Highlander's True Love: A Cree & Dawn Short Story (5 page)

Dawn laid her finished braid over her shoulder onto her chest, her dark red hair shining from the recent scrubbing. She ran her hand over the soft pale blue frock that Flanna had helped her get into. Never had she thought to own anything so beautiful, but every time Cree sent William on a trip concerning the building of his castle, the man returned with bolts of cloth that Cree had ordered him to purchase for her. Her wardrobe was growing and so would her daughter’s.

A knock had her turning and going to the door to open it, to find a red-eyed, crying Tallis.

“I cannot do this, please do not make me,” Tallis pleaded.

Dawn understood her plea. She did not want to go to the Great Hall for supper and have to confront Terran Fitzbane. Dawn scrunched her brow and shrugged her shoulders, wanting to know why.

Tallis rung her hands as she answered, “I fear he will convince Cree that I am not being truthful and I will lose my son to him.”

Dawn stepped out the door, closing it behind her and took Tallis’s arm and walked with her to the bedchamber where her son lay sleeping. She did not want to take a chance and have Cree see them talking. Here they could talk in private since Elsa had yet to arrive to stay with the lad for the evening.

Tallis went to the chair next to the bed and sat, her hand going to caress her son’s head. Proper etiquette caused her to jump up and apologize. “I am sorry, my lady, please sit.”

Dawn shook her head and pointed for her to sit, and Tallis did not argue. Besides, Dawn did not think Tallis had the strength to continue to stand. The woman looked exhausted and it made Dawn wonder when the woman had last slept.

She pointed to Tallis and brought her hands together to press to her cheek as she tilted her head a bit.

Tallis easily understood her. “I do not know when I last slept. We were on the road for days and when Adian began to feel ill, I carried him.” Tears began to fall again. “I cannot lose him. He is all I have left of—” She brought her hands up to cover her face and catch the plethora of tears that burst free.

Dawn went to her side and wrapped her arm around the woman’s heaving shoulders and let her cry for a few moments before tapping her shoulder.

Tallis looked up at her, wiping her tears away, though some persisted in continuing to fall. “I am so sorry, my lady. I have brought you such a heavy burden to bear. I never meant to hurt you. I wanted simply to protect my son.”

Elsa entered just then, her brow wrinkling with concern. “What is wrong?”

Dawn gestured before Tallis could respond, explaining that Tallis felt a bit feverish and that she did not think it was wise that she join the others for supper this evening. She knew she was taking a chance with Elsa, since she was completely loyal to Cree, he having saved her life. She only hoped Elsa would understand.

Elsa pressed a hand to Tallis’s brow. “She feels more chilled to me and from the look of her I would say she is exhausted. I think a hot bath and bed are best for her.”

Dawn patted her chest and nodded, letting Elsa know that she agreed.

“I will see to it,” Elsa said, “and you will see to telling Cree.”

Dawn left a relieved Tallis in capable hands and as she walked down the stairs, she wondered over Tallis’s words. Was Adian all she had left of a night with Cree or had she been referring to something else? And why did she continually apologize to Dawn for hurting her? It made it seem that all that had happened had been intentional on her part, as if it had all been planned for some time. That did not make sense, unless it was as Fitzbane claimed and it was all a ruse that she played on many men.

It was possible, but Dawn did not want to think of Tallis using the lad for such a deplorable scheme. She appeared to truly love the lad or was it an act? It was unfortunate the lad had taken ill, for much could be learned from him.

She would keep attentive at supper this evening and see if there was anything she could learn from Fitzbane to piece this puzzle together.

First, however, she needed to inform Cree that Tallis would not be joining them.

She found him in the Great Hall speaking with Sloan as his warriors began to fill the trestle tables. They appeared ready to enjoy the evening meal, especially with Turbett’s food being so tasty, but anyone familiar with Cree’s warriors knew they were always on guard, always prepared.

Heads nodded and smiles were sent her way as she approached her husband. His eyes showed their approval when they met with hers, but it was the spark of passion that lit in his eyes that made her smile grow and her heart thump just a bit faster.

Cree had learned many years ago not to let anything illicit a response from him. He never allowed anyone to know how he felt or what he thought, giving him the advantage. With Dawn, however, it was proving more difficult to do. His heart leaped whenever he saw her, his loins often tightened, and he was finding that he was smiling far more often than he ever did. He had truly and unbelievably fallen deeply in love with her. He held his hand out to her, eager to have her in his arms. She took his hand and he tucked her in the crook of his arm, wanting to keep her close.

She did not want to linger on the news she had to deliver, so she gestured quickly that Tallis would not be joining them.

“Why?” Cree asked so abruptly that it had Sloan moving away from the couple.

Dawn turned so that her gestures were kept private and she explained how exhausted Tallis was from her journey. She finished with the complete truth... the woman just did not have the strength to confront anyone. She quickly added that Elsa was tending her.

Cree was annoyed. “Exhausted or not, her appearance could have helped with determining the truth of this unfortunate situation. You felt sorry for her when you should have encouraged her to obey me.” He brought his nose down to almost touch hers. “But then you do not obey me, so why should she?”

Dawn pressed herself closer against him and kept her gestures where only Cree could see them, pretending to whip at her chest, then held two fingers up, and gave a tilt of her head back as if looking upward.

“Are you telling me that I should punish you twice for your disobedience, once we are in our bedchamber?” He could not keep the annoyance from his voice since the image of taking his hand to her bare, soft backside hit him like a battling ram, tightening his groin.

She nodded, running her hand over his chest.

“Be careful, wife, or the punishment may be more than you can handle.”

The merriment filling her dark eyes let him know that she found his remark humorous.

There was no time for a response—though Cree promised he would definitely respond later when they were alone—Terran and two of his men entering the Great Hall.

The room did not fall silent, nor did glances fall on them. Cree’s warriors kept talking, giving them only a cursory glance, as if they were unimportant.

“Our guest has arrived,” he said and with a hand to her waist he turned, though kept her close by his side. “Fitzbane,” he acknowledged with a nod once the man stood in front of them. “My wife... Lady Dawn.”

“A pleasure, my lady,” Fitzbane said with a slight nod.

Dawn returned his nod. There was always an awkward moment when she was first introduced to people and they were unaware of her affliction. Of course, her husband did not help matters since he never informed anyone that she lacked a voice—bless the man—for he never thought of her as voiceless. Actually, there were times he told her that she talked too much.

It took a while after his men joined some of Cree’s men at a nearby table and Fitzbane accompanied her and Cree to the dais to sit that he realized she could not speak. Dawn gestured to Cree and he had answered her and it was at that moment it had struck the man. Dawn saw the surprise in his eyes and she wondered if he was the type of man who expected his wife to remain silent unless he granted her permission to speak.

Platters of food were soon laid upon the tables and ale and wine flowed generously. Talk continued, though more eating than talking was done.

“The food is delicious,” Fitzbane said, sopping up the last of the meat pie gravy with a big chunk of bread. “I thought perhaps you would have had Tallis join us for the meal, so you could see her for who she truly is.”

“I am not blind, Fitzbane,” Cree said.

“Of course not, but I hear that she can be quite persuasive. If you allow me to talk with her, I am sure this matter could be settled most hastily.”

“Perhaps, but there are questions I have for her that she has yet to answer. After she does, then maybe I will grant your request,” Cree said. “Tell me about your brother. How long has he been ill?”

Fitzbane talked much about his brother’s lingering illness and how he had never been the same after his son Devin’s death, also how he had searched endlessly for his grandson, hoping to see him before he died.

“I will do anything to grant my brother his dying wish,” Fitzbane insisted.

“Even bring him a lad that is not his grandson?” Cree asked.

“Never would I do such a thing. I will return Adian home to his true grandfather.”

“Adian is the lad’s true name?” Cree questioned.

“Aye, he is named after Giles and my father.”

Dawn listened with interest, having realized what Cree had.

“Why would a woman who stole a child keep his true name?” Cree asked.

The question seemed to startle Fitzbane and he appeared to struggle for an answer, finally saying, “Well, she is a whore with barely an intelligent thought. I can only imagine how the poor lad has suffered being in her company.” His eyes suddenly widened as if struck by a thought. “You say the lad is ill, she could be the cause of his illness. I demand you keep her away from him so that she can do him no further harm.”

Cree leaned over close to Fitzbane and with a harshness that sent a shiver through the man said, “Make a demand of me again and I shall personally demonstrate how I successfully extract information from anyone who dares to lie to me.”

Fitzbane hastily and wisely offered an apology. “Forgive me, my worry for my nephew has caused me to lose my manners, I meant no disrespect. And please, I beg of you, let me see my nephew.”

Cree leaned back in his seat. “In time.”

Tension lingered as conversation turned to general matters and after a few moments Fitzbane said, “Excuse me for a moment while I see to my men. While you have been more than generous with food and drink, I do not want my men indulging much longer.”

Dawn gestured to Cree as the man made his way to the table where his men sat.

“I was thinking the same,” Cree said. “Why would he explain to me the reason he would talk to his men? He either is foolish or lying, which begs the question... is he plotting something?”

Dawn made a cross over her chest and shook her head.

“You are right. He is not to be trusted,” Cree said pleased that his wife was as astute when it came to judging people as he was.

Fitzbane returned to the dais and a few minutes later his men stood and left the keep.

Dawn hoped the night would not drag on endlessly, not that she had to remain in the hall. She simply wanted to go to bed with her husband... though not sleep. She wondered if she excused herself if it would give her husband the incentive to do the same.

She covered her mouth as she pretended to yawn, then laid a hand to her husband’s arm and gestured that she would retire for the night.

“Aye, the night does grow late,” Cree said and stood to extend his hand to his wife.

Fitzbane stood as well. “It does grow late and I should take my leave.”

Dawn nodded to both men and left them, knowing Fitzbane would no doubt have something to say to Cree. She made her way upstairs and thought to undress and wait naked in bed for her husband, and then she smiled, deciding to let him undress her.

It was only a few minutes later that she heard his strong footfalls approach the door, though it surprised her when he passed by their bedchamber. She went to it and peeked out and saw Cree enter the room Tallis and her son occupied. She wondered why he had not stopped and told her he was going to speak with Tallis or even why he would speak with her so late. He had to have known the woman would be sleeping after she had informed him how exhausted Tallis was. Besides, he knew she would be eagerly waiting for him. Had it been something Fitzbane said to him that had caused him to find the need to question Tallis immediately?

She knew she should not be annoyed. Cree would tell her about his visit with Tallis. She simply wished that he would have stopped and told her. Her annoyance growing over a day that had presented endless problems and worries that were yet to be solved had her pacing. Finally, she decided she could not wait for Cree to return. Besides, the longer it took, the more she imagined she had reason to worry and that was foolish.

Wanting a reprieve from her troubling thoughts, she left the room, hurried down the stairs, through the Great Hall, and outside into the night. The night sky was clear, the stars brilliant, but she did not take time to admire them... she hurried along.

Old Mary would know she was coming to visit even at this late hour. The woman always knew when Dawn needed to talk. The door to Old Mary’s cottage sprang open before Dawn could knock.

“I have a brew waiting,” Old Mary said with a smile.

Dawn gave the woman a hug. She was like a mum to her, always being there for her when she needed her and there for her when she had not known she needed her, and she loved her dearly.

“It has been a difficult day for you,” Old Mary said as she settled her old bones into a chair at the table while Dawn poured them each a brew. “You are lucky that you know that your husband loves you more than life itself or you would be worried now.”

Dawn dropped down in the chair. Old Mary knew just what to say, knew how to remind her of what was important.

“Cree is different than most men and shows his love to you in different ways that most women would not understand and many would not find acceptable. You love each other for who you are not who either of you want the other to be. That is what true love is about, accepting and respecting the person you fell in love with.”