“It’s a custom of my mum’s people, a single marking designating something that pertains to the individual. Mine shows I am a victorious warrior many times over.”

“I can attest to that since you’ve rescued me more than once and thankful I am for it,” she said, “which reminds me. That day you found me in the snowstorm. You mentioned you were meeting someone. Did it have anything to do with your parents?”

“I’m going to be honest with you, wife.”

“Is this something that is one time only or something you intend to do often?” she asked with a soft giggle.

He poked her in the side. “Very funny. I will always be honest with you.”

“Or say nothing at all?” This time no humor filled her voice.

How had she gotten to know him so well?

“Sometimes it is better you don’t know,” he said.

Snow took hold of his hand and brought it to rest against her chest. “It is not easy being blind. Sometimes it’s actually frightening, but I have no choice in the matter. So when you tell me that you purposely keep me blind to something that goes on, it not only hurts more than I can say, but frightens me as well. Please, don’t make me any more blind than I already am.”

Tarass rarely regretted anything. The last time was when he hadn’t been there to protect his parents. It had hurt worse than any physical wound and he felt that hurt now.

He rested his cheek to hers before his lips tenderly touched hers in a brief kiss. “You have my word, ást, from this moment on, I will tell you everything.”

“That pleases me more than you know, husband,” she said and smiled. “So what is it you haven’t been honest with me about that you’re about to be honest with me?”

“That day I found you in the snowstorm… I was to meet with Finn.”

“My Finn?” she asked, surprised.

“Aye, your Finn.”

She shook her head. “Why?”

“He provided me with information.”

Her brow went up. “What information?”

“Any and all information he came across when James sent him with messages from clan to clan.”

“He spied for you?” she asked, shaking her head again, not believing it.

“He kept me apprised of things going on in the area. I had received a message that he had something important that he had discovered and would meet with me on his way home with you.”

“That’s why he agreed with me about leaving my sister’s when everyone else had urged me to stay in case the snow worsened. And why we were closer to your home than to mine. He detoured to meet with you, and, of course, he didn’t have to worry about me since I couldn’t see.”