“I’ll knock before I enter,” Tarass said, then opened the door, a burst of cold air rushing in and the pup and he hurried out quickly.

With little time before he returned, Snow hurried out of bed with a wince, her side still painful, and into her dry hose, then her boots, surprised both were warm. She made her way carefully to the table, found her garments folded on top, though she didn’t rush to slip into them for fear of getting herself tangled up. She tempered her movements and got the garments on much easier than she had gotten them off.

A sigh fell from her lips when she finished, relieved she was no longer naked, no longer exposed to Tarass. It had been unnerving and humiliating, and she didn’t want anyone to ever know of it.

A bark came before the knock at the door and she turned to face it with a smile. Thaw came running in and sped right to her. She went to snatch him up.

“He’s wet from the snow and you’re dry and warm,” Tarass said.

Snow leaned down and patted Thaw. “Sit by the fire, Thaw, then I will give you a hug.”

Tarass shook his head as he watched the pup do as Snow told him. It was as if the pup understood her every word.

“The sky hints of more snow, but my keep is not far from here. The snow on the ground will slow us down some, but it shouldn’t take us long to reach it if we can keep a steady pace. How does your wound feel today?”

“It’s sore but not as bad as yesterday,” she said. “I’m ready to leave when you are.”

“As soon as I see to dousing the fire, we’ll go,” he said and hurried to see it done.

Snow slipped on her cloak and gloves and made her way to the door, Thaw following close by.

“Can you see me enough to follow behind me?” Tarass asked, watching her take cautious steps and stretching her hands in front of her as if making sure nothing blocked her way.

“You’re a gray shadow to me, but it is enough for me to follow as long as you remain in front of me,” she said with confidence, eager to do anything that would help get her home sooner.

“Stay close to Snow, Thaw,” he said after they stepped outside, then shook his head. Now he was talking to the pup as if he could understand his every word.