Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2)

Cree hadn’t thought of that. Could that be why the cleric had arrived early? Did he have a message from the King for the wedding to proceed immediately? He had to solve the riddle of Dawn’s birth soon or all could be lost. If he had been concerned for just himself, he would take Dawn and go off with her and to hell with everything. They could be happy together just the two of them. But it wasn’t only about him. It was about all the men who had fought beside him and the women who had endured hardships with the promise that one day they would all have a home.

He could not disappoint them; he would not.

“There are preparations to consider and my wedding dress is not finished yet.” Lucerne wrung her hands. “This is a nightmare. It cannot be; I will not stand for it.”

For once Cree agreed with the distraught woman, though he had no response for her and was relieved when one of his warriors entered the Great Hall to inform Cree that Gerwan’s caravan was near.

Lucerne jumped up and hurried to fetch her white fur-lined cloak from the nearby bench. “We must be waiting on the steps to greet them or my father will think you disrespect him.” Her frown, which had seemed perpetual, suddenly disappeared and she smiled causing Cree to catch his breath at how stunningly beautiful she was. “Mother on the other hand would worry if I was not there to greet her. She has always worried over me.”

Cree realized then how much Lucerne loved her mother and it troubled him as to what would become of her when the truth was revealed. But if she was the one behind the plot to kill Dawn it wouldn’t matter, she would get what she deserved. But if she wasn’t, then she would be an innocent victim of this whole ruse just like Dawn.

“Hurry,” Lucerne shouted when Cree hadn’t moved and then realized her error and sought to correct it. “I am sorry, my lord, I am excited to see my mo—” She bit at her lower lip for a moment, squeezed her eyes shut, rubbed at her head, and then opened them slowly and calmly said, “I am eager to see my parents.”

Cree stood. “Then we should not keep them waiting.”

Lucerne smiled and nodded and waited for him to come and offer his arm. Reluctantly, he did and they walked out of the keep to wait on the steps, though not before he cast a glance to Sloan to follow.

Sloan who had sat silently at the dais listening to their exchange cringed and followed them out.

It wasn’t long before the caravan approached and came to a halt in front of the keep steps. Cree couldn’t help but notice that while the villagers had gathered to watch Gerwan’s arrival not one of them cheered his entrance.

That Gerwan was perturbed was obvious as he remained mounted on his horse with an arrogant tilt of his head and waited for Cree to approach him.

Lucerne went to step forward and Cree held her back. She shot him a disapproving glance.

“I am lord of this land and your father will pay me the respect due me.”

Lucerne did not argue with him; she remained by his side.

Cree stood firm at the top of the steps and Roland Gerwan remained rooted on his horse. Then Cree saw Ann Gerwan alight from the wagon with the help of a young warrior who kept pace behind her. She was a tall, slender woman much like Dawn and with plain features as well, though there was an elegance about her that caught the eye and made one think to bow before her. She walked over to her husband and laid a gentle hand on his leg while she spoke with him.

Gerwan huffed and puffed and snapped at his wife, but in the end he dismounted his horse and held his arm out for her to take and with regal steps they climbed the keep stairs side by side.

Lucerne made a move to step forward and Cree held her in place once again. And as Gerwan reached the step beneath them, he waited for the man to bow and pay his respects. Cree wasn’t surprised when Ann stepped forward, no doubt knowing her husband wouldn’t.

Ann bowed her head gracefully. “We are pleased to finally have arrived at your home, Lord Carrick.”

“The village appears to have prospered,” Gerwan said with a nod. “It is good that you have worked the peasants hard. They can be a lazy lot if you don’t have a heavy hand with them.”

Lucerne jumped in before Cree could respond, which was good since Gerwan irritated the hell out of him, and he felt like squatting him as he would a pesky bug.