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“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.
