Not yet, though I cannot understand why Goddard would take the chance of returning to simply attack Dawn.

He didnt, Cree said and Sloan stared at him waiting for an explanation. Goddard and Colum are not men who would waste time on Dawn unless she had something they wanted.

Sloan nodded. Information.

No doubt they thought she knew more than she had told them when I was held captive, a ruse that worked well for us, and Colum would not want to return to the Earl of Carrick without a stitch of useful information that would help the earl to regain his land.

Sloan grinned and raised his tankard. And little does Colum know that there is a new Earl of Carrick.

Cree raised his tankard as well. To us all, living and dead who helped to achieve land of our own where we will now know some peace.

They drank and then Sloan asked, What do you think Roland Gerwan, former Earl of Carrick will say when he learns that he is to give you his daughter to wed?

Gerwan is not a foolish man. He knows if he does not comply that the King will simply claim the rest of his land whereas his land, in a sense, remains with future heirs and he gains the extra advantage of having the infamous Cree as a son-in-law.

And guarantee his safety and that of his holdings.

Cree raised his tankard. And gain the King my presence in this area and firm obedience from the ruling lords.

Do you think someone will try again to take Dawn?

His eyes narrowed again, the crease between them deepening. Colum is no fool, though he is desperate and desperate men can do foolish things. The fatal mistake he made was harming someone who belongs to me. Now, "he shrugged" he will pay for it.

You dont intend to stop hunting for him, Sloan confirmed.

His time is limited. I will find him and...

Cree did not need to detail what would be done to the man. Sloan knew all too well what happened to men who brought harm to anyone under Crees protection.

Have all the villagers been assigned chores? Cree asked.

You assigned the very last one yourself, Sloan smirked.

Cree glared at him, though issued no threats. Sloan had a quick wit and would not disrespect him, though he would be honest with him and Cree counted on his honesty.

See how each fair at their chores and if any have any particular skills we can use. Have you taken Turbett to the miller yet?

Turbetts damn annoying to work with, Sloan complained. If he wasnt such a great cook"lord his bread is delicious"I would run a sword through him.

His bread is tasty because he works with the miller to produce a good ground grain. And see that the miller knows he is to follow Turbetts instructions without question.

You put this on me so you do not have to deal with the insufferable man.

Cree quirked a brow. I put this on you, for if I handle it Turbett will end up dead and we will end up with tasteless food.

I will see that it is done, Sloan said without hesitation.

I thought you might. Cree stood after downing the last of the ale in his tankard.

You will stay with her tonight?

Since when do I have to keep you abreast of my actions?

Since I have never seen a woman who ties you in knots as this one has.

Cree sat again. You evidently have something to say concerning Dawn so say it and be done.

Sloan leaned closer so they could not be heard, more servants having entered the Great Hall in preparation of the evening meal. We have each had our fill of women, not growing attached to any particular one knowing what we had to do. You still have to finish what weve started. You must wed a woman for what she can bring to the marriage; more land and more power. And she in turn will produce heirs to guarantee the future of your name and holdings and those to come after us.

I know all this; I dont need reminding.

I think you do when I see the way you look at the silent one. You have not fully satisfied your lust for her. Be done with it, have your fill, enjoy and let her go. And be careful not to leave her with child and run the risk of having a son who cannot speak, for your enemies would take full advantage of it. Keep your heart as silent as its ever been or risk losing everything you have fought and sacrificed for.

Cree stood and without saying a word left the Great Hall. He made his way to the front of the keep and stood on the steps surveying the village and the land beyond that now was his. Sloan had been right, they had fought endless battles, lost many good men and made many sacrifices to have a home and Sloan had assumed that he had turned his heart silent in order to reach his goal.

It had taken more than silencing his heart to become the infamous warrior Cree who killed, tortured, and conquered in the name of the King. His heart hadnt turned silent, it had turned cold and had remained that way much too long now and he doubted he could ever care, ever love. And he believed it was for the best.

Anger had been his steady companion along with frustration and annoyance and lust which he easily satisfied with a willing woman.

Lately though hed been finding himself wanting only one woman... Dawn. The thought of her stirred him and he grew aroused and disturbed. Thoughts of rutting always aroused him, but lately all he had to do was hear Dawns name and he would grow hard.

Perhaps Sloan was right. Perhaps if he took her and satisfied his cravings, enjoyed her for a while, it would be done and he would think of her no more. No doubt he would grow bored with her particularly since she could not speak, could not scream out in the throes of pleasure or release.

He stiffened recalling the way her fingers had dug into his arms as her passion grew and how she bowed against him eager for more. And he could not help but wonder how she would respond if he buried himself deep inside her.

Damn, if he didnt swell more.

He stormed down the steps as thunder rolled in the distance and went around to the side of the keep and stopped to stare at Dawns cottage. It nestled against the woods giving the place a modicum of privacy and that was why he had chosen it for Dawn or had it been for him?

He shook his head and approached the cottage, entering without a knock or a shout to let her know he was there. He was surprised to find the room empty and he went to the small bed chamber and was annoyed finding that empty as well.

Where was she? He thought shed be resting.

And that you could join her.

Then he recalled telling her to make use of the kitchen. He turned and left the cottage. He must have been scowling since everyone he passed hurried out of his way. It was good they feared him; they would then obey him without question or suffer the consequences as Dorrie now did.

It didnt take him long to reach the kitchen and when he entered all movement ceased.

Is there something I can get you, my lord? Turbett asked with a respectful bobbed of his head.

Cree glanced around the room overcrowded with helpers and not seeing Dawn asked, Has Dawn been here?

I have not seen her but... Turbett turned to his helpers. Have any of you seen Dawn?

A young woman spoke up. I saw her a short time ago.

Where? Cree demanded.

The womans voice quivered as she answered, With Flanna in the field beyond the kitchen picking wild onions.

Crees anger flared in his eyes and all saw it.

I appointed her no chore, my lord, Turbett was quick to say. And I will see Flanna punished for this.

See that supper is prepared for two and sent to Dawns cottage, Cree ordered. And make certain that Dawn is greeted with no chore when she comes here looking for a meal.

Turbett bowed his head. I will make certain that Dawn is kept well fed, my lord.

Cree left the kitchen his annoyance growing. He had not instructed her to return to her old chore, so why had she?

He stopped at the end of the cookhouse catching sight of her in the field with Flanna and filling an already overflowing basket with more onions. She was smiling and again he grew annoyed. He could never make her smile like that or could he?

He stood and watched her and let her have her fun.

Cree caught the quick movement at the edge of the woods at the far end of the field. He remained as he was appearing as if his attention was focused on Dawn. But it wasnt, his eyes were fixed on the spot where he saw the flash of movement and he strained to see more clearly.

He caught movement again and this time there was no mistaken what he saw... a bow being drawn... the arrow aimed at Dawn.

Chapter Twenty-one.

Dawn turned at the shout of her name and the next thing she knew she was on the ground flat on her back with Cree on top of her, his body covering every inch of hers. She heard him yell at Flanna to get down and stay down. And then he let out such a terrifying roar that Dawn was certain it would cause the devil himself to shiver.

In no time they were surrounded my Crees warriors, Sloan the only one being permitted passed the human barricade.

A skilled archer in the woods, find him. Crees angry demand warned that he would brook no failure. As soon as Sloan took his leave Cree summoned one of his warriors and ordered him to escort Flanna to the kitchen.

Only then did Cree lift off her and not entirely so. He shifted his weight and lay partially draped over her, his hand remaining firm at her waist.

Worry, anger, and was that a touch of lust she saw in his dark eyes? He lay there staring at her and it did not take long for him to grimace in disgust. She was aware she looked a fright with her tattered garments and bruised face. Not to mention the quiver that refused to stop running through her body.

Are you all right?

She was a bit startled by how concerned he sounded... almost as if he truly cared about her. She nodded and patted her chest to let him know that she was fine, though her confirmation did not ease the deep crease between his eyes.

She furrowed her brow and shrugged.

Cree was amazed by how her gestures appeared much like a voice. A shrug and a wrinkle of her brow was basically a question and it was easy to understand in this situation what she was asking. She wanted to know what had happened.

Someone took aim at you with an arrow.

Her eyes widened, she shook her head, and shrugged again.

You wonder why, as do I.

She gestured as if drawing back an arrow in a bow and shrugged.

A good question. Who would want to harm you?

She stared at him. Most of the villagers simply ignored her. Some would acknowledge her with a nod. Then there were those who would amuse themselves by making fun of her like Dorrie. But serious harm? What reason would anyone have to harm her?

She shook her head letting him know that she had no answer.

His eyes roamed over her with annoyance, though lust still lingering in them.

He fingered her worn garments. Dont let me see you in these rags again.

With that he stood, held his hand out to her and when she took it, he slowly eased her to her feet.

She swayed a moment, still a bit disoriented from him tackling her to the ground or had it been the way he had protected her with his body, keeping every inch of her covered with no concern for his own safety. The thought still startled her. No one had ever protected her so gallantly. And gallant was not a word anyone would use to describe the infamous Cree.

His hands went instantly to her waist. Take a moment and regain your strength.

She nodded attempting to gather and make sense of her confused thoughts and the best place to do that was alone in her cottage. Her cottage? How she wished she could go home to her small cottage. She had found comfort there. More so when her mum had been alive but even now it had been as if her spirit lingered there watching over Dawn and it made her feel safe.

Are you all right, Dawn? he asked lifting her chin with one finger.

She had not realized that she had lowered her head, but then it had been weighted with too many thoughts and no doubt had sunk on its own. Though she was not sure how she felt, she nodded.

I want the truth, not what you think I want to hear, he chided.

So he wanted the truth? She threw her hands up in frustration. Was that a smile? It had been brief but she thought she caught a smile tempt the corners of his mouth.

You need a washing, clean garments, food, and rest.

And time to herself, she added silently.

Cree was suddenly issuing orders and some of the warriors that circled them formed a line on either side of them. Another order had the circle parting and forming a line facing the woods while Cree and her kept pace with the warriors shielding them.

It wasnt lost to Dawn that Cree kept her tucked close against him with his arm around her waist. He held her with the ease of familiarity. And why? Simple. They had become more than familiar with each other while in that hut, and it hadnt stopped.

Dawn was never so relieved to walk into her new home, though she stopped abruptly once inside the door. The table was laden with food and her stomach gurgled with joy. Then she saw that the table was arranged for two people and her heart sank. She had hoped to be alone, have a chance to think, to make a modicum of sense of all that had happened to her in such a short time.

Cree gently nudged her forward so that he could shut the door. He slipped off her cloak and went and hung it on the peg. He then eased her down in one of the chairs at the table.

I was going to join you but first I must see to this incident.

How could she feel relieved and disappointed at the same time? She wanted time alone and here she was sorry that he was leaving.

I will return later.