She nodded and she thought for a brief moment that he smiled and for some reason it warmed her heart.

There was a knock at the door and Cree walked Dawn over to the chair and had her sit and before he bid the person to enter, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. And it soothed her more than she ever thought possible.

Sloan entered first and stepped aside for Elsa to precede him and behind her came Lila who flew past them both and headed straight for Dawn.

Good lord, what happened? Lila asked bending down in front of Dawn and reaching out to hug her. Elsa was at the cottage checking on Thomas when a warrior came for her with news that you were injured. I left Thomas with one of Elsas helpers and came with her. Why didnt you come to me for help?

Silence!

Lila realized her mistake and immediately sought to rectify it. She stood and turned to Cree, her head bowed. Please, my lord, forgive my disrespect for not acknowledging your presence and asking permission to speak with my friend. I was so worried about her that I foolishly gave thought to nothing else.

Fearing Cree would punish Lila, Dawn stood at her friends side and began gesturing fast.

Dawn says that I speak much too often when I shouldnt, but that I am her dearest friend and she would appreciate it if you would forgive my bad manners. And that since I am here you should take advantage of the fact that I can understand her better than anyone.

Dawn was not happy to see Crees scowl deepen.

Since you understand her so well, Lila, ask her if she knows her attacker and who the woman was who came to her door last night and told her that Old Mary was not well and had asked for her, Cree said annoyance edging his voice.

Dawn made two gestures and Lila said, Goddard and Dorrie, my lord.

Cree turned to Sloan and without a word exchanged between them, Sloan nodded and left the room.

The healer will examine your bruises now, Dawn, Cree said then turned to Lila. You are no longer needed. You will leave.

Lila bowed and turned to leave but Dawn stopped her, gave her a hug and gestured something to her. Lila smiled and hurried out of the room.

Elsa spent a few minutes looking Dawn over and told Cree that it appeared Dawn was well and that the bruises would heal with time. She then left, quietly closing the door behind her.

Rest, he said to Dawn and handed her the tankard of cider kept warm by the fire. And do not leave this room until I give you permission.

She nodded and he walked out of the room in no rush and yet Dawn thought she sensed his need to hurry off.

Dawn sat staring at the fire her thoughts on Cree. How could he be angry and demanding and yet at the same time have a tender touch. At least that was how his arm had felt around her waist tender and... possessive. But then she was his property and he had warned her that he protected what belonged to him.

She sighed though it could not be heard, only felt deep down inside her. She took a drink of cider, rested the tankard on the small bench and let herself relax in the chair. The quiet and warmth lolled her, as did the sense of safety and having had a troubled sleep last night, her body surrendered to the peaceful quiet and she drifted off into a contented slumber.

Cree glared at the shivering woman, though did not feel an ounce of sorrow for her.

Please, my lord, I beg you, I did nothing wrong, I only took a message to the dumb ones cottage, Dorrie pleaded.

Cree pushed away from the dais he leaned against and approached her. Dawn. Her name is Dawn.

I meant Dawn no harm, I but delivered the message, she said her eyes downcast.

Who gave you the message? he asked stopping only inches away from her.

One of Colums warriors who pledged allegiance to you after the attack, my lord.

You know his name?

She shook her head. No, my lord.

Thats odd, I hear you know all of Colums warriors.

Dorries cheeks flamed red.

I dont give second chances, Dorrie, he warned.

I believe it was Seth, my lord, she said quickly.

It is good that you recalled his name, he said, though he had already known it. Sloan had taken stock of all the Colums warriors who had remained after the attack and there was one missing... Seth. He had his men searching for him now.

I am sorry, my lord, Dorrie apologized again. I truly meant no harm.

Cree doubted that very much. Whether you meant it or not you were the cause of one of your own being harmed and that cannot go unpunished.

Dorrie fell to her knees in front of him, her head bowed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Please, please, my lord, I am sorry, so very sorry, she pleaded through sobs.

Im sure you are and will be even more so when you are made to suffer for your misdeed.

Dorries sobs stopped and she raised a stark white face to him.

Cree turned to Sloan. Put her in the stocks until I say otherwise.

No, no please, my lord, I meant no harm, Dorrie begged and continued to do so as two warriors dragged her away.

Sloan poured them each a tankard of ale and handed one to Cree as he rounded the dais and sat.

You know what you need to do if you want the silent one protected, Sloan said.

Dawn, Cree snapped. Her name is Dawn.

You must make Dawn your mistress, then no one will dare do her harm.

Mistresses can be a troubling lot, Cree said after a swallow of ale.

Sloan raised his tankard. They can also prove beneficial. But were not talking about whether she would truly be your mistress or not. As long as others believe that she is then it is enough to keep her safe.

So I give her the title without the benefits?

Are there benefits in bedding a woman without a voice?

Watch what you say about her. She did right by me while I was held prisoner here.

Sloan nodded. True enough and I must admit that I respect and admire her.

Cree quirked a brow.

She has strength and courage for one who cannot speak up for herself, though from the way her friend understood her Id say she communicates more clearly than some who have voices. She also protected herself admirably against her attacker and did not even seek help from anyone after the deed was done.

I doubt many would have helped her, the fools that they are.

The fools belong to you now and are yours to protect, Sloan reminded. And there is one more thing you must consider, though it has probably already crossed your mind.

Cree nodded. Why did Goddard return to attack a voiceless woman?

Silence greeted Cree when he returned to the solar, though what did he expect, for Dawn to suddenly find her voice. He approached the chair where she sat quietly and sensing no movement he realized that she had probably fallen asleep.

He stared down at her. Her head lolled to the side and her arms were wrapped tightly around her middle as if shielding herself, though from who... him?

She was wise to fear him, most, if not all, did. He had let nothing stand in the way of his mission, making a home for him and his men and their families. And most of all gaining respect of those that had used him to further their ends. He would hold a title now and have a proper wife who would bring with her a worthy lineage.

He had refused to allow himself to care for any woman, not wanting one to get in the way and ruin his plans. He had seen too many powerful men fail for want of a woman and he had no intentions of having that happen to him. A woman was a means to an end to him. There were those women who satisfied his lusty needs and he wanted no more from them, and then there was the one who he would make his wife and who would bear his heirs. He would treat her with the respect she deserved, but he had given no thought to loving the woman he would wed.

And this woman? His eyes had remained on Dawn. She was no beauty, though there was something about her that caught his eye and would not let go. Every time he looked upon her his breath would catch and hed find himself getting aroused. No woman had ever affected him that way and he wondered why this one did.

His anger spewed through him like raging fire at the thought that another man had dared to touch her, dared to take her innocence, dared to rob him of what was his. She was his property, she belonged to him and her innocence was his and his alone to take, if he so chose to take it.

The thought of making her his fired his loins and the consequences of such action did little to cool him.

He shook his head. Never had he debated a matter with himself. He always knew what had to be done, what must be done, whether difficult or not and he saw that it was done. And he knew what must be done if she was to be protected.

He leaned down and gently scooped her up in his arms. She stirred and opened her eyes.

Sleep, he ordered sternly and she obeyed resting her head on his shoulder as he carried her out of the room.

Chapter Nineteen.

Dawn woke with a start, blinking her eyes rapidly to bring herself fully awake for surely she was dreaming. The scent was strong in her nostrils; earth, pine and something else she could not quite grasp. She breathed deeply of the familiar scent trying to recognize it but for some reason it eluded her. She inhaled as if she could not get enough of it, as if it soothed her, and she wanted to linger in its comfort.

Cree.

The scent was all Cree, but how could that be?

Her eyes spread wide and she realized that it was no dream and that she was in a rather large room in a bed that could easily sleep three people. She hastened out of it relieved to see that she was fully clothed, though her boots had been removed.

She spun around growing dizzy at the size of the room. It was larger than her cottage. A fire burned brightly in the stone fireplace. A narrow table sat against one wall and on top sat a small chest, rolled parchments and several candles, though none were lit. Larger chests sat about the room as did two chairs and two tables, the smaller one tucked close to the side of the bed, unlit candles on top as well.

It did not take Dawn long to realize that she was in Crees bed chamber and she hurried to put her boots on, grab her cloak draped over the one chair and head for the door slipping quietly out of the room after peering out in the narrow passageway to see that no one was about.

She pulled her cloak up over her head and carefully made her way down the stone stairs listening to make certain no one was headed her way. When she reached the Great Hall she was relieved to see that only a couple of servants lingered about and so she hurried through and once outside she released the breath she hadnt realized she had been holding. She also noticed from the activity in the village that it was late afternoon, close to dusk. She had slept much longer than she had thought, though her nap had given her strength and so she ran to her cottage seeking its solitude and its safety or was there any place that would be safe for her now?

She stopped abruptly when she saw Dorrie locked in the stock, her eyes were swollen and red from crying and her garments and hair were already filthy from villagers throwing whatever was handy at her, mostly mud & dirt.

Im sorry, Dawn, she cried out. Please, please, I beg you to speak on my behalf and ask Cree to free me. Please, please, oh God, I will never treat you badly again. Please, please.

Dawn stared bewildered while villagers took a wide berth around her as if they too feared they would suffer Dorries fate if they should speak wrongly to her.

Dawn hurried along keeping her face concealed and ignoring the whispers that surrounded her, so many whispers. Tongues were wagging and Dawn could only imagine what they were saying.

At the moment she didnt care. Dawn wanted nothing more than to get home and lock herself away from everyone. But most of all she wanted to wake from this never-ending nightmare.

She halted in her tracks when she saw the warriors tossing things out of her cottage. The little she had was being set to flame. She ran praying they had not found the wrapped cloth that contained the only thing her mum had passed on to her.

She flew past the men before they could stop her and her heart slammed into her chest when she saw that not a stitch of furniture was left in the cottage. She ran to the hearth now cold from the water that had been doused on it. She shifted the one stone in the fireplace until it came free and reached in to rescue the cloth she had hidden there.

Youre to come with us, Dawn.

She turned to see Sloan standing in the doorway. Fear rippled through her entire body. What would they do with her? Was she to be punished like Dorrie or would her punishment be worse for not obeying Cree and going into the woods when he had ordered her not to?

She hugged the pouch to her chest and shivered.

There is nothing to fear, Sloan said. You have been given a different cottage.

His comment caught her unaware and she instinctively shrugged.

I understand that gesture, Sloan grinned. Youre asking why.

Dawn nodded, her fear receding, though just a bit.

Crees decision, he said and stepping to the side he swept his hand at the door. After you.

Dawn felt a tightening in her chest. This was her home. The one she and her mum had shared. She did not want to be moved to another cottage; she wanted to stay here where she was familiar with the drafty spots and the way the door rattled when the wind caught it. And from here she could take a few steps and be at Lilas cottage. No she did not want to leave her home.

And so she stood firm clutching the cloth and shaking her head.

Sloan took a step toward her and she took a step back. He stopped and smiled. It is a nice cottage that has been made ready for you.

Dawn shook her head and pointed to the ground and then to her.

I understand that gesture too, Sloan said surprised. This is your home and you do not want to leave it.

She nodded.

Sloan winced. Unfortunately, it is not truly your home or your decision. Everything in the village belongs to Cree and he decides where each person will reside. You have no choice but to reside where he commands.