“Fetch her,” Tarass ordered sharply and the warrior to his right hurried out of the keep.

Snow gripped her sister’s hand, shock and that twinge of joy turning to dismay and apprehension. Why was he doing this? Why was he claiming she belonged to him? Why reveal secrets that would force James to demand he marry her? Something he had made clear he had no wont to do.

Silence reigned while after a few moments a young lass entered the Great Hall and came to a stop beside Tarass.

“Tell them, Nettle. Tell them what you saw when you entered Snow’s bedchamber that morning.”

Nettle didn’t hesitate to obey. “I saw Lord Tarass naked in bed with Snow.”

Gasps circled the hall and once again Snow squeezed her sister’s hand.

“Is this true?” Willow whispered in Snow’s ear.

Snow nodded, though didn’t explain that it was all innocent and nothing happened between Tarass and her, since it would make no difference. He had been in bed naked with her and that was all that mattered.

“It matters not to me that you soiled her,” Lord Polwarth said. “I will wed Snow and keep her safe from the likes of a barbarian.”

“Even with my seed planted firmly in her belly?” Tarass asked, taking several steps toward the man.

Snow was shocked at his words, since there was no chance of that.

“You are a crude man,” Polwarth accused.

“I am a man who keeps what is mine and I will repeat it until you finally grasp it. Snow belongs to me,” Tarass said, claiming it so once again.

“Then step forward, wed her, and keep her from ruin,” the cleric challenged with a firm voice.

“That is madness. You cannot mean to give this kind and beautiful woman to the devil himself,” Polwarth protested.

“There is a witness who saw that Snow gave herself to the devil and now she belongs to him,” the cleric said, pointing to Tarass.

“The lass lies for the Lord of Fire,” Polwarth accused.

“I do not lie,” Nettle said, affronted. “I speak what I saw. I speak the truth.”

“Do you swear by all that is holy and your heavenly soul that you speak the truth?” the cleric asked.

“I would not lie and condemn my soul to hell,” Nettle responded.

“There you have it,” the cleric said. “The lass protects her soul and speaks the truth. No more proof is needed. Give yourself pause, Lord Polwarth. What would your friends think of you marrying a woman who gave her body and soul to the devil?”