Highlander Unchained(48)

“You will answer me; I will see that you do.” He released her then and she watched him walk away to join Sloan who waited a distance away.

When they were both out of sight, she let herself crumple to the ground. Tears gathered in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. It would do her no good to feel sorry for herself. And why should she be upset that he hadn’t coupled with her? She still had that part of herself to give to someone, if by some chance, someday, someone fell in love with her.

Her mother had told her once that the heavens had made her special and that someday, someone special would come along and he would love all that was special about her. She had believed her mum when she was young, but as she grew older she realized that her mum had told her that to help ease the pain of being voiceless and unwanted.

At the moment she wanted desperately to be that young lass who believed every word her mum had told her. Someone special was waiting for her and someday someone would love her.

Dawn wiped the tears from her face and gathered her basket. She would return to her cottage and keep herself busy. Idle time did little good for anyone. She plucked a few wild onions on her way home and as she rounded her cottage, she stopped surprised by the flurry of activity around the keep.

A troop of Cree’s warriors were gathered in front of the keep, some of their horses prancing eager to make haste. Cree stepped out of the keep and Dawn felt her stomach quicken. Villagers stopped in their tracks to stare and gasps could be heard along with whispered mumblings. He was a sight to behold dressed all in black, his leather tunic studded with metal along the shoulder seams. Black leather cuffs were held in place at his wrists by crisscrossed leather strips. And his sword was sheathed at his back.

He looked ready for battle and without thought Dawn recited a silent prayer for his safety. He spoke for a moment to Sloan who nodded and then he mounted his horse and led his men out of the village, though...

Dawn could not believe that he stopped at her cottage and she clutched her basket tightly worried what he might say.

“Do not go into the woods until I return and give you permission.”

Dawn nodded and he rode off.

She did not have to look around to know that people were staring at her and so she hurried into her cottage away from curious eyes and gossiping tongues.

It was only a few minutes before the door opened and Lila to hurry in.

“What is this I hear?” Lila asked.

Dawn smiled and reached out for Thomas who went contentedly into her arms. She looked from the babe to Lila and back again.

“Do not think to distract me by asking about Thomas.” She beamed proudly. “He is doing wonderful and he barely fusses. He is such a good baby. And Paul has returned to the fields, though he tells me that he has been giving the task of helping to plan next year’s crop and he says it will be much larger with the fields being expanded.”

Dawn smiled seeing her friend happy and hearing the hope in her voice. Thomas gurgled at her and she caressed his soft cheek. His eyes lighted and he smiled. Her heart soared and she wished— oh how she wished—she would one day have children of her own. She feared though that her affliction would pass to one if not all her children and that would break her heart. She would not want one of her children to suffer as she had.

“Now back to my original question,” Lila said and Dawn knew she would not be able to avoid answering it this time. “Did Cree actually stop and order you not to go into the woods until he returns?”

Dawn nodded.

“He worries over you.”

Dawn frowned and shook her head.

“Yes, he does,” Lila argued. “Some of Colum’s men have been spotted a distance from here and there is talk that Colum may be among them. That is where Cree goes now to find them. And he has not ordered anyone to stay out of the woods except you. As I said he worries for your safety.”

Dawn did not bother to shake her head again. Lila would continue to argue the point while she was trying to comprehend it.

“The women gossip,” Lila said and paused.

Dawn waited knowing that any time Lila hesitated to speak that she was about to deliver troubling news.

“They say that you are the devil’s mistress and that is why you do not have to toil as others do. Your chore is to please the devil and he wants nothing interfering with his pleasure.” Lila paused once again before asking, “Has he had his way with you again?”

What did she say to her friend? Did she let her go on thinking that Cree had taken her virginity or did she confide how their new feudal lord will not spill his seed inside her? The answer came easily. She was too embarrassed to let anyone know the truth... even her dearest friend.