“It wouldn’t be. Janick and his wife settled into this cottage after you and your family left. He and Sybil were old then, looking for a place where they wouldn’t be bothered and could live their lives in peace. My sisters and I took turns visiting them to make sure they were well and if they needed anything. They were content with each other and a more caring couple than I had ever met.”

She smiled and Tarass was struck by the way her whole face seemed to light with the smile and how her green eyes even turned brighter.

“I remember how they looked at each other with such love. How proud he was to admit that his heart belonged to her and always would. How they could always be found holding hands.” She wiped at her eyes to stop tears from falling. “That’s how they were found, holding hands. Willow found them. Sybil had gotten sick and Willow feared she would not make it. One day she arrived here and found Sybil in bed, Janick sitting in a chair next to the bed, his body slumped over hers and their hands joined. From what Willow could tell they didn’t die long after each other. That’s a strong love to follow each other into death.”

“Love is nothing but pain and sorrow and best avoided,” Tarass said.

“How sad for you to believe that.”

“Not at all. It frees me to live and—”

“Feel nothing and that’s living in fear,” she finished.

“I fear nothing!” he snapped.

“We all fear something,” she said with a shrug, “and in some ways it makes us stronger.” She rested her hand on the table and almost pulled it back, having touched the animal head, but stopped and began to explore it. “Why do you wear this—” She paused, her fingers trying to determine what she touched.

“Wolf’s head,” he said and while her hand paused, it never left the animal’s head.

“Why?” she asked again.

“The fire dwindles,” he said, ignoring her question. “I’m going to get more wood.”

She stood and slipped on her cloak.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I must see to my needs and so does Thaw,” she said and felt heat stain her cheeks.

“You will not take long,” he ordered.

His hand clamped around her arm before she had a chance to respond and he led her to the door, Thaw staying close to her side.

The wind howled and whipped as if angry and Tarass walked her to a tree near the cottage.

He took her hand and rested it on the tree. “You will remain here until I come for you.”

“As you say,” Snow said, having no desire to be caught in the storm alone again.

“Stay with her,” Tarass ordered, looking down at the pup and Thaw gave a bark and plopped on his rump beside her.