Free Highlander's Rescue A Cree & Dawn Short Story (Cree & Dawn Short Stories Book 4) by Donna Fletcher

here?” Hugo demanded.
    “I can ask the same of you.”
    “I have come to collect a woman inside that waits for me. Hand her over and my men and I will be on our way,” Hugo said.
    Cree looked over the mercenary’s warriors, then back at Hugo. “She dislikes you that much that you need a troop of warriors to help you retrieve her?”
    Hugo did not laugh. “I have never known you to be humorous.”
    “I am not.” Cree’s cold, harsh tone had Hugo laying his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Careful, Hugo, or my sword will pierce your belly before you can draw yours.”
    Hugo held his hands out to his sides. “We are friends—”
    “We were never friends.”
    A scowl that rivaled Cree’s surfaced on Hugo’s face. “I would not mind killing you.”
    “Nor I you.”
    Hugo stepped back and glanced around. “Your warriors are nowhere in sight.”
    “You will see them if necessary.”
    “I think you lie. You have few warriors with you,” Hugo challenged.
    Cree gave two sharp nods and when nothing happened Hugo laughed, until four arrows landed in the ground near his horse.
    “Believe what you will, Hugo, but know if you try to enter this keep you and whoever follows will die before they reach the door.”
    “The gray sky warns of more snow. I will camp the night and leave in the morning. Any objections?” Hugo asked.
    “Would it matter if I did?”
    “No. I will speak to you in the morning.”
    “You will leave by morning or it will be my warriors you see.” Cree stepped back and the door slammed shut.
    Cree turned to see Cathan standing there. Worry quickly marred his brow. “My wife?”
    “Dawn is fine. I cleaned and applied a healing balm to her arm, then wrapped it. You should have your healer see to it when you return home. I have heard she is an extremely knowledgeable healer.”
    “You heard right.”
    Cathan stepped closer to Cree, keeping her voice to almost a whisper. “You cannot let them take Margaret. You know what they will do with her.”
    “Taking only Margaret was never their complete mission. They will see anyone involved in this matter dead, for the dead cannot talk.” His eyes narrowed. “Who are you to Margaret?”
    A shout from Ardit across the room had Cathan turning before she could answer.
    “Hurry, Margaret needs you.”
    Cathan never answered Cree, she ran to Ardit and the two women disappeared up the stairs.
    Cree spoke to those in the Great Hall. “They will do nothing until morning.”
    “Tomorrow there will still be more of them than us,” a servant called out.
    “Tomorrow there will be more of us than them,” Cree said and a cheer sounded. His warriors should reach here by then. Sloan would see that the warriors rode throughout the night to get here as soon as possible. He only hoped Hugo would not strike before then.
    Cree left the men and went to see how his wife, Wintra, and Margaret were faring. He almost turned away when moans rippled down the stairs to greet him. He was reminded of when Dawn had given birth and the pain she had gone through and how they had almost lost their daughter. The tiny lass had not taken a breath when she was born. She had lain lifeless in his hands when he held her, but he had refused to let her die and now when she heard his voice there was no calming her until she was in his arms. He would do anything to keep his children safe and he would do the same for his sister’s bairn.
    He entered Wintra’s room to see Torr kneeling by the bed, holding Wintra’s hand while he dabbed a wet cloth along her brow.
    “You need me?” Torr asked when he caught sight of Cree.
    “No, it will be morning before anything happens. How is my sister?”
    Wintra raised her head, Torr slipping his hand beneath it to help hold it up. “I am fine. Dawn gave birth bravely and so can I.”
    “Mum delivered you on her own,” Cree said, stepping closer to the bed.
    “She did?” Wintra asked surprised.
    “There was no one to help her. I was out in