You could have aborted the babe by taken the potion, but you didnt. You chose to defy me and protect our babe.

She nodded again.

He cupped her chin. This is one time I am grateful for your defiance.

She patted her chest to let him know that she felt the same.

While I wish to shout out the news for all to know, there is much to be settled first, he said letting go of her chin.

She let him know that she agreed.

There are possibilities now that didnt exist before. He took her hand again and brought it to his mouth to kiss it. I must ask you something very important.

She pressed her hand to her ear to let him know that she was listening.

I need you to promise me that no matter what happens, no matter what you hear, no matter what transpires over the next few days or weeks that you will trust me, never doubt me and that you will remain by my side and not think it prudent to leave me.

She cringed inwardly, feeling guilty that she had already given it thought, though she was quick to cross her heart and give her promise. And to seal it, she told him that she loved him, her hand going from her heart to his.

He pressed his hand over hers. I am fortunate that you love me.

She smiled, though it appeared more a gentle laugh as she nodded, as if she let him know that he was very fortunate to have her love him.

You think it humorous that I should feel fortunate? he said giving teasing pokes to her ribs.

She raised her hands to ward off his playful attack and cringed from the pain that shot through her.

Damn, Cree mumbled. I forgot about your wound.

And of course a yawn had to attack her just then, since she was feeling more relaxed than she had in hours.

Cree shook his head. And youre tired and need rest. Thats it. No more talk, its time to sleep.

Dawn had no intentions of arguing with him. He helped her stretch out and then eased her against him when he stretched out beside her, making certain that her wound was left undisturbed.

Another yawn hit Dawn and she was prepared for sleep to claim her fast. The problem started when she felt Cree harden against her backside. Fatigue never kept her body from responding to his and now wasnt any difference.

She wiggled against him as if adjusting her position, which she was, though it was to fit more snuggly against his growing hardness. After all, a quick joining would surely help her sleep soundly.

His hand pressed against her stomach, as if wanting to prevent her from moving, then he must have thought better of it, thinking he would disturb the tiny babe inside her and he moved his hand down further.

A definite mistake.

She didnt wait; she placed her hand over his and guided it between her legs.

You are too tired and do you forget you were wounded? he whispered, though she could hear desire thick in his voice.

She shook her head and encouraged his hand to delve and explore.

His growling groan in her ear fired her passion even more and she pressed her backside hard against his bulging groin.

Damn it, he mumbled and retaliated by slipping his finger inside her.

She pressed her finger against his arm, once, twice, three times.

You like that do you? he whispered in her ear.

She shivered, his warm breath tickling her ear and nodded vigorously.

You will not lift a finger and disturb your wound. Tonight I do all the work. He chuckled and nuzzled her neck. Though this work I thoroughly enjoy doing.

There were times Cree was gentle with her, but tonight he showed her a gentleness she hadnt known existed. He lavished her body with kisses, teased her with gentle touches and when he was ready to enter her, he slipped one arm beneath her back to easily lift her while he placed a pillow behind her head, and then carefully laid her down.

She silently sighed with his tender thoughtfulness. And then he moved down between her legs to ease them apart with his hands, taking his time to stroke her legs and tell her...

You are so beautiful and so soft. And with that he leaned over her and entered her slowly as he braced both arms on the sides of her shoulders and lowered his head to capture her lips with his.

He moved then, picking up speed and rhythm and she grabbed his arms without thinking of her wound and cringed, her eyes shutting tight against the pain.

He stopped abruptly and her eyes shot open and she shook her head adamantly.

Do not move, he ordered sharply.

She nodded, fearful he would not finish what he started and that she could not bear.

I told you that I will do all the work.

And he did.

Dawn climaxed hard not once but twice, Cree joining her in the second one. And no soon as they finished and he wrapped her in his arms, then her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

Chapter Twenty-two.

Cree woke at sunrise, though was quite content to remain abed with Dawn in his arms. She had fallen asleep instantly after he had made love to her and had slept peacefully. He had worried that her wound would wake her but her fatigue had been more powerful than her pain and he was glad she had gotten to rest.

He was still a bit shocked over the news that he was to be a father. He was also shocked at the joy that had seized him when he learned about the babe. He had never known such a wonderful feeling, though perhaps it was that he had never known such happiness. And since Dawn had entered his life he had known endless happiness along with a substantial amount of worry and fear.

That worry and fear had gripped him soon after learning of the babe and the thought that he could lose them both, if he failed to protect her, had filled him with immense anger. Once he had left the cottage, he was more determined than ever to make certain that he made Dawn his wife. He would not let his child be born a bastard.

He also knew that once Kirk learned the news, he would insist that Dawn wed his friend and that would never happen. Besides with what Kirk had told him, it had made it possible for him to petition the King to negate the present marriage agreement between him and Lucerne and arrange one between him and Dawn. But first there were secrets to uncover and identities to be confirmed and when he had all the proof he needed, then he could contact the King. The only thing he feared was that the King would want concessions so that everyone would be appeased. And he wondered what they would be.

Dawn stirred cuddling closer against him and he tucked the blanket over her shoulders. There was so much he wanted and needed to say to her, but the time wasnt right, but most importantly the situation wasnt right. And he blamed much of that on himself.

After his mother had died he had had no choice but to put his sister in a convent, and he had sworn he would let no one dictate his life. He had worked, though mostly battled hard, to reach that point. And now it was only the King he answered to and he found even that too restrictive.

What he had learned though was to manipulate those in power to get what he wanted and he wanted Dawn and nothing would stop him from having her as his wife.

The soft tap to his chest had him glancing down at Dawn, her eyes not yet fully opened. She looked as if she peeked between her lashes and yet she seemed to see him clearly, since she reached up to gently caress the scowl bunched between his eyes.

He shook his head. She neednt know his trouble thoughts.

Dawn thought otherwise.

She tapped her chest, then his and then crossed her heart reminding him that he had asked her to promise to trust him. Then she tapped his chest again and crossed his heart and shrugged, asking if he promised to trust her. Then she took hold of his hand and laced her fingers with his and squeezed tight, as if reaffirming their commitment to each other.

You are asking of me what I asked of you... to trust you. He squeezed their joined hand. That we are one and nothing can separate us. He loved the way she talked with her hands, since most of the time to do so, she touched him. And he loved when she touched him, whether innocently or passionately he loved the feel of her hands on him.

Dawn nodded with a smile.

You would never think of leaving me, would you? he asked needing her to reaffirm that they were inseparable. He did not like the soft scowl that disappeared as fast as it had appeared on her face. He grew angry, though truthfully it was more worry. You have thought of leaving me?

She was not good at hiding her thoughts from him. He could read and hear through her silence too well. She released his hand, patted her stomach and shook her head.

You thought I didnt want the babe? he asked though why wouldnt she? He had demanded she take something to prevent conception. What had he expected her to think? And then it hit him... she would have left him to protect their child and he silently cursed himself for being such a fool. You would have left me to protect our child. His scowl deepened. That means you would have accepted Kirks offer of wedding his friend.

He turned such a fierce look on her that she felt a twinge of fear.

I would have never let that happen. He grinned then and proudly. I would have killed him before you ever got the chance to wed him.

Her twinge dissipated with his grin and she shook her head and poked him in the ribs.

He grabbed her finger and kissed it, then he brought his lips to hers and before he kissed her said, Never ever doubt that I want our child and never ever doubt that we are one.

She had no chance to respond, his lips settled on hers. She recalled the envy she had felt when Lila told her about her first kiss and how wonderful it had been and how she wouldnt mind kissing Paul over and over again. Dawn had hoped one day she would feel the same about someone. As time passed she doubted that day would ever come, and then a miracle happened... Cree kissed her.

She finally got to experience her own joy at being kissed and would have never thought it could be so utterly magical or that she would never want his kisses to stop. And she loved all the different ways he kissed her, like now with a fierce possessiveness that confirmed what he had said... they were one.

Her body began to respond to his deepening kiss, which was something that always happened, whether his kiss was filled with passion or tender caring. It didnt matter; her body quickened. And at that moment, besides feeling passionate, she was feeling playful and so she slipped her hand down to take hold of him.

She wasnt surprised to find him hard. It seemed to be a perpetual state with him when they were in bed together. Though she was surprised at his reaction, he stopped kissing her.

Your wound?

She hadnt even given thought to it and she didnt intend to, at least not now. She shook her head and to prove her point she pushed him on his back and slowly climbed on top of him. Her passion surged with her actions and she found herself more than eager to have him inside her.

He grinned. In a hurry?

She halted her fumbling, not from the twinge of pain that caught at her wound but from his grin. And with sharp gestures she let him know that she needed him to be inside her right this very moment.

His grin faded and he took control, his hands taking hold of her hips and lowering her down on her back. It was a quick joining for them both, each building rapidly toward a powerful climax. And as they drew near... a heavy pounding sounded at the door.

Ignore it, Cree commanded as he quickened his thrusts.

Dawn gripped his steel-hard arms tighter and did as he said trying desperately to focus on nothing but his hard, continuous thrusts.

Both poundings continued and a voice was added to the one at the door.

Cree, Sloan yelled in between his fist hitting the door. Cree! Its important.

Dawn shook her head and shoved at Crees shoulder to go see what Sloan wanted.

He growled like an angry bear. Dont dare move. Ill be right back.

Cree stomped out of the room, swung open the door, grabbed Sloan by his shirt, and jerked him inside and slammed the door shut.

This better be important or Im going to kill you, Cree warned.

Not only is Gerwans caravan about to enter the village but the Kings cleric is here to wed you and Lucerne.

Both men turned at the noise. Dawn stood in her nightdress, her hand at her mouth as she hurried to a nearby bucket to retch.

Cree flew to her side and called out to Sloan, Get some snow.

Sloan flew out the door and Cree felt helpless as he kept an arm around Dawn and watched her suffer through dry heaves. When she finished he scooped her up and carried her into the other room and laid her gently on the bed. He pulled the blanket over her tucking it around her and sat beside her.

Sloan rushed in with a bucket filled with snow and stopped suddenly to say, Dawn carries your child doesnt she?

Cree held his hand out for the bucket. If you breathe a word of it I will cut out" he stopped himself from telling Sloan that he would cut out his tongue, not that he ever would, but it was a way of letting Sloan know he had gone too far. Not anymore though, not with the way such words hurt Dawn.

Sloan understood without Cree having to say anymore. I give you my word that I will not breathe a word of it to anyone.

That was all Cree needed to hear, for Sloan was a man of his word.

Sloan handed the bucker to Cree and then stepped back.

Cree took some snow and placed a small amount by Dawns mouth. At least you wont dry heave if the babe protests again. He then turned to Sloan. How long before everyone arrives?

The cleric is about an hour away and Gerwan about thirty minutes or more. Turbett and Flanna have everything in hand for their arrival.

Go, Cree ordered. I will be there shortly.

Sloan nodded and left.

Cree placed more snow by Dawns lips. Is this the first time the babe has made you ill in the morning?

She shook her head, though held her hands apart to gesture a gap.

It has been a while since you have felt this way?

She nodded.