Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Dawn had no doubt that her husband would see to that, though she attempted to caution him.
“My home. My rules!” Cree commanded. “I will help you dress, and I will see you settled in the keep with the children.”
Dawn was eager to see and comfort her children, but she was also eager to see what her husband intended to do. She moved to stand too fast, and her face tightened in a wince.
Cree cursed beneath his breath and gently helped her into her garments, and when he spotted a tear in her tunic his anger flared. It wasn’t the tear so much as to the image it invoked of what she had suffered and what his children had suffered because of it. Someone was going to pay for this.
A pounding on the door startled them both.
“Mum! Da!” came Lizbeth’s demanding voice.
“We will be right out, Lizbeth,” Cree called out, reassuring her, and turned smiling at his wife. “I am surprised she hasn’t opened the door and rushed in by now.”
The door flung open, and Lizbeth stood there with her small hands braced on her hips. “Why so long? Is Mum truly all right?”
Dawn stepped forward and Lizbeth ran to her, but Cree scooped her up before she could run into her mum’s arms.
“Mum hurts from the fall. You cannot fling yourself at her,” Cree said gently, seeing tears gathering in his daughter’s eyes.
Lizbeth nodded and wiggled to get out of her da’s arms.
Cree lowered her to her feet, and she walked slowly to her mum.
“I will walk you to the keep,” Lizbeth said and reached her small hand out to her mum.
Dawn fought back tears as she took her daughter’s hand and Cree followed behind them to the door.
Valan popped up in front of the open door just as they reached it, his eyes red with tears.
“Mum hurts. You can’t hug her,” Lizbeth ordered as Valan went to move.
Dawn stretched out her other hand and Valan hurried to grab hold of it, his small hand disappearing into Dawn’s strong one. Neither of the children would let go when they reached the door.
Cree stepped around them. “I will see Mum out. You two hurry to the keep and make sure Turbett has a soothing brew waiting for her.
The two rushed out. “Hurry, Grandda, we need to get to the keep and talk with Turbett.”
Cree stepped out and nodded to Kirk to let him know all was well and he walked off with Nell and the children, Beast remaining behind. He turned when he felt his wife’s hand slip around his and he took firm hold of it.
Beast stuck close to Dawn’s side as they walked, and he stopped along with her after taking only a few steps. She knew her gesture would not be received well but she went ahead and spoke her mind anyway.
“Absolutely not,” Cree snapped. “I am seeing you settled in the keep where you will rest.”
She gestured again, this time more firmly.
“You think it will show weakness if you do not accompany me to speak with the troop leader who rode without thought on our home and almost killed you and our son?” he asked incredulously.
She nodded and continued to gesture.
Cree shook his head and did not stop shaking his head as he spoke. “Nay. I will not allow it. Absolutely not!”
Dawn’s shoulders slumped as she sighed.
“You suffered an injury. You need to rest,” Cree reminded and shouted to Kirk.
Kirk handed Tynan to Nell and hurried to Cree.
“Your daughter is being stubborn. See that she gets to the keep and stays there,” Cree ordered and not taking a chance to glance at his wife, knowing he’d receive a half scathing, half pleading look from her, he walked off, muttering to himself.
He arrived at the area where the unknown troop was being held just as Reed and Gerald arrived with Blaine, Cavell, and their men.
“Who is their leader?” Cree demanded of Sloan but did not need to wait for his reply.
A man of good height and heavy with muscle stood, annoyance pinching his plain features and walked to the edge of a circle of Cree’s warriors that kept them penned.
“I come in peace, and you imprison us and force us to surrender our weapons,” the man shouted.
“Keep an eye on his men,” Cree said to Sloan and headed for the man.
His warriors parted just before he reached them and before the man could say a word, Cree swung a tight fist at him full force, connecting with his jaw and sending him flying back to land flat on his back unconscious.
“REVIVE HIM!” Cree shouted and water from a bucket was soon dumped on the man waking him with a start.
“GET UP!” Cree commanded.
The man stared at the fiery anger in Cree’s eyes and how tight his hands were fisted and wisely remained as he was as he pleaded. “I meant no harm.”