The Bewitching Twin (16 page)

“A
liss!” “You sound anxious, Anna, is something wrong?” Aliss asked, stepping out of her cottage.

“You are needed on the shore.”

“Let me get my basket.”

“No, you must hurry,” Anna said, shoving her away from the cottage door. “I will bring your basket to you.”

Aliss turned and wound her way through the woods, her pace swift. A scenario of possible accidents played in her mind while doubts nudged their way in. The more thought she gave to it, the more she felt she had been duped.

Anna normally would have followed her, healing basket in hand. But she had all but chased her away from the cottage.

Curiosity kept her going, and once out of the woods and onto the shore she stopped short.

Rogan paced beside a blanket spread out a few feet from the water’s edge. A basket overflowed with bread and cheese, goblets and a small cask of wine, and colorful wildflowers minus their roots lay mingled among them.

He stopped once he caught sight of her and waved her to him with a smile.

A tickle of delight stirred her heart. He had prepared a secret rendezvous for them and she eagerly joined him.

He held his hand out to her and helped her to sit.

“The last few days have been busy for us both and I haven’t gotten to spend time with you. I thought I should remedy that.”

That he made the time for her, even though there was so much to be done, pleased her. Of course, there was that little voice, possibly Fiona’s, reminding her that his actions were all a ruse to make her believe he loved her.

But a bargain was a bargain. He had six months to prove his love, and at this rate, there might be a good chance he would be victorious.

Again, she heard her sister’s warning ring clear in her head. Ultimately, however, the choice remained hers.

He poured them wine and she stretched her legs out in front of her and drank not only the wine but the beauty of the sea rolling lazily onto shore. The sky could not have been any brighter, the water any bluer, the sun any brighter, and the feeling of peace any more profound in her heart. This was a perfect day, a perfect setting, and she intended to enjoy it.

“I am glad you whisked me away,” she said.

“We both needed it. I miss being with you and you alone.”

“You attempt to woo me?”

“Is it working?”

She laughed. “A wolf that woos.”

“I can howl.” He grinned and she blushed.

They feasted on bread, cheese, wine, and conversation.

He impressed her with his attentiveness and his leisurely nature. He was not in a hurry to end their interlude. On the contrary, he seemed to want the afternoon to lazily roll by.

She saw no reason to object. It gave her the opportunity to discover if her husband’s motive was sincere—to prove his love for her.

“I should alert you that Giann is in the area,” he said.

“Is she? Why?”

“She feels safe with the clan and goes where we go. She has helped us several times. She actually was the one who advised me that you would heal my people.”

Her mouth fell open. “You never told me that.”

Rogan placed his goblet aside and reached for her hand.

She snatched it away.

“I want to be honest with you—”

“That would be a change. You told me you had heard of my skills as a healer.”

“From Giann.”

Her eyes suddenly rounded. “Did you also know of the prophecy?”

“I learned of it only recently.”

“How recently?”

“After we wed,” he said adamantly.

“You spoke with Giann after we wed? Why?”

“Is that a cloud in the distance?” he asked, shading his eyes from the blazing sun.

“There is not a cloud in the sky and even if a thunderstorm burst overhead we would remain here until you answered me.”

He reluctantly obliged her. “I wanted to know if you were my destiny.”

“Her answer?”

“She told me that your destiny was written before your birth.”

“I want to speak with her.”

“You already have,” he said.

Her brow knitted. “I have never spoken with her.”

“The day we found you in the forest. Giann had summoned you.”

Aliss jumped to her feet. “I have had enough of this woman’s interference in my life. Her prediction has caused my sister and me nothing but grief since we were born.”

“What happened at your birth?”

“Giann arranged for our abduction.”

“She must have had a good reason,” he said.

“You defend her?”

“She sees the future with an accuracy that astonishes me. Therefore, she must have seen danger for you and your sister.”

“So we were told. We were kept safe until the prophecy could be fulfilled, averting the destruction of the clans.”

“That was all of it?”

“As far as I know. That is why I want to speak with her, to once and for all settle this nonsense.”

“Careful, Aliss,” he warned. “Giann is a powerful woman whom you don’t wish to offend.”

“She has offended me and she owes me answers and I will have them,” she insisted. “Where do I find her?”

“She will find you.”

“She had best do that or I will make certain I find her.”

Aliss made certain to scan the edge of the woods that surrounded the village for the next few days. She looked for the green glow that had frightened her on more than one occasion. Thus far, she had seen nothing, but she would not forsake her vigil. She would keep at it until she finally met with Giann.

It seemed that the truth was beginning to reveal itself, starting with Giann. Now it was time she finally addressed the issue of this isle. It had been a thorn in the side for both her brother Raynor and brother-in-law Tarr, though it was never clearly explained why.

Her impression had been that the abandoned isle lay unclaimed until Raynor and Tarr came along. Why the interest in it, she did not know. It certainly wasn’t a strategic piece of land. The only other possibility was that it actually belonged to one of the clans. If so, why leave it vacant all these years?

Aliss walked through the village in the early afternoon looking for Rogan. She hoped to ask him about the isle. She found him helping to raise freshly cut timbers for the walls of the storehouse.

Her eyes rested on his bare chest, where droplets of perspiration clung to him and glistened in the sun. He was a fine specimen of a man. His muscled arms strained under the weight of the split log he carried with another man. His leg muscles also showed the strain of the tremendous weight but he kept his pace and in no time had the log deposited in place.

He snatched his shirt off the ground and used it to wipe the sweat from his face then drank greedily from the bucket of water provided for the men. He was a chieftain, but when he worked with his clansmen he was one of them. You could see the pride on their faces when they glanced at their leader, and suddenly she also felt pride for her husband.

He was a good man. She had acknowledged that often enough. If only she could reconcile his betrayal; it was not an easy adjustment. The hurt over his deception would rear its ugly head when least expected. Just when she thought she had gotten past the pain, because of his endless and thoughtful attempts to reconcile them, there it was, stabbing at her again. Would she ever get over the hurt?

She took a breath. Was she marching forward into the enemy camp? Or did she march into the arms of love?

“You search for me?” Rogan asked with a smile.

“I thought a stroll might do us good, though you might prefer a spot under a shady tree.”

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

They made their way to a favorite spot under the large oak tree. Aliss crossed her legs beneath the deep blue skirt she wore and left the ties of her tan blouse open, needing a reprieve from the heat of the day.

“Everyone prospers here,” she said. “It is a good place.”

Rogan nodded and wiped again at his perspiring brow with his shirt. “That it is. It will provide abundantly for the clan.”

“How did you come to know the beauty and bounty of this land?”

Silence greeted her query but she waited with patience.

“My father brought me here as a lad.”

“He was familiar with the isle?”

“He knew the area well, because he was always searching for land that would provide adequately for his clan.”

A solid answer she could not dispute. Why then did she believe there was more to what he told her?

She decided bluntness was the best course of attack. “Is that why you wanted the land? Because your father made you familiar with it?”

“It is a good piece of land.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Why the curiosity?” he asked.

“I want to know the reason why you ransomed me for this land.”

“You weren’t curious before when I once intended to explain.”

“I am now,” she said.

He stood. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It does to me,” she said, jumping up.

He grabbed her chin. “What should matter to you is how much I love you.”

He kissed her then, hard and quick, a surprise attack that stunned and left her speechless. And with the desire to taste more of him. Why did she continue to desire him when she felt so betrayed? She should have more sense than that and keep her mind focused.

She watched him walk away, shirt in hand, the sweat on his back glistening in the sun, and admired his narrow waist and the confidence of his gait. Her fingers drifted to her pulsating lips and his kiss. It had left her—

“Damn,” she whispered. He had never answered her question.

A
liss woke to the forlorn wailing of a horn. Shaking off sleep, she realized that the horn announced the arrival of a ship. She jumped out of bed and dressed quickly in a blue skirt and white blouse. She twisted her red hair into a knot and fastened it to the back of her head with two bone combs. Loose strands broke free at her neck as she rushed from the room, slipping on her sandals as she went.

Was it friend or foe arriving?

She had mentioned to Fiona that she preferred to have no visits from family for at least a couple of weeks. And since she had lost track of time, she imagined it had been that or possibly more since the Wolf clan had arrived on the Isle of Non.

Aliss looked around in search of her husband. Not finding him in the great hall, she hurried outside where several women were herding the children together.

“Are we in danger of attack?” she asked Tara, who balanced a smiling Daniel on her hip.

“No, we gather the children to see the arriving ship.”

“Who visits?” Aliss asked with relief.

“We think your family, since it is the ship that brought your sister to you.”

Aliss was not certain how she felt about her family’s arrival. She had wanted to handle this matter on her own. She had struck a bargain with Rogan, and it was between them. She needed no interference from anyone.

She marched through the woods, almost ready to tell whoever had arrived to turn around and go home. She exited the woods determined to do so, but then she saw her brother Raynor, so handsome, tall, and proud standing on the shore speaking with Rogan.

She recalled how serendipitous their first meeting had been. Then, she had not known he was her brother or that he searched for his twin sisters. She had healed him back to health after he had temporarily lost his sight during a battle with Tarr and his men.

Through his efforts everyone had been reunited and enemies had become friends. He was a good man and she had missed him.

Once past the rocky terrain, she ran full speed while yelling out his name.

He grinned wide and threw his arms out to welcome her.

He picked her up and swung her around before they hugged.

“I have missed you, Aliss,” Raynor said.

“And I you, brother.” She looked past his shoulder. “Who else has come with you?”

“No one.”

She wrinkled her brow. “Fiona? Mother?”

“They both would have joined me if—”

“Fiona is all right?”

“She is fine, just very large and very cranky. Mother is at her beck and call and refuses to leave her side, and—”

“You ran away,” Aliss said, laughing.

Raynor grabbed her hand. “I had to, please forgive me. Fiona told me you wanted no visits for a while but it has been so long, and I was so desperate. Don’t make me go back, I beg you.”

Aliss laughed at her brother’s pleading. “They do not know you came here?”

“Tarr and Father do and they wished, nay they prayed, I would take them with me.”

“Just wait until you return,” she said, her laughter bubbling over.

“I was hoping I could stay a while, quite a while, perhaps until Fiona delivers the baby?”

“I will be going to deliver her babe.”

Raynor nodded. “And if I return with you, she will ignore me—”

“And the fact that you ran away?”

“Exactly.”

“You are welcome to stay,” she said. She noticed that Raynor looked past her, glaring. She turned to see Rogan watching them from only a few feet away. He looked ever the wolf warrior, his own hair a mane of light and dark, his eyes blazing, his lips more of a snarl than a smile and his stance territorial.

She looked from one man to the other. “Is there a problem between the two of you?” Though a good four feet separated them, she moved to stand between them, prepared for a confrontation.

“Ask your brother,” Rogan nearly growled.

“I make no bones about my anger at you for abducting my sister and the consequences that followed. But like Tarr, I respect my sister’s decision regarding your bargain, and I will be respectful of her husband—since he will not be around long.”

“A matter that does not concern you,” Rogan informed him, stepping closer.

“If it concerns my sister it concerns me.” Raynor also advanced, his hands fisting at his sides.

Aliss stretched out her arms. “Enough.” She turned to Raynor. “This matter is between Rogan and me. I will tolerate no interference. Is that clear enough for you?”

He nodded reluctantly.

She then turned to Rogan. “I expect my brother to be welcomed in
our
home.”

Rogan answered with a sharp nod.

“Good, it is settled,” she said, though she doubted her own words. The two men obviously were far from being friendly. It didn’t seem likely now that she would be able to enjoy her brother’s visit.

“Our home,”
Raynor whispered to her as they walked toward the village. “I thought you planned on ridding yourself of him. Chase him off and claim this land as your own.”

“Fiona’s words?” she questioned.

“I should have known.” Raynor shook his head. “You are twins. You’re as stubborn as Fiona.”

She hooked her arm in his. “Visit with me and forget about what Fiona has told you. See for yourself and tell me your opinion on the matter. I welcome your opinion. It would mean much to me.”

“Maybe you’re not as stubborn as Fiona,” he said. “I surely have missed you and have thought often of the great lengths you went to, to save my life. You have no idea how you made a very difficult time bearable for me. I want to be there for you as you once were for me. Anything you need, Aliss, just ask.”

A table was set outside, the weather far too beautiful for them to stay indoors. Platters and tankards filled with drink and food were placed before the three.

“This land is bountiful and more beautiful than I recall,” Raynor said, glancing around with curiosity and awe.

“If I remember correctly, you and Tarr had a dispute over this land,” Aliss said, hoping to discover as much as she could about the isle.

“We did.”

“Who actually owned the land?” she asked, eager to continue her investigation.

“That is debatable,” Raynor said.

“Not really,” Rogan corrected. “The land rightfully belongs to me, inherited from my parents.”

Aliss almost choked on her wine. Rogan had told her of his father bringing him here as a young lad, but never had he said it was an inheritance. Why had he not confided in her?

“Tarr would object to your claim since the isle belonged to his mother’s family,” Raynor informed him.

“Then why did you lay claim to it?” Rogan challenged.

“I was told that the land would unite two important clans and bring peace to the area for years to come. I hoped to be one of those clans.”

“Who told you that?” Aliss asked, more curious than ever.

Raynor shrugged. “I don’t recall.”

He obviously lied and Aliss wondered why. Didn’t he want Rogan to know? And if so, why not? She would find out when she had the chance to speak with him alone.

“Then peace should reign now, since two important clans, Hellewyk and Wolf, have united,” she said, hoping to avert a clash between the two obviously tense men.

“For now,” Raynor reminded.

“Forever,” Rogan corrected.

“From what Tarr tells me, you two have a bargain, and in six months you will be gone, out of my sister’s life.”

“But still her husband.”

“What do you mean?” Raynor asked.

Aliss watched her brother grow tall in his seat, his shoulders drawn back as if he were on the defensive. She wanted no altercation between them, but her husband’s remark also had her inquisitive.

“I will leave if that is Aliss’s choice, but I will remain her husband until death separates us. There will be no dissolution of our vows.”