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)
“Leave now, both of you.”
“Go,” Raynor ordered. “I will talk with Tarr.”
Fiona took her sister’s arm and nearly dragged her out of the room, but not before sending Tarr a scathing look.
He returned it in kind as the door slammed.
Tarr and Raynor were alone, the two guards having disappeared when they recognized the warning tremor in their chieftain’s voice.
Raynor pulled himself up to a slumping position.
Tarr kept his eyes on his enemy’s every move. He remained at the side edge of the bed, and though he lacked a weapon he did not fear. He knew Raynor was in no condition to fight him, and besides, he was confident in his ability to defeat him.
“You will answer my questions.”
“You will tell me how many of my men you hold.”
“I will tell you nothing,” Tarr said through gritted teeth.
“I say nothing until I know of my men.”
“My dungeon would better suit you.”
“If you have any of my men there, I will join them.”
“What brought you to my land?” Tarr asked, ignoring his demand.
“To claim what is rightfully mine.”
“We have been through this, Raynor. The Isle of Non belongs to me.”
“It connects to Blackshaw land—”
“And Hellewyk land. It is mine and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Raynor smiled. “Aye, there is.”
Tarr’s laugh challenged. “You ride on my land with a small troop of warriors, attack me, get captured, and think you will claim my land? The blow to your head has made you delusional.”
“We shall see.”
Tarr did not care for the confidence in Raynor’s voice. Something was wrong, and the only reason he did not overly concern himself with it was because he held Raynor prisoner. He held the upper hand.
“Why did you not attack my keep?”
“My plans did not call for attacking your keep.”
So he had had plans, and from his calm response it appeared he was not concerned with the failure of those plans.
The door suddenly burst open and one twin followed close on the heels of the other twin.
“You have had your time,” Aliss said. “He needs to rest.”
Tarr did not argue this time. He would bide his time with Raynor and learn precisely what he was up to, in whatever way was necessary.
“We will speak again,” Tarr said.
“Of that I am sure,” Raynor replied in a challenging tone.
Tarr nodded, accepting his dare, turned and left the room. He did not go directly to his room; instead he went down to the next floor and waited by the twins’ bedchamber door.
Fiona turned on Raynor. “You heeded my warning?”
“I spoke not of you or Aliss,” he assured her. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Why should we believe you?” Fiona asked skeptically.
“Why should we not?” Aliss said, assisting him and carefully sliding him down to rest his head against the soft pillow.
“You trust too easily,” Fiona said to her sister. “He is the enemy.”
“Like Tarr?” Aliss asked. “Do you trust him?”
“It seems to me that you both find it difficult to trust,” Raynor said, looking from one to the other twin. “Did your parents not teach you of trust?”
“Our parents were loving and wonderful people,” Aliss said as Fiona shook her head. “What have I said wrong now?”
Raynor answered. “Your sister thinks you share too much information with the enemy. She does not realize I am simply grateful for having had such a skilled healer save my life.”
“Remember that well and hold your tongue where my sister and I are concerned.”
“You do not need to keep warning me. I have told you your secret is safe with me and I mean it. I will not tell Tarr the ease in which he can tell you apart.”
“You are so sure of that?” Fiona asked.
“Aye, that I am,” he said and yawned.
“Enough,” Aliss said. “You must rest and I wish to bathe your eyes again to make certain they are fully cleansed.”
Fiona ignored her sister’s decree. “What did Tarr and you discuss?”
“My capture and my men he holds prisoner.”
“Conrad and Ivan have healed nicely and are doing well,” Aliss said proudly.
Fiona groaned. “Keep giving him information.”
“He is as much a prisoner as his men. Does he not always have two men outside this door?”
Fiona threw her hands up in the air. “I give up. Tell him everything. This way he can plan his escape.” She turned and stormed out of the room.
“I could take you and your sister with me,” Raynor said.
He sounded more like he urged Aliss to join him. “You need a few weeks yet to recover. Make your plans but tell me nothing; when it is time I will let you know if we will go with you.”
Fiona stomped down the stairs, turned the corner, and caught a shadow from the corner of her eye. Her hand went to the knife at her waist. Before she could draw it Tarr stepped forward, the shadows clinging to his wide shoulders as though they refused to release him. One more stride and he was free; his features suddenly stronger, his strength more potent, his scent more alluring—and a faint passion lurking in his eyes.