Chapter Twenty-eight.

Cree walked to the keep anxious to be rid of the people who had brought such misery into his life. It was time to do what he did best... go into battle with only one thought in mind... victory. The moment he had told Dawn that he loved her changed everything. This farce of a marriage could not be allowed to take place. No good would come of it for him or his clan... or for the King, and Cree intended to make him understand that.

Once in the Great Hall, he stopped a moment to speak with Flanna. She gave a nod and hurried off to do as he requested, and then he proceeded to his solar. Unfortunately, Lucerne cornered him before he could escape her or before Sloan could stop her.

Cree noticed the dark half-circles beneath her usually vibrant eyes and the pallor of her skin. She looked as if she hadnt slept at all or hadnt slept well for days. And she appeared frantic, as if what she was to speak with him about was a matter of life or death.

Sloan was right behind her. He shook his head, rolled his eyes, and held up his hands as if in prayer shaking them at Cree, pleading to be freed of his punishment.

My lord, Lucerne said rushing around in front of him to block his path. It is imperative that I speak with Turbett concerning the wedding feast.

Turbett has preparations for the feast well in hand, Cree said, though he didnt know that for certain. However Turbett had handled far greater challenges, so a wedding feast should prove no difficulty.

But I have certain requests and concerns"

Talk with Flanna; she will see that Turbett is made aware of them. He went to step around her and she grabbed his arm. He glanced down at her hand and then turned a warning scowl on her. I dont recall giving you permission to touch me.

She stepped away from him. And I will never give you permission to touch me.

I dont need your permission, as my wife, I may touch you whenever I wish.

I am not your wife yet.

And God willing you never will be.

Believe me, my lord, I pray every day that He will spare me from the devil.

Cree leaned forward, his face not far from hers. Perhaps you would be better off asking the devil himself.

You are a cruel, cruel man, Lucerne said.

And you will do well to remember that.

I pray that the devil and his whore get their due, Lucerne cried out, her body trembling with anger.

Crees hand shot out and grabbed her around the neck. He shoved her up against the stone wall, her eyes bulging and her hands slapping at his rock-hard arm. Be careful of your words, for they will seal your fate. He released her and turned to Sloan. Keep her out of my sight or I might do something that I will regret, "he shook his head" and see that Elsa has a look at her. He walked off leaving Sloan to see to Lucerne.

Kirk McClusky was waiting in Crees solar, the warrior who had accompanied him taking his leave as soon as Cree entered.

I want this done and finished before weeks end, Cree said walking over to Kirk. I will not wed that shrew. I will wed your daughter and the King will approve it.

You are sure of this? Kirk asked hopeful.

Once we have what we need to prove that Dawn is your daughter and that Lucerne is nothing more than a peasants child, Im sure hell agree to the change in arrangements. We do have one problem though. It seems that Lady Ann does not intend to admit that Dawn is her daughter. Cree explained Dawns meeting with Ann Gerwan.

Kirk was standing, though sunk slowly to a chair as the story unfolded. I cannot blame her for wanting to save both daughters. And it was better that she didnt know where Dawn was all these years. Any mother would be tempted to see how her child was doing. And all of this must have come as a shock to her. She is doing what she feels best for both young women.

You still have feelings for Ann Gerwan? Cree asked wondering why.

I never stopped loving her and I feel I am to blame for what she has suffered. And now she is about to suffer again. I would not want that to happen.

What of Dawn? She is an innocent in all this and has been made to endure more than anyone. You and Ann have gone on to live your lives without interruption or care, while Dawn was left to toil as a peasant. She was lucky to have had the generous, kind, and loving mother that she did. Isnt it about time that Ann and you thought of her instead of yourselves?

I would agree with you, but there is more than one person to consider in this dilemma.

Cree shook his head. Not to me. There is only one... the woman I love.

Kirks face lit with a smile. I knew you loved my daughter, though I wondered if you would ever admit it.

I was looking for a good time to tell her when I realized"

The heart decides when it is time, Kirk finished.

Cree nodded. My heart has been bursting with love for your daughter"I believe"from when we first met. She is the most courageous woman I have ever known. It is amazing how she has survived and thrived with her affliction, and now having gotten to know her so intimately, I realize that she never thinks of it that way. It is who she is and she never lets it stop her. That takes more fearlessness than a warrior entering battle, for battles come to an end for warriors, not so for Dawn.

She is a remarkable lass, Kirk said with pride.

No thanks to you or Ann, Cree snapped, though you can now change that. You both can finally see that Dawn has a good future with a husband who will love and protect her.

I agree, but I cannot do it at the cost of others, Kirk said adamantly. Ann was right when she told Dawn that acknowledging her as her daughter could mean death for the three of them. You forget that Lucerne is also an innocent in this as well.

And you forget that I care only for Dawn and what she has been made to endure all these years while you, Ann, and Lucerne have lived well.

There must be a way, Kirk said, as if pleading with Cree.

If there was time to plot and plan, but according to the Kings command I am to wed Lucerne by weeks end. The only thing that can prevent our union is the news that Lucerne is not Rolands Gerwans daughter.

Then it will not only be Dawns life we need to worry about but Ann and Lucernes as well.

Not so for Dawn. Once the secret is revealed, a threat no longer exists.

Doesnt it then become revenge?

There is that possibility, which is why this secret must be revealed and the culprit behind it caught.

I fear there will be much suffering for all.

And the alternative is what? For Dawn to be whisked away again and forced to live a life she doesnt want while everyone else continues on happily? Cree laughed. That is not going to happen. This time Dawn will have the life she chooses, not one forced upon her.

A knock sounded at the door.

It is time for Ann Gerwan to realize that the devil wants his due.

Dawn used the private time she had to have a thorough washing. Elwin saw to it that she got a few buckets of snow, which she melted in the cauldron in the hearth. Then she had proceeded to scrub herself from head to toe and she felt more refreshed than she had in days. She had slipped into the dark red velvet gown she had been stitching to fit her, though she thought it too grand for her, but it was warm and so comfortable she couldnt resist. When she had dropped it over her head, she could not believe how nicely the soft velvet had fallen so perfectly along her curves. And while she would never dare wear such a grand garment for anyone to see, she was looking forward to seeing what Cree thought of it. She was now combing the last of the tangles out of her wet hair when she heard raised voices outside her door.

Her stomach clenched before she reminded herself that she was well protected. However she wasnt protected from her curiosity, and she drifted closer to the door to listen. A woman was screeching, her voice so frantic that it upset Dawn and she reacted without thinking... she yanked open the door.

All sound ceased and all eyes settled on her.

It was Lucerne who spoke up first and though her voice trembled with concern, or perhaps it was fear, she remained calm. Please, I wish to speak with you.

Sloan stepped around her blocking the path between her and Dawn. You need to see Elsa as Cree ordered, and then you need to return to the keep and rest.

No, Lucerne shouted. Elsa can wait. And as far as resting, I have done nothing but rest and I am tired of it. I wish to speak with this woman and if she is as brave as everyone claims she is, then she will speak with me.

Dawn stepped to the side so that she could see passed Sloan to Lucerne and extended her hand to her, curious as to what the woman had to say.

Cree will not allow it, Sloan said.

Dawn tapped his arm to get his attention, then pointed to her cottage, tapped her chest and pointed to Lucerne and then her cottage.

Everything in the village belongs to Cree, therefor it truly isnt your cottage and whether you invite her to enter or not doesnt matter. Cree would not permit it. Now we will be on our way and disturb you no more.

As soon as Sloan turned, Dawn reached out, grabbed Lucerne by the wrist, and rushed her into the cottage, quickly closing the door behind her and latching it. Why she had reacted without thought or consequence she couldnt say, though she blamed it on her curiosity. She was tired of secondhand information. She wanted to learn for herself about the woman"who in a way"had assumed her identity without even realizing it. And she had only so long before Cree arrived, since no doubt they would send for him, and he would pound down the door... not that Sloan didnt attempt to.

Dawn, open this door right now, he demanded pounding on it until it sounded as if it would splinter. After several moments he stopped and issued a dire warning. Lucerne if you hurt Dawn, Cree will kill you on the spot.

All turned quiet and Dawn was certain that they waited for Crees arrival. She wasnt concerned that Lucerne had any intentions of harming her. She had sensed something in Lucerne that she had not seen the other times she had been in her company... fear. And she wondered what had changed.

I have no want to hurt you, Lucerne said. I simply want to talk with you.

Dawn pointed to a chair and Lucerne sat slipping her cloak off her shoulders. Dawn sat opposite her, closer to the hearth, and waited for Lucerne to speak.

Several minutes of silence passed and Dawn wondered if the distraught woman would ever speak. She sat staring, though not at Dawn, and wringing her hands until Dawn feared she would rub the skin right off them.

Finally, she leaned forward bracing her arms on the table and said, My mother told me that I should tell you to leave and seek a good life with your father, Kirk McClusky. But I cant do that. You see I dont want to wed Cree, I never have. I am being forced to do so out of duty to my family.

Upon my arrival here I put on a brave persona as my mother had advised. She had told me to demonstrate my strength and take charge so that Cree knew he could count on me. A tear ran down from the corner of her eye. But on first glance I feared Cree, though I dared not let him see it. She wiped away the tear. I cant keep up this ruse. My headaches grow worse, I cannot eat, and my own mind confuses me. I pray every day that I will not be forced to wed Cree, but if I do, "she shuddered" at least with you here I will not have to bear him in my bed after I do my duty and he gets me with child.

Lucerne wiped away other tears that trickled down her cheek. Do you love Cree?

Dawn nodded and smiled.

I was in love once.

Dawns brow furrowed.

Is it so hard to believe that anyone would love me?

Dawn shook her head, though she continued to wonder how Lucerne could seem so different from all the other times they had seen each other. It was almost as if she was two people in one and it had Dawn wondering if she could believe anything she said. Was everything an act, even the fear?

Did you wonder if anyone would ever love you?

Her remark startled Dawn. Had they truly had something in common?

Nothing is ever what it seems, is it?

Dawn had to agree with her there. She wasnt sure of anything or anyone...except Cree. That reminded her that he should be there any minute and she wanted to make the most of the time that Lucerne and she had together.

Dawn pointed to Lucerne, then to herself and shrugged, hoping the woman would understand her.

What do I want from you?

Dawn nodded.

Lucerne leaned forward and began to whisper.

Cree stepped to the side as Ann Gerwan entered the room with a flourish, her eyes on him.

I am glad you summoned me, my lord, there is much for us to discuss, she said with a respectful nod.

You are right about that. There is much for us to discuss. He stretched his hand out. And Ive asked Kirk McClusky to join us.

Lady Ann turned, her eyes grew wide, and she looked ready to run, and she did... right into Kirks arms. Tears followed as the two hugged.

Enough, Cree bellowed as he walked toward them.

They broke apart but remained holding hands.

Your reunion is heartfelt but I am more concerned with the product of your union...Dawn.

I went to see her, my lord, Lady Ann confessed tearfully. Perhaps I shouldnt have but I couldnt stop myself. I was curious about the daughter I gave away so that she might live, and I was concerned for her safety.

Why? Cree snapped.

Lady Ann blushed profusely. She is your mistress and no good can come of that. I failed her once; I did not want to fail her again or the lass who took her place. They are both innocents and I do not want to see them suffer because of Kirks and my indiscretion.

Love, Kirk corrected. This dilemma is all because we fell in love. You should have come to me, Ann.

She pressed a gentle hand to his cheek. And what would you have done? Gone to war for me? She shook her head. I did what needed to be done. I protected our daughter.

You should have told me, Kirk said. You should have sent her to me.

Lady Ann placed her hand on his chest and he moved her closer to him. I am sorry. I did what I thought best.

It is I who should beg your forgiveness for not having taken you away from that fool.

Enough, Cree bellowed again. Reminisce later. Now we concentrate on Dawn. He looked to Ann. I will not wed a peasant.

Lady Ann gasped and Kirk angrily said, That wasnt necessary, Cree.