If it is punishment you fear, worry not. The pain and discomfort your wound brings you will serve as punishment enough and be a lingering reminder.

Did she allow him to think that was what concerned her?

He pressed his cheek to hers and then brushed his lips over hers. I can see that wasnt it. And since you know full well that I never ask twice, I wait on the truth. A reminder... there isnt anything that you cannot confide in me. Tell me your worry, all your worries. Tell me even if you think it unimportant or foolish. Tell me whether it be sorrow, happiness, regret or... He kissed her softly. Tell me, Dawn.

His words and his kiss gave her the courage to admit what she had tried to hide from herself. There was one gesture she used to let people know that she loved them but her love for Cree was different than for anyone else and she wanted a gesture that was meant to show it and meant only for him.

She pressed her hand to her heart and then with the same hand pressed it over his heart.

He stood abruptly and dropped her on the bed. Do not be so foolish to tell the devil that you love him.

He walked out of the room and when Dawn heard the door slam shut, she began to cry.

Chapter Thirty-two.

Damn her, Cree mumbled beneath his breath as he vaulted up the keep steps and straight through the Great Hall to his solar without acknowledging anyone. He slammed the door shut and went to the pitcher on the table and filled a tankard to the brim with ale. He downed half without stopping.

He then dumped himself in a chair before the hearth and let out a heavy sigh. How could she love a heartless bastard like him? He had almost killed her and what does she do? She tells him that she loves him.

He had encouraged her to tell him anything... anything other than she loved him that was. He squirmed in the chair. He understood immediately or perhaps it was instinctively her silent words when she had placed her hand to her chest and then to his.

Love.

He wasnt capable of loving. He had turned his heart silent a long time ago and yet...

He downed the rest of his ale and stared at the flames. He had been drawn to Dawn from when he had first seen her. He had allowed Colum to capture him, allowed him to put him on display in front of the village, allowed the fool to think that he had actually captured the infamous Cree.

He had seen Dawn as soon as they had entered the village. She had stood tall and proud, even if she hadnt realized it. She had a regal poise to her and though she wasnt beautiful, there was something about her that drew the eye and made it linger. He had had plans to seek her out after the attack on the village but was spared the delay when Colum had chosen her to tend him.

When he had discovered that she had no voice, he had admired her all the more. Dawn was special in so many ways and he wanted her in his life now and forever.

The thought jolted him and he bolted out of the chair and refilled his tankard.

Forever was a long time and he had never thought that way about a woman... until Dawn. He did not want to think about life without her. The closer they became the closer he wanted to become. There was something about her that... soothed his soul.

He felt a comfort with her that he had not known in a long time. A comfort he thought never to know again.

Love.

Damn that word refused to leave him alone and he refused to give it credence. He couldnt. He didnt want to hurt Dawn and in the end if he allowed himself to love her, hed only hurt her and that he could not bear to do.

A knock sounded at the door and he reluctantly bid the person to enter.

Sloan closed the door behind him and stopped halfway across the room and stared at Cree. He looked about to say something but Crees scowl darkened and he wisely made no comment. Instead he walked over to the table and poured himself a tankard of ale and joined Cree in a drink.

Another knock sounded and Cree sent Sloan a murderous look. He would have preferred to have been left alone for a while, though the only place he had undisturbed time was at Dawns cottage.

Sloan ignored Cree and walked over to open the door.

Cree was surprised to see Elsa.

My lord, she said with a bob of her head. I thought you would want to know about the prisoner.

Is he well enough for me to kill him? Cree asked without a shred of remorse.

It would be merciful of you.

What do you mean?

Rem is ill and dying. His death will not be pleasant; he will suffer.

Cree turned to Sloan. That was why he took this job; he knew it would end in his death. And once captured he baited me so that I would see that he would die fast and end his suffering. Now the bastard can suffer until he dies, a much more fitting punishment.

As a healer I cannot see him suffer"

Then dont watch.

May I at least tend him on occasion?

No, Cree snapped. He will pay for what he has done or planned on doing to Dawn.

I have not known Dawn long but from what I do know of her, she would not want to see this man suffer.

It isnt her choice and has Dawn suddenly become some angel of mercy who will save everyone from the devil?

Elsa quickly bowed her head and kept silent.

Im glad I didnt kill him yet. Now he will get what he deserves, Cree said and with a wave of his hand was about to dismiss Elsa when he stopped. Is there any reason you know why Dawn would refuse to drink the brew that would ease her pain?

Elsa cast a quick glance to Sloan and then down at the floor.

Sloan, leave us, Cree ordered.

Sloan hurried out the door.

What is it? Cree asked.

Dawn came to me and we talked about preventing conception.

Cree didnt know why but her words disturbed him, though he said nothing.

I explained that there was a plant that would help prevent a babe from taking root, though I warned her that if she was already with child, it could very well abort the babe. I told her that the choice was hers.

Her response?

She never answered me, though by not answering her response was clear... she would not dare threaten the life of a babe that might already be growing inside her.

So she worries that the brew you fixed for her could be the one you had spoken of and would harm a babe that might already being growing inside her. And she would suffer the pain rather than take the chance of causing harm to the babe.

I assume so, Elsa said.

Crees scowl deepened.

Elsa shook her head. I gave her no such brew, my lord. I told her that the choice was hers.

Cree dismissed her with a brief wave of his hand and returned to the chair in front of the hearth. So she would protect a babe of theirs that she may carry even to the point of pain, unsure if the brew would harm the unborn babe. Dawn certainly was a brave one and the thought that she would suffer for their child made him more aware of what a loving and faithful person she was.

A knock at the door and a shout from Sloan had Cree bidding him entrance. In minutes the two men were making plans for the morrow when Seth would accompany Crees warriors and track the other two men lurking in the woods.

Dawn rested the reminder of the day and when supper was brought to her she waited, thinking Cree intended to join her. When he didnt, she nibbled on some of the food, finding she had little appetite.

She feared she had made a terrible mistake by telling him that she loved him. She now wondered why she had done such a foolish thing. He certainly had encouraged her to confide anything in him, and she had taken it to heart. She had believed he had truly meant it. And she had foolishly thought that perhaps"just perhaps"he could possibly feel the same.

The hours wore on and as it grew later and later, Dawn realized that Cree had no intention of returning to spend the night with her. Had her declaration of love driven him away? It was too late now. She could not take it back and she didnt want to. She had spoken the truth; she loved him. And that wasnt going to change.

A couple of hours later Dawn slipped into a fitful slumber.

Cree stood watching her from the doorway. He didnt know if her wound was causing such a restless sleep or if perhaps dreams disturbed her. Whatever the reason her sleep was far from peaceful.

He hadnt planned on returning to her bed tonight. He had given thought to not returning to her at all, but he had discovered after only a short time in his bed alone that that wasnt possible. He had actually missed her. He had turned on his side, his arms reaching out for her when he had realized that he was in his own bed alone. The idea that he didnt have her beside him to wrap himself around had angered him and so he came here to her cottage.

He hadnt debated the matter, argued, cautioned, or stopped himself. His one and only thought was to crawl in bed with her, wrap himself around her and go to sleep.

Mostly, his thought would have been solely on making love to her, but not this time. She had been wounded and needed rest and he felt worn out himself. He simply wanted the comfort of her body against his. And to make certain she was protected even though he had guards on her. No one could protect her like he could.

He shed his garments and eased himself in bed beside her. She lay on her side and he moved up against her, his arm draping around her to tuck her close against him. She tried to turn in his arms but winced as she did, her wound too fresh to lie on.

Shhh, he whispered, youre safe in my arms. He pressed her back flat against his front, and draped his legs across hers, stilling her restlessness.

She settled into a peaceful sleep, her hand moving to rest on his arm and her one finger giving it a tap.

He smiled. He liked that in her sleep she acknowledged that she agreed. Yes, she was safe in his arms. His smile slowly faded. How had this voiceless woman become so important to him? He had no answer and he presently didnt care. The only thing that mattered was that he was here wrapped around her and he planned on never letting her go.

Chapter Thirty-three.

Dawn walked through the village, a basket on her arm and Neil tagging close behind her. She had gotten permission from Cree to go into the woods and gather the makings for a wreath. The air had the scent of snow to it and with the grayness of the sky, snow definitely seemed likely.

It had been two weeks since her injury and her wound had healed well, though her shoulder ached slightly. Daily life had settled into a pleasant routine for all and smiles were seen far more often than frowns. Everyone worked to make certain food supply would be plentiful for the winter. And Cree saw that hard work was rewarded. Fear for their new lord was replaced with respect and admiration. The first session Cree had held to hear grievances had gossiping tongues wagging about what a fair lord he was.

The villagers were also pleased that Cree had ordered plaids made for everyone in the village so that they would unite as a clan. Even the smallest child would have one. Lila had been made overseer of the project and four women were appointed to work with her.

Dawn hurried her pace. Cree had warned her not to dally. Even though the other two men sent to eliminate Dawn had been caught with the help of Seth, Cree still kept a guard on her. Seth remained a prisoner as did Rem.

Dawn was still perplexed as to why someone would want her dead. And though she had tried to engage Cree in discussion about it, he refused. He told her not to worry about it. He would let no one harm her. The question, however, continued to nag her. Why would someone want a peasant lass dead?

She entered the woods and got busy gathering what she needed, though when she spied the tree where Cree had braced her against that one day and had brought her body to life, she stopped to stare.

So much had changed since that day. No longer did he spill his seed outside her. Each and every time"and there were numerous times"they made love he remained buried deep inside her. And she"fool that she was"grew to love him more and more.

Though Cree was mostly a stoic man, rarely letting his guard down, there were times his shield would fall and she would see a different man. Tender, kind, and so very loving. And it fed Dawns hope"her dream" that someday he could possibly love her at least half as much as she loved him.

She kept her foolish hope to herself. She did not even trust Lila with it, for though her friend would never laugh at her, she would certainly pity her for wishing the impossible.

Dawn shook the troubling thoughts from her mind and returned to finishing her task. Satisfied that she had gathered enough she headed back to the village, Neil in tow. Her thoughts returned to Cree, though when didnt she think about him? He was forever on her mind and much too deep in her heart. It still amazed her to think that she loved him. She smiled and pressed her hand to her chest, as if guarding her secret and keeping it safe.

They had barely entered the village when the bell tolled an attack.

Neil grabbed her arm. Get to the keep and stay there. He gave her a shove and then took off joining a group of warriors headed to the entrance of the village.

Women dropped what they were doing, grabbed their children and ran for the keep, following the protocol that Cree had set down when he had spoken to the village one day. The village men gathered weapons and took their defined positions ready to defend their families and homes.

Dawn spotted Lila, Thomas cradled protectively against her chest, in the middle of a group of women heading for the keep. Lila waved for her to join them and she was about to when she saw Cree astride his horse, his eyes searching the crowd. She didnt know if he searched for her but in case he did, she waved his way to get his attention.

He nodded at her with what she thought was relief in his eyes and pointed to the keep. She nodded in return and then he took off, a large group of his warriors following behind him. She turned, anxious to join Lila when she spotted Elsa arguing with one of the warriors. She shook her finger at him and turned to enter her cottage. The large warrior grabbed her by the arm and forcibly dragged her away, ignoring her adamant protests.

Dawn recalled that the prisoner she had saved from having his tongue cut out had been moved to the room that had been added to Elsas cottage, his illness having worsened. She didnt know why she felt compelled to see the man, but she couldnt seem to stop herself. Did she hope that he would have something more to tell her that could help her solve this riddle? A moment that is all she would dare take and then she would join the other women in the keep.

She pulled the hood of her cloak up over her head concealing her face so that none of the warriors would spot her and force her to the keep. She made her way around the crowd and hurried up the short path to Elsas cottage. She entered the room to find the man sitting on the edge of the bed. He was pale and took several heavy breaths. She threw back her hood and hurried over to the bucket of water near the bed to fill the ladle and hold it out to him. He reached for it but his hand shook too badly for him to hold it so Dawn held it to his mouth for him to drink.

When he finished he struggled for more breathes and said, Whats happening?

Dawn did her best to gesture an attack and was relieved that he understood.

You must go and keep safe, but first... Im sorry.

She shrugged and knitted her brow, hoping he would understand that she asked why.

I did bad things most all my life, "he shook his head " then I fell in love with a good woman and she bore me a beautiful daughter. He stopped again, though this time tears filled his eyes. Someone I wronged badly sought revenge and took from me what I had taken from him. Tears spilled down his face. God heard me when I told him that I didnt want to live any longer. Though he did not believe that I had suffered enough and so he gave me an illness that would slowly torture me to death, "he drew a few more breathes" I thought to fool him and shorten my suffering but instead he sends an angel to protect me from losing my tongue and now she sees to my care when she should see to her own.

You are pathetic, old man.