Thaw didn’t stop tearing at Fasta until Conall was almost on top of him. His mouth was covered with blood as he ran away, leaving Fasta lying lifeless, the blood continuing to drain in a pool around her.

Conall let out a roar and seeing his daughter dead, turned, and charged at Tarass. He took only a few steps when a sharp bite to his calf had him tumbling down on the snow.

Tarass blessed the pup. It gave him enough time to reach Conall before he could stand, he having only made it to his one knee. Their swords clashed and Thaw went in for a quick bite, his teeth sinking into Conall’s backside.

Conall screamed and fell to his side, moving, though not fast enough, as Tarass’s sword came down and sliced part of his arm. He let out another scream as he scrambled to his feet, but Tarass was on him before he could steady himself, his sword catching his arm again, rendering it useless.

It wasn’t Conall’s sword arm that was damaged, and he didn’t hesitate to swing his sword, though not with his usual strength. Tarass deflected it easily. Conall stumbled, losing his footing and Tarass didn’t wait, he drove his sword through the man’s stomach.

Conall glared at him in disbelief and when Tarass pulled his sword out, Conall fell backward to the snow-covered ground. Blood began to stain the snow around him and began to gather around his mouth.

He coughed and gurgled, and to Tarass’s surprise smiled.

He choked out his last few words. “I won. She’ll die. I made sure of it.”

Anger had Tarass driving the sword through him again, then he took off with Thaw fast on his heels as he left a pool of blood gathering around Conall.

Tarass sped through the woods without worry anyone would attack him. Slatter would have seen to whoever lurked about. He had to get to Snow. He had to see her, had to hold her in his arms, had to keep her safe.

I won. She’ll die. I made sure of it. Only two people I can truly trust.

The words tore at Tarass. Conall had made sure if he should fail that someone else wouldn’t. Tarass ran harder, thinking of the one person who Conall could trust to finish this for him… his mum.

Chapter 34

Tarass and Thaw ran through the village as though the devil was after them. They stopped at Twilla’s cottage and not finding her there, rushed to the keep. Tarass stopped when he reached the Great Hall, seeing Slatter talking with Rannock.

“Is Twilla here?” Tarass shouted.

“She’s with the other women who tend your wife,” Rannock said.

Curses flew from his mouth as he ran up the stairs, Slatter and Rannock hurrying after him, and Thaw rushed ahead of them all.