Sloan hurried into the room. “I can’t find her and no one has seen her, perhaps she is annoyed that you are leaving and is letting you know it by not bidding you farewell.”
“That is not her way,” Cree said, knowing his wife would never be that petty. He worried that he would have to delay his departure to make certain his wife was all right, which could cost precious time in finding his sister.
Cree was never so relieved when a minute later Dawn entered the keep, throwing back her snow-covered hood and hurrying over to him. His heart hammered in his chest. She was so beautiful, though not in the common sense. Her features were plain, her nose a bit sharp, her eyes dark and her hair a deep red and straight, without a curl or wave to it. Yet she glowed with a rare beauty that caught his breath and stilled his heart. She was a head taller than most women, slender, with hips that curved perfectly and breasts that were barely a handful, but oh how he enjoyed them. She was—to him—perfect.
“Where have you been?” he demanded as she approached.
She smiled and pulled something from beneath her wool cloak, holding it out to him. She pointed to him and pretended to shiver, and then pointed back at the wool plaid and hugged herself.
“To keep me warm?”
She nodded as she drifted into his arms and snuggled against him. He was so warm and his body so hard. He was the epitome of a Highland warrior; strong, bold, and proud.
He lifted her chin and felt himself stir at the raw passion he always saw reflected in her eyes for him. “I would much prefer it be you who kept me warm.”
She tapped her chest, letting him know she felt the same and was unable to take her eyes off him. He was beyond handsome, not a single scar marring his beauty. Even his scowl, she had once thought perpetual, had lessened since they had fallen in love, but did not distract from his fine features. And how she loved his lips, such kissable lips that she forever wanted to taste.
“Damn it, Dawn, you know when you look at me like that I can’t resist kissing you.” And he knew if he did that he’d pay for it, but the hell with it, he kissed her anyway, and he damn well paid for it. He grew too hard, too fast. It didn’t matter, though, it was worth it. Their kiss was as hungry as always, and if he had time he would take her quickly so that the scent of her would be on him and he could breathe deeply of it every time he thought of her. But then that would be constantly.
After reluctantly ending their kiss, he whispered, “I will miss you.”
Dawn patted her chest, slipped her arms around his waist, and pressed her body firmly against his, then nodded and rested her head to his chest.
Sometimes her gestures spoke much louder than words. He hugged her, gave her one last kiss, and then eased her away from him and walked out of the keep without looking back. Sloan followed closely behind him.
“He would take you with him if he could,” Kirk said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Dawn nodded and wiped away the single tear that lingered in the corner of her eye. She then patted her chest, brought her hands together as if in prayer and rested them against her cheek.
“You’re tired and want to rest,” Kirk said, easily understanding her gestures. “Yes, you should rest and later we can sit by the fire and talk.”
Dawn smiled and nodded and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Kirk grinned when she stepped away. “I am so very glad that I found you, daughter, and I am glad we will have some time alone to talk and get to know each other even better. Now go rest and I will see you later.”
Dawn turned and walked slowly, as if heavily burdened, to the steps and took them unhurriedly, until out of sight. Once no one could see her, she flew up the steps, hurried to her bedchamber and gathered the few items she needed. She then carefully retraced her steps, watching to make certain no one saw her. She wanted everyone to assume she was sleeping. This way she wouldn’t be disturbed for hours, and it wouldn’t be until much later that someone discovered her gone.
She crept through the keep, staying to the shadows so she would not be seen. She hadn’t enlisted anyone’s help with her plans for fear that Cree would punish them. She would be responsible for her own rash actions, though to her, her plan made perfect sense. She would join her husband, though she would not make herself known until they were far enough away from the keep so that he could not send her home.