Dawn stumbled again as they walked the snow-covered path.

His hand was quick to catch her arm and right her steps and the wicked look in his eyes told her that he knew exactly what he had done to her. She tried to yank her arm away from him, but he wouldnt have it.

Ill keep a hold of you; I dont want you to fall.

Dawn had no choice but to comply, though she did turn her glance away. It was then she realized that it was snowing lightly and that more than the usual amount of villagers were out and about, and staring at the three of them.

Gossip was probably already spreading and why not? Cree was walking through the village with two women in tow, his intended and his mistress. And no doubt they believed that only a devil of a man would have the audacity to do such a thing. Or perhaps he was doing more than she realized, perhaps he was letting everyone know that he had the matter well in hand.

Elwin and two guards followed behind and to the sides of them, taking up sentry duties when they reached Elsas cottage. Cree opened the door and held it for the two women to enter and then he followed them in.

Elsa bobbed her head. My lord.

Elsa, we have need of your help. Lucerne is being poisoned.

Lucernes eyes filled with tears again, only this time a smile filled her face. Thank you, my lord, for believing me.

Dawn trusts you, so I trust you. Dont make me regret it.

You have my word, Lucerne said.

As for Dawn, Cree said turning to see her smiling at him. Her wound pains her.

I will have a look at Dawn first. Lucernes problem will not have an easy or hasty solution.

Dawn was fine; there was nothing wrong with her. She was more interested in what was happening to Lucerne and what would need to be done to help her than a twinge to her small wound that was healing nicely. But Crees concern had to be alleviated or they would never move on to Lucerne.

Will you wait outside while I see to Dawn? Elsa asked of Cree.

He looked ready to protest, then saw Dawn place a hand to her chest and gave a gentle nod and he knew she was saying please.

Do not take long, he ordered and turned and walked out.

Elsa did not need much time to ascertain that all was fine with Dawn, and Dawn herself went to the door to let Cree know they were finished. She smiled and patted her chest.

Ill let Elsa be the judge of how you are, Cree said, though looked relieved.

After Elsa reaffirmed what Dawn had told him, the healer asked them all to take a seat at the table. She filled tankards with hot cider, and then sat herself.

Healing plants are wonderful but they can also be deadly if not used properly, Elsa explained. And it takes a knowledgeable healer to know the difference. With the few questions I had asked you once before I began to suspect that you were ingesting something that was disrupting your nature and causing confused and erratic behavior. The headaches could be an effect of such ingestion.

Are you saying that someone wants Lucerne confused and unstable? Cree asked.

It is a possibility, Elsa confirmed. Depending on the poison used and the amount, it either can be deadly quite fast or make a person very ill until finally he is confined to bed and dies. That is not so with Lucerne.

When did your problem start, Lucerne? Cree asked.

Lucerne rubbed at her temple. I think about three or four months ago, though the headaches are more constant since my arrival here.

Was there any change in your servants or who prepared your food or drinks at that time? Elsa asked.

Lucerne gave it thought and shook her head. None that I recall.

My suggestion to you is to make certain you know who handles your food and drink and see how you feel over the next few days. I would prefer not to give you anything, not even for the headaches since I do not know what you are already being given. My potion could make it worse rather than help it, so it is best you take nothing until we see what happens.

You will eat only food that Flanna brings to you, Cree ordered Lucerne shook her head. I forgot about something. I have a small pouch that contains a mixture that I use to make a nightly brew.

Have it brought to me, Elsa said.

Where did you get the mixture? Cree asked.

Dawn listened to the exchange wishing she could join in. She almost did once or twice, when Cree asked the questions she was about to ask.

Its a mixture my mothers family has brewed for years. The servants keep it available to us.

That means many were aware of it and anyone could have tainted it, Cree said.

A knock sounded at the door and Cree called out for the person to enter knowing it was someone Elwin knew that Cree would wish to see.

Sloan entered. I found Bree; shes dead and it appears that someone has murdered her.

Chapter Thirty.

Cree had Lucerne escorted back to the keep and a guard assigned to her until Sloan could resume his duty and watch over her. Elwin was to take Dawn back to her cottage, but there was a problem, she refused to go. She wanted to go with Cree and find out what had happened to Bree.

You are not coming with me, Cree said adamantly, draping Dawns cloak over her shoulders. You will return to the cottage and wait there for me.

Dawn shook her head vehemently.

Do you truly believe you will win this argument?

She might, Sloan said and Cree turned a murderous scowl on him. Brees body was found in the woods behind Dawns cottage.

Cree fisted his hands at his sides, furious that the young woman had been murdered so close to Dawns home.

Its also not far from where those tracks came to a dead stop, Sloan said. Yet no one has been spotted there.

Lets have a look, Cree relented and took hold of Dawns hand. You will not leave my side.

She nodded and gripped his hand.

Cree looked to Elsa who had stood silently by the hearth during the exchange. Get Lucernes pouch of herbs and see what you can find out. Ill have Neil sent to accompany you.

She nodded. Aye, my lord.

They left the cottage and Dawn had to keep a swift pace to keep up with Crees angry strides. With such a venomous scowl villagers were quick to move away from him, though she heard their whispers. And so did he.

Once they rounded her cottage Cree came to an abrupt stop and turned to Sloan. The people are already questioning my ability to keep them safe. First with the attempts on Dawns life that are yet to be solved and now with this murder of a young woman they had befriended. I will not have my leadership questioned, and I certainly will not have my clan at risk. No one rests until the murderer is found.

I already have Henry seeing if there are any tracks to be found and I have men scouring the surrounding area to see if they can find anything, Sloan said.

Good, Cree said and looked to Dawn. Are you certain you wish to see this?

She nodded without hesitation.

If you should change your mind"

She shook her head, this involved her, and Cree needed help. There was no way she was going to be left out of it.

Youre a stubborn one, Cree said, though with a hint of admiration.

Dawn smiled and slowly shook her head, patted his chest, and then her own and held up two fingers snug against each other.

Cree leaned down, brushed his lips over hers and whispered, Youre right about that, we stick together always.

Sloan led them to where Brees body was found and while Dawn thought she was prepared for what she would see, she wasnt. The pretty young lass had been beaten about the face so badly that she was barely recognizable and blood pooled forming a pillow beneath her head while the snow flurries had deposited a light blanket over her. The fingers on her one hand looked to have been broken and her ankle appeared to have been stomped on.

Dawn had to look away for a moment, her stomach protesting the gruesome sight.

Are you all right? Cree was quick to ask.

She nodded and took a deep breath before turning to once again glance upon the horrid scene.

Weve both seen beatings like this before, Sloan said. Ones delivered in fits of anger.

Cree agreed with a nod. But what brought on that anger is the question.

Dawn felt her stomach roil once again and felt the need to look away.

Dawn? Cree questioned with concern.

She did not intend to leave until he was finished and so she gestured that she was wondering about the area where her attacker had suddenly vanished.

Cree raised a skeptical brow but relented and walked her to the spot. Sloan followed along.

No tracks remained, the snow that had fallen since then having covered the area. Dawn glanced around and noticed a group of rocks, the last and largest rock not far from a pine tree, the lowest branch drooping from the weighted snow.

She went to walk away from Cree and was yanked to a sharp stop.

By my side, remember? Cree said with a tilt of his head.

She nodded and pointed to the group of rocks two steps away, and then to the low tree branch. Cree looked to Sloan who had followed Dawns gesture and gave a glance at the tree.

Sloan nodded at the silent command and with careful steps jumped from rock to rock, almost slipping once, then leaped for the low hanging branch and pulled himself up onto it.

So thats how the tracks vanished so suddenly, Sloan said dropping down from the branch.

Im surprised that Henry didnt realize that, Cree said.

Sloan scratched his head. I think I recall seeing a warrior sitting on one of the rocks when I arrived at the scene.

He was sitting? Cree asked annoyed. Well discuss his punishment later. Right now make Henry aware of what we have discovered. He pointed at Brees body. And I want to know why the sentries assigned to this area saw or heard nothing. And where was the guard assigned to Bree? Get me answers, Sloan, and see that her body is stored until the ground is soft enough to accept her. Also, Im moving Dawn to the keep.

Sloan was too shocked to speak, not so Dawn. She quickly darted in front of him and shook her head vigorously along with a finger she held up in front of him.

You will put that finger down and we will discuss this in private, Cree ordered.

Dawn dropped her hand to her side, realizing it was not at all proper for his warriors to see her arguing with him. She tugged at his hand, anxious to settle this with him, for there was no possible way that she was moving to the keep.

I have a few more things to discuss with Sloan, then well take our leave.

Dawn held up their joined hands and nodded at them.

I will release you as long as you promise to stay in sight.

Dawn crossed her heart and he released her hand. I will not be long.

She gave him a curt nod and wandered toward the body. She wondered over the rage that had caused such a horrific beating. Then she recalled the beating Colum, the former liege lord had given to Timmins, the smithy for questioning him. What she recalled most about it was that Colum seemed to enjoy every blow he had inflicted on the defenseless Timmins. It had served as a warning to others that Colum was not to be questioned. It had taken weeks for Timmins to recover. Bree hadnt been so lucky, and Dawn couldnt help but wonder if the man who did this to her had intended to beat her to death or had he been unable to stop.

She drifted closer to the body and gazed at the smashed ankle. Had he stomped on the slender ankle after he had realized she was dead? Was he angry at himself or at her? Had Bree been his accomplice or an innocent in it all? And if he could do this to Bree, what would he do to her if he caught her?

The thought caused her stomach to roil once again and that caused her to think of the babe. Even if she were to survive a bad beating like Timmins had done, would the babe? Knowing she was with child changed everything. She had to be more cautious and sensible in the choices she made. And she had to be careful of who she trusted. The killer could be lurking among them, a smile on his face, and a pleasant nature just waiting for the right time to strike.

Her glance went to Brees face and it was as if she suddenly felt the blows the young woman had suffered and the fear that had to have churned inside her. This time her stomach did more than roil, it rushed up into her mouth and she hurried behind thickened bushes to heave.

Cree was there in an instant, his one hand pulling her hair back away from her face and his other hand going around her waist to support her. She felt better with him being there with her, though her retching didnt stop and when it did, she leaned back against him spent.

He held her firm as he leaned down to scoop up a handful of clean snow and held it in front of her. She took some and ran it across her mouth, but she was simply too worn out to do any more than that.

He tossed the remainder of the snow aside and lifted her up into his arms. She didnt have to look at him to know he was scowling; it was his way after all. So when she did look at him, his scowl wasnt a surprise or the concern she saw in his eyes and while she did not wish to cause him worry, she was pleased to know how much he cared. It was one time that his scowl made her happy.

Relief flooded her when he carried her to her cottage. She feared he would take her to the keep and she did not want to go there. And no doubt it would cause a disagreement between them, but she was determined to stay in her home.

Funny that she now felt that way about her cottage. At first it had felt strange to her and now it was where she enjoyed being the most, but then perhaps Cree had something to do with that. She doubted she would feel so comfortable in the cottage if Cree did not share it as much as he did with her.

One of the guards on duty opened the cottage door when he saw them approach and closed it as soon as they entered. Cree walked into the other room keeping her tucked close against him. And she was fine with that. She loved being in his arms. She knew that she was safe there and loved... loved so much more than she ever thought possible.

He stood her beside the bed and slipped off her cloak flinging it to land at the bottom of the bed. Then he eased her to sit and with quick yanks took her boots off and flung them across the room as if in warning that she dare not put them back on.

You are to rest, he ordered.