Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Nell reached for Tynan so Kirk could talk with Cree privately once he dismounted.
The little bairn refused to let go of his grandda, his small arms tightening around his neck and when Valan spotted his da, he ran toward him.
“I am sorry, Da. I am sorry!” Valan cried and collapsed against Cree’s leg.
Cree scooped him up and held him tight. “There is no fault in protecting your mum, Valan, but you are young, and she is wiser than you, knows better than you, and that is the reason you obey her.”
Valan sniffled and wiped at his tears. “I got her hurt.”
Cree felt a grip on his leg and looked down to see his daughter, her thin arms clutching his leg.
“Mum saved him,” she said through tears.
Nell stepped forward, her hands reaching out. “Come to me, Valan, and you too, Lizbeth. Your da needs to see your mum and then he can talk with you.”
Valan went reluctantly and Lizbeth latched onto Beast who walked over to her.
Cree gave Nell a thankful nod, needing to see his wife before he knew what he would need to tell his children that would comfort them. He stopped at the closed door briefly, fearing what he might face, then opened it and entered.
“You need to rest,” Elsa ordered sternly.
“Elsa is right, Lady Dawn,” Lucerne joined in.
“Dawn!” Cree called out, the two women blocking his wife from his view, but ever so grateful to hear the two women speaking to her and not praying over her.
Elsa and Lucerne quickly moved out of his way, and he winced when he caught sight of Dawn half-naked sitting on the bed, her one side bruised badly and a scrap on her cheek.
He turned to Elsa as he approached his wife. “Do you know if any ribs are broken?”
He had seen such bruises on many a warrior and some seemed fine only to die later. Elsa had been his healer for many years and had treated such wounds so she would know what to look for.
“There is no swelling, and she does not have any difficulty breathing, thank the Lord, but the area does pain her,” Elsa said. “Which is why I advised rest and a comfrey-soaked cloth applied a few times a day.”
“She will do as you say,” Cree ordered and looked to Dawn. “My wife is wise enough to do what must be done even if she does not like it. Isn’t that right, wife?”
Dawn’s shoulders slumped as she nodded, and she winced when she reached for her shift.
“Leave us,” Cree ordered, “And assure my children and Kirk that with rest Dawn will be fine and we will be a few moments.” Cree was at his wife’s side before the door closed and he took the shift out of her hand. “It is odd to be helping you into a garment when I am usually helping you out of one.”
A smile tempted the corners of Dawn’s mouth before she rested her brow against her husband’s chest and his arms wrapped gently around her. She let the tears fall that she had been fighting to hold back.
Cree dropped the shift and grabbed a blanket to wrap around his wife as he felt her weep against him. She had remained strong in his stead, but now with the ordeal over and him finally home she could rely on his strength and release her fears and worries in his arms.
“I am proud of you, Dawn. I can only imagine how frightening it must have been for you not to be able to shout out to him. But you did not hesitate to risk your life, as I always knew you would, to save one of our children. And I am relieved that both of you survived. You are a loving and brave mum and I and the children are lucky to have you.”
When Dawn finally lifted her head, it was with a slight smile of relief his words had brought her. There was much she wished to say about the incident, about her fright of not reaching her son in time, but that was for later. For now, she was in her husband’s arms where she felt safe and loved and that made all the difference.
Cree took her face in his hands and kissed her gently, and she shivered. “Let’s get your garments on.”
Dawn placed her hand gently on her bruise, then gestured, stopping Cree from reaching for her garment.
“Are you saying it was Valan’s wood sword that caused your bruising?”
She nodded and gestured again.
“It hit you when you grabbed him.”
Again, she nodded and the slight smile she wore faded as she went to gesture.
Cree knew what his wife would say before she gestured, and he spoke her thought. “You don’t want him to know.” He nodded along with her. “Valan told me he was sorry. He blames himself for your injury and he is not wrong about that. He should have obeyed you, though I do understand his worry for your safety. On that my son and I think alike. I will talk with him.” He took hold of her hand when she went to gesture. “He needs to learn, but I will not see him suffer any more than he already has. But I will see someone suffer for the harm and hurt caused to my family.”