“You are wrong. My wife never knew hunger,” Cree said, recalling Colum, the liege lord who ruled the clan before he claimed it. He fed his people well only because it would keep them strong to work long endless days and suffer the beatings he had generously doled out.
“Did you ever know hunger, my lady?” Fia asked.
Dawn’s thoughts had drifted off to a time she had forgotten.
“Dawn,” Cree said, dropping down in front of her, the muscles in his thighs growing taut and asked a question he had never thought to ask his wife. “Did you once go hungry?”
Dawn nodded and held her hand out to her side at a certain height so he could judge the age.
Cree scowled. “You were nothing but a wee bairn.”
Dawn held up four fingers and shook her head, chasing away the memory.
Cree wanted to ask her more, but this was not the time or place. Besides, her stomach grumbled, and she patted it and forced a smile.
“You and the bairn are hungry,” he said and stood, holding his hand out to her, eager to get her out of the stench and dampness of the dungeon.
She grabbed hold of his hand and needing more help to get to her feet, she reached out to grab one of the metal bars of the cell door. She found herself swiftly lifted to her feet, her husband’s hands beneath both her arms having lifted her with ease.
“Your love has an unbreakable strength that forever connects you from here and beyond. You share a rare love. Even time will not keep you from each other,” Fia said, wishing she could know even half of such an extraordinary love.
“You are right about that,” Cree said with fierce determination in his eyes. “Dawn belongs to me, and I will let no one take her from me, not even time.”
Dawn smiled, patted his chest then hers.
“Aye, wife, I belong to you forever as well.” Cree took her in his arms and kissed her cheek. “Now it is time to eat for I am also hungry.” He turned to the woman in the cell. “We will talk later.”
“Aye, my lord, but there is something I can tell you now that may help.” Fia didn’t wait for permission to continue. “There is a small group of men who hunt the woods, but not for animals. They hide their tracks well and are intent on their task. I believe the dead man was one of them.”
“Mercenaries,” Cree said and felt his wife shiver. “Why wait to tell me this?”
“I was not sure who commands them, and I would not trust who commands them. Speaking with your wife made me realize I could trust you.”
“Did you see this group of men?” Cree asked.
“I did not want to chance capture so all I got was a hasty peek and a quick count of four men,” Fia said.
“Did you leave that talisman with the dead man?”
“So that is where I lost it,” Fia said. “I only realized recently it was gone and my protection with it.”
Cree heard his wife’s stomach rumble. “We will talk more later, and I will see you get more food and drink.”
Dawn squeezed her nostrils and shook her head.
“Aye, it stinks down here and a good reason for you not to come here again,” Cree ordered.
She shook her head and gestured again.
“Aye, this place should be cleaned,” he said, agreeing with her and guiding her steps to the stairs.
She smiled, nodded, and patted his chest.
Cree halted them both. “You want me to see it done?”
She nodded.
He wanted to grin but kept it to himself. “That is Newlin’s responsibility. Speak to him about it.”
Dawn’s smile broadened as she nodded happily. Her husband’s support was all she needed to see the task done. She eagerly preceded her husband up the stairs.
“The poor man doesn’t even know what he’s about to face,” Cree whispered and heard the prisoner laugh.
Cree enjoyed watching the look on Newlin’s face, and Torin’s as well, as his wife gestured hastily to Newlin. He did not bother to interpret since Tavia had taken it upon herself to do so and was doing well at it.
“Lady Dawn is right, Da, the cells in the dungeon do need cleaning. The stench is simply horrible down there.”
“A dungeon is not supposed to be welcoming and you are forbidden to go down there again,” Newlin argued.
“Your da is right, a dungeon is no place for a woman,” Torin agreed.
“Then why is a woman being kept there now?” Tavia asked with a tilt of her head at Torin.
“Enough, Tavia,” Newlin scolded his daughter. “The dungeon stays as it is. That is my order, and it will be obeyed.”
Tavia held her tongue, not that she wanted to, but she did so out of respect for her da. Besides, the look on Lady Dawn’s face was enough for Tavia to know that she was not finished with this. Somehow, Tavia believed, Lady Dawn would have her way.