My Highlander: A Cree & Dawn Novel, page 18
Dawn nodded.
With Sloan having found out nothing about the man Tarass so far, Cree would be only too pleased to have him arrive of his own accord. “I would be pleased to meet Tarass and thank him for helping you and I will make certain Beast remains here with his new family.”
Dawn’s smile barely reached her lips. While she was overjoyed that Cree would see that Beast remained with them, not doubting for a moment her husband would get his way, she worried about him meeting Tarass, if her suspicions proved correct and he was to arrive here.
Would Cree thank the man or did he have other plans for him?
Cree took hold of Dawn’s chin and with a gentle tug forced her to look at him. “I feel your worry and see it in your dark eyes that refuse to meet mine. What will be, will be, wife, and you can do nothing about it.”
Was that a warning that she was to leave it be, that it was in his hands now?
“I need to go and see to this matter. I will meet you and the twins in the Great Hall for the morning fare.”
Dawn reluctantly let him go, though took pleasure in watching him don his garments. She did not think it possible but she firmly believed her husband’s already fine features had improved in her absence. Or perhaps it was the joy that her return had brought him that graced his good features. Either way, he was a fine looking man and he belonged to her.
Dawn pointed to him and, fixing a slight scowl on her face, she thumped her chest and pointed to him again.
He sent her a deeper scowl, though a hint of a smile shined through it as he approached the bed. “Are you telling me I belong to you?”
Dawn gave him a firm nod, thumped her chest again, then hugged it.
“I am all yours?” he asked, placing his knee on the bed.
She nodded, a playful smile surfacing to chase her scowl.
Cree dropped down over her, planting his hands to either side of her head, as he hovered over her. “Aye, I belong to you, wife, and you belong to me. You are mine and always will be.”
He kissed her, a mistake, and one he purposely made since his wife’s sudden possessive nature had aroused him and with her naked beneath him, what choice had he but to show her just how much they belonged to each other.
Cree entered his solar some time later, Evin jumping out of his chair and appearing anxious to speak with him. And Cree obliged him.
“You have news that cannot wait, Evin?” Cree almost found himself smiling since it had waited and for an extremely important matter.
“Aye, my lord,” Evin said eagerly.
Cree leaned back against the edge of the desk and signaled Evin over to stand in front of him while Sloan and the warrior waited to the side.
“Tell me,” Cree ordered when Evin came to a stop in front of him.
Evin beamed as he said, “The Lord of Fire has returned home.”
Cree turned to his warrior, Dylan, for confirmation.
“The son inherited the father’s title and lands and has returned to lay claim,” Dylan confirmed.
“With the Lord of Fire in residence now, the Clan Macardle has no claim on our land,” Evin said as if it was all settled.
Again Cree turned to Dylan.
“Tannin assumed the same, but James Macardle continues to claim that the one particular area of land belongs to the Clan Macardle.”
Cree looked to Evin. “With the Lord of Fire in residence, it falls on him now to protect your clan since you were under fealty to me only because there was no Clan MacFiere to protect you.”
“But the Clan MacLoon’s fealty is still with you and we wish to remain under your protection. You have always been there for our clan. We trust and respect you.”
Cree looked to Dylan for an explanation, sensing Evin was not telling all.
“A reputation has followed the Lord of Fire. It seems that he is a fierce warrior, trained by barbarians or so the tale goes.”
“Has Tannin met with him?”
Dylan nodded. “He has, my lord, as soon as he learned the Clan MacLoon intended to remain loyal to you. The Lord of Fire demands you release the clan of their pledge.”
“Demands?” Cree asked, not taking kindly to the mandate.
“He sends his warriors into our village with orders, demanding that every able bodied man must help restore the MacFiere keep,” Evin said. “We have our own village to tend to before harvest is upon us and winter sets in.”
“You pledged your fealty to the Clan MacFiere and they saw you kept safe longer than I did. It is your duty to help them now,” Cree said.
Evin disagreed with a sharp shake of his head. “The Clan MacFiere deserted us, left the Clan MacLoon to fiend on their own for far too many years. We owe them nothing.”
“The Lord of Fire vehemently disagrees,” Dylan said. “He also disagrees with the Macardle claim that part of MacLoon land belongs to them and has made it known there will be no negotiating the claim. The situation is not a good one.”
“Does Tannin fear there will be trouble?” Cree asked.
Dylan nodded. “Tannin is trying to ease tempers and encourage discussion, but with it being only a few days since the Lord of Fire and his troop arrived, it does not look promising. The Lord of Fire is adamant in his decisions.”
“He says he will come here and tell you himself that the Clan MacLoon owes the Clan MacFiere their fealty and he intends to see that we keep our pledge,” Evin said with a bit of a quiver in his voice
It seemed the Lord of Fire had left an impression on Evin and not a good one. However, Cree knew all too well the necessity of taking command and letting all know what is expected of them. Still, he had invested time and warriors in seeing the Clan MacLoon safe in the absence of the Lord of Fire. For that, he should be rewarded at least respect and gratefulness, rather than a demanding command.
“Return and tell Tannin that I demand the Lord of Fire present himself here at my home to settle this dispute,” Cree ordered Dylan.
“That will not be necessary, my lord. Tannin sent word to me not long after we left. The Lord of Fire and a troop of his men left shortly after we did. Evin and I rode hard to get here, but from what I have seen of the Lord of Fire and his skilled warriors I doubt they will be far behind us.”
Sloan spoke as soon as Cree turned to him. “I will find out how far out they are.”
Before he could take his leave, Cree ordered, “Take Evin with you and see that he is given food and drink.”
Evin cast one more plea to Cree. “Please, my lord, do not desert us. We need your protection now more than ever.”
“I will see what can be done, Evin, but your chieftain is well aware that he pledged his fealty to the Lord of Fire and that would extend to any who held his title and land.”
Evin appeared as if he was being led to his execution, his shoulders drooping along with his head as he took slow steps to Sloan.
The door had barely closed when Cree turned to Dylan. “What else have you to tell me?”
“Tannin’s message to you about the Lord of Fire is that he is a man who cannot be swayed from his decisions. And he believes that there is more to his return home than only to claim his father’s title and lands.”
“Has he surmised what that might be?”
“Tannin thinks it could possibly be revenge the Lord of Fire seeks. He has brought a small group of people with him, perhaps what is left of his clan. It is difficult to say since none will offer any words about the Lord of Fire. And nothing has been said of where they have been all these past years.”
“But people speculate,” Cree said, recalling the many tales that had spread about him.
“They do,” Dylan said with a nod. “But I believe they are wild tales spread by fear.”
“Why? His father was a respected warrior. Why fear the son?”
“There is talk that his mother was a descendent of barbarians and some believe that she left her home after receiving word of her husband’s demise and took her son to be raised among her people.”
“Gossiping tongues can do much damage,” Cree said, again thinking of the gossip, lies, and secrets that had first plagued him and Dawn when they had gotten together.
“Some claim to have seen proof of her barbarian heritage.”
“What proof is that?”
Dylan lowered his voice as if revealing a secret. “A painting on her upper arm.”
“They believe her a descendent of the painted people… the Picts?” Cree asked, shaking his head. “They have been long gone from this land.”
“Some believe the last of the Picts went north and survived.”
“Does the Lord of Fire wear a painting?”
“There has been no word of it.”
“The Picts were a ruthless, barbaric people, my lord,” Dylan said.
“How ruthless would you be to fight to keep this land, the home that we have built for ourselves?” Cree asked.
Dylan thought on it a moment, then slowly nodded. “I see what you mean. I would do whatever was needed to keep my land, my home.”
“Tannin has given me fair warning and no doubt he continues to find out what he can. We will be well prepared for the Lord of Fire’s arrival.”
Cree watched his daughter snatch up her brother’s wooden sword and swing it around as if fighting a foe. Valan did not take kindly to it and slipped off the bench to chase after her. Lizbeth, the true warrior she was, did not surrender it, though she did screech with laughter as her brother chased her.
“I think our daughter needs a sword of her own,” Cree said, turning to his wife.
Dawn smiled and nodded.
“Help, Beast, help!” Lizbeth yelled and laughed.
The large animal barked and looked from Cree to the twins, not knowing what to do.
“Enough, Lizbeth,” Cree called out, seeing Beast growing upset and understanding his quandary. Who did he protect when he usually protected them both?
Lizbeth stopped running and Valan grabbed his sword and gave her a shove, knocking her on her bottom.
“Valan!” Cree snapped and stood.
His son turned a scowl on him. “My sword.”
Cree walked over to him, a scowl growing as he did and overshadowing his son’s. “Help your sister up and do not shove her like that again. You are to protect her, not hurt her.” He waited until Valan did as he was told, then he pointed to his daughter. “And you, Lizbeth, will not take your brother’s sword without asking him.” Cree raised his hand to silence his daughter before she could speak. “I will see that you get your own sword.”
She smiled at that.
“And, Lizbeth, do not dare call for Beast to help you against your brother. He is here to protect both of you.”
Lizbeth went to Beast and flung her arms around his neck. “Sorry, Beast. Love you.”
Cree shook his head. “It is your brother you should be telling you are sorry.”
“Why?” Lizbeth asked, turning wide, innocent eyes on her da.
Dawn stepped around Cree and stretched her hands out to her daughter and son. She crouched down and tapped each on the chest and locked two of her fingers together. Then with fingers from her other hand, she tried to separate the two but they would not budge. With the two she tapped the twins repeatedly on the chest, then joined their hands.
Valan tapped his chest. “Keep Lizbeth safe.”
“Me too,” Lizbeth said and gave her brother a hug.
Cree smiled, watching his son squeeze his eyes closed tight and grow rigid as his sister hugged him senseless. He was pleased and relieved that they understood their mum. Dawn had gestured to them since they were tiny bairns and he did at times as well. He wanted to make certain they had no trouble communicating with their mum and it appeared they had no problem with it.
Sloan entered the Great Hall and Cree could tell from his scrunched brow that the news would not be to his liking.
Dawn saw it as well and signaled Nell and Ina to take the twins.
“A walk outside,” Nell said and the twins hurried ahead of her to the door, Lizbeth stopping to talk with Sloan for a moment.
“That daughter of yours is far too observant for her years,” Sloan said, a smile having replaced his frown.
“What did Lizbeth say to you?” Cree asked curious.
“She told me that da wears a mad face too.”
Cree shook his head while Dawn smiled.
“So what is it that has you mad?” Cree asked and pointed to the bench for Sloan to sit. He took his wife’s arm and assisted her to sit before he did.
Dawn was pleased that her husband included her in the matter, but then he had asked her advice occasionally, though she gave it to him whether he asked her or not.
“Not mad, concerned, though it is thanks to Tannin that we know what goes on. He sent two men to follow the Lord of Fire. One rode ahead after a while and arrived here to let us know that if the pace continued, the Lord of Fire would arrive sometime tomorrow morning… with fifty warriors. That is my concern. Why bring fifty warriors if you simply want to talk with you?”
“Show of strength,” Cree said. “And since he feels it necessary, we shall do the same. Have the men don their battle weapons for his arrival.”
Sloan grinned. “Now that is a show of strength.”
“Pardon, but Lady Dawn is needed.”
The three turned to see Flanna.
“Elsa requests your help. Ann has worsened.”
Chapter 19
“You were there helping with Ann until late last night, you need more sleep,” Cree said, wanting to reach out and stop his wife from leaving their bed before daybreak, yet knowing it would prove useless.
Dawn gestured after donning her shift, letting her husband know that Elsa would have been up all night with Ann and would need rest herself.
“There are others willing to help Elsa. Ina said she would sit with Ann while the twins sleep.”
Dawn shook her head and gestured.
“She does not require healing knowledge to sit with Ann. She could fetch Elsa when necessary.”
Dawn shook her head again and finished dressing
“I could order you back to bed,” Cree said, a scowl surfacing.
Dawn’s shoulders sagged and she walked over to sit on the bed beside her husband. He was sitting up, the blanket resting past his waist, and his naked chest reminding her how comfortable it had felt only moments ago when her head rested upon it.
She rubbed at the scowling crease between his eyes, then rested a finger to his lips, then to hers and shook her head slowly.
“I do not want to argue either, but my concern is for you. You spent nearly the entire day yesterday helping Elsa with Ann. And while I know you have mostly healed from your ordeal that does not mean you should work until exhausted.”
Dawn patted her chest and nodded.
“You may think you will take care, but I know you well, wife. Sometimes, you push yourself beyond where you should go.” He pressed a finger to her lips when she raised her hands to speak. “The Lord of Fire arrives today. I want you by my side when he does.”
Dawn nodded and pressed her cheek to his.
Cree closed his eyes for a moment, his wife’s cool cheek feeling good against his warm one and the scent of their recent tender lovemaking lingering on her. It always amazed him that his love for this woman continued to grow by the day and he slipped his arm around her, wanting to keep her close.
“I know I must let you do this,” he whispered, “but promise me you will take care.”
Dawn nodded as she moved her cheek away from his to settle her lips on his in a gentle kiss that sealed her promise.
Before she stood, she tapped his lips, then her chest and gestured as if riding a horse.
“Aye, I will let you know when our visitor approaches,” Cree said.
Dawn gave him a quick kiss and hurried off the bed and out of the room. She loved lingering in bed with her husband, making love with him just before sunrise, and dozing in his arms afterwards. She hated leaving him now, but she was needed and she was grateful Cree understood that.
She hurried through the quiet keep. No one would be stirring for at least another hour. She thought of taking Beast with her, but he was intent on staying with the twins until they woke. And she felt no fright in walking through the village, Elsa’s cottage being close to the keep.
It was early morning, though the light had yet to break and the sky did not look promising, dark clouds dotting an already dark sky. A rainy day most likely.
Dawn kept her shawl tight around her, cool air chilling her as she approached the cottage. She stopped abruptly, thinking she spied movement. A swirl of something dark? Similar to what she had seen that one time. Or were her eyes playing tricks on her?
She stared, trying to make sense of what she had seen or if she had seen anything at all. When all remained still, not a sound being heard, she shook her head and went to the cottage door, opening it slowly, not to wake Elsa in case she had fallen asleep in the chair beside Ann’s bed.
Dawn froze for a moment, seeing Elsa collapsed on the floor. She rushed to her side and seeing blood pooling by her head, feared the worst. On closer look, Dawn saw she had suffered a huge bump to her head that had split open. She quickly got a cloth and wrapped it around Elsa’s head to stop any further bleeding. She then hurried to Ann and her heart gripped with pain. The young woman was dead, her head hanging off the bed, the pillow on the ground. Her first thought was that someone had suffocated her.
Help. She had to get help.
Neil? Had Neil suffered a similar fate as Elsa? He was in the cottage nearly attached to this one. She rushed next door and entered without a knock. She was relieved to see Neil asleep in bed. It took quite a bit of shaking to wake him and when she finally did, he stared at her in shock.
“Lady Dawn, what is wrong?” A thought hit him and with an agonizing twist to his face, asked, “Elsa. Something has happened to Elsa?”
Dawn nodded, pointed next door, and waved her to join him as she ran out.
Neil hurried into his garments and joined Dawn, seeing her bent over Elsa.
