Highlander's Promise Read Online Free PDF

tensed at the harshness of his growling whisper.
    “You have placed your life needlessly in danger and took the chance of killing yourself by slicing,” —he stopped abruptly— “Old Mary cut your throat, did she not?” He did not let her answer. “She would have never let you do it yourself nor would she let you attempt to rescue me alone, since she knows you well and knew there would be no way of stopping you. Bless that woman for being so wise.”
    Dawn made no move to respond.
    “Will it scar?” he asked the harshness in his voice replaced with concern.
    Dawn shrugged, letting him know she was not sure.
    “It will always be a reminder—”
    Dawn pressed her finger to his lips and gestured.
    “Of how much you love me,” Cree said when she pressed her hand to her chest and then to his and kept it there. “Your love for me is never in doubt, either is your penchant for disobeying me.”
    She could not help but smile.
    “Enjoy this small victory, for it will be your last. I intend to find a punishment that will finally have you doing as I tell you.”
    Her hands gestured too quickly in response and she had to repeat herself a few times.
    “Are you asking me if I will always protect you?” Cree asked annoyed.
    Dawn nodded while tapping is arm once.
    “How could you even think I would not protect you?”
    Dawn quickly thumped her chest, then his.
    “You do the same? I think not, since I do not need protecting.”
    Dawn waved her hand around the cell.
    “So help me, wife—” Footfalls silenced him, but only for a moment. “On your knees,” he ordered.
    Dawn did as he said, thinking how he protected her now, keeping the guard from seeing her naked body each time he pretended to couple with her.
    “I win the wager,” one guard said. “I told you he would be poking her again. Plow her good, Cree. You do not have much time left.”
    They waited until Cree pretended to finish, draping his body over his wife as if spent in climax.
    When their footfalls faded, Cree took his wife in his arms again and she hugged him tight. Anger stirred in him for what his wife was suffering and somehow he was going to make certain that all those involved suffered worse for it.
    Dawn rested her head on her husband’s chest. Worry and fatigue were beginning to take its toll on her. She had barely slept since Cree’s departure and being with him now, feeling safe for the moment, she found herself growing sleepy.
    “Rest,” Cree whispered when he felt her yawn and her body go limp in his arms.
    Dawn could not fight the fatigue and the safety of her husband’s strong arms gave her the will to surrender to it.
    Cree rested his cheek on the top of her head, not caring that the scent of her hair was far from appealing. She was here with him now and the ache that had wrenched at his gut since the day he had left her was finally gone. He closed his eyes and let himself enjoy this moment if only for a short time.
    Several footfalls woke them, neither of them knowing how long they had been asleep, and Cree was quick to get them both to their feet. This time, however, he did not pretend to couple with her. He pushed her behind his back.
    “Say your good-byes. Minnoch says you have had enough fun with her,” the one guard said with a laugh.
    Fear raced through Dawn and she did her best to stamp it down. She did not want to leave Cree, but she would have a better chance of rescuing him being free than locked in here with him. And standing behind, almost on top of him, she could feel his muscles beginning to grow taut with anger. She could not let him stop them from taking her. It would ruin any chance of freeing him.
    She gestured quickly to him.
    He whispered, though did not turn around to face her. “Yes, you will go, but if they dare lay a hand on you in front of me, or at all, I will kill them.”
    She gestured quickly again.
    “You will not come back for me,” he ordered in a harsh whisper.
    Dawn hurried around him as the door