Highlander's Promise (12 page)

“I do not forgive or forget either, Minnoch,” Cree said his fury on the verge of erupting.

“Perhaps,” he grinned, “but you stand without a weapon before me and with a promise to the King not to harm me. You can do nothing about it.”

“You are right. I can do nothing... but he can,” Cree said with a nod toward the dark woods.

There was a rustling of leaves in the dense line of trees and a shadow slowly emerged, the full moon giving light to the man who stood sword in hand, rage burning in his eyes...Kellmara. His warriors poured out of the woods from behind him and to his sides, surrounding Minnoch and his men.”

“This was a trap. You lured me here!” Minnoch shouted.

This time Cree laughed, though there was no humor in it. “Is that not what you did to me? Lure me here with intentions of killing me? Did you really believe me such a fool that I would walk alone in the dark woods with you,” —Cree took a quick step toward the man— “especially when I knew what you had done to my mother?”

Shock contorted Minnoch’s face. “You knew?”

Kellmara explained. “I recognized you, though it took me a moment, when I saw you speaking with one of your guards in the woods. You were gone when I returned home to my family all those years ago and, when I inquired about you, I was told you disappointed my father and was sent away. It was not until much later that I learned the truth. By then I heard you had died and I thought it done. My only regret was that I did not get to kill you myself. I am pleased that shortly, I will no longer have that regret.”

“My men here will see that the truth is known,” Minnoch warned his eyes shifting nervously.

“They die with you,” Cree said not a hint of regret in his voice. “That woman you so callously had these guards give to me while imprisoned was my wife... and no one treats my wife that way and lives.”

Minnoch stared at him speechless.

Cree looked to Kellmara. “Make him suffer.”

“With pleasure, but you should go. Return to the keep and make sure Minnoch’s drunken men see you,” Kellmara said. “I will send word when it is done.”

Cree looked to Minnoch. “Now you know why I was so pleased to have you here. I knew you would take your last breath on my land.”

“You cannot do this, Cree. You gave your word,” Minnoch shouted as Cree turned his back and walked off.

“And I am keeping it,” Cree called out and disappeared into the dark woods.

He came upon Elwin and Dorrie at the edge of the woods. Her garments were ripped, her hair strewn with dirt, and her nose and mouth dripping blood.

“Are you certain you are comfortable with this, Dorrie?” Cree asked.

“Aye, my lord, anything to help my lady,” Dorrie said.

Cree thought about Dawn’s throat and he looked to Elwin. “The blood?”

“Flanna gave it to us.”

Cree nodded, approvingly. “I will see you soon, Dorrie.”

“Aye, my lord, and I will not fail you.”

“Of that I have no doubt,” Cree said and hurried to the keep.

Minnoch’s men were passed out, some snoring so loudly that he wondered how it did not wake the others. He gave a shove to a few who had their hands grasped on their tankards. “Another drink?”

“Aye,” they shouted, though it was garbled.

Cree made sure they saw him take a seat at the dais and raise a tankard to his lips, and then he waited. He was pleased that his wife had kept her word and not shown herself. He would explain it all later to her. It would not be long now. The sun was just rising and the servants entered to clean the hall and ready it for the morning meal, and that was when he had Flanna send for his wife.

He was not surprised that she joined him in only a matter of minutes. He imagined she was sitting in their bedchamber the whole evening, dressed and waiting for him to summon her.

“Good morning, wife, feeling better?” he asked his strong voice carrying across the hall and stirring some of the drunken warriors awake.

Dawn smiled and nodded and rubbed her stomach, following her husband’s lead that all was well, though eager to know what went on here last night.

Obern entered the Great Hall a few minutes later, delighted to see the table being made ready and he took a seat next to Cree, while looking over the hall. “A good feast last night, but where is Minnoch?”

“He requested a woman and I saw that he got one,” Cree said.

“That was good of you,” Obern said. “I am going to let the King know how cooperative you were once the pact was agreed upon.”

The terrifying screams rang through the Great Hall like a bell that refused to stop tolling. Minnoch’s warriors rushed to their feet, as did his wife, and when Dorrie came barreling into the Great Hall screaming, crying, and begging for help, Dawn hurried to her side, wrapping her arms around Dorrie who all but collapsed in them.

“They killed him! They killed him!” Dorrie screeched.

Cree had gotten to his feet when the screaming had begun and he rushed around the table, Obern following him.

“They killed him!” Dorrie screamed again, turning horrified eyes on Cree.

“Calm down, Dorrie,” he ordered. “Who killed who?”

“His warriors,” she gasped. “Minnoch’s warriors killed him.”

“Good lord,” Obern shouted and Minnoch’s warriors quickly gathered closer.

“What happened?” Cree demanded.

“Minnoch did not want to share me, not until he was done. His warriors were drunk and thought differently. They tried to—” Dorrie shook her head and pulled her torn garments tighter over her chest. “Minnoch lashed out with his sword and the next thing I knew they were all fighting, and then they...” Tears poured from her eyes. “They all lay dead.”

Obern turned angry eyes on Cree. “Where were you last night? And do not tell me with your wife since she was ill.”

Dawn shook her head, pointed at her husband and patted her chest, letting Obern know that her husband had not been with her. She prayed that was what Cree wanted her to admit to since Obern mentioned she had been ill.

“He was here with us,” one of Minnoch’s men called out.

“Aye, I saw him,” another said.

“He had a drink with me,” another chimed in.

“This cannot be happening,” Obern said, patting his chest, attempting to calm himself, “not after all my hard work.”

“Where are they?” Cree asked Dorrie.

“Near my cottage,” she said through heavy gasps.

Cree looked to his wife. “See to Dorrie.”

She nodded and hurried the woman off to Cree’s solar, wanting to know the truth.

Obern followed after Cree. “I am going with you.”

“Are you sure you want to see this?” Cree asked.

“I must report back to the King,” Obern insisted.

A short time later Obern was being helped away from the scene, his stomach roiling from the horrible sight. He sat on a stump, pale and shaken. “Whatever will the King do now?”

Hearing Obern lamenting, Cree approached. “The King will do whatever he must; he always does, and you shall be there to help him.”

Obern raised his head high, as if suddenly gaining new purpose. “You are right, Cree. I will be there to help the King and I must take my leave immediately so I may do just that.” He wrinkled his nose. “Minnoch was crude and vulgar. It is no wonder that he met such an appropriate death.”

“You are right, Obern, he met a most fitting death.”

Chapter Thirteen

That evening.

“Are you trying to kill me, wife,” Cree said, grabbing hold of her backside to slow her down. “You are riding me harder than a stallion does a mare.” He watched a tear trickle down her cheek and he let lose an oath, grabbed her around the waist and yanked her off him to roll on his side and place her flat on her back.

“What is wrong?” he asked tenderly wiping her tear away.

Dawn shook her head. Though she could not speak, there were times she actually did not wish to speak and this was one of those times.

“Nothing disturbs you?”

She shook her head again and fought the other tears that threatened to spill.

“You might as well let loose those tears you are struggling to hold back before they gush from your beautiful eyes like a rainstorm.”

His voice was tender and his words so loving that she could not contain her tears any longer, and she let them fall.

Cree hated to see her cry. He would do anything not to see her cry, but this time he understood that she needed to cry. And every one of her tears that fell pierced his heart like a mighty arrow.

He pressed his brow to hers and whispered, “I love you, Dawn, and there is nothing that can ever change that love. It is rooted deep in my heart and in my soul that I had thought I had long ago lost, though thanks to you, I found.”

She went to gesture, but he took hold of her hand.

“I am here safe with you... because of you.” He scowled, though a hint of a smile slipped through. “And though it pains me to admit it, it is one time I am glad you disobeyed me.”

Dawn’s eyes turned wide, her tears subsiding.

“That does not mean you are to disobey me again,” he said quickly.

Dawn smiled and gestured.

He shook his head. “No, not only when necessary. Now, from this moment on, you will be a dutiful wife and obey my every word.” He shook his head again or maybe he never stopped shaking it, he was not sure, though he was sure about one thing. “You will never be an obedient wife.”

Dawn gestured slowly.

“Did I hear you correctly? Are you asking me if I truly want you to be obedient?” Cree said and was about to argue with her when she pressed her finger to his lips, stopping him.

She smiled softly, pointed to him, then to her ear and mouth, then to herself.

“Of course I hear you, but what does that have to do with you being obedient?”

She gestured again.

“I let you be you?” He laughed. “There is no stopping you.”

She shook her head and gestured again.

“Are you telling me that I freed you to be you and that you never want to feel imprisoned again?

She nodded and continued her gestures.

To him, his wife had a distinct voice and he loved hearing it. It was in the way she gestured with her hands, the expression on her face, and the movement of her body, and he heard her every word.

I am safe with you. I can say what I feel to you and whether you grow angry or not I know you will never harm me and never stop loving me. Because of you, I faced my fears and conquered them. You freed me to make what I thought impossible... possible. I do so love you, husband.

Her words stirred his heart and he kissed her softly after whispering, “And I you, wife.”

Cree rolled to hover over her, his hands braced on either side of her head. “However, there will be times when it will be prudent of you to obey me.”

She scrunched her brow and shrugged.

He ordered with a commanding tone, “You will be a good, obedient wife and spread your legs for me.”

Dawn grinned and moved her legs as if she was about to obey him, then suddenly shoved him off her onto his back and climbed on top of him, slipping herself over him and taking him deep inside her before he could protest.

Cree gave a groan and grinned. “Ahh, wife, this time I have you right where I want you.”

The End... for now!

Look for more adventures of Cree & Dawn coming your way!

Besides, don’t you want to find out if the honey worked on Dawn’s wound?

An interesting side note... honey has been used since 50 A.D. to treat wounds. Of course the honey today is different from the honey way back when (ex. no pesticides).

If you want to make certain you don’t miss any of Donna’s books subscribe to her Book Alerts on her website
www.donnafletcher.com
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Titles by Donna Fletcher

Single Titles

San Francisco Surrender

Rebellious Bride

The Buccaneer

Tame My Wild Touch

Playing Cupid

Whispers on the Wind

Series Books

Wyrrd Witch Series

The Wedding Spell

Magical Moments

Magical Memories

Remember the Magic

The Irish Devil

Irish Hope

Isle of Lies

Love Me Forever

Dark Warrior

Legendary Warrior

The Daring Twin

The Bewitching Twin

Taken By Storm

The Highlander’s Bride

Sinclare Brothers’ Series

Return of the Rogue

Under the Highlander’s Spell

The Angel & The Highlander

Highlander’s Forbidden Bride

Warrior King Series

Bound To A Warrior

Loved By A Warrior

A Warrior’s Promise

Wed To A Highland Warrior

Highlander Trilogy

Highlander Unchained

Forbidden Highlander

Highlander’s Captive

Highlander’s True Love
A Cree & Dawn Short Story #1

Rancheros Trilogy

Untamed Fire

Renegade Love

Third book yet to be titled

Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures Novella Series

Sexual Appetites of Vampires

Macinnes Sisters Trilogy

The Highlander’s Stolen Heart

Highlander’s Rebellious Love

Highlander The Dark Dragon

About the Author

Donna Fletcher is a
USA Today
bestselling author of historical and paranormal romances. Her books are sold worldwide. She started her career selling short stories and winning reader contests. She soon expanded her writing to her love of romance novels and sold her first book SAN FRANCISCO SURRENDER the year she became president of New Jersey Romance Writers.