Lie to me again and I will slice your arm open from shoulder to wrist. His hand went to the handle of his dirk in a sheath at his waist.

Please, I beg, mercy, please.

You beg for your life when you had no qualms about taking one, he shouted in the mans face and he paled.

I"I"I did not try to harm the woman. My task was to lead you astray.

Crees hand snapped out and grabbed the startled man by the neck. What do you mean?

He choked out the words. Two of us were instructed to keep you on our trail, away from the village while the others went for the woman.

Cree released him so suddenly that the man stumbled and collapsed to the ground, choking to regain his breath.

You know what to do with him when you get him back to the keep, Cree said to two warriors. The rest of you follow me. We ride hard and fast.

Sloan had several warriors comb the village for Dawn. She had left the keep before he could assign a warrior to her. Cree would kill him if anything happened to her and he would deserve it. He had been ordered to keep her safe and what had he done? After dealing with Flanna and the servants he had been summoned to handle a problem at the mill and it wasnt until he returned to the keep that he had thought about Dawn.

A warrior rushed toward him and Sloan flew off the steps to meet him.

A few words were exchanged and the two men took off, Sloan shouting to other warriors who fell in behind them. When he reached the spot where the basket lay on the ground, heather strewn about, he shook his head.

He looked around at the group of warriors waiting for orders. We dont return until we find her. And remember she has no voice. They all nodded knowing full well they would rather search the woods all night than face Crees wrath if they returned without her.

Twenty or more warriors gathered at the edge of the woods, spread out, and headed into the forest at a fast pace.

After they were only a few feet into the woods Dawn stumbled on purpose and the warrior released her, letting her fall.

Here is as good a place as any, the man said and reached for his sword.

She dug her hand into the dirt, grabbed a handful and threw it in his face as she jumped to her feet, and then she ran. She hiked up her skirt and cloak as she went so they wouldnt impede her speed and kept running, knowing that she ran for her life. The woods were familiar to her and she had managed to skirt past the warrior, as he choked and wiped away the dirt in his eyes, and head back toward the village. She didnt have much time before he followed, and she prayed that once she broke past the woods someone would see her and help.

Dawns stomach roiled when she heard heavy footfalls until she realized that they werent coming from behind her. Were there more warriors after her? She was about to change direction when she stopped and first caught sight of Sloan, and then other warriors came into view behind him.

She wanted to drop to the ground in relief but she didnt dare. She ran straight for Sloan, stopping in front of him breathing heavily and pointing behind her.

How many?

She held up one finger.

Get him, Sloan ordered. He wasnt about to leave her safety to anyone else. He intended to keep her by his side until Cree returned.

He watched as she paced back and forth fighting to slow her breathing. She pressed her hand to her side and he wondered if she had suffered a blow there.

Are you all right? he asked anxiously.

She nodded.

Did he hurt you?

She shook her head.

How did you get away?

Dawn pretended to scoop up some dirt and throw it at Sloan.

He smiled and nodded. Wise move.

Dawn took a heavy breath and returned his smile. She pointed to herself and then toward the village.

You want to go home?

She nodded vigorously, though home wasnt exactly what she would call her new cottage. She turned as did Sloan when they heard the warriors returning and in the middle of the group was the man who had abducted her. His nose and mouth were bleeding and his hands were tied behind his back. He tried to walk but the warriors took turns shoving him and he stumbled more than walked.

Sloan wanted to roar with relief. Dawn was safe and the culprit was caught, though that wouldnt completely appease Cree, it would help. He would still be furious that she had been taken from under their very noses.

Sloan went to help Dawn but she was already several feet ahead of him and he ran to catch up with her. The woman certainly had courage. He had expected her to collapse at his feet crying when he saw her running toward him. That she had immediately let him know what had happened had surprised him and he admired her tenacity.

Once out of the woods they headed for the village. Clouds had blotted out the sun and looked as if they were there to stay. The once beautiful day was no more and Dawn suddenly felt the weight of the day upon her. Her pace slowed and her shoulders slumped and she wished she didnt have to take another step. And she didnt.

Everyone had stopped suddenly, and she followed suit looking to see what had halted them in their tracks.

Cree.

He had come over the rise, his men following behind him, though not able to keep pace with him. His beast of a stallion was fast and he rode hard. And Dawn wondered over his anxious return.

No one moved; they waited as their fearless leader approached with lightning speed. Sloan stepped forward as Cree brought the large animal to a halt in front of them. The black beast pawed the ground and snorted, as if annoyed that hed been stopped.

We caught the culprit, Sloan said and two warriors pushed the man forward and down on his knees, then grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head back to look up at Cree.

Take him to the stable area, secure him and post extra guards. The rest of you return to your duties, Cree ordered and turned to Sloan. Why is Dawn here and why does she have twigs and leaves all over her?

Dawn had grown accustomed to people talking about her in front of her as if she wasnt there, as if she could not hear them, as if she was incapable of participating in the conversation. This time, however, it annoyed her. Why had he not acknowledged her? Was this what she was to expect from him being his mistress? Would he only be courteous to her when they were alone and ignore her other times? And would he forever scowl at her?

She did not know what gave her the temerity to step forward, perhaps it had been all she had been through lately or perhaps she did not fear Cree the way she once did. Whatever the reason, the one small step was liberating.

She began gesturing with her hands, no doubt too fast for him to understand, but her intention was to show him that he was not the only one annoyed.

Enough, he warned frustrated. I asked Sloan to explain, not you.

Dawn slapped her chest several times and tapped her mouth repeatedly, then stamped her foot.

That I understood and I do not care if you want to speak for yourself. I asked Sloan to explain"

Dawn shook her head and pointed to Sloan. How could he explain? It hadnt happened to him; it had happened to her.

Be quiet, he snapped.

She caught her smile before it could surface. Never had she been told to be quiet and it thrilled her.

Sloan wisely spoke before Dawn could object. Dawn had gone to collect heather and was abducted.

Tell me that her guard was killed trying to protect her because if he wasnt, Ill kill him myself.

He wouldnt, Dawn thought but the murderous look in his eyes told her otherwise.

Sloan shook his head. She had no guard.

That brought Cree off his horse to stand directly in front of Sloan. You failed to carry out my orders?

Dawn tapped Cree on the arm.

Not now, he snarled, his eyes fixed on Sloan.

This time she gave him a shove and it did the trick. He turned slowly to glare at her.

Did you just shove me?

She nodded, pointed at him, pointed at her ear, and then to herself.

I should listen to you.

She nodded.

Is that an order? he asked caustically.

She gave a sharp nod of command and Sloan laughed, unfortunately not soundlessly.

Cree turned on him. Im not finished with you.

Sloan respectfully and wisely bowed his head.

Cree signaled to a warrior who stood nearby and Dawn realized that there were always warriors near Cree to do his bidding. He directed the man to take care of his horse, and then he grabbed Dawns hand and dragged her alongside him. Sloan followed.

Dawn didnt have to be told where they were going. She knew he was taking her to Lila so that she could interpret. It annoyed her that he felt the need to do so. He had understood her gestures well enough and with time... perhaps he didnt plan on spending that much time with her. And the thought saddened her, which troubled her all the more.

People were clustered in small groups as they passed through the village and one look from Cree had them scurrying off. Lila stood just outside her open door with baby Thomas cradled in her arms sound asleep. She stepped inside at their approach and once they entered Dawn yanked her arm free and started gesturing before Sloan even had a chance to close the door.

Dawn let all her frustration loose, letting her friend know what a stubborn fool Cree was and how he refused to listen to her, or take the time to become familiar with her gestures, that all he truly was interested in was satisfying himself between her legs. Her last complaint broke her tirade and she shook her head, she wasnt being fair to Lila. These werent things she should be saying to Lila, at least here and now, in front of Cree.

Pushing her frustration aside she began to explain what happened and Lila with a look of relief interpreted.

A warrior followed behind her and she assumed that he had been assigned to protect her. He waited for her to finish collecting heather and told her it was time to go. That was when he slapped the basket out of her hand and dragged her into the woods.

Did he say anything else to you? Cree asked and her body responded by turning rigid. Tell me, he urged his tone less angry. He watched her gestures as Lila spoke.

When he forced her to the woods, she looked around hoping someone would see them and he told her" Lila stopped her eyes filled with sadness and shook her head.

Lila, he said curtly, anxious to know what had stopped Lila and filled her with such sorrow.

He told her that she was the devils whore and no one would help her.

Rage roared like a fiery blast through Cree. He kept his lips firmly locked so that it would not erupt and clenched his fists eager to turn his wrath on the man. He tempered his anger before he said, He was wrong.

Dawn thought she saw pain in his dark eyes, but it was so brief that she couldnt be sure.

How did you escape?

She threw a handful of dirt in his face and took off running and ran right into me, Sloan answered to Crees surprise. Sloan pointed to Dawn. She told me about it while the men went after the culprit.

That seemed to agitate Cree and his scowl grew darker. Had you assigned someone to Dawn?

No, Sloan admitted reluctantly. There was a problem at the mill and the last time I say her she was in the Great Hall and I had advised her to remain in the keep or close to it.

And you saw fit to ignore him? Cree asked turning his scowl on Dawn. Before she could start gesturing he held up his hand. Ive heard enough from the both of you. Sloan, go and prepare the prisoner for questioning and also the men should have returned by now with the man we found, so prepare him for questioning as well. Assign Neil to guard Dawn, have him wait outside her cottage. And be ready to discuss your poor handling of the matter later.

Sloan gave a quick bob and was out the door closing it quietly behind him.

Cree s eyes fell on Lila. Now you will tell me what Dawn said when we first entered your cottage.

Chapter Twenty-eight.

Lila paled and so did Dawn. The thought that Lila would repeat any of what she had said turned her legs weak. The thought of what Cree might do to Lilia if she didnt made her stomach churn. She had allowed her frustration to get the better of her and now look at what her lack of restraint had done. She was stuck with the mighty warrior and had been since he had entered the village a week or so ago. Had it only been such a short time? It felt as if she had known Cree much longer, even more so since they had become intimate. Her cheeks flushed at the thought.

I never ask twice, Cree warned when the silence lingered.

Lila answered, though hesitantly. Dawn , "she sent an apologetic glance to her friend" feels you are a stubborn fool for not listening to her and for not taking the time to become familiar with her gestures.

What else? And dont lie and tell me that there is no more. You have worried at your lower lip until it is quite red, Cree said his eyes fixed on Lila.

Lila sighed rolling her eyes heavenward.

Dawn was angry with herself for placing her friend in such an awkward situation and she sought to correct it. She began gesturing.

Dawn says she will repeat her words for you so that you know they come from her.

Why? Would you lie for her? Cree asked.