Page 34 of Highland Hearts

“You are content in our new home, wife?” Cree asked.

She nodded and gestured vigorously.

Cree grinned and laughter rang in his voice. “I am glad you are finally anxious to put your touch on our home, since it is what will truly make it our home.”

Dawn nodded again and took another sip of wine before mouthing,Tate.

“I knew you would want to talk about Tate and William.”

Dawn gave a quick nod, then gestured.

“Aye, I agree. It is a puzzle, though more a game, and not an easy one.

She nodded in agreement.

“Cavell said something odd to me. He told me that I have never given in to demands. If he knows that, then why does he make demands? Why even take on a mission that involves me?”

Dawn gestured her thought.

“Aye, I suppose it could be because he has no choice. But who would he be beholding to that would place him in such a position?” Cree shook his head, finding such a situation difficult to believe. “Cavell tells me not to trust anyone. I wonder if he includes himself?”

Dawn shrugged, having no answer for her husband.

“There are far too many people in this game to make sense of it. Who is the one who frightened Tate enough for him to submit to his demands? Who highjacked Cavell’s mission? Or did someone? Or does it go as planned?”

Dawn tapped her husband’s chest.

“Aye, it is obvious the planned abduction centers around me, so the question would be—what does someone want with me? Is it simply to give Tate time to complete the requested drawings or is there more to it?

The thought that her husband was the center of it all frightened Dawn and she let her husband know.

“I have no fear, wife, that you will help me bring an end to this game and I will make sure that whoever it is behind this scheme will feel the full extent of my wrath.”

Dawn shivered, knowing when her husband released his wrath, fear would wash over the land and blood would flow. She hurried to gesture.

Cree handed the near empty goblet back to his wife and grinned. “Are you ordering me to discuss everything with you before I do anything?”

Dawn gave a sharp nod of her head.

His grin softened. “Do not worry. I will not put our clan in jeopardy.”

Dawn handed the goblet back to him to gesture again, her expression showing she was not satisfied with his response.

“You know full well that I cannot promise that I will not place myself in jeopardy since it is my place to protect my family, my clan.”

Dawn raised her chin as she gestured.

“Nay, it does not mean you will do the same,” Cree warned.

Dawn tossed her chin up even more.

Cree grabbed it and held it firm. “I rule here. You will not place yourself in jeopardy.”

She tapped his chest and shook her finger at him.

“I am not going to argue with you about this, Dawn,” he cautioned, irritated.

Her chin lowered and her stubbornness vanished, and she held up two fingers entwined.