Thaw immediately dropped down beside her, trying to get his nose under her face that was buried in the snow.

Fury and fear gripped Tarass and while he wanted to go after a fleeing Lord Polwarth, he was more desperate to see to his wife.

“Get him!” Tarass yelled, knowing Rannock and his warriors were coming up behind him.

They rushed past him as he dropped to the ground beside his wife and gently turned her over to lift in his arms. He was surprised and relieved when she started brushing away the snow that had stuck to her face, Thaw’s tongue helping her.

“I’m good, go after Polwarth,” she urged.

“No need, Rannock and my warriors will get him and the other two,” Tarass said. “Besides, if I leave you, you’ll just get yourself into more trouble.”

“If I did, you would rescue me like you always do,” Snow said with a tender hand to her husband’s cheek.

“Aye, wife, always,” Tarass said and turned so that his lips kissed the palm of her hand and Snow shivered.

“Let’s get you into the keep and get you warm,” Tarass said, standing and carrying her around to the front of the keep and groaned when he saw Abbot Bennett and his clerics shivering in the cold as six of his warriors stood guard over them. “Inside, you have much to explain. Your men as well, before they freeze to death,” Tarass said as he walked past them.

“Thank the Lord your unharmed, m’lady,” Nettle said when the couple entered the Great Hall.

“I suffered a bit of fright but no harm, Nettle,” Snow acknowledged, hearing the worry in her voice.

Tarass’s anger surged, learning she had been frightened and he hadn’t been there to prevent her terrifying ordeal.

Nettle looked to Lord Tarass as she spoke to Snow. “Has this ordeal worsened your churning stomach, m’lady?”

Tarass was pleased that Nettle alerted him to the matter and acknowledged her with a nod.

“I had no time to think about it, but now that you asked, it seems to have settled,” Snow said.

“Perhaps some food and a hot brew will keep it that way,” Nettle suggested.

“A good idea, Nettle, and tell Maude there are guests to be fed,” Tarass said and placed his wife on her feet.

“And please take Thaw with you and get him a treat,” Snow said and went to bend down to give Thaw a hug and kiss and let him know how brave he’d been. As soon as she moved, a pain shot through her knee and if Tarass hadn’t snatched her up in his arms, she would have tumbled to the floor.

Thaw whined and followed Tarass and waited while he lowered Snow to a bench at one of the tables in front of the fireplace, then the pup sat beside her and whined as if he shared Snow’s pain.