Highlander's Promise Read online

  He warned himself to go slow, not think about how good it felt to slip in and out of her, but most of all to love her. Love her. God how he loved her. And he wanted her to feel and to know how very much he loved her.

  “You are mine. You belong to me and always will.”

  Dawn wrapped her legs around him and squeezed tight, letting him know that he belonged to her and she would never let him go.

  He let loose with a roar. She had squeezed him so tight she had made him come and hard. And as he spilled into her, he let out another roar, driving deeper inside her and when he felt her fingers dig into his arms, he knew she was about to climax. He braced his hand on the bed and stiffened his arm to raise himself slightly above her so that he could slip his other hand between their bodies and stroke her sensitive nub.

  Dawn tossed her head back and let loose with a silent scream, the climax hit her so hard. She let herself drown in its pleasure and she blessed her husband, for when she thought it done, he plunged into her again and made her come once more with just as much intensity.

  They both shuddered as their climaxes drifted off and Cree brought her to rest beside him when he rolled off her.

  Dawn snuggled against him, relieved he was home there beside her. With a hint of a smile, she gestured to him.

  Cree laughed. “I should rest because you are not done with me yet?”

  She nodded.

  “We will see who needs to rest first,” he said, smiling.

  They lay there quiet, wrapped around each other, both happy to be home, happy to make love again, happy the night lay ahead, and in minutes they were fast asleep.

  ~~~

  A rap at the door broke through Cree and Dawn’s sound sleep.

  “Cree, wake up, it is passed sunrise and the King’s troops approach.”

  Cree shot out of bed and yelled for Sloan to enter as he grabbed his plaid and fit it around him. “How many troops?” he asked as soon as Sloan entered.

  “A large contingent.”

  “Is the King with them?”

  “Not that we can see.”

  “How long before they arrive?”

  “An hour maybe less,” Sloan informed him.

  “Alert everyone to their arrival and see that everything is made ready. I will meet you in the Great Hall in a few minutes.”

  Sloan nodded and left the room.

  Dawn hurried out of bed and over to her husband.

  He took her in his arms. “This was not how I wanted to wake beside you this morning.” He smiled at her short, quick gesture. “You are right. We woke beside each other and that is all that matters.” He kissed her gently. “But I had not planned on sleeping through the entire night.”

  She smiled, tapped her chest and shook her head, letting him know that she had not as well.

  “It would seem we both needed the rest.”

  Dawn agreed with a nod.

  “I promise, tonight will be different.”

  Her smile faded.

  “I am hurt, wife, that you do not believe me,” he said teasingly, knowing it was not his words that had stolen her smile.

  She tapped his chest, then hers and crossed two fingers tightly and shook her head firmly.

  He understood full well what she was telling him. She would not see them separated again. He felt the same, but how could he promise her when he was not sure if he would be able to keep the promise?

  “I will do my best not to be separated from you and you will do your best to obey me.”

  She gestured quickly.

  Cree scowled. “You can make no promise to obey me?”

  She shook her head and with firm gestures, as if showing her anger, she let him know that she would not let the King himself take him from her.

  Another knock sounded before Sloan called out, “Minnoch is a day’s ride from here.”

  “I will be right there,” Cree shouted and stepped away from his wife to hurry and finish dressing.

  Dawn felt a chill race over her, prickling her arms with gooseflesh. With Minnoch and the King’s guard so close, she feared what might happen.

  Cree took her in his arms once again. “Do you have faith in me, Dawn?”

  She did not hesitate to nod her head.

  “Then do not worry and do not make me worry.” He kissed her quick and left with haste.

  Dawn slipped on a robe and hurried off to feed the twins.

  ~~~

  The Great Hall was chaotic with servants bustling about, but Flanna had it well in hand. Delicious scents wafted down the passageway that kept the kitchen separated from the keep and had Cree’s stomach grumbling. Their visitors would feast well today.

  Cree made his way through the chaos searching for Sloan and when he spotted him, he was surprised to see the Earl of Kellmara standing beside him.”

  “And do what do we owe this visit, Kellmara?” Cree said when he reached the two men.

  Kellmara turned to greet Cree. Age showed in his pure white hair that skimmed his shoulders and on his face, though it did not diminish his handsome features and bold blue eyes. He was tall, though not as tall as Cree and his body muscled and firm for a man his age. Cree could see where his sister got some of her fine features.

  “Torr made me aware of your situation and I came to offer my help.” Kellmara said.

  Cree laughed. “You mean you made sure to put distance between my sister and yourself.”

  Kellmara shook his head, though smiled. “I would rather fight to the death here, than face my daughter when she finds out that no one informed her of her brother’s dire situation.” His smile was replaced by concern. “Wintra continues to feel poorly and I am very grateful that my son-in-law is courageous enough not to let my daughter know what goes on with her brother or there would be no stopping her from riding here. But tell me, how may I be of help to you?”

  The three men sat at a table and Cree explained the situation to Kellmara.

  “This is more troublesome than I thought,” Kellmara said. “With the King’s troops arriving shortly and Minnoch a day away, there is no telling what could happen. You need to be prepared for anything.”

  “We are,” Sloan informed him.

  “Then tell me where my warriors would be most helpful to you.”

  “It was good of him to come and offer help,” Sloan said after Kellmara was given instructions and took his leave. “He did not only come to escape his daughter’s wrath once she discovered what was going on. He came because he looks upon you as a son.” Sloan did not expect a response and Cree did not give one. “I will see if the King’s troops draw near.”

  Cree sat alone at the table, thinking of what Sloan had said. His mum, a widowed peasant had fallen in love with a titled man and surprisingly he had fallen in love with her. Cree had been astonished to learn that Kellmara had plans to wed his mum and to claim him as his son. But Kellmara’s father learned of it and sent him away on what he thought would be a brief journey. His father forcibly kept him away for years and by the time he was able to return home, the woman he loved was dead and her son gone, along with his sister, Kellmara’s daughter he had not known about. It had taken Kellmara years to finally find them both.

  The village bell tolled, announcing the arrival of the King’s guard just as Dawn rushed into the Great Hall. It pleased her to see Cree’s eyes widen at the sight of her. Dorrie had come to her bedchamber offering to help her dress for the arriving dignitary. At one time, she would not have trusted the woman, but unexpected events had turned Dorrie into a friend and now she welcomed her help.

  She was glad she did, seeing how pleased Cree was by her appearance. Dorrie had swept her hair up, fashioning it into an intricate knot. Since she refused to wear a tunic over the soft green, wool shift, Dorrie tied a strip of leather around her waist to rest on Dawn’s hips, Dorrie had also suggested that she wrap her shawl high up around her neck to hide the bandage, but Dawn would not have it. She was proud for what she had done to save her husband’s lif
e and she would not hide it. The shawl went around her shoulders to protect her from the autumn chill.

  “How is it that you became more beautiful in the short time I was gone?” Cree said and kissed her lips lightly.

  Dawn beamed at the compliment.

  Cree offered his arm to her. “We greet our visitors together.”

  That Cree took pride in her, though she could not talk, made her grateful every day that he had come into her life. To him, she had a voice, and he helped her to let it be heard.

  They waited on the top steps as the King’s guard approached. Two enclosed wagons trailed the first troop of about twenty men and twenty more men trailed behind the wagons. Several more troops remained in the distance.

  Cree and Dawn walked down the steps when a guard walked to the first enclosed wagon and placed a set of steps in front of the door before opening it. Cree was not happy to see Mathias Obern descend the steps. He was one of the King’s most trusted advisors. He made sure that the King’s orders were followed precisely. He cared not for excuses or reason. The King’s word was the King’s word and all would obey it even if it proved wrong. That, and he never cared for Cree, since he had not always followed the King’s edict, made Obern a thorn in Cree’s side.

  Dawn felt the muscles in her husband’s arm grow taut. He was not happy with the man who approached them. He did not appear formidable, not even reaching her height and with not enough weight on him to lift a Highland sword. His features were pinched, though haughty and one could see at first glance that he thought himself of great importance.

  “Cree,” the man said, stopping in front of him.

  It was not lost on those around them that the man did not address Cree respectfully.

  “What message do you have for me from the King, Obern?” Cree said, dismissing him as unimportant.

  “I warned the King that you could never be taught civility and I will be sure to let him know upon my return.”

  “See that you do,” Cree ordered, “for it is not civility the King wants from me.”

  Obern wrinkled his nose in distaste and turned his head away slightly. “We need to talk privately.”

  “You speak of civility, yet you would be so rude as not to acknowledge my wife?” Cree snapped.

  Dawn squeezed his arm gently, attempting to calm the anger she felt building in him. She did not care that the little man had not glanced at her once. She cared more about the message he brought from the King.

  “I do not need to meet the peasant woman without a voice,” Obern said dismissively. “And do not think to threaten me, Cree, for I have the King’s guard at my side. My only concern is that the King’s orders are adhered to and I will make certain that is done before I leave here.”

  Dawn let her hand slip off her husband’s arm and she gestured to him, then turned and with a respectful bob of her head to Mathias Obern, she hurried off.

  “A peasant woman with manners, remarkable,” Obern said and walked up the steps past Cree.

  Sloan quickly followed behind Obern, fearful that Cree would snap the man’s skinny neck.

  Cree did not immediately follow the insufferable man. His eyes were on his wife as she hurried through the village. Obern’s slight had not bothered her. She was more concerned for him and that was what she had let him know. That and her playful warning that he better not fall asleep on her tonight.

  In the middle of this dreadful ordeal, his wife found time for humor and he loved her for it. He turned and climbed the keep steps to see this done with Mathias Obern so that when Minnoch arrived he could kill him and be done with it.

  Obern was already ensconced in Cree’s solar while the King’s guards were treated to a feast in the Great Hall.

  Cree’s brow wrinkled when he entered his solar, thinking he may have entered the wrong room. Flanna had done well, making it ready for someone of importance. A table was laid out with the finest linen and an assortment of food was spread out atop it, the bowls and serving dishes placed at various heights to make it more pleasing to the eye. Decanters of fine wine were placed on a separate table along with pitchers of ale. But it was the table set with sweets that Obern seemed to be most interested in, though Cree knew he would not indulge until he made the King’s message clear.

  Obern sat in one of the chairs that had been arranged near the hearth, extending his slim hands out and rubbing warmth into them. “The Highland weather can chill the bones.”

  “The Highlands are for the hardy soul,” Cree said, taking the chair opposite the man.

  “Hardy or not, I have been here long enough and wish to see this done.”

  So Obern had been in the Highlands for a while, which meant the King had sent him to make sure things went as planned. Cree was not surprised since King Alexander did not care for the fact that the Western Isles continued to hold allegiance to Norway. He had attempted negotiations and possible purchase with the King of Norway, but met failure at every turn. With Minnoch pledging his allegiance to King Alexander and friend to King Haakon of Norway, it could very well help turn the tide in the next negotiations.

  “King Alexander sent me to keep watch over your mission and to save it should it turn badly, which I warned the King it would most certainly do. And of course I was right.” Obern’s posture could not get any stiffer or his chin any higher when he asked, “Why in heaven’s name did you steal from Minnoch?”

  Cree leaned toward the man. “Accuse me falsely as Minnoch did and the King will need a new advisor. And the question better asked is why would Minnoch see me, an emissary of the King, beheaded without speaking to the King first?”

  “I have your word you did not steal from Minnoch?”

  “Why would I steal a few gems when I have my own wealth and you well know that, Obern. And aye, I give my word and I never give my word falsely.”

  “I know King Alexander trusts your word and therefore so must I,” Obern said a bit reluctantly.

  “Yet you would stand by and watch me beheaded?”

  “I would have stopped the beheading if I had been in the area to do so. Unfortunately, I only found out about it two days ago. And I must admit I was surprised to discover that it was your wife who rescued you from death.”

  “Then you will understand when I tell you that I intend to kill Minnoch.”

  “That is not possible,” Obern said, shaking his head and raised his hand to prevent Cree from speaking. “King Alexander needs Minnoch and his orders are that by no means are you to harm Minnoch. You are to welcome him into your home when he arrives.”

  “Welcome the man who wants to behead me?” Cree asked not to mention what he had done to his wife and for that alone he wanted to see Minnoch dead.

  “I will speak to Minnoch when he arrives and see that he makes peace with you.”

  “There will never be peace between him and me, that I can promise you,” Cree said, trying to contain the rage brewing inside him.

  “Peace or not, I will have your word that you will obey the King’s orders. You will not harm or kill Minnoch.”

  “And what of Minnoch? The King needs him so he will not threaten him. I tell you now, I will not stand idle and let him harm my clan or my family.”

  “The King does what must be done,” Obern said.

  “Aye, and I do the same.”

  “The King will have your word on this, Cree. You will not harm Minnoch and you will welcome him into your home upon his arrival.”

  Cree remained silent.

  “This is not negotiable, Cree,” Obern said sternly.

  “You are right, it is not,” Cree said, though he doubted Obern understood what he meant. “The King has my word.”

  Chapter Nine

  Dawn was walking up to Old Mary’s door when it opened and Elsa came out, shutting the door behind her.

  “She is getting some much needed sleep, after a full meal,” Elsa said. “Have you rested well and eaten yet this morning?”

  Dawn pressed her hand to her cheek,
wondering if her harrowing ordeal had left its mark on her.

  “Others may not see the toll your adventure has taken on you, but I do.” She hooked her arm around Dawn’s. “Rest is called for and food to help restore your strength.” She lowered her voice. “There is no telling what will happen with the King’s guard here and Minnoch on his way.”

  Someone shouted out for Elsa and she waved to let them know she would be right there. She turned to Dawn. “Rest when you can, for who knows what the next few days will bring.”

  Dawn watched her walk off and as she did, her eyes caught what she had been too preoccupied to see... the village was preparing for battle. The younger bairns were huddled in a circle listening to two women tell an adventurous tale of a mighty warrior. It was what was done if battle might be imminent. This way the two women could easily herd the young ones into the safety of the keep. Several lads carried long, narrow baskets and laid them to rest in various places throughout the village, an innocent enough task. But those baskets held arrows and had been strategically placed for the archers who would need them.

  She had known a battle was possible, but watching the villagers prepare made it seem that they sat on the brink of war. She shivered at the thought and prayed that Cree in his strength and wisdom would see a way to avoid it.

  Her stomach growled and she realized that with the unexpected arrival of the King’s emissary, she had neglected to eat this morning and now it was nearer to mid-day. She paid heed to Elsa’s warning. She did need to eat and keep up her strength. If battle did break out, there was no telling when next she would be able to eat.

  Dawn noticed the villagers hastily stepped out of the way of the King’s guard as a few of them walked through the village. The soldiers made the people uneasy and Dawn could not blame them. They held the authority of the King, which meant they held authority over Cree and that could prove troublesome.

  She hurried toward the kitchen in the back of the keep. A few people called out greetings, though most simply waved, too busy with their chores to stop and chat. She rounded the corner of the keep and as soon as she took two steps, she was snagged around the waist and yanked against an unfamiliar body.