The Bewitching Twin(54)

Aliss hooked arms with her. “Your constant concern. You constantly protecting me. This time on my own has given me a chance to learn about myself. No one was there to pick me up and brush me off or shield me from harm. There was only me.”

Fiona grabbed hold of her hand. “You are not alone anymore. Tarr and I will go with you to the Isle of Non. Raynor, Mother, and Father can join us and we will all help you so that at the end of six months you—”

“No!” Aliss took a step away from her sister. “I want to finish this on my own.”

“You intend to spend the next six months alone with—with—”

“My husband.” Aliss said what Fiona refused to admit. “This is for me to do.”

“Nonsense—”

“No, it is not nonsense. Have you not listened to what I have said?”

“I heard, but what is wrong with your family helping you?”

“Aliss has family to help her.”

Both women turned to face Rogan.

“Tarr and I have spoken. Tomorrow you and he sail home, and my wife, I, and the clan sail to the Isle of Non,” he said, and walked over to Aliss.

“We will see about that,” Fiona said and walked off, her steps turning to a hasty run.

“Tarr will handle her,” Rogan said.

“In only two days’ time you have come to know my brother-in-law, but then you are similar, both patient, cunning, and understanding when necessary.”

Rogan turned away from her. “Do you need help in collecting the plants from your garden?”

She had meant to compliment not insult, but he seemed annoyed, and rather than question him, she ignored it. She had argued enough with her sister over issues that she had already decided upon. This matter was for her to handle, whether anyone liked it or not, and that included her husband.

“I need no help,” she said, annoyed. “Do I appear fragile?”

He looked her up and down and grinned. “Not at all.”

Her cheeks flared red.

His grin grew wider.

“I do not need you. I do not need my sister. I do not need anyone. Go away and leave me be.” She dropped down on her knees and went to work in the soil.

A moment later she was startled to find herself abruptly and unexpectedly hoisted to her feet. Rogan gripped her arm and brought her nose to nose with him.

“Need me or not, I am your husband and I am here for you and I will remind you of that often. I want you to know—nay, I want to you to feel—how much I love you.”

He kissed her then, like a man trying to prove something—and he did. He proved that no matter what doubts she might harbor concerning their love, she could not doubt her desire for him.

He ended the kiss abruptly, to her regret, and rested his forehead to hers. Their breathing was labored and their passion tittered on the edge, about to tumble over.

Rogan released her gently, stepped away from her, and not saying a word, he turned and walked away.

Aliss collapsed slowly to the ground, her chore forgotten, her mind ruled only by passion. How could she desire a man who had betrayed her? It made no sense. She should hate him, not want him.

He had used her for his own benefit then claimed to love her.

She shook her head. No matter how much she attempted to rationalize the situation it made no sense to her and she was exhausted by the thought of it. It occupied her mind to the point where she had barely considered anything else in the last two days, and that troubled her. She had made a bargain with him as she had done when they had first met and she had set to work healing his people.

Six months was their bargain this time and so be it. The time would serve a good purpose. She would use it to heal herself and build her future on the Isle of Non, no matter how difficult and painful a task it turned out to be.

“Aliss.”

She looked up and smiled. “Anna. What is wrong?” she asked, seeing the distress on the young girl’s face.

“I have tended the ill as best I could these last couple of days, but there are many who prefer to see you.”

Aliss stood in a flash. “You should have come to me sooner.”

“You have been preoccupied with all that is going on and neither I nor anyone in the village wished to disturb you.”

“Nonsense,” she declared. “I am a healer and that comes before anything. Tell anyone who wishes to see me to come right away. I am here for them.”

Aliss was glad to see a broad smile chase away the young woman’s worry.

“I will tell them right away.” She turned to leave. “Oh, Hellewyk warriors, too?”

“There are those in the Hellewyk clan who require a healer?”

Anna nodded vigorously. “One man told me he insisted on coming to rescue you just so that he could seek your help.”