Chapter 1

13th century, Scotland

“Don’t be afraid, lassie, we’re not that far from home. There’ll be a nice fire in the hearth and a hot cider to warm you.”

“I look forward to it, Finn,” Snow said, trying not to let fear creep into her voice as she spoke loudly to be heard over the swirling snow and wind.

“I’m going to tie this rope from my horse to yours so we don’t lose each other. With a blinding snowstorm like this one, it’s easy to get separated and we wouldn’t want that to happen.”

“No, Finn, I wouldn’t want that,” she said, keeping her voice raised just as he did.

“Worry not, lassie, I’ll get you home,” Finn shouted and patted her arm to reassure her.

Thaw’s head poked out from Snow’s fur-lined cloak to give a quick bark.

“Right you are, Thaw. You keep Snow safe,” Finn called out.

Snow hugged Thaw against her, the pup having sprouted a good bit in the last month, but she still didn’t want him wandering on his own in a snowstorm.

“We’re all set, next stop… home,” Finn said cheerfully, giving his left arm a good rub. “Old wounds can pain in the cold. Can’t wait for that warm fire myself and a tankard of ale.” He laughed as he walked to his horse.

Snow listened, his laughter caught by the swirling snow to drift away as he disappeared in the wildly falling snow. She recalled what Finn looked like, a big, thick, strong man and a fine warrior. She remembered how he had scooped her up with one arm when she was a wee bairn and how his whole body would shake with laughter. She felt safe with Finn and she knew he would see her home safely.

When she and Finn had left her sister Willow’s home the snow had been falling lightly, a dusting on the ground. They hadn’t been on the road long when the snow began to pour down around them.

She couldn’t see anything in front of her. Not that she could see anyway, having lost her sight in a fire about a year ago now. She had been so happy when some of her sight had begun to return, leaving her to see gray shadows. It took time to grow accustomed to it, since she had felt as if ghosts constantly surrounded her, never able to see anyone or anything clearly. She would recall what they looked like, as she had done with Finn, but anyone unfamiliar to her left her feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable.