She dropped the bucket outside and hurried back into the cottage leaving the door open not doubting in the least that if she didnt, Cree would break it down. She rushed Dorrie out of the chair and brazenly took a protective stance in front of her.

Oh my God, hes here isnt he? Dorrie said her voice trembling. And she reached out and grasped Dawns hand tightly, as if by holding onto her she could save her from Crees wrath.

Dawn kept her eyes on the open door. She did not rescue Dorrie only to see her returned to the stocks. How she would prevent it, she did not know. She only knew that she would stand her ground against Cree, for she did not believe Cree would do her harm.

Dawn heard Dorrie gasp behind her when Cree bowed his head to enter the cottage, the door not tall enough to accommodate his height and his shoulders so wide that they scraped the door frame. His leather tunic dripped rainwater as did his wet hair that appeared as black-as-night and his face wore such a threatening scowl that it had Dorrie inching closer to Dawn.

Dawn raised her chin determined to see Dorrie kept safe and then Elwin entered the cottage and Dawns resolve suffered a blow. He was here to take Dorrie to the stocks and how could she, one voiceless woman, stop the large warrior from doing so?

I do not know what you think you are doing, Cree said in a tone so cold that a chill circled the room. But she," he pointed to Dorrie" goes back to the stocks now. And you will answer to me for your insolence.

Dawn did not know what made her do it, perhaps it was all she had suffered through lately, or perhaps she was simply tired of constant threats and no longer cared what happened to her. Whatever the reason it didnt matter, her hands were moving before she could stop them.

She turned slightly, pointed at Dorrie, then to the door and then she tapped her chest hard and pointed to the door.

Crees eyes narrowed. Are you telling me that if Dorrie goes to the stocks so do you?

Dawn gave a hard nod.

Cree walked over to her and Dawn moved quickly to shield Dorrie completely.

You dare give me an ultimatum?

Dawn nodded again and her hands started moving fast... too fast.

Damn, Cree said annoyed and grabbed her wrists. Slow down, I cannot understand you.

Dawn, are you all right?

She peered past Crees wide shoulders and was stunned, though relieved, to see Lila.

Cree released her wrists and turned. Tell me what she says.

Lila bowed her head and approached as Dawn sent her a nod to let her know that she was fine. Lila stopped beside Dawn, her eyes turning wide at the sight of Dorrie standing behind her friend.

Dawn didnt wait, her hands started moving and Lila started interpreting. Dorrie has been punished enough"

One day in the stocks is not punishment enough. Crees brisk interruption had Lila inching a bit further away from him.

Dawn slapped her chest and began gesturing and Lila hesitantly interpreted. Let me finish.

Cree looked ready to strangle her and this time Dorrie and Lila both inched further away from Cree and Dawn.

What is she saying? Cree asked, Dawns gestures appearing as if she was chastising him.

Lila was quick to talk. She says that Dorrie cannot be left out in a thunderstorm. She will get sick and die.

That brought tears to Dorries eyes.

She says that Dorrie did not harm her that badly that she deserves to die and she, Dawn, could not live with knowing that she had been the cause of her death.

I am sorry, so sorry, Dorrie said. I truly did not know anyone would harm Dawn. I did not know the warrior who approached me, though he made it seem like I did and he told me his name and still I didnt remember him. He was insistent that I give Dawn the message and he promised me," she hesitated a moment" a night of fun if I did.

Dawn gestured again and Lila spoke. It is not her fault. You cannot punish her for this.

Cree took a step closer to Dawn and brought his face to within an inch of hers. I can punish her for no reason at all if I so choose.

Dorrie started crying.

Dawn poked him in the chest and then made a gesture.

Lila remained silent and Cree did not take his eyes off Dawn when he threatened more than ordered, Tell me what she said.

Lila did as she was told, though her voice trembled as she said, She wants to know if you have a heart.

His dark eyes turned so cold and empty that Dawn grew frightened and took a step back. She didnt get far. His hand snapped out and grabbed hold of her wrist.

Cree didnt take his eyes off Dawn as he spoke. Sloan, take Lila home and Elwin take Dorrie to her cottage and she is not to leave it until I say otherwise.

I wont, my lord, I wont, Dorrie said her head bowed as she slipped past Cree.

Lila hesitated, fear for her friends fate evident in her wide eyes. Sloan stepped forward and tugged at her arm for her to follow. She reluctantly went with him, though her eyes never left Dawn until Sloan shut the door behind them.

Cree yanked Dawn closer planting her hand hard against his chest. You want to know if I have a heart... I dont. There is nothing there. It is empty. I feel nothing and care for no one. And it would be wise for you to remember who you deal with... a heartless warrior.

Dawn could not believe that Cree had no heart, perhaps a silent one, one that never had the chance to be heard... voiceless like her. But her hand felt no thump, no beat, no life and she shivered.

Damn it, Cree growled angry that she had paid his words no heed and angry that she was chilled. Didnt I tell you to get rid of these rags? He grabbed her blouse and ripped it down the middle. He did the same to her worn skirt and then ripped the torn garments off her body, leaving her to stand naked, except for her boots, in front of him.

Dawn was too shocked to move, though not too shocked for her body to quiver and it wasnt from feeling chilled.

Cree stepped closer, his leather tunic brushing the tips of her nipples and hardening them in an instant while gooseflesh prickled her bare skin.

My word is law and you will obey it.

There was nothing left for her to do but nod.

Stay as you are, he ordered and turned and went to the door.

She wondered what he was doing when he opened it and stepped outside. She found out soon enough when he returned with a bucket of rainwater.

He placed it on the table. Clean yourself.

Surely he did not intend for her to wash in front of him, but she learned quickly enough that he had no intentions of going anywhere when he removed his leather tunic and slipped off his black shirt beneath.

What do you wait for? Wash, he ordered.

She could not stop her hands from shaking as she reached for the cloth that she had hung to dry by the fire. She told herself to be brave that he had seen her naked when they were in the hut together. But this was different, she argued with herself. The hut was dark with barely enough light for them to see each other. Here the room was aglow with the hearths light and her naked body clearly visible to him.

And worse... he didnt take his eyes off her. They roamed over every inch of her as if he was inspecting her and determining her worth.

Hurry and be done with it, she admonished herself. Her hands continued to shake as she dipped the cloth in the rainwater and began to scrub her body. The rainwater was cold and she could not stop from shivering as she scrubbed the dirt off her body. She worked fast not only wanting to be done so that she could don her garments but to warm herself against the chill that felt as if it was seeping into her bones.

She undid the ties and slipped off her boots before bending over to wash her legs. She made sure to turn so that her back was to the hearth. Her breasts hung exposed but it was better than having her bare backside facing him.

The more he watched her the more it unnerved her. But then she supposed this was her punishment for freeing Dorrie, too humiliate her by making her tend herself while he watched.

She shivered again and turned to face the hearth needing the fires warmth.

She felt his presence behind her before his hand settled on her shoulder.

Your back needs washing.

He could not mean to wash her back. But when she tried to turn he squeezed her shoulder to still her.

Stay as you are.

His stern command froze her and she stiffened when she felt him rub the cloth over her back. When he dipped the cloth lower, running it over her backside much slower than was necessary, her body betrayed her sending a fit of tingles rushing between her legs.

Oh lord, she was sinful for responding to his touch. Whatever was the matter with her? He had told her he had no heart. He did not feel or care. He did not care now. He was punishing her and in more ways than one. She had never tasted passion until he had touched her and now she found that she wanted to taste more... but at what price?

She stiffened again when he ran the cloth down her legs, though gratefully he did not linger on them. A sigh rose in her chest, though remained locked there when she heard the cloth splash in the bucket. He was done.

Her relief was short-lived when he began to towel her back dry. And her tingles grew in leaps and bounds as he lingered on her backside.

By the time he finished she was throbbing between her legs and she was relieved when he handed her the towel and said, Finish.

She quickly ran the towel across her chest, though his stern command froze her hand.

Turn around.

Dawn did as ordered and turned to face him to finish drying herself. This time she could not avoid his eyes. It was impossible to, they gleamed with passion. And the sizeable swell beneath his leggings only served to confirm his craving.

That he would have her this night was obvious, but would it be as before? Would he spill his seed outside her fearful of getting her with child? Would it always be that way when he took her? Would she never know the feel of him buried inside her?

Your need is as great as mine, he said and her cheeks flushed red knowing passion gleamed as brightly in her eyes as it did in his.

She reached for the blanket draped over the chair at the table suddenly feeling much too vulnerable standing naked in front of him.

Dont, he ordered sternly. I want you naked.

She shivered and felt herself grow wet. How could she want this man, who claimed not to care, so badly? He would take her and satisfy his need and that was all, but then wasnt her need being satisfied as well? And what did she expect from a mighty warrior like Cree anyway?

Love.

The thought startled her. Without a heart how could he love anyone, though if his heart was merely silent was there hope? She learned how to speak without a voice. Could Crees heart learn to be heard? Or was she being foolish? After all how did one teach the devil to love?

Chapter Twenty-three.

Cree walked over to Dawn stopping barely an inch away from her. He ran his thumb over her lips as if readying them for his kiss. But he didnt kiss her. His hand drifted down to her neck and squeezed it gently before drifting to her shoulder and kneading it with strong fingers.

He did not understand his unrelenting need for this woman. He had never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Dawn. It was like a gnawing hunger in his soul that he feared would never be appeased.

All he wanted was to take her and bury himself deep inside her until he was lost in exquisite pleasure. Even then though, he worried that it might not be enough. He feared he would want her again and again. He felt completely out of control when it came to her and that did not sit well with him.

You belong to me, he whispered.

She stared at him for a fraction of a moment before nodding amazed by the thought that sprung to mind.

And you belong to me.

Without a doubt she belonged to him, everyone and thing in Dowell belong to him. But that she should think that he belonged to her was utter madness. And yet the thought nagged at her that Cree belonged to her and no amount of reasoning seemed to matter. It was a thought strongly rooted in her and try as she might she could not uproot it. It had dug deep and would not let go.

You know I will have you this night.

She laid her hand on his arm and pressed one finger against his hard muscles.

You remember, he murmured. This is good. One for yes and two for no. He took hold of her chin. Tell me. I want you to gesture it. Do you want me?

She thought he held his breath waiting for her answer and for the first time in many years she wished she had a voice. He wanted to hear her say it of her own accord and she answered him, she pressed a finger against the hard muscle in his forearm.

His chest expanded with a breath and in the next second he lifted her up into his arms and he carried her into the other room. He yanked the wool blankets back before placing her down on the bed and then he quickly slipped off his boots and yanked off his leggings tossing them carelessly to the floor.

He was a sight to behold. Hard muscle everywhere even between his legs. And she shivered wondering over the wisdom of her actions.

He stopped, his one knee resting on the bed. Do you fear me, Dawn?

At one time she feared him beyond reason, but now? She reached for his hand and turned it over pressing one finger against his palm, waited, and then pressed twice against his palm.

Yes and no? he asked perplexed.

This time she nodded.

He lowered himself down alongside her, their bodies touching but he did not touch her. You should fear me in some things, but I never want you to fear me when we are intimate.

His hand came up then to gently touch the bruise on her face. Does this hurt?

She turned her hand from side to side.

Sometimes?