Fear like he hadn’t felt, since the day he had learned of the attack on the village where his parents had been visiting and not knowing if they had survived, ran through him when he heard Snow scream his name in terror. He jumped over the pup and ran for her room.

He snarled as he flew into the room, ready to rip apart the person who dared to attack Snow and in his home where he’d told her she’d be safe. He was relieved to find no one there and hurried to the bed, seeing Snow was caught in a nightmare, battling the blanket caught up around her.

Thaw jumped on the bed, this time whimpering, worried over Snow.

Tarass yanked the blanket from around her and wanted to grab her and hold her tight, but he didn’t, fearful it would continue to make her feel confined.

“Wake up, Snow, it’s Tarass, you’re safe. Wake up,” he said and shook her gently by the shoulders.

Snow’s eyes opened wide and she was ready to scream, seeing the shadow hovering over her.

“It’s me, Snow. Tarass. I’m here. You’re safe,” he said quickly, seeing the fear that consumed her face.

Snow jolted up, her hands stretching out, connecting with his bare chest and hurrying to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him tight.

Tarass’s arms instinctively went around her, hugging her to him just as tight. “A nightmare. You had a nightmare.”

“I was caught in the snowstorm again. Someone touched me. It wasn’t a gray shadow I usually see. This one was a dark blur, as dark as the night, and I knew it was evil.”

“You’re safe. You have nothing to fear here,” Tarass assured her, though he didn’t like that she had dreamt of a dark evil shape. Dreams could sometimes warn of things to come.

Snow’s breathing began to calm, though her heart continued to thunder in her chest and her arms remained firm around Tarass.

Tarass kept tight hold of her. She wore a soft pale yellow nightdress that was a thin barrier between her breasts and his bare chest. Fear had puckered her nipples hard and they poked at him through the soft wool. And he silently cursed himself for even letting himself think about it.

Thaw crawled over, from where he waited at the foot of the bed, to nudge his head under Snow’s arm. She let one arm fall away to rest on the pup’s head and let him know all was well, then she hurried it back around Tarass’s neck.

“You are safe with me. I’ll let know one harm you,” he assured her again.