Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2)

She opened her eyes and smiled. That was her Cree, demanding she obey him even when he thought her dead.

Relief flooded him and he quickly shoved Lady Ann’s body off her before asking, “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head and he scooped her up in his arms.

Sloan rushed into the room and after a quick glance asked, “Dawn is all right?”

“She is a brave warrior who fought a good battle and won. See to this,” Cree said with a nod to the body.

Sloan nodded and stepped out of the solar.

Cree walked to the door and stopped. “It is a good thing you obeyed me and didn’t die, for I would have had to wage war with death itself to get you back. You’re mine, you belong to me, and I’ll never let you go.”

Chapter Thirty-six

Two weeks later

“Why aren’t you naked and in our bed?” Cree said walking over to where Dawn stood by the hearth in their bedchamber.

She didn’t wait for him to reach her; she hurried to him and threw her arms around him.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded holding her tight.

She shook her head against his chest.

Cree scooped her up in his arms and walked to the bed to sit down with her in his lap. “I know it troubles you to see how Lucerne suffers when she was innocent in this matter, but only time will heal her. Elsa said that the potion Lady Ann had been feeding Lucerne, to keep her confused and doubtful, had been so potent that she must take another potion to help with the problems it caused. That was why she was having such bad headaches and her emotions were so erratic. Bree had changed the potion hoping to help Lucerne regain her old self, though I wonder if she will ever be herself again after finding out about her true identity and the circumstances surrounding it.”

Dawn nodded, though couldn’t help but recall how Lucerne had clung to Sloan when she had been informed of Lady Ann’s death and the circumstances surrounding it. She hadn’t cry, hadn’t say a word, she had simply clung tightly to Sloan.

“From what Sloan tells me you and Lila have been a great help to Lucerne. He told me that she looks forward to spending time with you two and hearing all about her true mother. Magda has also been a great help to her,” he said and nuzzled playfully at her neck.

She scrunched her shoulders against the titillating tickle that ran through her and gestured that he helped as well.

“At your insistence,” he said kissing along her neck, “I allowed her to reside in the keep, though I would have preferred her in a cottage, until we see what can be done with her. An answer to the message I sent to the King informing him of everything should be here soon and I’m sure he’ll have some suggestions concerning Lucerne’s future.”

Dawn grabbed hold of his face, stopping him from feasting at her neck, though she would have much preferred to let him continue. She pointed to him and then to her and then gestured a crown on her head and shrugged, her brow already scrunched in question.

“I have no doubt that the King will grant us permission to wed. Roland has sent a message along with mine claiming you as his daughter so it would be a good and satisfying union to the King. Besides, I informed the King that I would wed no other but you.”

Her eyes turned wide in fright.

Cree laughed. “Do not look so fearful, I have demanded things from the King before and have gotten them. He knows I serve him well and so he tolerates me or perhaps he’s fearful of the infamous Cree as so many are.”

Dawn laughed, though it was silent, it was obviously a hardy one.

Cree scowled. “You are not fearful of me, lass?”

It wasn’t the scowl that made her shiver but the burning passion that suddenly ignited in his dark eyes and ignited her own budding passion.

He brushed his lips over hers. “You are right to fear me, love, for I intend to stripe you bare and make endless love to you tonight.”

She smiled and crossed her heart with one finger.

“Yes, I promise that tonight we will love like never before.”

Dawn shivered and laid her hand over heart, and then placed it on his heart holding it there so that he knew how very much she loved him. It didn’t surprise her when he did the same, their gestures speaking louder than words.

He stood and eased her to her feet, his hands going to the ties of her blouse and as he untied each one he followed it with a kiss to her chest until the last one exposed her breasts and he nuzzled his face in between the two, soft mounds, then kissed the tops of each before bringing his mouth to hers to kiss and whispered, “I’m going to feast on every inch of you tonight.”