Nettle hurried around the table to the bench to see if she could help and gasped when Tarass lifted Snow’s tunic and shift and she saw the deep bruise covering her knee.

“That bad?” Snow asked.

“I’m going to kill him,” Tarass mumbled.

A cacophony of raised voices had Tarass and Snow’s heads turning as the door opened.

“We got them,” Rannock called out, escorting Lord Polwarth in with a firm hand to his arm.

“Shackle Lord Polwarth and the two men that helped him and have the warriors keep watch over Abbot Bennett and his men. I’ll let you know when I wish to speak with them,” Tarass said and once again lifted his wife in his arms.

“Nettle, fetch Runa and bring her to my solar. Thaw, follow me,” Tarass ordered.

Snow sighed with relief after her husband settled her in a chair near the hearth and placed her foot on a small stool to ease the pain in her knee. She wrapped the shawl around her, Tarass had ordered a servant to bring her, tucking it high around her neck.

“You’re chilled,” Tarass said, hunching down in front of her and draping a blanket over her legs and pushing it snug at her waist.

“A deep chill, I fear,” she admitted.

“I’ll warm you properly later, after this is all settled,” he said and kissed her softly, though ached for more than a tender kiss. He dropped his brow gently against hers. “I want to feel you naked against me and bury my manhood deep inside you right now and know that nothing or no one will ever tear us apart and that nothing or no one can ever stop us from loving each other.”

“Why do you wait,” she whispered. “Take me, for I want to feel you inside me and know I’m safe.”

“Your knee,” he reminded and shook his head. “And Nettle returns soon with Runa.”

“It’s no more than a bruise and you can make it quick,” Snow urged and slipped her hand beneath his plaid and smiled, feeling the strength and swell of him. “After almost having been taken from you, I need this. I need to feel we are one, and feeling how hard you I would say you feel the same.” She took his hand to tuck beneath her garments and brought it to rest between her legs. “I’m more than ready.”

Tarass grew harder when his fingers brushed her wetness. He could slip inside her with ease and make her come easily, himself as well, since he was just as ready as he was.

“Thaw!” Tarass called out and the pup got up from where he parked himself by the hearth and trotted over to him. “Come with me.” Thaw followed obediently and Tarass opened the door. “Guard Snow and let no one in.”

Thaw barked, turned, and sat, ready to do as ordered.