Her first step brought such bad cramps that she had to force herself to push through the pain to take another step, then another, thinking only of one thing, reaching her husband.

Tarass watched puzzled as his wife headed toward him. She approached him without the slightest hesitation that she was going in the wrong direction. It took a few moments watching her, seeing that she didn’t deviate her course, and there’d be only one reason for that.

She could see. Snow could see.

He was overjoyed at the thought, but his heart broke and his anger flared when he saw the trail of blood that followed behind her. She was losing the bairn and possibly her life. He had to get her home to Willow.

Snow kept silent, fearful if she said a word, she’d feel an arrow strike her back and never make it to her husband. She kept going and as she got closer, she saw her husband’s whole face for the first time and a spark of joy filled her heart. At least if she died, it would be her husband’s face she last looked upon.

Tarass kept his eyes on her and smiled, and he was pleased to see her return his smile. It confirmed that she could see him.

I love you, she mouthed.

Her words struck him like a sharp arrow to his heart. She was telling him she loved him because she thought she was dying. He wouldn’t let her die. They might lose the bairn, but he damn well wouldn’t lose her.

She was only halfway to him, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He sped toward her, yelling, “Get down.”

He was on top of her, covering her with his body right after she hit the ground, and an arrow narrowly missed his head. “Stay down,” he ordered and turned to see Conall charging him, his sword raised and Fasta ready with another arrow to shoot at Snow as soon as he stood to battle Conall. But how did he battle the man without a weapon and protect this wife at the same time?

He stood, ready to do whatever he could to protect his wife and bairn, die for her or die with her.

Thaw came from out of nowhere behind Fasta, sailing through the air, launching himself at her and catching her by the throat. She barely got out a yell before the pup’s sharp teeth sank into her flesh and blood squirted everywhere.

Conall ran at the pup.

“Tarass!” He turned and saw Slatter running toward him, raising the sword in his hand to toss to Tarass.

Tarass ran and grabbed it, and before turning to face Conall, yelled, “Get Snow to Willow! She’s bleeding!”

Slatter didn’t hesitate, he scooped Snow up, held her close to his chest, and took off running.