My Highlander: A Cree & Dawn Novel, page 5
Dawn raised her head off his shoulder, her brow scrunched in question.
Cree wondered why she seemed confused. He reminded her. “You went with Elsa and Lara to collect some plants and accidentally fell in the stream. Lara rushed to the village for help and when we reached the stream Elsa was clutching your soaked shawl. Lara explained how she had reached out to grab you to try to stop you from falling in, but her hand slipped off you, the shawl caught in it.”
Dawn pushed at his chest to sit up and Cree helped her. She shook her head and gestured falling and being rushed away in the water.
“Are you telling me that you did not fall in the stream?” he asked, not believing his own question.
Dawn nodded.
Cree found her response disturbing. “Then what happened to you?”
She rushed her arms across her chest, her hands grabbing opposite arms and shook her body back and forth.
Cree stared at her again shocked at what she was trying to tell him. “Are you saying someone took you against your will?”
She nodded vigorously and held up two fingers.
“Two men?”
She nodded again and raised her hands, keeping one hand high and the other low.
“A tall and a short man?”
She nodded again.
Cree gave her words thought for a moment. “Was Lara there when these two men took you?”
Dawn mouthed Lara then ran her fingers along her palm and held up two fingers.
“Lara brought you to these two men?”
Dawn confirmed with a nod, then tapped her chest and walked her fingers along her palm again and gestured plucking plants.
“Lara took you to where she told you there were plants to pick?”
Dawn nodded and gestured plucking a plant and wincing.
Cree narrowed his brow. “I’m not sure what you’re saying.”
Dawn gestured again plucking a plant and this time when she touched the imaginary plant, she withdrew her finger fast and cringed.
“The plant pricked your finger,” Cree said understanding.
Dawn nodded and looked to wait for him to realize more.
It took a minute before he said, “Nettles, a prickly plant. That is where the men waited, by the nettles.”
Dawn nodded, pleased he understood her, then with a shrug mouthed, Lara?
“Lara is still among us, though she no longer helps Elsa. She keeps to herself, speaks to know one, and wears a constant frown. Everyone assumes she feels guilty over not being able to save you and blames herself for your supposed death, but now I know differently. No doubt, she had something to do with the men who took you.”
A sadness fell over Dawn’s face.
“Her betrayal will be dealt with,” Cree assured her eager to see to it.
Dawn yawned, the brief talk with her husband taking its toll.
“You need to sleep. We can talk more in the morning.”
Dawn gave a brief nod and wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and lowered her head to his shoulder as he stood with her in his arms.
Cree tucked her beneath the blanket and when she scrunched her brow as if asking why he was not joining her, he said, “I have a matter to see to. Beast will guard you until I return, then you will spend the night in my arms.”
A yawn stole Dawn’s smile and she closed her eyes after Cree gave her lips a gentle kiss. She knew where he was going. He would not wait until morning to see to Lara.
Cree slipped on his boots and his shirt and before he left the room, he said, “Guard Dawn, Beast.”
Cree’s temper mounted with each step he took down the curving staircase. All this time he had thought his wife had been swept away in the cold stream, when that was not at all true. She had been abducted. If he had known the truth, his trackers would have found the culprits in no time. Lara had purposely misdirected them and he intended to see her suffer for her lies. But first he would learn who had taken his wife and why.
He stepped out of the keep, the wind whipping around him and storm clouds rushing past the half moon. He went to Sloan’s cottage and pounded on the door.
Sloan’s plaid hung half off him when he flung open the door.
“Lara lied. Dawn did not fall in the stream… two men abducted her.”
Sloan called out to his wife. “Do not wait up for me, Lucerne.” He grabbed his shirt that had been tossed carelessly over a chair and hurried into it after closing the door behind him.
“We need to find out what she knows,” Sloan said as he kept up with Cree’s rapid strides.
“You warn me not to take her life before we get information from her.”
“I think of what I would want if it had happened to Lucerne. You would need to keep me away from Lara, my first thought would be to snap her neck.”
“That is why you are my trusted friend and top warrior, you think as I do, and, like you, I am aware that information comes before the consequences of her betrayal,” —Cree’s hands tightened into fist at his sides— “as maddening as that is for me.”
No more was said as they wound their way through the village, the wind growing stronger, the storm clouds thickening almost blotting out the half-moon, and lightning flashed in the distance.
They came upon the small cottage and Cree did not bother to knock at the door, he flung it open. There was no one there. He glanced around, Sloan doing the same.
“It looks abandoned,” Sloan said. “Lara could have left the day Dawn was found unless someone can tell us otherwise.”
“See if any of the sentinels spotted her,” Cree ordered. “I am going to see if Elsa might know something.”
Cree felt a splatter of rain hit him when he reached Elsa’s cottage. He pounded the door with his fist twice to wake Elsa, though it was Neil who opened the door.
Neil was one of Cree’s seasoned warriors. He had once been wounded while guarding Dawn and Elsa’s tender care had won his heart. They had been together for almost two years now.
One look at Cree and Neil called out, “Hurry, Elsa, Lord Cree is here.”
Elsa’s long gray hair was in a loose braid and she wore her nightdress with a shawl wrapped around her.
Her eyes were wide with fright as she asked, “Is it Dawn?”
Cree shook his head. “Dawn is good. She sleeps and Beast guards her.”
Elsa let out a relieved breath.
“Come in, my lord, come in,” Neil said, stepping aside for Cree to enter.
Cree entered the cottage and while it always welcomed with pleasant or delicious scents, he gave no notice to that now. He was quick to ask, “Have you seen Lara since Dawn’s return?”
Elsa’s brow scrunched in thought and before she could respond, Neil spoke.
“I saw her earlier today. She came her looking for you,” he said, turning to his wife. “I told her you were at the keep and she should go there to speak with you. I thought she did.”
Elsa shook her head. “No, I never saw her. Come to think of it, I have not seen her in a good while. She kept to herself after Dawn was gone, feeling guilty that she was not more of a help in finding her.”
“She should feel guilt,” Cree snapped. “Dawn never fell in the stream. Lara walked her right into a trap. She took her to where the nettles grow and two men were waiting there to abduct her. Lara misdirected us while the men made off with Dawn.”
Elsa paled. “Good Lord, why would she do that?”
“That is what I am going to find out, then Lara will pay for her betrayal.”
Chapter 5
Dawn was annoyed and it made her smile since it made her realize that she was feeling much stronger today. She had woken in Cree’s arms and was looking forward to lingering there with him as they had often done, though it usually, actually more often than not, lead to them making love. And while she was not sure if she was strong enough for coupling yet, she would not mind a kiss or two, but Cree had hurried out of bed soon after he had seen that she was awake.
He had dressed with even more haste and told her that he would be feeding her this morning. She had tried to tell him she could feed herself, but he refused to listen.
“You are not eating enough,” he had argued.
She had been grateful when Sloan had suddenly shown up and Cree hurried off with him after ordering her to eat more and for Beast to guard her. If she heard him tell Beast to guard her one more time, she was going to scream. A lot of good it would do since no one would hear it.
Frustrated, she got out of bed slowly, testing her strength and while she still felt weakness in her legs, they felt much stronger than she had expected. She took her time, so as not to tire herself, and got dressed slowly. She found the task easier than she thought, slipping on a plain white shift and yellow tunic over it. However, when it came to her shoes, she found herself in a quandary. The blisters on her feet were healing nicely, but she worried the shoes might delay the healing. In the end, the decision was simple. She would go barefoot.
She took her time to comb and braid her long hair and did not feel the least tired when she was done, though her arms felt the effort.
She looked to Beast with a smile and waved her hand for him to follow as she walked without haste to the door.
Dawn was glad Cree no longer had two warriors standing guard at their bedchamber door. She knew it was because of Beast. He trusted the animal to protect her and so did she.
She took the stairs with careful and slow steps, Beast following behind her. Cree had promised her that he would bring the twins to her later, but she could not wait another moment to see them and she could not spend another full day in that room. She might not be fully healed yet, but it would do her no good to continue to lie abed all day.
Laughter and talk drifted down the stairs and she smiled, hearing her son and daughter talking and laughing. She stopped abruptly, her smile vanishing, and worry setting in. She had been gone three months, would her children recognize her. She had gotten thin. And would they remember her gestures that they had learned to understand and responded to?
Beast leaned against her leg, reminding her that he was there to help.
Dawn smiled, patted his head, and continued up the stairs.
“Mummy,” the two little ones squealed as soon as they saw her and Dawn’s worry vanished in an instant. She lowered herself down on the floor to sit as the two ran at her and threw her arms wide to greet them with a tight hug. She kissed and cuddled them close and they laughed and kissed her and hung on to her as if they would never let her go.
When the hugs were done, a bit of worry returned as she tapped her chest, crossed her arms tight against it, then reached out to poke each one of them in the chest. Would they understand her?
“Love Mummy,” they both said and hugged her again.
They had not forgotten and Dawn’s heart soared with joy. The two had grown in the few months she had been gone. Valan was looking more and more like his da, dark eyes, and his light brown hair beginning to streak blond. Lizabeth’s hair was red, dark like Dawn’s but beginning to streak blonde like her brother’s. Her hair would be far more lovely than Dawn’s dark red hair and her features far more beautiful, a thought that could not make Dawn happier. What gave her even more joy was that her daughter had a voice. She had not inherited Dawn’s affliction.
Dawn gestured to Nell and Ina, the two women who looked after the twins, as if spooning something into her mouth and pointed to the twins.
“Aye, my lady, they ate this morn,” Nell said with a smile. “They have missed you.”
Nell was Henry, the tracker’s wife. They had wed just before Dawn had gone missing. She was petite with a pretty face and had more patience than Dawn thought possible. Ina was a plain lass and a bit plump, with such a pleasant nature that she had men constantly after her, but none had yet to catch her eye or interest.
Lizbeth poked her mum’s cheek. “You stay.”
Dawn smiled. She issued orders like her da, with a strong command. Dawn wasted no time in assuring her daughter and son with repeated nods and hugs that she was home to stay. After a bunch more hugs and kisses, Dawn gestured to Nell and Ina once again, pointing outside the room.
“You want to take the bairns somewhere?” Ina asked.
Dawn nodded.
The two stepped forward and that was when Beast made himself known, entering the room from where he had kept guard just outside the door, no one having noticed him.
The two women jumped back with a squeal and Valan jumped into his mum’s arms. Lizbeth approached the large dog without fear.
“Pretty pup,” Lizbeth said and walked over to hug Beast who was so taken back by the little lass that he sat there while she buried her face in his fur and hugged him.
Dawn quickly patted his head and pressed her face to Beast’s, then to each of her children, letting him know she loved him as well as the little ones.
Beast licked Lizbeth’s face and the little lass giggled.
Not to be outdone, Valan went to the dog and hugged the animal, though not as tightly as Lizbeth.
Dawn pointed to the two women and patted her chest, then patted Beast’s head so he would know the two women were to be trusted.
“He will not hurt us, will he?” Nell asked.
Ina smiled and went to the dog and gave him a rub behind his ear. “Of course not. He is a gentleman. The villagers speak of how protective and faithful he is to you, my lady.”
Dawn nodded.
“He will have many friends here,” Ina said.
Dawn smiled, grateful for her easy acceptance of Beast, since the large animal could easily intimidate.
Ina and Nell each scooped up one of the twins to carry down the stairs, Dawn not objecting. She had healed some, but not enough to carry either of the twins. Soon the small group entered the Great Hall and the few servants, in attendance, greeted Dawn with smiles and blessings that she had returned home.
Dawn noticed that one of the three warriors seated at a table got up as soon as he saw her and rushed out of the hall. She had limited time before her husband appeared. The twins grabbed for her hands when the two women set them on their feet and Dawn smiled and walked them to the kitchen.
“Turbett, treat,” Valan said with a grin.
Nell laughed softly. “Turbett spoils them, my lady.”
“And us too,” Ina giggled.
Dawn was pleased to hear that since Turbett intimidated most people. Sloan feared talking to him, but then Sloan feared losing the man as a cook, his meals exceptionally tasty.
“Who is this who has come to visit?”
“Turbett!” the two little ones cried out and broke free from Dawn to run and be caught up in the man’s beefy arms.
Dawn smiled at the way the large, bald man grinned and cuddled the two close. Turbett rarely smiled, though he did at times when he looked at Flanna, the unlikely pair having fallen in love. Their dominant natures often clashed, but love always shined in their eyes.
“Have you come for a treat?” Turbett asked.
Lizbeth turned a sweet smile on him and kissed his full cheek. “See you, Turbett.”
The large man looked ready to melt.
“Berries!” Valan cried out, being more direct.
“Those two have his heart.”
Dawn turned and smiled seeing Flanna and threw her arms around the woman.
Flanna returned the hug. Dawn had worked in the kitchen when Flanna was the cook, before Cree attacked the castle, claiming it for himself with the blessing of the King.
“You are well enough to be out of bed, my lady?” Flanna asked with concern.
Dawn preferred that Flanna address her as she had always done, Dawn, not my lady. But Flanna had insisted it was not proper and Cree would never stand for it. Sometimes, though, when there was just the two of them, Flanna would call her as she once did, Dawn, and it always pleased her to hear it.
Dawn smiled, patted her chest, and nodded.
“It is good to know you do better,” Flanna said and nodded at the twins. “He loves those two. They can get anything they want from him, that dog too.”
Dawn noticed then that Beast had followed the children and sat near Turbett as if he too was expecting a treat.
“Cree ordered the dog be fed each day. Turbett was annoyed, as usual, at first, then he was impressed by how the dog would come to the open kitchen door every morning and evening, after he was finished outside and before he returned to you and wait for his meal. He did not try to steal any food, he simply ate what Turbett gave him.”
He was trained that way, Dawn thought. Food was something Beast had never been deprived of until their journey home. Then his instincts and hunger had taken over, and he had hunted,
“My lady,” Turbett said with a respectful bob of his head. “It is good to have you home.”
Dawn acknowledged his remark with a smile and a nod.
“Let me fix you a nice brew along with some honey bread just freshly made,” he said.
Dawn nodded again, and Flanna returned her and the twins to the Great Hall to settle them comfortably at a table. A bowl of blueberries was placed between the twins and soon their little fingers were stained from snatching up berry after berry.
Dawn found herself enjoying a second piece of sweet bread, surprised how the tasty treat had woken her hunger.
“What are you doing out of bed?” Cree’s strong voice thundered through the Great Hall.
Valan hurried closer to his mum, while Lizbeth scrambled off the bench and ran to her da.
“Da! Da!” she cried out with a huge smile.
Cree’s scowl vanished in an instant and he scooped his daughter up into his powerful arms. Her little arms went around his neck to squeeze tight, then she kissed him on the cheek three times.
“Mum home,” she said with glee.
“That she is, Lizbeth, home to stay,” Cree said.
Lizbeth nodded, agreeing with him.
Cree walked over to his wife and son and saw that Beast had taken a protective stance beside Dawn.
He was about to snap at the dog when his daughter squirmed in his arms to be released and when he placed her on the floor, she ran to Beast and threw her arms around the large dog, burying her face in his fur and hugging him tight.
