“I command. Ah dinnae follow,” Torin said with a look of challenge in his eyes.
Cree heard the warlord in the strength of his voice, saw it in the lift of his chin, the breadth of his shoulders drawn back and the way he stood ready for battle.
“Then go command your clan, for you will not command here,” Cree warned, his hand going up when he saw Torin ready with a response. “You do not want to fight me, nor do you want to make me your enemy. Your task was to report to Lord Bhric anything you deemed important. Do as your friend asked as I do as my friend asked and we will get on well together. Otherwise, you will face a battle you live to regret, and I am not eager to take possession of your isle. I have enough land and clans who pledged allegiance to me to manage.”
“You wish me gone?” Torin asked, impressed by the mighty Cree. He was as fearless as he had heard.
“Your cooperation is welcome, your need to command is not.”
“It is what I do best,” Torin said.
Cree stopped again, forcing Torin to do the same annoyed Cree’s actions compelled him to obey. “A bit of advice, though I would take it more as a warning. Learn that you cannae always command no matter how good you are at it, for that will all change when you wed.”
“My wife will obey my every word,” Torin said as if it was already so.
Cree laughed. “You have much to learn.”
Torin grew more annoyed. “No one fails to heed my commands.”
Cree laughed harder as he turned to continue walking.
“My wife will obey me,” Torin reiterated, hurrying to follow.
“Or so you think,” Cree said between laughs.
“Just because your wife does not heed your word, does not mean my wife will do the same,” Torin said.
Cree laughed even harder and called out as he entered the Great Hall, “Do you hear this, Dawn? Lord Torin thinks you do not heed my commands and he is sure his wife will.”
Dawn’s laughter could not be heard, but her smile and the way her body shook showed she laughed hardily. As did the married warriors present.
One brave warrior called out, “Lady Dawn lets Lord Cree think she obeys his commands.”
Cree’s laughter stopped and he turned a scowl on his men. “Who said that?”
No one would surrender the poor soul.
Cree turned away and another warrior shouted, “And like a wise husband, he rules her quietly.”
Cree turned back around. “More ale for all of you.”
His warriors cheered.
Cree went to Dawn and sat close beside her on the bench, pressing his leg against hers beneath the table.
She laid her hand on his thigh and mouthed, rule?
He pressed his cheek to hers to whisper in her ear, “Nearly every night and sometimes during the day.”
She smiled and nodded.
Flora watched the couple with interest. They reminded her of her parents, very much in love. She could not imagine spending her life with a man she did not love. It would be pure torture. She missed her parents terribly and the life she had with them. She missed the frequent conversations on various topics, learning from every one of them. She did not know how she would survive life in the Highlands.
Conversation continued as did laughter, Torin joining in it all, as he kept an eye on Flora. She spoke little though had a pleasant smile for anyone who looked her way. He never thought he would ever find a woman as quiet as her and with such lovely features they could not help but capture the eye. That his shaft stirred when looking upon her was also a good sign. She would not be difficult to bed. The more he thought about it, the stronger the idea took root. A day or two more to observe her, and then he would speak to Newlin.
Torin returned to the conversation pleased that he may just have found himself the perfect wife.
“You disobeyed me,” Cree said, lying wrapped around his wife in bed.
Dawn tapped his arm twice, then turned in his arms to face him, though stayed snug in them. She mouthed, Tavia.
“Are you saying Tavia was the one who decided to go to the dungeon?” he asked surprised, never thinking the obedient, petite woman would do that.
Dawn nodded.
“And, of course, you and Flora had to go with her.”
Dawn smiled and nodded again.
“It was a foolish chance you took,” he scolded.
Her smile faded and she rested her hand to her husband’s cheek and shook her head.
“I know you do not believe she is evil, but we do not know that for sure, and you and our bairn’s safety is more important to me than that woman. I believe she knows something but keeps it from us, though ah dinnae know why when she surely knows she will suffer if she does not relent and tell the truth.”