The rasp in Twilla’s voice wasn’t enough to hide how much the woman cared for Haldana. And Snow suspected that Twilla and Haldana had come to be good friends and that Twilla knew more about Tarass’s parents than she was saying. But why? Why wouldn’t she confide to Tarass what she might know about his parents that would help him?

“Where is my wife?” Tarass demanded when he came upon Nettle and Rannock arguing.

The two looked around and Nettle paled.

“She was here a moment ago,” Nettle said.

“I saw her myself,” Rannock agreed.

“She isn’t here now and are you sure it was only a moment ago that you saw her? The snow-covered ground shows no signs of footfalls,” Tarass said, fear jabbing at him. “She could not have gone off alone unless Thaw led her somewhere.” His anger was growing. “How could you let this happen after the problems of last night.” He spotted Runa and called to her. “Have you seen my wife, Runa?”

Runa shook her head. “No, my lord, I have been busy tending to a birth and I’m on my way to see how Helga does, since her husband fetched me. But if I see her I will tell her you are looking for her.”

Tarass turned to Nettle and Rannock. “Find her. Now! And know this will not go unpunished.”

The pair hurried off in opposite directions, Nettle thinking that Snow may have returned to the keep and Rannock thinking her endless curiosity may have taken her to the shed where the one body was being kept.

Tarass stood where he was, fear starting to creep over him. Where had she gone? Wherever she had gone off to, Thaw was with her and while he was still only a pup, he fiercely protected her. If, God forbid, she was hurt, Thaw would go for help. He would run to find him and bring him to her.

“My lord, you search for Lady Snow?”

Tarass turned to see the young lad, Roy, who had participated in the snowball fight the last time Snow had been here.

“You know where she is?” Tarass asked.

“I saw her go with Twilla to her cottage.”

“Good for you for keeping a sharp eye, lad. You will make a fine warrior one day. Go to the kitchen and tell Cook I said you were to get a treat, a good-sized treat.”

The lad beamed with pride, bobbed his head, and took off running.

Tarass went to Twilla’s cottage and didn’t bother to knock. He opened the door and walked in anger spewing with his words. “Never do that again.”

Snow looked at him bewildered while Twilla grinned.

“What did I do?” Snow asked.

“You went missing and I feared the worse.”

“Oh,” Snow said and went to stand, tripping on the hem of her cloak as she did.