Dawn nodded slowly.

You have your doubts though, dont you?

Dawn nodded again and shrugged.

But you dont know why.

Another nod from Dawn turned Lila as silent as Dawn for a few minutes.

There are women in the village who I am sure will keep Cree entertained, Dorrie being one of them.

Dawn smiled and nodded vigorously.

Ah, Dorrie has already made her intentions known. That is good, let her have the beast, she no doubt will service him well.

Dawn barely nodded a vision of Cree rising naked over Dorrie invading her thoughts and unsettling her stomach Lila grabbed her hand chasing the disturbing vision away. Do not think on what happened between you and Cree. It is a new start for all of us. Perhaps there will be a warrior among Crees men who will fancy you and you will have a chance to love.

Dawn forced a smile and was glad the babe started fussing, ending, before it could start, a discussion of how Lila just knew Dawn would find love one day. She was also glad that Lila asked her to fetch the babe for her. He calmed as soon as Dawn scooped him up and held him close. Once his eyes stayed open he would not take them off Dawn. He seemed pleased and content there in her arms and so she continued to stand in front of the hearth holding him.

A knock sounded at the door a few minutes later and Elsa entered with a large basket and a smile.

Dawn listened as the two women talked, happily holding Thomas. The delicious scents of the generous amount of food Elsa had spread on the table woke Paul.

He hobbled over to the table his eyes turning wide. This is all for us?

Of course, you both need to regain your strength, Elsa said.

You will join us, Lila said to Elsa.

Thank you, but Dawn and I will be attending the celebration at the keep and we should be getting ready for it. Elsa walked over to Dawn and slipped Thomas out of her arms and into Lilas arms.

Lila looked with worried eyes to her friend as she took her son.

Dawn did not want her friend to worry over her and so she smiled and gestured how excited she was to attend the celebration. Lilia appeared relieved and with a hug and a kiss to Lila and a nod to Paul, Dawn followed Elsa out the door.

I will see you at the celebration, Elsa said and hurried off.

Dawn could not help but think that she was being reminded that her presence was not a request. She was expected to attend, though an order had never been directly issued, it had certainly been implied. She entered her cottage only a short distance from Lilas and immediately stoked the fire that had burned down to almost nothing but embers.

Her cottage had gotten a chill to it with the fire dying down and she rubbed her arms. She realized then how she must look. Her one sleeve was completely gone and smudges of dirt marred her naked arm. Her skirt was ripped and she realized that she did not have another one to replace it. And the one other blouse she had was worn beyond repair. And her gray shift wasnt much better.

How could she go to the celebration tonight when she had nothing proper to wear? Besides who would bother with her? She would stand alone, ignored as usual. There would be no joy in it for her.

Dawn decided there and then not to attend. She reasoned that although it seemed she had been instructed to attend, no one had explicitly ordered her to do so. With her decision came a sense of relief. She would set something to cook, wash up, change into her night dress, a garment well past its prime, and spend the evening repairing her clothes as best she could.

She chopped what kale and wild onion she had left, added water, and set it to stew in a crock. Then she filled a bucket with water from the rain barrel outside her door and bathed herself with the chilled water. She slipped into her worn nightdress with a silent sigh, plaited her long brown hair and gathered her sewing basket. She moved the lone chair closer to the hearth and set to work on her repairing her skirt.

It wasnt long before her eyes grew weary and she sought her pallet thinking a brief nap would be good before supper and surrendered to sleep.

She did not know how long she had been sleeping when a loud sound startled her out of her peaceful slumber. She jumped up off her pallet, her eyes quickly turning wide when she saw Cree standing in the open doorway.

Chapter Fourteen.

Cree didnt know if he wanted to strangle her or hug her so relieved was he that Dawn was safe in her cottage. With the villagers pouring in and out of the Great Hall and his warriors remaining on guard for any disturbances, it had taken time to search though the many faces to find her. When he had finally concluded that she was not present, dread rose in him.

Had something happened to her? Had she been harmed? She would not be able to scream out for help and the thought had fired his blood. He would kill anyone who raised a hand against her.

It had been Sloan who had suggested that perhaps the woman he searched for had decided not to attend the festivities.

Cree had not even given that thought and the idea fueled his anger even more. He had ordered Sloan to find out where her cottage was located and then had taken off to find out if Sloan had been right.

His anger had mounted with each step he had taken so that by the time he reached her door he hadnt bothered to knock, he gave it a shove sending it swinging open.

His heaving chest slowed as his anger dissipated and he shut the door behind him wanting no one to disturb them. Not that anyone would. They feared him too much to offer the silent one protection and they were wise in doing so.

She stood next to her sleeping pallet, which annoyed him even more to think that she had no decent bed to sleep on. Her eyes were wide and her body tense. She obviously was frightened and she need not be, though giving it second thought... perhaps she should be.

He took only two steps and stopped, casting a glance around the small room. It was neat and orderly, though threadbare. Her table size could serve only one and one chair sat near the hearth. A lone crock sat in the hearth and no doubt was the reason for the pleasant scent. A worn wool cloak hung on a peg near the door and the only other garments he spied were the bundle on the chair. Her pallet barely held room for her and her wool blanket had been patched in more places than he thought possible.

He approached her with quick, purposeful strides and she hastily hurried to stand behind the chair near the hearth. He almost laughed at her maneuver to shield herself. Did she truly think a pitiful chair would stop him?

You were to attend the celebration, he said stopping only a few inches away from her and seeing that the fires light silhouetted her naked body beneath her nightdress. He hardened so fast that he silently cursed himself.

Dawn caught the spark of lust in his eyes and to her surprise and fear her body responded with a tingle between her legs. She warned herself that no good would come of mating with the devil and yet the tingle grew stronger.

You disobeyed me, he said taking a step closer.

Dawn clung to the chair, though she knew it was a useless shield against him. But at least it separated them and once she let go, and she would need to let go to be able to communicate with him, that separation would be gone.

She should have attended the celebration and been done with it. At least at the keep she would have been surrounded by people, unlike now with him standing here in her cottage and she in her nightdress. But then she had never expected him to come after her. Why would he? She was of no importance to him?

I do not take disobedience lightly.

She bowed her head and placed her hand on her chest over her heart.

You are wise to apologize, but tell me why you disobeyed.

What explanation could she offer him that he would deem acceptable? He would dismiss her claim that she did not feel her presence at the keep had been mandatory. He obviously felt he had made himself clear. And he truly had; she had simply not wanted to partake in the festivities, though if she was being completely honest, she had stayed away because she thought it best to keep her distance from him. So how did she explain her actions?

Cree waited, wondering what excuse she would offer and the longer she remained silent the more he assumed she was attempting to think of one. He took note of what now appeared obvious. She stood in her nightdress and had been in bed when he had entered. Her garments lay on the chair, a small sewing basket on top. And a bucket of water and wet cloth sat not far from the hearth. It became clearer to him. She had washed up, slipped into her nightdress while she repaired her torn garments and she had grown sleepy, and rightfully so after the day she had, and thought to nap before attending the celebration. But the day had taken its toll and she slumbered longer than she had planned.

A reasonable explanation, but if he had learned one thing about Dawn in the brief time they had been forced together it was that she delayed responding if she believed her answer would annoy him. Since she had yet to answer him he viewed the scene differently.

You had no intentions of returning to the keep even though I ordered you do so, did you?

Lying would get her nowhere and so she shook her head.

Why? he asked taking another step closer.

Rather than an answer she asked her own question. She pointed to him, then to herself and shrugged as she tossed her hands up.

You wonder what I want from you.

She nodded and once again grasped hold of the chair.

He had asked himself that very question repeatedly since his escape. His plans had been changed because of her. He had moved up the attack on the village fearful that Colum would blame her for his escape, torture, and then kill her. Now that she was safe, there was nothing for him to worry about... nothing except the ache in his loins that surfaced fast and furiously whenever she was in his presence. And why could he not banish her from his thoughts? She lurked there haunting him, never leaving him alone.

And what was it that he would think on over and over again? Her naked beneath him, her hands touching him and her body speaking to him as she wrapped her long legs around him and took him deeper and deeper inside her, squeezing him tighter and tighter"

He shook his head and stared at her and had to restrain himself from reaching out, scooping her up, and taking her to bed where he would"

Cree backed away, turned and went to the door. Work like everyone else and keep a truthful ton" He swung the door open and without glancing at her said, I will only warn you once; never dare question me again.

He stormed through the village people scurrying out of his way. He kept his footfalls firm and straight and refused to turn and look back. He knew if he did all would be lost. One glance back and he would return and not only appease his lust, but hers as well.

He could not tell her to keep a truthful tongue for if he did she would then be obliged to tell him that she lusted for him as much as he did for her. He had seen the innocent passion in her dark eyes and he had known that if he didnt get out right there and then, hed be buried deep inside her in no time.

And then what?

He shook his head. He had plans and Dawn was not part of those plans. She was an innocent and he would not use her for his pleasure and then discard her even if he saw passion in her eyes. It would not be right; she suffered enough having no voice.

He stomped to the keep determined to push the voiceless woman from his thought.

Sloan took one look at him and shook his head. Everyone cleared a path to let him through, his scowl was so frightening. Sloan continued shaking his head, grabbed hold of the young blond lass, Dorrie, who had asked repeatedly about Cree and walked her over to his solemn leader.

I have a gift for you, Sloan said and was about to shove Dorrie at him when she stepped forward of her own accord and without an ounce of fear.

I know how to please a man, she said throwing her shoulders back so that her large bosoms rested near his face.

Cree stared at her chest and thought about burying himself in her and easing his ache.

She stepped closer, her thin fingers reaching out to him. And I will scream out with pleasure unlike the dumb one who makes not a sound.

Cree snatched her wrist in his hand before she could touch him and she cried out. Speak ill of Dawn and you will suffer for it. He shoved her away from him and she stumbled and attempted an apology.

Sloan signaled one of the warriors and Dorrie was quickly carted away.

Sloan turned to Cree.

Keep your warnings; I have no need of them, Cree said and walked out of the Great Hall.

Chapter Fifteen.

The next morning the villagers were roused early from their beds and told to report to their daily duties. Dawn was surprised to see repairs already being made to the buildings and cottages that suffered damage during the battle. She had hoped she would have time to stop at Lilas and see how everyone was doing but she didnt want to chance being late.

She hurried along with everyone else to their perspective chores, only to find that Flanna was no longer in charge of the kitchen. A large burly, bald man was lining everyone up as they arrived, including Flanna who quickly reached out to Dawn and yanked her to stand next to her.

When everyone was accounted for the man addressed them. I am Turbett and I am now the cook in charge. I will assess and decide if the present kitchen staff will continue in their chores or be assigned duties elsewhere.

Dawn listened more closely than others and while he appeared pleasant enough, his round, chubby face wearing a continuous smile, she could detect that he was a man who would expect much from his staff. He was probably not much different than Flanna and she lashed out with a wooden spoon when displeased with her workers. Dawn hoped that Turbett did not do the same.

You will each tell me what your assigned kitchen chores are, Turbett said.

Flanna spoke up. I was the cook here and I have a good staff. I am sure they will serve you well.

Turbett smiled as he said, We will see about that. Go cook me a meat pie... without any help from your staff.

Flanna gave a nod and turned to Dawn beside her. This is Dawn"

Let her speak for herself, Turbett said.

She cannot; she has no voice. I will speak for her.

Do not bother, Turbett said with a dismissive wave of his hand. She is no use to me without a voice. She will be given work elsewhere.

Flanna stepped forward. The kitchen is all she knows and she takes orders well and is quick in accomplishing her tasks. She is an asset not a hindrance.

To you perhaps but not to me, she will be assigned work elsewhere.

Where? Flanna demanded.

That is no concern of yours.

It most certainly is.

Dawn watched as the two went back and forth at each other, her stomach tightening. Flanna was right. She knew only kitchen work, no other. If he did not allow her to remain there and work she did not know what she would do. Flanna had been accepting of her but few others would be.

My word is final, Turbett yelled, his smile gone. And if you dont watch that sharp tongue of yours youll be gone along with her.

Dawn would not see Flanna lose her work. She stepped forward and tapped her on the arm.

The woman turned.