Highlander Unchained (Highlander Trilogy 1)

“Do you understand,” he shouted.

Dawn nodded rapidly while trying to comprehend what he expected of her. She simply could not foresee herself tending Cree. Those dark eyes of his had seemed to consume her from a distance. How would his intense glare affect her in close proximity?

Already the heat started rising in her body and prickled her skin. She grew anxious that it would rush to stain her cheeks and embarrass her. This was not good and yet how could she escape it.

“You will report everything he says to me.” Colum’s hands flew around him in a poor imitation of her precise gestures. “Those signals of yours, someone must understands them—” He pondered a moment and then it struck him. “The woman Lila; she will interpret.”

A sickening sensation settled in the pit of her stomach. She did not want Lila part of this. There was no telling what she would suffer being involved. And Paul? He would be insane with worry for his wife. She would do her best to make Colum understand her so there would be no need to rely on Lila.

“You will gather food and whatever is necessary to tend his wounds and you will spend as much time with him as possible. With you unable to speak he will do most of the talking and you will report what he says. Do you understand all I’ve said?”

Dawn bobbed her head.

“One more thing.” His sneer grew wide and made his narrow lips grow narrower until it looked like he had no lips at all. “You will keep the prisoner satisfied in whatever way is necessary.”

Dawn stared at him, not certain she understood.

Colum shook his head annoyed and leaned closer to shout in her face. “You will rut with him if he wants. You do know how to rut do you not?”

The few warriors that were present laughed.

One shouted, “I can show her.”

Colum glared at him. “What did I tell you about spilling your side in a dumb one? I will have no warrior of mine seeding an imbecile.” He grinned. “Cree on the other hand can leave his seed in her belly before he dies knowing he leaves an idiot in his memory.”

The warriors laughed again and Colum shouted at her. “Now be gone and do my bidding or suffer my wrath.”

She fled his presence; fear now a shadow that clung heavily to her. He was sending her to willingly submit to be ravished by Cree, and even hoped he would get her with child. Feed and satisfy his lust and the prisoner would what? Trust her? How did Colum think that such a savage would trust anyone?

She stood in the kitchen not even realizing she had entered it.

Flanna snagged a basket from the floor, shoved it at her and pushing her out the door shouted, “You forgot the thyme.”

Once outside Dawn stood bewildered, a light rain falling on her, still unable to comprehend what had just passed. Flanna joined her only a moment later and hurried her away from the door.

“You are deathly pale. What is wrong?” Flanna asked anxiously.

Dawn shook her head not believing what she had just been told.

Flanna grabbed her hands. “Tell me.”

Dawn raised her hands and started to explain, outlining someone large and then locking her wrists together, Flanna understood instantly.

“The prisoner Cree.”

Dawn nodded and went on to tap her chest and gestured tending his wounds and feeding him and then she suddenly stopped and stared wide-eyed at Flanna. Reluctantly, and with heat rushing her cheeks red, she bent her fingers just enough for the tips to touch her palm and with one finger from the other hand shoved it repeatedly in and out of the hole.

Flanna gasped. “Good lord, no. He cannot expect you to rut with the savage.”

Suddenly there was a shout from the open door and they both turned to see Goddard, Colum’s most trusted warrior. He was broad and tall, though nowhere near the prisoner’s size and his face and arms scarred, no doubt from endless battles, though the women seemed to favor him, Dawn having seen him talking with many, though mostly with Dorrie.

“Here! Now!” he shouted and they both hurried to enter the kitchen after him.

Flanna went to speak but Goddard raised his hand and silenced her.

“The dumb one will be seeing to the care of the prisoner. She is to take what food or items she wants and answers to no one but Lord Colum. Is that understood?”

Flanna gave a quick nod.

Goddard turned to Dawn. “Be quick and see to your new duties.” He snickered and raised his voice. “Understand?”

Dawn bobbed her head, knowing that he reminded what was expected of her.

Goddard left the room and there was silence. No one moved. No one spoke. They stood and stared at her.

“To work,” Flanna ordered the others and turned to Dawn. “Take all that you need.” More quietly she whispered, “May God help you.”