Highlander Unchained (Highlander Trilogy 1)

by Donna Fletcher

  She pressed her hand to her chest and bowed her head.

  “You’re sorry.”

  She nodded and then pressed her fingers to her mouth and pretended to shudder.

  “I understand that you were upset with the punishment I meted out, but it is not your place to interfere.”

  Fear trickled through her as she placed her hand to her chest, scrunched her brow, and shrugged.

  He seemed perplexed at first and then his brow shot up. “Are you wondering if I will punish you?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “You deserve a lashing for interfering in my decree, especially since it is the second time you have done so.”

  She paled. She had seen those that Goddard had lashed under Colum’s order. The man had appeared to enjoy meting out the punishment. Out of the few who had suffered the sting of the lash, one had died.

  “My word is law,” he reminded.

  She bobbed her head.

  “He intended to kill you,” Cree said. “He deserves a fitting punishment.”

  She nodded, and then shook her head and pointed to her mouth.

  “You made yourself very clear when you threw yourself over the prisoner. Punish him but don’t take his tongue.”

  She nodded and began to gesture and Cree was pleased that he understood her.

  “You think he may have more to tell me?”

  She nodded and continued gesturing.

  Cree scowled after she finished. “Yes, I thought the same myself... he seems in a hurry to die.”

  A scrunch of her brow and a shrug had Cree voicing Dawn’s query. “Why is a good question, perhaps he does have more to tell us.”

  Relieved that Cree would not carry out his edict and her shoulder throbbing, she closed her eyes a moment.

  When she opened them Cree’s face sat only an inch or so from hers. She could not tell if it was anger, passion, or sorrow she saw in his dark eyes but whatever it was it burned deeply within him.

  He took hold of her chin. “I will lash you myself if you ever do something so foolish again.” He dropped his brow to hers. “I could have killed you.” His whispered words brushed across her lips before he kissed her, then said, “I would have never forgiven myself.”

  He kissed her again, gently and lovingly, but it had been his heartfelt words that touched her the most. That he would have regretted her death made her wonder if he possibly cared for her.

  “Rest,” he ordered as he stood. “I will return later.”

  How could she rest when there was so much on her mind? She nodded nonetheless and when she heard the door shut in the other room she slipped out of bed and went to sit in front of the hearth. She drew her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around them. It was a habit of hers to sit that way before the fireplace whenever she was troubled. Her mother had often joined her and comforted her.

  Her problems than had been nothing compared to what they were now. As for solutions? There were none. She belonged to Cree and he could do with her as he saw fit. And yet when she thought about it, he had done nothing more than treat her well and protect her. But then as he often reminded her... she belonged to him. And while the thought sent a shiver through her, it was for a far different reason than she would have imagined. As much as it alarmed her to think about it, she truly felt that she wasn’t falling—but had fallen—in love with the devil.

  ~~~

  Cree had almost made it to the keep steps when he turned around and returned to the cottage. An overwhelming need had forced him to go back. He had no idea the reason for it but he had learned a long time ago to follow such potent instincts. Of course there was also the fact that he had not wanted to leave Dawn in the first place.

  The guilt for having caused her harm had overpowered his anger at her foolish actions. He would have loved to have throttled her for what she had done and how she had scared the life out of him but he would never lay a hand on her that way. He was relieved that her wound was not severe and only painful. Perhaps the pain would remind her to think before she acted so foolishly.

  He entered quietly so as not to disturb her and when he stepped into the other room and saw her sitting in front of the fireplace as he had found her on another occasion, he stopped. He watched her a moment and ascertained that she was not crying. Why then was she sitting there with her knees drawn so tightly to her?

  Dawn,” he said softly as he approached not wanting to frighten her.

  She startled nonetheless and turned.

  He scooped her up in his arms and held her close as he sat on the edge of the bed. “No tears this time but obviously something troubles you.”

  She was surprised by his return, pleased actually, and also pleased that he cared enough to ask what troubled her, but did she tell him? Did she let him know of her need for him? Did she let him know that she favored him by her side, in her bed? Did she let him know that she had fallen in love with him?

  “If it is punishment you fear, worry not. The pain and discomfort your wound brings you will serve as punishment enough and be a lingering reminder.”

  Did she allow him to think that was what concerned her?

  He pressed his cheek to hers and then brushed his lips over hers. “I can see that wasn’t it. And since you know full well that I never ask twice, I wait on the truth. A reminder... there isn’t anything that you cannot confide in me. Tell me your worry, all your worries. Tell me even if you think it unimportant or foolish. Tell me whether it be sorrow, happiness, regret or...” He kissed her softly. “Tell me, Dawn.”

  His words and his kiss gave her the courage to admit what she had tried to hide from herself. There was one gesture she used to let people know that she loved them but her love for Cree was different than for anyone else and she wanted a gesture that was meant to show it and meant only for him.

  She pressed her hand to her heart and then with the same hand pressed it over his heart.

  He stood abruptly and dropped her on the bed. “Do not be so foolish to tell the devil that you love him.”

  He walked out of the room and when Dawn heard the door slam shut, she began to cry.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  “Damn her,” Cree mumbled beneath his breath as he vaulted up the keep steps and straight through the Great Hall to his solar without acknowledging anyone. He slammed the door shut and went to the pitcher on the table and filled a tankard to the brim with ale. He downed half without stopping.

  He then dumped himself in a chair before the hearth and let out a heavy sigh. How could she love a heartless bastard like him? He had almost killed her and what does she do? She tells him that she loves him.

  He had encouraged her to tell him anything... anything other than she loved him that was. He squirmed in the chair. He understood immediately or perhaps it was instinctively her silent words when she had placed her hand to her chest and then to his.

  Love.

  He wasn’t capable of loving. He had turned his heart silent a long time ago and yet...

  He downed the rest of his ale and stared at the flames. He had been drawn to Dawn from when he had first seen her. He had allowed Colum to capture him, allowed him to put him on display in front of the village, allowed the fool to think that he had actually captured the infamous Cree.

  He had seen Dawn as soon as they had entered the village. She had stood tall and proud, even if she hadn’t realized it. She had a regal poise to her and though she wasn’t beautiful, there was something about her that drew the eye and made it linger. He had had plans to seek her out after the attack on the village but was spared the delay when Colum had chosen her to tend him.

  When he had discovered that she had no voice, he had admired her all the more. Dawn was special in so many ways and he wanted her in his life now and forever.

  The thought jolted him and he bolted out of the chair and refilled his tankard.

  Forever was a long time and he had never thought that way about a woman... until Dawn. He did not want to think abo
ut life without her. The closer they became the closer he wanted to become. There was something about her that... soothed his soul.

  He felt a comfort with her that he had not known in a long time. A comfort he thought never to know again.

  Love.

  Damn that word refused to leave him alone and he refused to give it credence. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to hurt Dawn and in the end if he allowed himself to love her, he’d only hurt her and that he could not bear to do.

  A knock sounded at the door and he reluctantly bid the person to enter.

  Sloan closed the door behind him and stopped halfway across the room and stared at Cree. He looked about to say something but Cree’s scowl darkened and he wisely made no comment. Instead he walked over to the table and poured himself a tankard of ale and joined Cree in a drink.

  Another knock sounded and Cree sent Sloan a murderous look. He would have preferred to have been left alone for a while, though the only place he had undisturbed time was at Dawn’s cottage.

  Sloan ignored Cree and walked over to open the door.

  Cree was surprised to see Elsa.

  “My lord,” she said with a bob of her head. “I thought you would want to know about the prisoner.”

  “Is he well enough for me to kill him?” Cree asked without a shred of remorse.

  “It would be merciful of you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Rem is ill and dying. His death will not be pleasant; he will suffer.”

  Cree turned to Sloan. “That was why he took this job; he knew it would end in his death. And once captured he baited me so that I would see that he would die fast and end his suffering. Now the bastard can suffer until he dies, a much more fitting punishment.”

  “As a healer I cannot see him suffer—”

  “Then don’t watch.”

  “May I at least tend him on occasion?”

  “No,” Cree snapped. “He will pay for what he has done or planned on doing to Dawn.”

  “I have not known Dawn long but from what I do know of her, she would not want to see this man suffer.”

  “It isn’t her choice and has Dawn suddenly become some angel of mercy who will save everyone from the devil?”

  Elsa quickly bowed her head and kept silent.

  “I’m glad I didn’t kill him yet. Now he will get what he deserves,” Cree said and with a wave of his hand was about to dismiss Elsa when he stopped. “Is there any reason you know why Dawn would refuse to drink the brew that would ease her pain?”

  Elsa cast a quick glance to Sloan and then down at the floor.

  “Sloan, leave us,” Cree ordered.

  Sloan hurried out the door.

  “What is it?” Cree asked.

  “Dawn came to me and we talked about preventing conception.”

  Cree didn’t know why but her words disturbed him, though he said nothing.

  “I explained that there was a plant that would help prevent a babe from taking root, though I warned her that if she was already with child, it could very well abort the babe. I told her that the choice was hers.”

  “Her response?”

  She never answered me, though by not answering her response was clear... she would not dare threaten the life of a babe that might already be growing inside her.”

  “So she worries that the brew you fixed for her could be the one you had spoken of and would harm a babe that might already being growing inside her. And she would suffer the pain rather than take the chance of causing harm to the babe.”

  “I assume so,” Elsa said.

  Cree’s scowl deepened.

  Elsa shook her head. “I gave her no such brew, my lord. I told her that the choice was hers.”

  Cree dismissed her with a brief wave of his hand and returned to the chair in front of the hearth. So she would protect a babe of theirs that she may carry even to the point of pain, unsure if the brew would harm the unborn babe. Dawn certainly was a brave one and the thought that she would suffer for their child made him more aware of what a loving and faithful person she was.

  A knock at the door and a shout from Sloan had Cree bidding him entrance. In minutes the two men were making plans for the morrow when Seth would accompany Cree’s warriors and track the other two men lurking in the woods.

  ~~~

  Dawn rested the reminder of the day and when supper was brought to her she waited, thinking Cree intended to join her. When he didn’t, she nibbled on some of the food, finding she had little appetite.

  She feared she had made a terrible mistake by telling him that she loved him. She now wondered why she had done such a foolish thing. He certainly had encouraged her to confide anything in him, and she had taken it to heart. She had believed he had truly meant it. And she had foolishly thought that perhaps—just perhaps—he could possibly feel the same.

  The hours wore on and as it grew later and later, Dawn realized that Cree had no intention of returning to spend the night with her. Had her declaration of love driven him away? It was too late now. She could not take it back and she didn’t want to. She had spoken the truth; she loved him. And that wasn’t going to change.

  A couple of hours later Dawn slipped into a fitful slumber.

  Cree stood watching her from the doorway. He didn’t know if her wound was causing such a restless sleep or if perhaps dreams disturbed her. Whatever the reason her sleep was far from peaceful.

  He hadn’t planned on returning to her bed tonight. He had given thought to not returning to her at all, but he had discovered after only a short time in his bed alone that that wasn’t possible. He had actually missed her. He had turned on his side, his arms reaching out for her when he had realized that he was in his own bed alone. The idea that he didn’t have her beside him to wrap himself around had angered him and so he came here to her cottage.

  He hadn’t debated the matter, argued, cautioned, or stopped himself. His one and only thought was to crawl in bed with her, wrap himself around her and go to sleep.

  Mostly, his thought would have been solely on making love to her, but not this time. She had been wounded and needed rest and he felt worn out himself. He simply wanted the comfort of her body against his. And to make certain she was protected even though he had guards on her. No one could protect her like he could.

  He shed his garments and eased himself in bed beside her. She lay on her side and he moved up against her, his arm draping around her to tuck her close against him. She tried to turn in his arms but winced as she did, her wound too fresh to lie on.

  “Shhh,” he whispered, “you’re safe in my arms.” He pressed her back flat against his front, and draped his legs across hers, stilling her restlessness.

  She settled into a peaceful sleep, her hand moving to rest on his arm and her one finger giving it a tap.

  He smiled. He liked that in her sleep she acknowledged that she agreed. Yes, she was safe in his arms. His smile slowly faded. How had this voiceless woman become so important to him? He had no answer and he presently didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was that he was here wrapped around her and he planned on never letting her go.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Dawn walked through the village, a basket on her arm and Neil tagging close behind her. She had gotten permission from Cree to go into the woods and gather the makings for a wreath. The air had the scent of snow to it and with the grayness of the sky, snow definitely seemed likely.

  It had been two weeks since her injury and her wound had healed well, though her shoulder ached slightly. Daily life had settled into a pleasant routine for all and smiles were seen far more often than frowns. Everyone worked to make certain food supply would be plentiful for the winter. And Cree saw that hard work was rewarded. Fear for their new lord was replaced with respect and admiration. The first session Cree had held to hear grievances had gossiping tongues wagging about what a fair lord he was.

  The villagers were also pleased that Cree had ordered plaids made for everyone in t
he village so that they would unite as a clan. Even the smallest child would have one. Lila had been made overseer of the project and four women were appointed to work with her.

  Dawn hurried her pace. Cree had warned her not to dally. Even though the other two men sent to eliminate Dawn had been caught with the help of Seth, Cree still kept a guard on her. Seth remained a prisoner as did Rem.

  Dawn was still perplexed as to why someone would want her dead. And though she had tried to engage Cree in discussion about it, he refused. He told her not to worry about it. He would let no one harm her. The question, however, continued to nag her. Why would someone want a peasant lass dead?

  She entered the woods and got busy gathering what she needed, though when she spied the tree where Cree had braced her against that one day and had brought her body to life, she stopped to stare.

  So much had changed since that day. No longer did he spill his seed outside her. Each and every time—and there were numerous times—they made love he remained buried deep inside her. And she—fool that she was—grew to love him more and more.

  Though Cree was mostly a stoic man, rarely letting his guard down, there were times his shield would fall and she would see a different man. Tender, kind, and so very loving. And it fed Dawn’s hope—her dream— that someday he could possibly love her at least half as much as she loved him.

  She kept her foolish hope to herself. She did not even trust Lila with it, for though her friend would never laugh at her, she would certainly pity her for wishing the impossible.

  Dawn shook the troubling thoughts from her mind and returned to finishing her task. Satisfied that she had gathered enough she headed back to the village, Neil in tow. Her thoughts returned to Cree, though when didn’t she think about him? He was forever on her mind and much too deep in her heart. It still amazed her to think that she loved him. She smiled and pressed her hand to her chest, as if guarding her secret and keeping it safe.

  They had barely entered the village when the bell tolled an attack.

  Neil grabbed her arm. “Get to the keep and stay there.” He gave her a shove and then took off joining a group of warriors headed to the entrance of the village.