Snow had no intention of being denied an answer. “My sister said you wed me because you love me. I told her that wasn’t possible. You made it clear you couldn’t love a blind woman.”

Tarass was glad she couldn’t see him cringe at the words he’d once said to her.

“So since you don’t love me, why did you marry me? Nettle was the only one who knew about that night you fell asleep naked in my bed and she’d be too fearful of you to say a word. And no one but you and I know that you saw me naked in the cottage. There was no reason for you to do what you did… stop the wedding and marry me.”

“What difference does it make. We are wed and we will stay wed,” he said.

“We have not sealed our vows yet, the marriage can be undone.”

“Never! You are my wife and you will stay my wife,” he said with a command that sounded as if he claimed it law.

His word was law here in his clan, but that didn’t answer her question that he continued to ignore.

“Tell me why you wed me or else,” she said, tossing out her threat with a lift of her chin.

Tarass grabbed her chin in his hand. “Or else what, wife?”

Snow didn’t need to see his face to tell he was annoyed with her. She placed her hand on his hand that had hold of her chin. “Or else I will wonder forever why a man who intended to marry a woman who would benefit his clan wed a blind woman who brought burden rather than benefit to him or his clan.”

“You are no burden, ást.”

His tone had softened and she wondered as she had the last time what the foreign word meant that he called her.

“I am no benefit either, so I will ask you until you answer me. Why did you marry me?”

“You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”

“No, I need to know. I feel vulnerable enough standing in front of you naked. I feel even more vulnerable not knowing why you married me.”

His hand went slowly around her waist to give the opposite side a gentle squeeze and draw her closer to him. Then he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the edge of the bed to sit, and settled her in his lap.

She rested her hand gently on his cheek, the warmth there sending a slight tingle through her. “You will tell me?”

“You may not believe me.”

“Will it be the truth?” she asked.

“Aye, on that you have my word,” he promised.

“Then I will believe you. Now tell me why you wed me.”

“Willow was right… I married you because I love you.”

Chapter 17

“I don’t understand,” Snow said, shaking her head.