Page 50 of Highland Hearts

“I love you too, Mum,” Valan said, his tears finally falling.

Cree was proud that his son had the courage to not only apologize to his mum but admit he was wrong.

“We will talk later, Valan,” Cree said. “Now go join the others.” And seeing the worry in his young son’s eyes, Cree smiled slightly and added. “And make sure I get the biggest sweet.”

Valan’s face beamed with delight and relief. “Aye, sir, I will make sure of it.”

Cree watched his son run off and turned to see Beast had not moved from Dawn’s side. Cree hadn’t expected him to. The animal understood Dawn was not well and he would not leave her side until she was.

The door opened and to both Cree and Dawn’s surprise William and Tate entered.

“My lord and lady,” William said with a respectful bob of his head. “I wish to thank you for keeping my brother safe during this ordeal. I am amazed he even made it here to the Highlands without so much as a scratch.”

“I am as well, brother,” Tate said, and they both laughed.

“Tate still has to survive the trip home,” Cree reminded them with a slight teasing twinkle in his eyes, though the laughter died in both men as Cree’s words settled in.

“Do not worry. I will send a troop of warriors with Tate to make certain he survives,” Cree said.

Both men thanked him profusely before taking their leave and shortly after they did, Kirk entered, followed by Sloan and the men Cree had ordered brought there. About a dozen of his warriors trailed them in and fanned out behind the five men after Sloan lined them up in front of the dais where Cree and Dawn sat.

“I want the truth and I want it NOW!” Cree commanded.

CHAPTER15

Cree’s hand shot up when they all went to talk at once. “Do not utter a word until I demand it of you!”

Faces pinched in annoyance, all except Cavell, he stood relaxed and confident and that had Cree’s thoughts swirling with various possibilities.

“Blaine!” Cree called out. “Who do you work for?”

Blaine pursed his lips tight as he stared defiantly at Cree.

“Have it your way,” Cree said with a shrug. “We will see if you feel that way after you spend some time in the torture chamber.”

Dawn kept her own lips closed tight wanting to laugh since no torture chamber existed. The dungeon was torture itself.

“Sloan, cut one of his fingers off to give him a taste of what awaits him,” Cree ordered.

Sloan pulled his knife from its sheath.

Dawn was relieved the man hurried to speak since she knew her husband would see it done if the man remained silent.

“King Alexander, my lord, and it would be wise of you not to cause me and my men harm since we are the king’s warriors and the king did order that your warriors not be harmed if possible, and I made sure they weren’t.”

Cree’s first thought was, of course, the King would order that no harm be done to the warriors. He would want them strong and ready to fight for him when necessary.

Cree’s hand shot up to silence Blaine when he went to say more, then he looked to the man he had punched. “Who do you work for?”

“I am Ulf and as Cavell said, I am part of the Gallowglass.”

“And who hired the Gallowglass to spy on me?” Cree demanded.

“This would better be discussed in private,” Ulf suggested, not hiding his annoyance.

“Not necessary,” Cree said. “I know who hired you… Håkon the King of Norway.”

Ulf’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared letting Cree know he was right.

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