Highlander's Promise by Donna Fletcher Read Free Book Online Page B

lies with Scotland. I see no possible reason for Minnoch to falsely accuse me of stealing from him and order me beheaded?” Cree shook his head. “There is something I am not seeing.”
    Dawn shrugged and motioned as if placing a crown on her head.
    “I am not sure what the King will do when he learns of this. It is important that he finds out if Minnoch is loyal to him and with how untrustworthy Minnoch is there is no telling what his explanation will be to the King.”
    Dawn thought a moment before her hands began moving again.
    “I agree. You would think that the King would not trust Minnoch after he imprisoned and was about to behead the emissary he sent to speak with him. But his need for Minnoch may outweigh good judgement.”
    Her brow narrowed and she tapped his chest.
    The king will not dare hand me over to Minnoch, for if he proves disloyal to the King, it will be me the King sends to deal with him.”
    Dawn chopped at the side of her neck with her hand.
    “I should behead Minnoch?”
    She nodded firmly.
    “We will see, though whatever happens, I intend to see the bastard pay for what he did.”
    ~~~
    Dawn was exhausted when hours later they stopped for a brief rest. She could not imagine what toll the last few days and now this hasty ride home had on Old Mary, though one look at the old woman napping beneath a tree told Dawn all she needed to know.
    The warriors got busy seeing that the horses drank from the stream and food was hastily dispersed and eaten.
    Dawn nibbled on a piece of dried meat in between washing her face in the stream. She could not wait to get home and wash the filth off her, though that filth was part of what had helped her rescue her husband. But the mission was done and it was time to rid herself of the foul odor.
    Cree stood a distance away from her, watching. He hoped the wound on her neck would heal so that no scar would be left. If a scar remained, it would always remind him of that moment he saw her through the narrow slot, standing there naked, the fresh wound at her throat, and once again he felt anger twist at his gut.
    “You owe her your life.”
    Cree turned to see Sloan standing next to him.
    “Your wife saved you.”
    Cree scowled at Sloan. “We had a plan.”
    “It did not include a quick beheading.”
    “She paid too high of a price.”
    “I guess that shows just how much she loves you.”
    “She disobeyed me.”
    Sloan laughed. “She never obeys you.”
    “And look what happened because of it.”
    “Yes, look what happened. You live.”
    Cree walked off, not wanting to hear anymore and his steps took him to his wife. He was only a few feet away when the pounding of hooves was heard. Cree rushed to his wife as he drew his sword and once he reached her, he shoved her behind him.
    Warriors relaxed the hold on their weapons when one of their own appeared.
    The rider rode over to Cree as soon as he spotted him. “They know of your escape. Minnoch gathers his troops to come after you.”

Chapter Seven
    Dawn’s legs gave way when Cree lifted her off his horse. He scooped her up and carried her up the steps of the keep and into the Great Hall. “Flanna!” he yelled and the woman appeared as if out of thin air. “Dawn requires a bath, food, and rest, but first get Elsa.”
    “I will see to everything, my lord,” Flanna said with a bob of her head.
    Cree looked to Kirk McClusky as he rushed across the room to him.
    “Did I hear you say Elsa?” Kirk asked concerned for his daughter. “My daughter requires the healer?” His eyes turned wide when he saw the blood-stained bandage around her neck. “What happened?”
    Dawn wanted to answer her father, but she was simply too tired to move her arms.
    “She is fine. Let me get her settled, and then we will talk. Until then, go find Sloan, he will tell you what needs to be done.” Cree said and Kirk hesitated. “As soon as she is settled, you can speak with her yourself.” That seemed to mollify Kirk and with a nod