Highlander's True Love: A Cree & Dawn Short Story (3 page)

Dawn was amazed by the amount of land that had been cleared on the summit where the castle, their future home, would be built. She was also curious about what looked like a foundation to a structure that had once occupied the area.

“Vikings.”

Dawn’s heart pounded as she turned to look out over the river that flowed lazily below the summit, fearing for a moment she would see Viking ships approaching. That, however, was not possible, since Viking attacks were now tales of the past, though the telling of them continued to instill fear.

She turned once again, this time to face William the young man who had drawn the plans for the castle.

“A Viking stronghold sat here once. It fell into disrepair once it was abandoned, the weather and years claiming the rest. Cree has instructed that the stones remain as a reminder that the Vikings did not succeed in keeping claim on this land.”

Dawn smiled and motioned with her hands, William familiar with her gestures.

The young man grinned as he answered, “Aye, Cree will keep claim of this land and all his sons and theirs to follow.”

Dawn spread her hand out toward the river.

“It is a beautiful sight from up here. And the river is plentiful with sea trout and salmon. The land itself is home to pheasant, grouse, deer and more. And the seals can be quite entertaining on the beach below. It will make a good home.”

“That it will.”

William turned and gave a respectful bob to Cree. “My lord.”

“I see now why you made those adjustments to the castle plans, but there are a few others I wish to discuss with you.”

Dawn wandered off as the two discussed the changes. Usually she would insinuate herself into the conversation, curious as to how the drawings would change since her fingers itched to draw more often than not. However, she could think of little else then Tallis and her son. Or was it the fact that when Tallis spoke of Cree, she sounded as if she loved him and always would? And try as she might Dawn could not help but feel angry at the thought.

The woman had no right loving Cree. He belonged to Dawn and no one else. And though the woman claimed she meant only for her son to know his father, was she hoping for more from Cree?

Dawn tried to shake her concerns and doubts away, but they were stubborn and stuck to her like the persistent fleas that plagued the animals.

“How many times must I remind you not to wonder off on your own?”

Dawn stopped and took in her surroundings before turning to face her husband. She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she had not realized that she had taken a worn path, leading down the side of the summit. Through the trees, a few feet ahead, she spied the sandy shore.

She turned, forcing a smile, and held her hand out to her husband and turned her head to the shore.

“A brief look and we return,” he ordered. “There is work to attend to.” Keeping a firm grip on her hand, he led her down the remainder of the path and onto the sandy shoreline.

This time Dawn’s smile came easily. She could imagine bringing the twins here to dig in the sand. Swimming was another matter for it was well known that the water’s temp did not vary much between winter and summer, and only the hardy, or perhaps foolhardy, dared to tempt it.

The shore, however, would provide a good place for picnics, games, drawing in the sand, fishing, and so much more. Her smile grew as she pictured at least six or more children playing together, laughing, having fun, she and Cree joining in with them.

Her smile faded as she imagined a lad standing off in the distance, removed from the fun and she felt a grip to her heart. She knew the lad was Adian.

Cree knew by her knitted brow that something concerned her and it was not difficult to know what it was. “I told you I would see to this matter. You are not to worry.”

Though Cree spoke as if angry, she knew her husband well enough to know it was more out of concern than annoyance. But he needed to understand that she needed to talk with him about it.

She laid a hand to his chest and then to hers, letting him know that she loved him and before he could respond, she continued gesturing.

“I know you want to discuss the situation, but I do not. I will see it done and that is all you need to know.”

Dawn shook her head, letting him know that would not do.

“I will not argue this with you, Dawn.”

She gestured again, telling him that she would not argue either, but she would have her way.

“Will you now?” he said as if challenging her.

Dawn stamped her foot and tossed her chin up.

His eyes narrowed and in the next instant his arm went around her waist and he yanked her hard against him, his face an inch from hers. “It will be as I say.”

Dawn was not surprised that passion shot through her, hardening her nipples, fluttering her stomach, and causing her to turn wet with the want of him. It had been too long since she last had him inside her and she ached to feel the strength of him pounding into her relentlessly and bringing her endless pleasure, not to mention earth shattering climaxes. She simply could not get enough of her husband.

Did Tallis feel the same?

The thought angered her and made her want to show Cree that he belonged to her and her alone. She reached down and slipped her hand beneath his plaid and grabbed hold of him, smiling when she found him rock-hard.

Cree gave a low growl, then scooped her up and walked to a secluded spot and went down with her on the warm sand, his mouth devouring hers with a kiss.

The hungry kiss fired their passion and their hands roamed eagerly over each other.

After a few moments, Cree tore his mouth away from hers reluctantly. “Fast and hard it will be, for we have no time to linger.”

Dawn nodded vigorously. Fast, hard, slow, easy, she did not care as long as he buried himself deep inside her. She eagerly yanked her dress up while he pushed his plaid aside.

“HONK! HONK!”

The strange noise startled them both and had Cree jumping to his feet, his hand going to the hilt of his dagger.

Dawn sat up, pushing her dress down and smiling when she caught sight of a pair of seals a few feet away.

“Go away!” Cree shouted, waving his hand.

The one seal bravely moved forward and responded with a resounding, “HONK!”

Dawn laughed, though it could not be heard.

Cree cast an eye to his wife, knowing she would find this amusing and sure enough her body shook with her silent laughter. “It is not funny.”

In a sense, it was not funny... the pair had disturbed their lovemaking, but they were too cute to be mad at them. Besides, Dawn sensed why they were there and she gestured to her husband.

“What do you mean we are trespassing on their spot? This is my land. If anyone is trespassing it is them.” He wanted to kill the pair for having interrupted them, though he never would. They were harmless creatures and while he could be cruel, never would he harm defenseless creatures.

He watched his wife scramble to her feet and before he could warn her to keep her distance from the pair she was at their side. The one held his flipper out to Dawn and she smiled broadly as she rested her hand against it. Then the other one did the same.

Dawn stretched her hand out to the spot where she and Cree had been and the pair gave her a nod and ambled past Cree without a nod or acknowledgement to stretch out in the warm sand, the sun bathing them with glorious warmth.

Before he could voice his objections, Dawn gestured to him and his heart swelled with love. “Aye, you are right. The twins will love it here and they will love the seals.” He walked over to her and slipped his arm around her, easing her against him. “Tonight, wife, you are mine and mine alone, and there will be no interruptions.”

Dawn tapped her chest rapidly to let him know how happy that made her.

He kissed her quick. “I am going to make you very, very happy tonight.”

She smiled and hugged him, laying her head against his chest.

He tightened his arm around her. “You belong to me. You are mine.” He lifted her chin so that their eyes met. “I love you.”

She could not help but wrinkle her brow, pat her chest, and shrug.

“Are you asking me if I love you and only you?”

She nodded.

He released her and took a step back. “Did I not tell you to leave this be?”

She pointed between them both and to her mouth.

“There is nothing to discuss. This is between that woman and me”

She shook her head vehemently and jabbed in the air at him and then herself.

“No, this does not concern us.”

She through her hands up frustrated, then shook her finger at him and pounded her chest.

Cree went to her side and stood in front of her, his hands fisted at his sides. “Do you love me?”

Dawn gestured without hesitation that she did.

“Do you trust me?”

Dawn once again did not hesitate, she nodded.

“Then obey me on this and let it be or I will take you over my knee and take my hand to your naked backside.”

The image of him doing just that, though with a tender touch, brought a wicked smile to her face and she closed the distance between them, her finger drawing an X over her heart.

Cree’s loins fired to life as the image of her spread naked across his knees, his hand coming done on her round backside, flooding his senses. He grabbed her wrist and leaned down to whisper, “It is a promise you have that my hand will find your backside this night.”

Dawn shivered at the sinful thought.

He took her arm. “You have distracted me from my work far too long.”

Dawn smiled and pressed close to his side as they made their way back up the path to the top of the summit. She stopped once or twice to look at some plants, then gestured for him to go ahead while she kept herself and her thoughts occupied with collecting a few plants she thought Elsa might want.

Cree hesitated at first, then said. “Stay right here until one of my warriors join you.”

She nodded.

He shook his finger in her face. “I mean it, Dawn. I will not worry about you when there is work to be done.”

She promised with her finger tracing a cross over her heart, then gave him a quick kiss before he walked off. She had no intentions of disobeying him, she had done enough of that already and the day was young yet. She became engrossed in her foraging and did not realize the warrior had joined her until she almost stumbled over him.

It was only when she saw that the sun had moved in the sky that she realized a couple of hours had passed. It had been a while since she had spent some leisurely time in the woods and she was pleased to have had this time to herself.

The warrior followed her back up the path and she smiled when she caught sight of Cree deep in talk with William. The sight of him never failed to thrill her or touch her heart. She truly loved this man and that love grew stronger every day.

He turned and stretched his hand out to her. She ran to him and he wrapped his arm around her.

“Time to go,” he said and hugged her close.

Cree kept a conversation going as they rode at a leisurely pace, focusing on their new home while purposely avoiding the problem that had presented itself this morning. He was not ready to discuss it with her and he was not ready to admit that there was something familiar about Tallis, though he could not place it. In time, he would remember and in time she would tell him the truth—he would convince her of it.

“Land needs clearing for the village and each section of the village will be built at different intervals. I plan on having Elsa’s cottage close to the keep in case you or the children are in need of her.”

Dawn was wise to her husband’s ways and was aware that he talked as he did to distract her from thinking of anything else. She did not mind, for she loved when he shared plans with her and asked her opinion, which he did both—often.

She gestured with a question that he was quick to answer and they shared their return journey home in relative compatibility.

They barely reached the rise that led to the village when one of Cree’s warriors rode toward him at a fast pace.

Cree brought his horse to a stop, raising his hand to let the others know to follow suit. Then he waited until the approaching warrior reached him.

The warrior brought his horse to a sudden halt a few feet from Cree and did not wait to be granted permission to speak. “A troop of fifty or more is but a short distance away and they carry more weapons than necessary for a mere visit.”

“Have trackers been sent out to see if more follow?” Cree asked.

“Aye, Sloan had them sent out as soon as word came of the troop’s approach and I was sent to inform you,” the warrior said.

He did not bother to ask if his men were in place, he knew the answer. His warriors were well trained and whether a small or large troop approached, their actions would be the same. They would prepare to defend their home to the death.

“Then let us be ready to greet them,” Cree said and turned to Dawn. Without a word, he leaned over, grabbed her around the waist, yanked her off her horse and onto his, dropping her in front of him and keeping a firm arm around her before taking off down the rise.

All was in readiness when the troop arrived at the keep. Warriors stood ready as did villagers, everyone familiar with their assigned task should an unexpected battle break out. Anxious and alert eyes followed the troop through the village and to the stairs of the keep where Cree stood waiting on the top step.

Dawn stood inside the keep just behind the tall door, keeping it slightly ajar so that she could hear what was being said. Cree had ordered her, most vehemently, to remain in the keep until he instructed otherwise. She understood that he was protecting her from possible harm, but she would have much preferred to be at his side and see for herself what was happening.

“If you step one foot out that door, I will see you confined to our bedchamber for the remainder of the day,” Cree ordered without glancing back at the door, and then silently cursed, imagining her response.

I would not be alone for long.

Dawn smiled, certain her husband knew her well enough to know her reply. Her smile faded as the sound of approaching horses grew louder. Their arrival could prove to be nothing, but for some reason she did not believe that.

Cree watched as only ten men came to a stop at the foot of the stairs. Never would he allow a whole troop to enter his village. The remainder waited outside the gates, his warriors keeping a watch on them.

One man guided his horse forward and addressed Cree respectfully. “Earl of Carrick, I beg your forgiveness for my unannounced visit. I am Terran Fitzbane, brother to the Earl of Brimsborne, and I come here in search of a woman.”

Cree looked him over, though his eyes never moved. He was thick of body and of average height, but held himself well, his wide shoulders drawn back and his chin up a notch. His deep voice resonated with confidence and the wrinkles around his eyes only added to his fine features. Gray strands mingled with brown and sharp blue eyes remained steady on Cree. Terran Fitzbane was not a man to disregard lightly.

“Go on,” Cree said.

“The woman is quite a beauty and travels with a young lad about two years. She has a false tongue and is not to be trusted. She uses the lad as a pawn, attempting to convince any earl, chieftain, any man with a title that the lad is his bastard son. Once she gains some wealth from one, she moves on to the next.”

“What do you want with such a deceitful woman?”

“I care not what happens to the lying whore. I care only for the safety of the child. The lad is my brother Giles, Earl of Brimsborne’s only heir.”

“You are sure of this?” Cree asked.

“I am,” Fitzbane said with a firm nod. “Devin was my brother Giles’ only son. He wed a local chieftain’s daughter and she gave birth to a son. About three months ago, Devin and his wife went to visit her family and were attacked on the way. The lad was never found and Giles has never stopped looking for him. It took time, but we finally tracked him to the whore who continues to use him in her lying scheme. Time is of the essence here. My brother lay dying and his last wish is to see his grandson take his rightful place as heir to the Brimsborne title and holdings.”

“What makes you think she and the lad are here?” Cree asked cautious of the man’s tale.

“She traveled with a companion for a while, but once the man took ill, she left him quick enough. We luckily came across him just before he succumbed to his illness and he confessed all to me. Please spare me more woe and tell me the child I seek is here.”

Dawn rested her head against the wood door, frustrated. This certainly complicated matters. Cree would never turn the lad over to this man without knowing for sure if his tale was true. If it was, it would certainly solve the problem, but if not—the problem just got bigger and could possibly prove harmful.

The thought sent her scurrying. Until the truth could be learned, the lad needed to be protected, especially with him being ill. Dawn hurried through the Great Hall, through the stone hallway that led to the kitchen, then ran through the busy area so fast she doubted anyone realized it was her. She made her way around the back of the keep and along the edge of the woods that ran behind it until she could enter the village without being noticed. Then she hurried off to the cottage where Tallis and the lad were staying.

Cree stared at Terran Fitzbane. He had met many a man who could lie convincingly, especially when wealth and land were involved. He had also met men who would do anything for their family, their clan. The same could be said about women. Cree could not be certain which man Terran Fitzbane was or which woman Tallis was, but one thing was certain... the lad was an innocent in all this and he would not be going anywhere until the truth was discovered.

“A woman and lad arrived here and she is claiming the child is mine,” Cree said.

Fitzbane grinned broadly. “Thank the heavens, my nephew has been found. Please present him to me and I shall take my leave. I shall also take the woman off your hands as well and see that she suffers for her misdeeds.”

Cree scowled and Fitzbane drew his head back sharply as if avoiding a blow.

“Until I can determine the truth the lad and the woman remain here,” Cree said in a tone that was not meant to be challenged.

Fitzbane looked ready to argue, but held his tongue, thinking on his words before he spoke. “I ask you to reconsider since my brother has little time left.”

“That is unfortunate,” Cree said, “but my decision remains.”

“My brother is a good friend of the King and his majesty would not take kindly knowing that you kept his friend from seeing his grandson before he died.”

“Your threat is useless, since the King is well aware that it is more important that he remains in my good graces than I in his. You are welcome to camp outside the castle walls until this matter is settled to my satisfaction.” Cree turned, dismissing the man.

“You insult me by not extending the hospitality of your home while—”

Cree swerved around. “Obey me or leave, the choice is yours.” Cree turned once again and whispered to Sloan. “Get the woman and child into the keep without anyone seeing them and send Neil to me.”

“I will not leave without the child,” Fitzbane called out.

Cree turned around slowly, a deep scowl etched into his handsome face.

Fitzbane once again drew back as if avoiding a blow.

“I will determine the fate of the lad and you will leave when I order you to or suffer the consequences.”

Anger rose up in Fitzbane, sending large red blotches to stain his face. He whipped his horse around clumsily and rode off through the village, his few men following him.

Cree entered the keep, expecting to find his wife behind the door. When he saw that she was not there, he went off in search of her, swearing beneath his breath as he did.

~~~

Dawn did not bother to knock, she threw open the door to find Tallis sitting beside her sleeping son on the bed, her hand loving stroking his brow with a wet cloth.

“He grows warmer,” Tallis said with worry.

Dawn wished she had time to comfort and reassure her, but that would have to wait. She had to get the two to the castle. She hurried over to Tallis and began gesturing.

“I do not understand, though I fear you may be telling me that we have to leave.”

Dawn nodded and began gathering the things Elsa had left for Tallis to use on her son and putting them in a basket.

“But Adian is too sick. Please just let us stay until he is well enough to travel,” Tallis begged.

Dawn shook her head, and then realized her gesture would be misunderstood. She gestured again, shaking her hands, then pointing down at the floor trying to make Tallis understand that she was not forcing her to leave.

A knock at the door had both women jumping. Dawn motioned to Tallis to stay by Adian and she went over to the door and opened it slowly. Dawn reached out and grabbed her best friend Lila by the arm and yanked her in, slamming the door shut.

“What is wrong?” Lila asked. “I saw you slinking along the edge of the woods to get here. Does it have something to do with the troop of warriors that arrived?”

Dawn began gesturing, Lila having understood her since they were young.

Lila looked to Tallis. “Someone has arrived claiming the lad is not your son.”

Tallis’s face turned pure white.

“Dawn wants to get you and the lad inside the keep where you will be better protected.”

Tallis stood. “I thought she wanted us to leave.”

Lila shook her head along with Dawn. “No, she wants you moved to the safety of the keep. Gather what you need and Dawn will take you and the lad there.”

The three women worked as fast as they could, gathering what was needed and wrapping up the lad in the blanket to carry to the keep.

Dawn gestured to Lila.

“The men had yet to leave the last I saw,” Lila said and when Dawn turned to Tallis, Lila interpreted her gestures. “We will need to keep to the edge of the woods and make our way around the keep and through the kitchen so that no one sees us.” Lila interjected. “I spotted Dawn because I know her well and knew she would be sneaking about to find out what was going on. But you have no worry. No one will see you.” Lila went back to interpreting. “You will stay in the keep until the truth is determined.”

“Adian is Cree’s son,” Tallis insisted, hugging the small lad wrapped snugly in the blanket tightly to her.

Lila looked to Dawn and smiled as she spoke Dawn’s gestures. “Then you and Adian have nothing to worry about, for Cree will protect his children with his life.”

Tears gathered in Tallis’s eyes. “I am sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone.”

Dawn patted the woman on the shoulder and urged her toward the door.

Lila opened the door just a crack to look out. “We need to hurry. It looks like Sloan and some warriors are headed this way, though the crowd of villagers is slowing them.”

Dawn wondered if Cree intended to put a heavy guard around Tallis and the lad. He had seemed adamant about not allowing the pair in the keep, but that was where they would be most safe and Dawn intended to see them safe.

Lila went out first and purposely caused a distraction so that Dawn and Tallis could slip away without being noticed.

The woods seemed extra quiet as they entered along the edge not far from the keep. Dawn slipped her dagger from her boot, ready to strike in case Fitzbane had men he had sent out to explore. Not that that seemed possible since they had only arrived and Cree kept a heavy guard around their home. But she had learned from Cree to always be prepared.

They were about to turn the corner of the keep when Dawn thought she heard footfalls. She stopped and swerved around with a finger to her lips to warn Tallis to remain silent. She heard the noise again and knew someone was headed their way. She gestured Tallis to brace herself against the castle wall, then she waited until the person got near and jumped out with her dagger raised just in case it was one of Fitzbane’s men.

Her wrist was suddenly clamped in a steel-hard grip and her husband turned a harsh scowl on her that had her thinking that she might not get out of disobeying him so easily this time.

“I will deal with you later,” he said to his wife and looked to Tallis, giving her a sharp snap of his hand. “Come here, now.”

Tallis did as he commanded.

“Give me the lad,” he ordered.

Tallis hugged the lad closer. “He is no burden to carry.”

Cree went to argue, then shook his head, grabbed hold of her arm, and walked off, tugging the two women along with him. He entered through the kitchen and the sight of him having a firm grip on two women had the servants staring, their mouths agape at the unusual sight.

The servants in the Great Hall did the same, stopping in mid-stride in whatever chore was keeping them busy.

Cree was about to summon Flanna with a shout, but she was there before he could. The woman had the uncanny sense of being there when he needed her and of that he was glad. She served him far better in charge of the keep’s servants than as cook in the kitchen, her position when he had first taken control of the village.

“How may I be of service, my lord?” Flanna asked.

“Settle this woman and her son in a bedchamber and see that they have food and drink. Elsa is on her way here to tend the lad, he is not well. See that she is taken to him immediately and that she gets whatever she needs.”

“Aye, my lord,” Flanna said and nodded to the woman. “This way.”

Cree looked at Dawn. “You have gone too far this time, wife.”

A small tingle of fear crept over Dawn. Had she truly gone too far?

Cree kept his grip on her and practically dragged her along with him to his solar. Once inside, he dropped the latch on the door so no one could enter and with a quick twist of her wrist had her braced back against the closed door. He slammed his two hands on either side of her head and brought his face within an inch of hers.

“Why is it that you have trouble obeying me and others jump at my command?”

She scowled like he usually did, shivered, and tapped his chest, then smiled, tapped her chest and shook her head.

“So others fear me, but you do not?”

She nodded and gestured again, pretending to hit herself about the face, then shook her head and once again tapped his chest.

“You believe I would never strike you.”

She gave a firm nod, as if declaring it so.

He shifted his body closer until it almost touched hers, but not quite. “There are other ways to punish you.”

Her smile held a hint of laughter as did her eyes.

“You find it amusing that I could tempt you senseless yet leave you unsatisfied?”

She nodded, her smile remaining strong. She pointed to him and then to her and fisted both her hands and held them tight against her chest.

“You think we both want each other too much for me to deny us pleasure?”

Again she nodded with confidence.

“I denied pleasuring myself with you once before, or do you forget the time Colum forced you to spend with me in that miserable hut?”

Her smile slipped away and she looked at him with questioning eyes.