Binding Vows(80)

As Megan left the room, Tara said, “Have Lora check on her daughter. You wouldn’t want to catch this.”

Tara settled back in bed and recalled what she’d eaten the night before.

It didn’t take long for Lora to seek her out.

“It’s nerves.” Tara excused her illness away.

“We’ve all been jumpy since Myra left.”

“Still, it would be best if you rested today.”

Tara shook her head. “I’m feeling better 238



Binding Vows



already.” Lora’s look of concern made her add, “But I’ll take it easy.”

“Good. We don’t need more bad rumors about illness in the Keep.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I overheard Megan speaking with Alice. She thinks Myra has a grave illness. That perhaps the illness has spread to you.”

Tara’s shoulders slumped. “We need to come up with another plan.”

“Aye, I agree.” Lora tucked in the blankets around her. “Not today. Today you rest.”

“Yes, mother.”

Lora’s hand came up to her cheek. “That warms my heart.”

Tara smiled before snuggling into the bed.



****

Edgy. It was the only way to describe the mood over the Keep. In the shadow of the upcoming solstice, Ian had knights patrolling more frequently and in greater numbers. Although Lora’s premonition was specific to Myra, the threat was still out there and everyone knew it.

No one left the Keep alone. If a medical need came up in which either Lora or Tara was needed, at least two knights went with them. Even when Duncan and Fin went to the village to pick up the commissioned dishes which Tara had insisted be changed, they left together.

With Duncan on her errand, and the rest of the family busy, Tara settled into an overstuffed chair by the fire and dozed off.

Amber nudged her awake. Huge brown eyes smiled down on her, warming Tara’s heart. Amber had spent a lot of time searching out Tara since Myra’s departure. She missed her sister, and had no problem letting Tara take her place.

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“Hey, sweetie, what are you doing?” Tara pulled back the blanket she had thrown over her lap so Amber could snuggle in.

“I was bored with the dolls.” She made herself comfortable and continued to talk. “Megan wanted the dolls to sit and watch while she cleaned the room. It was tiresome.”

Tara laughed. “I wasn’t into dolls at your age either. I liked trucks better.”

“What are those?” Amber’s big eyes and long lashes fluttered against her cheeks.

“Well, trucks are like carts that are pulled by horses, only they aren’t pulled by horses.”

“How do they move?”

“By an engine.”

“What kind of animal is an engine?”

“An engine isn’t an animal.” Tara snickered. “Oh never mind. When Myra comes back maybe she can explain them better.” She purposely said when and not if.

“She is safe,” Amber declared as if reading her thoughts. “I know she is.”

“Did you have a vision like your mom?”

“Nay, not like that. I simply know, like you know Duncan is well, I know Myra is well.”

Tara doubted it was possible for Amber to have such a strong connection with Myra. Maybe her desires for assurance was clouding her thoughts and making her pretend. Much like a child with an imaginary friend, it wouldn’t be harmful to let her go on believing this. At least until a time there was no doubt of Myra’s fate. “I hope so, Amber. I hope so.”

“I know it,” she said with pride. “Ever since we became blood sisters the night before she left, I can tell.” Amber turned her palm up to Tara’s face. “See, blood sisters.”

Tara noticed a healed notch on one of her fingertips. “Did Myra tell you we did that?”

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“Mum hum,” she smiled. “We should do it too, that way we can all be real sisters.” The words flew out of her mouth in a rush.

Sentimental, Tara draped an arm around her shoulders. “I’d like that.”

Wasting no time, Amber jumped off her lap and ran for a knife.

It took only a few seconds to complete their chant and mixing of blood. Tara had to hold back a laugh at the seriousness in which Amber did the deed. Once done, they both smiled and nursed their sore fingertips.

“Now, I will know you are safe too.” Amber snuggled back into Tara’s lap, resting her arm over her waist. “You and the baby.”

Tara settled into the chair before Amber’s words registered. “What baby?”

“Yours silly.” Ambers giggle had her entire body shaking.