Snow didn’t quite believe her words. Could they be nothing more than the ramblings of an old, ill woman? “Are you saying that Tarass is the true heir to the throne? And how was it that Haldana didn’t know of her heritage?”

“He is the true heir, and it was kept from Haldana to protect her against those trying to claim the throne. I don’t know how it was found out, but Haldana’s people are the ones who alerted Winton to the information.”

Snow was trying to understand it all, but it seemed an unbelievable tale. “Who told you?”

“No one. I overheard Tarass’s da talking with who I assumed later was someone from Haldana’s tribe. He had stopped here briefly before joining his wife and son. They discussed the whole ordeal and Winton was pleased with the news the man had brought him. All were dead who posed any threat to his wife and son, though the man urged Winton to keep his wife and son away from his homeland, at least until Tarass was a skilled warrior.” Twilla paused for a much needed breath. “When news reached me of his parents’ deaths, I thought it was what had gotten them killed and worried Tarass would face the same fate. I also worried that someone had found out about Tarass’s heritage and wanted him dead. I was relieved along with everyone else to learn that the problems that had plagued the clan had been caused by a renegade band of barbarians who sought revenge against Tarass for a battle once fought.”

Snow had strongly agreed with Tarass when he had told her that Twilla needn’t know the truth about her son. That Conall was better off left dead years ago.

However, there was something she didn’t understand. “Why not let the secret die with you? Wouldn’t that best protect Tarass?”

“A secret is no secret when more than one person knows about it, and there may come a time when ignorance would do more harm than good for your husband or first born son. So the secret is yours to carry now and do with it what you will.”

Twilla struggled to breathe, the effort it had taken to talk having stolen her limited breath, leaving her weak.

“You must rest,” Snow said, her thoughts heavy with what Twilla had told her.

“I can now,” Twilla barely whispered, her burden lifted. “Stay with me.”

“I will,” Snow said, knowing it was Twilla’s way of saying she didn’t want to die alone.

Twilla’s eyes closed and she struggled to say, “Tell me about when you first met Tarass, though I was there, I love hearing you tell it.”

Snow chuckled while her tears fell. “Now that’s a story.” And she proceeded to tell it.