He slipped his arm around her and tucked her against his side, his hand drifting down along her hip to her backside to give it a squeeze.

“First, I need to ask you something,” Tarass said.

“Later,” she said, her hand going to stroke his aroused manhood.

Tarass grabbed her hand, locking it in his, and brought it to rest on his chest. “No, now.”

She looked at him, but with only the light from the hearth she couldn’t see his face clearly. “I know what you’re doing, trying to delay, and get me to fall asleep while we talk.” She smiled. “It won’t work.”

“Then you need not be concerned about answering my question, since you obviously felt for yourself that I have a need for you,” he challenged.

Snow smiled. “You’re right. Ask what you will.”

“Do you think Fasta could be the person who knows the truth of what goes on?”

“Odd you should ask that, since my sister asked the same as well. She also questioned if Fasta actually suffered a miscarriage. And today John, Helga’s husband, claimed that Fasta wants to bring harm to the clan with her lies. He insists she lied about coupling with him. He says he loves his wife and would never turn to another woman.”

“Nettle told me that when on her night walks through the village, she’s seen Fasta, though couldn’t tell if she was coming from someplace or going someplace. It’s time I have a talk with Fasta.”

“And Runa too,” Snow was quick to add. “So we know for sure if Fasta had a miscarriage or not, though Willow suggests there could be a number of reasons for her to have done so.”

“Willow’s right and I intend to find out. You and Willow can see to Runa if you would?” Tarass said, knowing both women would learn much more from Runa than he would.

“Of course,”—a yawn interrupted Snow’s words—“but I want to be there when you talk with Fasta.”

“I couldn’t keep you away if I wanted to, and I don’t. You have a good mind for puzzles and offer sound advice.”

“It’s not me. It’s us. We work well together.”

“You’re right. We do. We’re a perfect fit.”

“We are, so slip into me and show me just how perfectly we fit,” she urged.

“You’re tired,” he said not with as much resolve as he had before.

“It can be quick,” she whispered and began to nibble at his neck.

Tarass turned her on her back. “A quick one, then it is sleep for you.”

“As you say, husband, though please take the time to satisfy my nipples that ache terribly for your skilled mouth.”