She patted the spot beside the bed.

Dont think to try and coerce me into getting your own way. It will not work.

She patted her lips and pointed back and forth between them, letting him know she wished to talk and once again patted the spot beside her.

Cree sat, though not close to her, a disappointment, but one she could remedy as they spoke.

By evening you will be residing in the keep and there is no changing my mind.

He was emphatic about it, but then so was she... she would not reside in the keep. She raised her hands and he quickly captured them in one hand.

Listen to me well, Dawn. Somehow you found a way into my heart. I do not know how you managed it, but you did. I do not believe you fully grasp the depth of my love for you and what it would mean losing you and our babe. I have survived pain in my life but I could not survive losing you. I love you so much more than I ever thought I could possibly love anyone.

He was right, she had known he loved her but she had never realized the depths of his love for her, and her heart soared with the newfound knowledge, as did her smile.

The person who wishes you dead is here among us. I assume he expected to find you dead upon his arrival and when he didnt, he grew furious that his plans had failed. The vicious attack on Bree proves that he will stop at nothing to see you dead. I believed you well protected, but somehow this person has evaded all attempts at capture. My only recourse now is to keep you by my side at all times, where I know without a doubt you will be safe. And when he strikes next, I will be there to finish him.

Dawn wrinkled her brow. He was placing his own life in jeopardy by constantly keeping her close. He could very well suffer an arrow or dagger meant for her. Then what would she do without him? She felt as he did; she could not survive losing him. She yanked her hands free and began gesturing.

He let her go on and on and on until her hands began to slow and finally came to a rest. He then took both of her hands in his again and kissed her softly, though would have much preferred to kiss her with a hunger that was gnawing at his groin. Regrettably, now wasnt the time to satisfy that hunger.

We want the same thing. What better way for us to achieve it than to remain by each others side. Then we can protect each other.

Dawn shook her head, perplexed. Did he truly feel that she could protect him? She asked him directly, her hands moving much slower than before.

You have proven several times to me just how brave a warrior you are. I have no doubt that you are capable of protecting me.

The seriousness of his tone made her realize that he spoke the truth. She had never thought herself brave, but she had been forced to be courageous upon meeting Cree. And she had grown braver, gaining a strength she had never thought herself capable of.

You make me proud, Cree said and kissed her again briefly, though not quite so softly.

Dawn stared at him stunned by his words. He was proud of her. The only other person who ever told her that had been her mother. Dawn had never thought to hear those sentiments again. And her love for Cree grew threefold. The thought, however, of residing in the keep still did not sit well with her. She liked their time alone together here and besides, she felt as if she was surrendering to the culprit by leaving her home. Then there was the matter of what her presence in the keep would create.

She didnt know how she could convince him that taking her to reside at the keep right now would only make the situation worse.

I know you are wondering how you can change my mind, Cree said causing her brow to quirk. But it seems no matter how many guards I post"

Her hand shot up and began gesturing, not giving him a chance to finish.

It pleased Cree that he was getting to understand her quick gestures more easily and so he listened to her tell him that all the guards he had posted had kept her safe. And that she would need to be diligent about making certain she did not go anywhere without them. And that his warriors would continue to inform him of her every move, and of course he could also spend more time with her. Her wicked smile and her hand moving along his leg left no doubt to what she meant. And while he wanted nothing more than her warm hand wrapped around his stiff rod, now was not the time or so he kept telling himself.

He grabbed her hand and smiled. Later I will satisfy that insatiable lust of yours.

Her smile faded and she shook her head. Her hands moved slowly between them, now and again touching him, telling him that the slightest touch of his hand tingled her senseless and that at first she thought she was a sinful woman for having such wanton feelings until she finally realized that it was love that made her feel that way. And she wanted to love him as much and as often as she could for nothing felt more wonderful and satisfying than having him inside her, loving her.

That did it, he was lost. It took barely any time to get them both naked and him inside her where he proceeded to take his time loving her.

Chapter Thirty-one.

An uneasy stomach woke Dawn the next morning and she slipped out of bed leaving Cree to sleep. She worked as silently as she could, preparing a brew for herself that she hoped would ease her nausea. She had been relieved when Cree had relented and agreed to allow her to remain in her cottage, though more guards had been posted.

She sat at the table, her mind filled with thoughts of poor Bree. Last night when Cree returned to the cottage he had been annoyed that none of the sentries had seen anything unusual take place in the area where Bree had been found, though the warriors had reminded that their duties were to patrol sections so there were times when areas were not being watched.

Dawn was so caught up in her thoughts that she startled when Crees arm slipped around her waist, his hand settling over hers where it rested on her stomach.

He leaned over and pressed his cheek to hers. Your thoughts are so deep that you forget I am here?

She turned just enough for her lips to brush his, then shook her head and brushed her lips over his again, reminding him that that wasnt possible.

I am glad to know that you do not forget or else I would have to return you to bed and remind you.

Dawn scrunched her brow and tapped her finger to the side of her mouth.

Cree grinned. So youre not sure after all?

Dawn was about to shake her head when a bout of nausea hit her so quickly that her eyes clamped shut and her hand pressed harder against her stomach.

Cree was quick to scoop her up and settle her in his lap, his large hand brushing hers away to gentle caress her stomach.

He will learn to listen to me and not trouble his mother, Cree said as if issuing an order and as if the babe heard his da, the nausea calmed.

Dawn nestled against Cree quite comfortable to sit on his lap until she realized he was naked and she could feel him swelling against her. Of course it had her growing wet in an instant and she had no doubt that they would return to bed as soon as she felt well enough, which she did not mind at all.

If you keep fidgeting against me like that you know whats going to happen.

She hadnt realized she had been doing that but now that she did know... she continued doing so.

A low groan rumbled in Crees throat. Youre not feeling well.

Dawn squirmed even more.

Im warning you"

She silenced him, rubbing her bottom slowly across his growing hardness.

Thats it, he said with a determination that thrilled Dawn.

Before Cree could get to his feet a knock sounded at the door.

Damn, but Im tired of these interruptions.

Cree! Sloan shouted and pounded the door at the same time.

Enter, Cree yelled and when Sloan walked in Cree shot him a murderous glare. This better be important.

The fellow who attacked Dawn is at Elsas cottage. He was seeking her help to heal the wound he suffered when he attacked Dawn. Elsa says he waited too long and he doesnt have much time left.

Ill be dressed in a minute, Cree said and stood placing Dawn on the chair.

She was out of it in a flash and rushing past him into the other room to slip out of her nightdress and into her clothes. She sent him a look that warned that she would not be left behind.

Cree didnt want to waste time arguing with her, and besides he could see if Elsa had anything that would help ease Dawns stomach. He hated seeing her suffer even if it was the natural course of things.

Dawn had her cloak on and was waiting at the door beside Sloan when Cree entered the room. He stretched his hand out to her as he approached reminding her that she was to stay near him. She took it and nodded and out the door they went.

Elsa didnt stand out of respect as she normally would do when Cree entered a room and it was easy to see why. A young man lay on the bed babbling incoherently. Elsa was busy bathing his face with a cool cloth and talking softly to him.

Cree released Dawns hand and nodded to Sloan who stepped closer to her side as Cree walked over to the young man.

Elsa looked up at Cree and shook her head.

Can he hear and understand me? Cree asked.

The fever has a hold of him so I cannot say for sure.

Help, the young man cried out. Please... help me.

The last of his plea could barely be heard.

His hand shot out and Elsa took hold of it. Its all right, lad. Its all right.

Noooo, he cried. Help... have to help.

Cree had seen many a young warrior beg for help as he faced death. There was never anything he could do for them but sit with them so they wouldnt die alone. Something no one wanted to do alone.

But this young man had answers that could help save Dawns life and he wanted those answers before the lad died.

He nodded to Elsa to move and once she did he sat. Who hired you to kill the voiceless woman?

The young mans eyes turned wide and he shook his head and was barely able to spit out, Help.

Ill help you but you must answer me. Who hired you?

Me good, the young man mumbled his eyes drifting closed. Me good. Help.

Answer me, Cree shouted.

Dawn rushed over to Cree and plunked herself down on his lap. Before he could move her off, she reached out and took hold of the young mans hand.

His eyes popped wide again and he barely got out love when he started choking. His hand stayed clamped around Dawns and when he was finally able to catch a breath he pleaded once more, Help me.

One last cough and catch of a breath and he was gone.

Dawn held his limp hand for a moment before resting it on his chest. Then she stood and walked away from Cree, only half listening to the many questions he bombarded Elsa with. There was something about the young mans barely audible pleas that bothered Dawn. Something was missing from them and she couldnt quite grasp what it was.

He was no warrior, begging for help to the very end, Sloan said joining Cree and Elsa.

No, he was hired for a job that he failed to complete and in the end wanted nothing more than to be saved from death, Cree said.

Dawn braced her hand on the mantel and stared into the flames concentrating on the young mans pleas for help. What was it about them that disturbed her so? She shut her eyes and heard them over and over and over in her head.

The question is who hired him and was he the one who beat Bree to death. Sloan said.

And do the attempts on Dawns life end here with him? Elsa asked.

Cree shook his head. Someone with too much to lose is behind this. The question is who.

The young mans words resonated in Dawns head blocking out everything else. Over and over and over she heard, Help me. Help Me. Help me. Until suddenly it became, Help Bree. Help Bree. Help Bree.

Could that have been what the young man meant? Help Bree. Had he been trying to protect her? Had he meant, Bree good? Had Bree been a pawn in this endless ruse? Had his dying breath been a plea to help save the innocent woman he loved? If so then who was it that had been using her?

Her stomach gurgled, reminding her that she had yet to eat breakfast. Her hand went to rest at her stomach and no soon as she did then Cree was at her side, his arm going around her waist.

Are you all right? he asked.

She turned around in his arms nodding, more concerned with what her thoughts had deduced than with her hunger pains. She began to gesture wanting to share what she thought the dying young man might have meant, and Sloan and Elsa drew nearer to listen.

Bree? Sloan asked perplexed as she spoke with her hands. You think he meant Bree, not me?

He mentioned love, didnt he? Elsa asked. Could he have been in love with Bree and was trying to protect her?

From who? Sloan asked.

From whoever wanted Dawn dead, Cree said. Bree could have been caught up in this mess by pure accident.

Or on purpose, Sloan said. She could have used the poor sap to do her biding.

Either way, Cree said, they were involved and someone was giving them orders.

Dawn spoke up, her hand tapping her chest before she threw both hands up, along with her shoulders, in a shrug.

Cree nodded. Youre right. With Bree and this young man dead, who is left to do you harm?

Sloan answered that one. The person who wants her dead.

Dawn grew lightheaded and for a moment she thought she would faint. She should have eaten by now. As of late she realized she was more hungry than usual in the morning and always felt good after eating. She needed to get food and quickly or she feared the consequences.

She went to take a step when a wave of dizziness attacked and she reached out frantically trying to grab something that would steady her. She was relieved when Cree scooped her up in his arms.

Whats wrong? he demanded with more concern than anger.