“How can I apologize when I don’t mean it?” she asked, squinting her eyes at Tarass, wishing she could see more than just a shadowy, gray face in front of her.

“I don’t care if you don’t mean it, say it,” Tarass demanded.

Snow realized then that he didn’t care how she felt, he only cared that she obeyed him.

“Snow,” Willow said softly, hoping to calm her sister and make her see reason.

It was Thaw’s continuous snarls that made Snow stop and think. She would do anything to keep Thaw safe.

“I apologize,” she said with a huff.

“Remember that and keep that snarling, useless pup out of my sight,” he ordered and turned and walked out of the Great Hall.

Willow went to Snow and so did Thaw as soon as Slatter placed him on the ground.

Snow scooped Thaw up and hugged him to her, his small, pink tongue lavishing her face with licks. “Good pup, Thaw, good pup.”

“He’s going to be your constant protector,” Slatter said, coming up behind his wife who reached out and rested a hand on Snow’s arm.

“You need to be careful with Lord Tarass. He is a man who cares little for anything,” Willow warned.

“Willow is right,” James said, his arm going around Eleanor as she stepped close to him. “It is best you remain out of sight when he is here, and Thaw as well.”

“I’m so sorry, Snow,” Eleanor said. “I couldn’t hold Thaw. He was frantic to reach you.”

“That’s all right, Eleanor. I should have had you take him to my bedchamber. And you’re right, James, it is better if Thaw and I avoid Lord Tarass completely from now on. Besides, I simply can’t tolerate the brute. How goes things with you and this Lord Sterling?” Snow asked, having heard enough about Lord Tarass.

“I don’t know what to make of him and I don’t know how we could resemble each other so much,” Slatter said. “I am pleased, though, that I finally have an answer as to who has been causing me such strife.”

“You honestly believe Lord Sterling, a nobleman, is the man responsible for the things you have been accused of?” James asked with a doubtful shake of his head. “Why would he possibly do such a thing?”

Willow was quick to respond to that. “He said it himself… he enjoys evil pleasures. And what better way not to be made to suffer for them or disgrace your family title, then pose as someone else.”

“That certainly is possible, but how to prove it might not be possible,” James said.

“What if we don’t have to prove it?” Eleanor said and everyone waited for her to explain. “Lord Tarass called on the Slayer for help. He will know that Lord Sterling is evil and see that he is punished. All we need to do is be patient.”

“What if he doesn’t know the difference between Slatter and Sterling?” Snow asked.

Eleanor lowered her voice almost afraid to speak. “The devil’s cohort knows true evil when he sees it.”