“I think not, though I do regret seeking your help with this matter. I assumed you being a titled man would assist another titled man without question. I should have realized a half-barbarian would never understand the decorum of nobles.”

Tarass stepped closer to the man. “When this is finished I’m going to show you the decorum of a barbarian to those who insult them.” Tarass’s hand shot up in Sterling’s face when he went to speak. “Not another word or you’ll lose your ignorant tongue. My men will escort you to your campsite and there is where you will remain until I say otherwise.” Sterling went to speak again and Tarass was quick to warn. “I enjoy tongue prepared raw.”

Sterling paled.

Tarass pointed to the door. “My warriors wait to carry out my orders. Don’t keep them waiting.”

“Where is Maddie?” Sterling called out, stretching his neck up to look past Tarass.

“I am here,” Maddie said and stepped out of the shadows.

“Hurry your steps, I am done here,” Sterling commanded as if he had made the decision to take his leave.

Tarass turned as the man walked off and called out. “Snow, I will speak with you now.”

Thaw started yapping madly.

Snow scooped him up and handed him to Eleanor. “Please keep him safe.”

“I will,” Eleanor promised.

Thaw didn’t like that Snow walked off without him and he refused to stop barking and struggling to free himself from Eleanor.

Willow took her sister’s arm and walked with her to Tarass.

“I will speak with Snow alone,” Tarass ordered.

“Is that really necessary?” James asked, worry deepening the lines around his eyes.

That was when Thaw broke free from Eleanor’s grasp and ran with the force of an arrow shot from a bow toward Snow. But it wasn’t Snow he was after, it was Tarass.

The pup launched himself at him, and all hell broke loose.

Chapter 24

“No!” Willow screamed when she saw Tarass raise his hand to swat the pup away.

Snow’s hand shot out seeing a small gray blur sail through the air just as Tarass’s arm went up to swat at the pup. The strength of his arm connecting with hers sent her tumbling. Tarass hurried his arms around her, the momentum of his quick action sending them tumbling together to the floor.

Slatter moved with such speed that he caught Thaw in mid-air, the pup continuing to snarl and snap and try to break free and get to Snow.

Tarass was quick to get himself and Snow to their feet, holding her arm until she was steady, though she yanked it away from him and he had to grab it again, since she had yet to remain steady.

“You and that pup are a threat to you both and to everyone else,” he accused.

“It is you who are the threat,” she argued.

Tarass stepped close to her, his face nearly plastered against hers. “Apologize.”

“Never!”

“Snow, do as Lord Tarass commands,” James chastised fearful for her.