Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“You run away?”
She laughed and mounted with an agility and speed that startled him. “If I did, you would never catch me.” She took off, her laughter trickling in her wake.
He mumbled several oaths as he mounted his stallion and went after her, a smile surfacing as he gave thought to the wedding night they would soon share.
Clouds arrived at the keep along with Fiona. She walked her mare to the pen, her thoughts on her response to Tarr’s unexpected question.
If not foe, what am I to you?
She had believed him her foe. Why had she answered differently? And what was he to her? She raved and ranted about her situation and yet she found herself enjoying his company.
She looked forward to their discussions. He respected her opinions and never dismissed them as trivial.
Fiona released her mare into the pen and turned, intending to find her sister and talk. But Tarr walked toward her, his horse left to the care of a young lad who took the reins. A ripple of anticipation spread throughout her body tingling her senses. She had just left him, how could he seem more appealing to her in such a short time?
He wore no smile, his eyes were intent upon her, and his walk determined.
He wanted her.
She could sense it in every step he took, in the way his eyes refused to let go of her, in his strides that announced, I am coming to get you.
She had warned him that he would never catch her, and yet he did not give up. He came after her. The thought thrilled her. If he wanted her that much, could he possibly care for her?
He reached her, took her arm, and lead her behind the keep, away from curious glances and into the afternoon shadows that danced against the stone wall. There, he wrapped her so tightly in his arms that she could feel the rapid rhythm of his heart. His was a strong and steady thump-thump that soon had her own heart following suit.
She stared into his eyes and saw her own passion reflected in his heated desire. They mingled and mixed until fused together, and that is when he claimed her lips.
The taste of him never failed to excite her and within minutes, she was fully aroused, and wanting more, much more from him.
She refused to let the kiss end, nibbling at his lips urging his return, until he gently shoved her away from him.
“Think of what I am to you, for before I take you to my bed I want to know.”
Fiona stared at his back as he walked away from her, and she wondered over his question and worried over her aching heart.
Chapter 12
The horn sounded late that night when the village had been just about tucked in for a good night’s sleep. It roused everyone in minutes, the men running to their posts, the women rushing the children to the safety of the keep while other women prepared to defend against fires.
“Raiders from the north,” Kirk shouted as Tarr burst out of the keep, claymore in hand.
Fiona and Aliss were close behind him.
“Remain in the keep,” he ordered as he ran to issue orders to his men.
Aliss turned a knowing glance on her sister. “Do what you must. I will be ready to tend the wounded, though make certain you are not one of them.”
Fiona with sword in hand hurried to help defend Tarr’s land.
She knew at first glance that the raiders were more barbarians than skilled warriors, but then they could prove a far worse adversary since they cared little for life. They lived to war. Tarr’s men handled them well, but the sheer volume of warriors made fighting difficult. You would just finish with one and two more would appear. That was how the barbarians won their battles, by flooding their enemy with a plethora of warriors.
Fiona kept her eye on Tarr’s back while she fought with a skill uncanny for a woman. Some thought it a natural ability while others thought her in league with the devil, for no woman possessed such remarkable talent with weapons.
Her heart jumped with fear when she saw blood splattered across Tarr’s naked chest, but he remained firm on his feet, which meant the blood belonged to his enemy.
She returned her attention to the battle, soon fighting off two large men, her temper growing with each thrust of her sword. They were large and strong and gave a good fight, but Fiona outmaneuvered them at each turn.
She caught one’s arm with her blade and turned to finish the other when a third suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Before she could swing her weapon, his sword descended on her.
Steel clashed against steel and a powerful fist crashed into the warrior’s jaw, dropping him to the ground. Before she could take the other warrior down, Tarr’s sword swung, felling him in one swift blow.