My Highlander: A Cree & Dawn Novel, page 3
Cree nodded, trying to temper his frustration. He wanted his wife back, wanted to see her smile, her hands gesture to him, feel her touch upon him, her lips pressed to his.
Patience, he silently warned himself. Unfortunately, patience was one virtue he lacked.
“I sent for Lila to sit with Dawn for a while,” Elsa said and held her hand up when he looked ready to bite her head off. “Please, my lord, you need to get out of this room for a while and visit with your children and see to your duties. Your daughter Lizbeth repeatedly calls for her da and your son Valan is unsettled, having difficulty sleeping. They miss you.”
Cree had been meaning to go to his son and daughter, but he had not wanted to leave Dawn. She was safe here, two warriors standing guard outside their bedchamber and all his warriors on alert in case Dawn had escaped someone who thought to go after her.
“Lila’s endless chatter just might bring Dawn awake and keep her awake longer than a few moments,” Elsa said.
Cree’s nostrils flared with annoyance. That was not for Lila to do, it was for him to do. He rubbed at the back of his neck taut with pain, his own fault. He needed to let things be, let his wife rest and heal and see to his duties and most of all to his children. They needed to be smiling and happy when reunited with their mum.
“You will wait for Lila to arrive while I go see to my duties and my children and tell her to take her time with Dawn, since I have much to see to today and it is already past mid-day.”
Elsa was relieved that Cree paid heed to her words, and smiled.
“Send for me if my wife wakes and remains awake,” he ordered and bent down and gave Dawn’s cheek a kiss and walked to the door. “Come, Beast.” He had taken to calling the dog Beast for lack of a name. The dog went to the bedchamber door in the morning and before evening set in to let Cree know he needed to go out. He always found his way back in, though Cree wondered how since no one would go near the beast of a dog, or dare open a door for him, and he would settle himself by the fireplace once again.
The large dog looked to the bed, looked back at Cree, then walked over to the bed and sat beside it, his thick chest expanding as he tilted his head up, letting Cree know he would stand guard.
Cree admired the dog’s loyalty to Dawn and he wondered what had forged such a strong bond the animal felt toward her.
“Guard her well,” he said and walked out the door.
Cree stopped halfway down the stairs and took a deep breath. It had been more difficult than he had expected leaving Dawn. His heart had hammered harder and harder in his chest with each step he had taken away from her, and it had not stopped. It had worsened the further away he got from her.
She was home and safe. He did not need to worry and yet he did. The pain of having believed he had lost her was still too raw and he never—never ever—wanted to feel it again. He had learned a lesson with his wife’s death.
Life was not worth living without her.
He squared his shoulders and tossed his head from side to side, working out the stiffness in his neck. Life was finally worth living again and he planned to make sure it stayed that way. He continued down the stairs and through the Great Hall to step outside to look for Sloan.
It was a beautiful summer day and warmer than usual but that could change at any minute. As he looked over the village, he wondered if it had been the recent rain that made everything look brighter, the villagers happier, laughing and smiling, the children running and squealing in delight. Or had the constant gloom been lifted, the heart of the village beating once again with Dawn’s return?
Cree turned when he heard soft laughter and was not surprised to see Sloan nuzzling his wife, Lucerne’s neck at the open door to their cottage. Annoyance flared in him not at the couple, but the memories of the time he had spent in that cottage with Dawn and how he so badly wanted to share intimate moments again with her, even if it was the simplest of gestures… her hand slipping around his and holding tight, letting him know she was there and that they were one.
“My lord, how is Dawn today?” Lucerne asked, a blush rising to stain her cheeks with embarrassment that Cree had come upon their moment of intimacy.
“She does well,” Cree said and his annoyance grew when he selfishly thought that he wished she would do better faster.
Sloan gave his wife a hasty kiss on the cheek and whispered, “Later.” Her blush deepened and he winked at her before walking over to Cree.
“Do not be impatient. Be glad your wife has returned and heals with each passing day,” Sloan said when he stopped in front of Cree.
“You hear my thoughts now?” Cree snapped.
“Your face shows more than you know since Dawn entered your life. Besides, I have known you long enough to know you have no patience except when we go into battle. Then you wait, watch, and attack at the right moment. Think of your wife’s healing as a battle and attack when it is time.”
“Is it time for me to attack?” Cree asked.
Again Sloan understood what he asked. “The trackers have found nothing so far, but Henry has picked up on a trail that others failed to see and he follows it.”
“See he is rewarded.”
“I will, but he will not take the reward. He, like all the others here, does this for Dawn and nothing else.”
“I never truly realized how much the clan admires and cares for my wife.”
“Even more so since they have seen what a monster of a man you are without her,” Sloan chuckled.
“I feel the need for the practice field today and you shall be my partner.” Cree’s scowl spoke more loudly than his words.
Sloan chuckled again. “You have no time for the practice field. You have duties to see to that you have sorely neglected. Besides, you don’t need to practice. Have you happened to see how huge you have grown with muscle. Dawn has not returned to the husband she has left.”
“I am no different,” Cree bellowed, his anger sparking.
“Sloan!”
Both men turned to see Lucerne headed their way, her lovely face pinched in annoyance.
“Have you upset Lord Cree? Has he not been through enough? He does not need you tormenting him,” Lucerne scolded her husband.
Cree kept a glare on his face, but inside he was grinning from ear to ear.
“I say what he needs to hear,” Sloan defended himself and wondered how his wife could look so beautiful even when angry.
“Lord Cree needs to hear that we are all here to help him and Dawn, and do whatever they need us to do,” Lucerne admonished.
“Which is why I tell him what he needs to hear,” Sloan said, refusing to back down from his wife.
Lucerne crossed her arms over her chest when she came to a stop in front of him. “And tell me, if it were you who were going through what Lord Cree is going through. would you wish to hear the words you said to him?”
Sloan’s arm went around his wife’s waist and he rested his brow to hers. “I could not bear to lose you.”
“Nor I you.” She kissed his cheek, then whispered, “Tread lightly with him and later I will show you just how much I love you.” With a respectful bob of her head to Cree, she returned to the cottage, closing the door behind her.
“Damn,” Sloan said, shaking his head.
“You have a good wife, Sloan,” Cree said, “though if she were my wife I would never tolerate her speaking to me that way in front of another or ever for that matter. A good reason why I never wed her, though she had been my intended. Her tongue can be far too sharp and wicked.”
“I agree with you that her tongue can be wicked and I do not mind that at all,” Sloan said with a grin.
Cree laughed and shook his head. “You two were made for each other. You both have quick and sharp tongues.”
Sloan rested a hand to Cree’s shoulder. “It is good to hear you laugh again. And if anyone was made for each other, it is you and Dawn. I am more pleased and happy than you will ever know that Dawn has returned home, and I will do whatever it takes to seek revenge if necessary.”
“You are a good friend, Sloan. You tolerated me when I was not at my best and I am grateful for that. And I know I can always count on you to raise a sword along with me without question.”
“Now to see to some duties that need your immediate attention,” Sloan said and the two men walked off.
Lila had not stopped talking since arriving in Dawn’s bedchamber an hour ago. She did her best not to be fearful of Beast, but he was an intimidating creature, keeping a watchful eye on her.
She sat in the chair beside the bed, reaching out to touch Dawn’s hand every now and then, especially when she would chuckle or break out in a fit of laughter over something she told Dawn that little Thomas or her husband Paul had done.
She chatted on about things that had happened since Dawn had been gone, letting her know that not only Sloan and Lucerne were expecting their first bairn, but that Dorrie’s time was near and Elwin was a mess with worry. She went on about how Flanna somewhat tamed the snappish and grumbling Turbett, and that the large man could even be seen smiling now and again. Some thought it a miracle, while others believed Turbett had met his match in Flanna.
Lila never lacked for something to say. She went on and on, chuckling and laughing, though what Dawn did not see were the tears that rolled down her cheeks, her heart hurting for her friend.
Dawn wondered over the droning buzz in her head. What was it? Where was it coming from? Had she made it home? Or had she fallen prey to someone? She feared opening her eyes, feared what she might see. And where was Beast? What had happened to him? He would not leave her side without being forced to do so.
She lay still fearful of moving, of calling attention to herself, of alerting anyone that might be around her.
Home. Home. She so wanted to be home.
Her journey had been grueling and her dreams horrible, always making her believe she had made it home, only to wake and be disappointed. The dream where she had woken in Cree’s arms, his body wrapped around hers, had hurt the most. He had felt so real, his breath so warm on her neck, the bed so soft beneath… like now.
She was in a bed, but where?
She forced herself to listen to the buzzing in her head, trying to recognize it, trying to find out where she was.
She felt a tongue lick her face.
“Do not do that,” a voice scolded.
Dawn felt another lick and knew it was Beast.
“You will stop that right now,” the voice warned.
Again a lick to her face.
“You are going to get in trouble when I tell Lord Cree,” the voice threatened.
Dawn suddenly recognized the voice and her heart soared with relief. She opened her eyes to another lick to her cheek and smiled at her best friend Lila.
“Oh my God! Oh my God! You are awake,” Lila said, her eyes turning wide and a wider smile breaking out across her face.
Dawn’s smile grew along with her friend’s and she gestured to her.
“You want to sit up?”
Dawn nodded.
“We should get you in your nightdress as well before others start pouring in here.”
Dawn only then realized she was naked beneath the blankets, and she nodded again.
Before Lila could do as Dawn asked, the dog ran to the closed door and barked.
Dawn pointed to the door, letting Lila know to let him out. She knew what Beast was doing. He was going to the person who had helped her the most since they had arrived here to let him know something had changed with Dawn.
And that person would be Cree.
Lila hurried to open the door and the two guards were quick to see if all was well.
“Get Lord Cree. Lady Dawn is awake,” Lila ordered to her own surprise.
Dawn clasped onto Lila’s arm for support as she helped her to sit up, piling pillows behind her to see that she was comfortable. She did not want to let go of her friend when she finished and Lila, realizing it, hugged her tight.
“You are safe. You are home now,” she reassured her and waited until Dawn finally released her to help her on with her nightdress. “I am so glad you are home and that you are not dead.”
Dawn scrunched her brow.
“We all thought you dead, drowned.”
Dawn scrunched her brow again.
Lila, fearful her remarks might upset Dawn, said, “There will be time to talk about that. What matters is that you rest and get well. Valan and Lizbeth will be so happy to see you.”
Dawn’s smile grew wide and her eyes bright, and she did not have to gesture to ask how the twins were, Lila started chatting away about the pair.
Everyone in the village hurried out of the large dog’s way, his bark more like a roar as his sharp black eyes searched every face.
Cree heard the bark in the distance and didn’t hesitate, he ran straight toward the sound.
The animal and Cree caught sight of each other at the same moment and the dog did not wait, he turned and headed back to the keep, Cree running to follow him.
Dawn’s eyes kept going to the open door, waiting, wanting badly to see her husband, feel his arms around her, know that she was finally home.
“He will be here soon,” Lila said, seeing the anxiousness on her friend’s face.
Both their heads turned at the same time, hearing the barks that echoed up the stairs.
Lila squeezed Dawn’s hand. “I will see you soon.” She stepped out of the way, knowing any moment Lord Cree would come bursting through the open door and not wanting to be in his way.
Dawn waited, her hands clenched in her lap, her heart hammering in her chest, her body feeling more alive than it had in months.
Beast burst in the room and moved to the side, Cree entering just behind him and stopping for a moment to stare at his wife, awake, and sitting up.
Dawn did not hesitate, she threw her arms out to him, and Cree rushed over to her.
Chapter 3
Cree lifted his wife into his arms as she clung to his neck and settled her in his lap when he sat on the bed. She curled into him, getting as close as she could and his arms tightened possessively around her. It was clear that they never intended to be separated again.
“You are home now. Safe. Never again will you go anywhere without me.”
Dawn nodded and her agreeing so easily worried him. His wife was not one to obey him and his concern grew over what she may have suffered these last three months.
She patted his chest, then hers.
He kissed the top of her head before resting his cheek there and whispered, “I love you too, wife.”
They stayed like that for a moment, then Dawn looked up at him and cradled her arm and rocked it, asking about her son and daughter.
“Valan and Lizbeth do well. They will be so happy to see you. I will bring them to you when you feel up to seeing them.”
Dawn smiled and nodded, then rested her head on his shoulder again.
“Lila,” Cree called out when he caught her inching toward the door.
She jumped and turned, “Aye, my lord.”
“I am grateful for your chatter.”
Lila blushed.
“Tell Elsa that Dawn is awake and she is to come immediately,” Cree said, though she was probably already on the way there, the whole village having seen him and the dog rush toward the keep.
“Aye, my lord,” Lila said and bobbed her head and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Dawn raised her head suddenly, snapping her fingers as she did.
The large black dog was instantly at the side of the bed, his head going to rest on her leg.
Dawn reached out and rubbed behind his ear, then gave the top of his head two quick taps, then gave her chest two. The dog raised his head and barked as if he understood what she told him. She kissed her hand and placed it on the side of the dog’s face and he licked it, then laid down beside the bed.
“The beast of a dog and you are attached,” Cree said, a stab of jealousy poking at him. “He helped you?”
Dawn nodded and tapped the tip of her fingers repeatedly.
“Many times?”
She nodded and once again her head dropped to rest on his shoulder.
Cree was full of questions and not patient to ask them. There was much he wanted to say and wanted to ask, but he could feel her fatigue. She may have finally woken, but she had yet to fully heal.
“Then he has a new home here,” Cree said, thinking that since the dog was so attached to her and protective that he might work well in helping to keep Dawn safe. “I call him Beast.”
She looked up at him and smiled her approval, then suddenly winced when she shifted in his arms.
“You are in pain?” he asked anxiously.
She held her thumb and forefinger a short distance apart to let him know it was only a little pain she felt.
“You have much healing to do, wife, then we will talk.”
She barely nodded in response, her head going to rest on his shoulder once again, it simply too heavy to hold it up.
He not only saw the reluctance on her face at the thought of them talking, he felt it in the slight tensing of her body. Had her ordeal been so terrible that she did not want to speak of it? He did not want to put her through the pain of what she had gone through all over again, but he wanted to know… everything. And he would know everything, then he could go after whoever caused her such suffering.
At this moment, however, his concern was his wife.
Dawn patted her chest, then patted his chest, then his arm.
“I am glad that you are here with me and in my arms as well,” he said. “I have missed you more than you will ever know.”
She nodded and patted her chest, letting him know she felt the same.
