Lord, you’re soaked in blood.”
Fasta let loose with a howling weep, still clinging to Snow. “It was one of the dwarfs. He came for my blood.”
“Bless you, Lady Snow, bless you for defending one of us.”
“You are a brave soul, m’lady. Proud we are to have you.”
“You are a blessing to the clan.”
Tarass sat in complete silence as clan member after clan member approached his wife after supper in the Great Hall to heap praises on her valiant act of courage for chasing off the dwarfs and saving Fasta. Not that Fasta had heaped praises on Snow, but the telling of the tell had been enough for others to see the truth.
He had hastily gotten Fasta to Runa’s cottage. The healer was able to stop the bleeding and Fasta now rested comfortably. Tarass had warriors posted throughout the night outside Runa’s cottage since she had insisted Fasta remain the night there.
He’d been annoyed at his wife for refusing to obey him and return to the keep. She had insisted on going with him and he had little to argue against since Nettle had taken Snow’s arm to help guide her.
“You are a good soul, m’lady, for protecting one who was unkind to you.”
“Fasta owes you much, Lady Snow. You are a blessing to us all.”
Tarass watched his wife handle each compliment with grace and appreciation and saw how the clan admired her even more for it. He, however, had not had a chance to speak alone with her since the incident and he was eager to do so since he had much to say.
It took only two yawns for him to bring the evening to an end.
He stood. “Time to retire.” He took his wife’s hand for her to stand.
“Thank you all,” Snow called out and more blessings were shouted out to her.
Thaw led her up the stairs by her hem, Tarass following behind them. The pup waited for his usual hug and kiss from Snow before going to the hearth and curling up to sleep.
Tarass had gotten into the habit of helping his wife undress at night. Nettle had first seen to it, but he found he preferred to help her out of her garments. It was purely selfish on his part since he loved seeing his wife naked and loved the feel of her soft skin. He had admitted it to Snow and she had admitted that she much preferred him helping her than Nettle.
It was a nightly ritual he intended to never see end, but then there was another reason for that. It always ended in them making love, slow and easy or fast and quick. It didn’t matter as long as he could slip inside her, he was content.
Tonight, however, undressing his wife would have to wait. He needed to talk with her and if he helped her undress, there would be no talking.
“You frightened me,” he said, going to her and taking her hand.
“I didn’t mean to,” she said.
“You should have never left Twilla’s alone and don’t tell me that you had Thaw. Did you forget how easily it is to get lost in a snowstorm even with Thaw at your side?”
Snow rested her head on her husband’s chest. “I believe I had more confidence in making it to the keep since I was here at home.”
Her words pleased him, which annoyed him since she had been wrong to go off on her own and yet to hear her acknowledge that this was her home warmed his heart.
She raised her head. “I probably should have been a bit wiser in seeking out the cry for help myself, but I am glad Fasta is doing well and that I got a chance to come face to face with the creature.”
“You came face to face with it?” Tarass asked, thinking how close his wife had come to being harmed.
“I did. The creature placed its face almost on top of mine.” She scrunched her nose. “It had a horrible odor, but then what better way to hide your identity than to smell so badly one would turn her head away and not look closely.”
“You don’t believe in the dwarfs?”
“My mum taught me to respect the myths of our people and your people do the same. What is true and what are tales I cannot say, though I have my doubts.”
“I’ve thought the same. Someone wants to stir fear in the clan, but for what reason?” Tarass asked more of himself than Snow.
“There is one other thing I should tell you,” Snow said somewhat reluctantly.
Tarass got the feeling he wasn’t going to like what she was about to tell him. “What is it?”
Her reluctance remained as she drew out her words. “The creature said ‘we’re coming for you’.”
Anger and a bit of fear gripped Tarass as he rested his brow to hers. “I’d never let that happen, ást.”
“I know that. I know you’d always rescue me. You and Thaw.”
“Thaw and I work well together and we both will always keep you safe.”
Snow smiled. “And I will keep the both of you safe.”
Tarass chuckled purposely, since she couldn’t see his smile. “How will you do that?”
Snow brushed her lips over his. “I will shield you with my never-ending love.”
“Then I will feel safer than I ever have,” Tarass said and kissed her, his hands going to her tunic to tug it up, not wanting to wait any longer to make love to his wife. He moved his lips off hers long enough to pull the tunic over her head and toss it aside.
He worked her shift up, his hands going to caress her backside, giving it a playful squeeze. He was surprised when she pulled away from him.
“It’s my turn,” she said in a soft whisper and reached out, her hands feeling along his plaid until connecting with his belt and releasing it, then working to unravel the cloth that wound around him.
Tarass stood still, only moving his arms when necessary and keeping his lips locked to prevent the enjoyable moans from escaping when her hands lingered in intimate places. What proved the most difficult for him was when his plaid dropped to the floor and her hand found his manhood and her fingers closed around it.
“There’s still my shirt,” he reminded, fearful if she continued to stroke and tug his already stiff manhood that he’d come right there in her hand.
“I’ll get to that,” she said softly as her hand slid along his manhood to slip underneath and cup his sac gently. “It’s so pleasing to know that this all belongs to me.”
“Every bit of it, wife,” Tarass agreed.
Her hand returned to his engorged manhood, to tease it senseless, and he had difficulty keeping from dropping his head back and moaning in endless pleasure. Her touch had gone from innocent to experienced more quickly than he imagined, but then she enjoyed exploring him, finding out what pleased him and herself. And he had encouraged her every touch, exploring her with equal enthusiasm and pleasure.
He gasped when she hunched down and took him in her mouth. He was too close to the edge, too close to falling off into the abyss of pleasure, but she had tasted him once before and enjoyed it, and he didn’t want to spoil her fun or his.
He dropped his head back and groaned as she hungrily feasted on him. He silently warned himself not to let it go on too long. To stop her. Stop her before it was too late. Her mouth suddenly left him as if she heard his silent warnings.
“I’m going to come. I need you inside me. Your seed must be inside me,” she cried out anxiously.
Tarass whipped off his shirt, then her shift, lifted her, dropped her on the bed, spread her legs and entered her with such a hard thrust that she cried out.
“Tarass!” she screamed, her fingers gripping the blanket beneath her as she felt herself explode with pleasure.
A few good, hard thrusts and he exploded himself and made sure she came a second time as they spiraled and spun in a whirlwind of pleasure that left them completely breathless and satiated.
Tarass dropped down over her. “Good God, wife, I never expected you to be so generous in bed.”
“I am too demanding for you?” she asked with worry.
Tarass rolled off her, snagging her around the waist to pull her to rest against his side. “Look at me, wife,” he demanded softly when she kept her face averted from his.
“It doesn’t matter. I can’t see you.”
He gently took hold of her chin and turned her head to face him. “It does matter. You matter and I love that you are generous when it comes to making love and I love that you’re demanding when it comes to making love. Mostly, I love that you enjoy making love with me as much as I do with you.”
“Always, husband. Always,” she said a soft smile surfacing.
He kissed her and they lay there content until he felt her skin begin to cool, then he pulled the blanket out from under them and tucked it around them.
“Tarass,” Snow said after a few minutes of silence.
“Aye, wife?”
“You know what this incidence with the dwarf means, don’t you?” she asked.
“Aye. You think the same?” he asked, tucking her tighter against him as though he suddenly needed to shield her.
“I do. The dwarf is someone in the clan.”