Highlander's Promise (7 page)

She cuddled them close and kissed the tops of their heads repeatedly, relieved to be home with them safe in her arms. She had spoken briefly with her da, assuring him she was unharmed and thanking him over and over for being here and protecting the twins. With tears in his eyes, he had told her that he would do whatever it took to keep her and his grandchildren safe. Then he had gone on to brag profusely about the twins. She smiled, happy to have found her da after all this time.

The door creaked open and she smiled when she saw her husband enter quietly. She could smell his freshly washed body from where she sat and she suddenly craved him, fearing it would take more than one night to appease her need for him.

Cree walked softly over to his wife, not wanting to wake the babies, but eager to see his son and daughter again. He hunched down in front of his wife, enjoying the scent of lavender that wafted off her.

He sniffed the air and smiled at her, letting her know how much he favored her scent.

She nodded at him and sniffed the air as well, her smile growing wider, though a yawn was quick to steal it away.

Cree pointed to Valan, and then the cradle. Dawn nodded, handing their son gently over to him. Cree pressed his son close to him and ran a tender hand over his tiny head. His face squished up as if annoyed at being disturbed and Cree grinned, happy to be home, holding him tucked in his arm. After running his finger along his son’s soft cheek, he placed him in the cradle. It would not be long before the lad would be looking for his sister to snuggle against.

Cree turned and Dawn lifted their daughter up to him. As soon as he took her in his arms, Lizbeth opened her eyes and smiled so wide it appeared as if she was attempting to speak to him.

“Hello there, my little princess,” he said softly. “Da has come home to you.”

Her smile brightened, and then she turned her tiny head and pressed her face against his chest and in the next moment she was asleep. He held her close, not wanting to let go of her just yet. He lifted her so that he could press his cheek against her warm, soft one and whispered, “I love you with all my heart, princess, and I will always protect you.”

Dawn did not think she could love her husband any more than she already did, but seeing him, the mighty warrior Cree, with such love in his eyes for his son and daughter had Dawn loving him even more.

Valan was already thrashing about when Cree placed his daughter next to his son. As soon as the small lad felt his sister there, Valan settled beside her. Cree placed a blanket over them and turned to his wife, stretching his hand out to her. “Time for bed.”

Dawn took hold of his hand, eager for bed, though not for sleep.

The short walk to their bedchamber seemed to take forever to Dawn and once inside she found herself doing something she had not expected, frowning. Why did her husband walk away from her to stand by the hearth, turning his back to her? She expected him to take her in his arms and kiss her breathless. And why was he waiting to disrobe? They had been too long without each other and she was most eager for him to bury himself deep inside her.

She walked over to where he stood, his hand braced against the mantel and scooted under it, to stand in front of him with a wrinkled brow.

He hooked his arm around her waist and turned her away from the hearth. “Your nightdress will catch the flame.”

Dawn was quick to remedy the matter. She striped off her nightdress and stood naked in front of him, except for the bandage at her neck. And that was where his eyes rested.

“Does it pain you?” Cree asked with a hint of anger.

She shook her head, smiling.

“You smile when you could very well be left with a scar that will be a constant reminder of—”

She gestured quickly.

“You think it was a small price to pay to free me?”

Dawn nodded, her smile remaining strong.

“Slicing your throat is a small price?” he argued.

She gestured again.

Cree could not stop the laugh that surfaced. “I should be glad that you did not lose your voice?”

Dawn nodded, the corners of her mouth crinkling from inner laughter.

His laughter left a smile and Cree shook his head as he said, “What am I going to do with you, wife?”

Her gestures were slow and precise, leaving no doubt to what she was saying. Dawn felt her bare feet leave the floor so quickly that a gasp caught in her throat as she landed snugly in her husband’s arms, tucked against his chest.

Now I am going to show you how much I missed you.”

After lowering his wife to the bed, Cree discarded his garments with haste and rested himself over her, though only for a moment. His arm circled her waist and as he rolled to his side, he took her with him, bringing her to rest against him.

Her lips found his as soon as their faces neared and she captured his with a hunger he returned. They had been separated too long, their need now too great to do anything but satisfy it. He had never been as famished for a woman as he was for his wife at this moment. The more he kissed her, the more ravenous he grew, the more demanding his kiss. He warned himself to slow down, be gentler with her, but how does a starving man feast slowly? How does a man who thought he might never kiss his wife again, make love to her again, wake beside her in bed ever again, temper his love for her when he finally joins with her again?

This would be no slow, easy joining, at least not the first one.

He rolled her on her back with the weight of his body.

“I cannot wait,” he whispered.

Dawn nodded, patted her chest frantically, and spread her legs.

Chapter Eight

Cree silently cursed himself for lack of control especially when he slipped inside his wife and felt himself ready to come. He wanted to take his time, make her come more than once, before he did, and yet, his body betrayed him, demanding immediate release.

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 life 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.