Now is not the time, Cree said and nodded to his warriors. One took Lady Anns arm and hurried her out of the stable. The other two followed.

Cree silently berated himself. He hadnt given thought as to how Dawn felt about her father being injured. Cree looked to Dawn. Are you certain you are up to this? Kirk is your father and it could cause you quite an upset.

Kirk had only entered her life and while he seemed a good man, Dawn still had difficulty thinking of him as her father. It had been her and her mother for so long that a father wasnt easy to accept. Dawn patted her chest and nodded, and though her stomach was a bit queasy she had no intention of letting Cree know that. And she had every intention of seeing the scene for herself. Her silence allowed her to look and see while others talked and missed things.

If you are sure and should you feel the slightest discomfit"

Dawn finished for him, tapping her lips and pointing to him, letting him know that she would tell him.

He didnt seem convinced but there was little he could do, for he knew she would have her way. He turned and they went to stand opposite from Torr, kneeling next to his father, as Elsa worked on the unconscious man.

How is he? Cree asked.

Elsa answered without looking up. A substantial head wound. It needs to be cleaned and possibly stitched and as with any head wound, I do not know when or if he will wake. She looked at Torr. Though I will do all I can to see that he does.

Did you know your fathers intention? Cree asked.

Torr shook his head, though remained kneeling next to his father. No, though I could see that he had grown impatient with the whole ordeal. And when he found out about Brees death today he was even more adamant about everything being brought to light. He felt Dawn would be safer that way.

You didnt agree? Cree asked.

No, having heard Bree had been beaten to death made me think that whoever is responsible for it all has reached the point of desperation and that is a dangerous place to be.

Do you believe Gerwan responsible and that your father somehow found out?

Torr stood as two warriors approached with a pallet to place his father on and carry him to Elsas cottage. He moved out of their way, though kept an eye on them. Ill be along shortly, he said to Elsa and she nodded. He turned to Cree and finally answered him. I cant say for sure. I know my father not only wanted to keep Dawn safe and see her happy, he also didnt want to fail Ann again. He never stopped loving her and Im sure he hoped that somehow they could make things work for them. Perhaps he decided to confront Gerwan about his love for Ann. I know how angry I would get if another man dared to tell me he loved my wife; Id want to kill him. Gerwan could have struck my father and perhaps he had enough time to deliver a lethal blow to Gerwan before he collapsed unconscious. This incident may have nothing to do at all with Dawn or again it may. I do not know. I only hope that my father wakes and is able to settle the mystery for us. Now I must go see to my father.

Cree nodded and Dawn tugged at his hand. He turned to her and she pointed to Gerwans body. He scrunched his brow appearing as if he was about to deny her request to take a look at the body, so she didnt wait for him to reply. She walked over to it tugging him along behind her.

Once there Cree seemed as interested as she was. He released her hand, though issued no warning for her to remain near. He didnt need to; he trusted her to keep her word.

I suppose Torr could be right. Kirk could have expressed his love for Gerwans wife, it enraged him, and he struck out at Kirk. But instinct takes hold and before Kirk lost consciousness he pulled out his dagger and stabbed Gerwan. Cree rubbed his chin giving the scenario thought. Torr is right about one thing. He looked at Dawn. I wouldnt think twice about killing a man who claimed he loved you. Then Id throw his carcass in the woods for the animals to feast on.

The gruesome thought turned her stomach and she shook her head.

You dont know men, Dawn, they can be a lowly lot and unless a man stands in honor of the woman he loves; he is no man.

Her heart gave a patter and her stomach calmed. Cree was more of an honorable man than anyone would ever realize and he belonged to her. She turned her attention back to the body and ignored the urge to run and kiss Cree. It would not be proper action to take with a man lying dead near her feet. She studied the prone body and as with Brees body something disturbed her about it.

After a few silent minutes Cree asked, What is it that you see that I dont?

Dawn pointed to the dagger that appeared to have directly punctured the heart. She then gestured as if Gerwan and Kirk were arguing, suddenly throwing her head back as if struck and stumbling as she reached for an imaginary dagger at her waist and lunged with stumbling steps at her foe. She then straightened and pointed at the dagger again and at her own chest where it would have hit and scrunched her brow and shrugged.

I never thought of that, Cree admitted. Your observation is a wise one. How could Kirk deliver such a precise blow after having suffered a severe head wound?

Dawn held up two fingers, added one and then another.

One or two others could have been here and delivered the deadly blow and near deadly one, or they could have thought they had killed Kirk.

Dawn raised her chin as if haughty and held up her skirt and pretended to walk as if she was in a rush.

You think perhaps Lady Ann was heard approaching and the culprits ran?

She shrugged, suggesting it a possibility.

Torr is right. The person or persons behind this have grown desperate and are now more dangerous than ever. It seems that they will stop at nothing now to see their plan succeed. But what plan? Cree said shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck. With Gerwan dead what stands in their way? Lady Ann can openly admit that you are her daughter and that Lucerne is the daughter of a peasant which frees me to wed you.

Dawn stared at him, her eyes wide her mouth open. He truly wished to wed her?

Cree thought there was something wrong when he glanced her way and then he realized what he had said. He went immediately to her side and took her in his arms. I didnt mean to spew it out that way. It had been my plan all along to wed you.

Her eyes turned wider and her mouth feel open another notch.

Im making a mess of this, he said more to himself than Dawn. I intended to marry you all along. There was no way I would spend my life without you. He turned away for a moment to gather his thoughts and his eyes took note of the dead body. This is not the place for this.

He hurried Dawn out of the stable and to her cottage, the guards following close behind them. He latched the door once inside and wasted no time in yanking Dawns cloak off her and taking her in his arms.

I sometimes think of the moment that I knew that I loved you and Im always drawn to our time in the hut together. You were fearful, yet brave, and your courage grew as I got to know you. He grinned. You intrigued me more and more each day. And I found my hands eager to explore you. He shook his head. If I were honest with myself Id admit that I fell in love with you upon sight, which has been difficult for me to accept since I never thought that would be possible and yet... he shook his head. You claimed my heart long before I even realized I had opened it to you.

A tear slipped down Dawns cheek as she threw her arms around Crees neck and kissed him with a joy she had never experienced in her life.

He returned her enthusiasm deepening the kiss and the next thing they knew they were striping each other bare and falling down on the bed together. Their passion could not be contained; they were hungry for each other and nothing could stop them from feeding it. And feeding it they did. His hands explored her with a startling eagerness that had her body bowing at his every touch. And when his mouth followed suit she thought she would leap off the bed, it felt so deliciously and wonderfully wicked.

I want to linger and enjoy, he whispered harshly in her ear but my need is too great.

She pressed one finger to his arm agreeing and he quickly grabbed her legs and flung them over his shoulders as he positioned himself between them and drove into her with a forceful thrust that had her arching up to meet his demand.

He continued driving into her hard and she enjoyed every blessed minute of it. It didnt take long for their passion to build to an explosive climax, and Cree made certain it was one she would never forget. His hand reached out and teased the tiny pulsating nub and she nearly bolted off the bed, but his strong body and solid thrusts held her firm.

She came so hard that she didnt stop tapping his arm over and over and over and finally when she climaxed for a second time he joined her and exploded in a blinding fury that left him so spent that he collapsed on top of her.

Dawn soon realized that his weight did not allow her to breath and she pushed at his solid muscle. Her attempts grew a bit more frantic when he didnt respond until he finally rose up off her. She caught a quick breath followed by several more.

Are you all right? he asked anxiously.

She took a few more deep breathes and nodded.

Damn, I came so hard I spent all my strength.

Dawn smiled wide.

Pleased with that are you? he asked tweaking her nose as he moved off her, though grabbed her around the waist to lie and placed her alongside him.

She nodded vigorously.

So am I, he admitted though in a whisper, as if he didnt want anyone to hear. From this moment on I refuse to do without you in my bed. You will be moved to my room in the keep. And as soon as all the documents are signed we will be wed. He tweaked her nose again. That is if youll have me.

She bolted up beside him. Was he truly giving her a choice? It was the very question she gestured him.

Yes, I am asking you if you wish to wed me. I want you as my willing wife, not a prisoner or mistress forced to submit to me but as a woman who loves me and wants to wed me, bear my children and grow old with me.

She nodded vigorously before he even finished.

That eager are you?

She smiled softly, shaking her head and pressed her hand to her heart and then pressed it to his heart holding it there.

He rested his hand over hers. Love me that much do you?

She slipped her hand from beneath his and stretched her hands wide demonstrating that her love for him was endless.

He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up and brought her down to rest over the length of him. His hands went to squeeze her buttocks playfully and his kiss teased. Damn it, woman, I love you more than I ever thought possible. He growled low after nuzzling her neck. Youre mine, you belong to me, and Ill never let you go.

His words sent a tingle to her for the words spoke of his love just as deeply as if he had said I love you and she gestured the same to him. She jabbed his chest, poked her own, and grabbed his hand to lock her fingers with him letting him know that he belonged to her and she would never let him go.

He laughed softly. Looks as if were stuck with each other.

She nodded and kissed him gently, though he responded with more fervor.

After a few minutes of a kiss that titillated them both senseless he pulled away and said through bated breath, Damn, Im hard for you already and weve only finished making love.

She reached down and discovered just how hard he was and with a grin she rose up over him and with a silent sigh of pleasure lowered herself onto him. He groaned with anticipation and in no time they were lost in passion that neither of them hurried to abate.

Chapter Thirty-four.

Dawn didnt want to move to the keep but Cree was adamant and she finally surrendered knowing he would not change his mind. All her things were placed in Crees bed chamber, a sizeable room. Flanna fussed making sure everything was to Dawns liking.

Dawn allowed Flanna to do as she wished. She was more concerned with finding out how her father was doing and preparing herself for Lucernes reaction when the woman found out the truth about her birth. In a way she felt sorry for her. Dawn was now a noble while Lucerne was now a peasant. And she did not think that Lucerne could survive a peasants life. And she fretted over how she would survive being a noble.

One thing she was happy about was that she had free reign of the keep. Cree had posted guards throughout the entire keep and while he had insisted that Dawn remain by his side, he soon found it a difficult order to maintain, thus the guards being posted throughout the keep and Elwin following her wherever she went.

She had been at the keep only a couple of hours and was already missing the solitude of her cottage. Everywhere she ventured someone was there. She was not used to so many people being around and it unnerved her. She much preferred her solitude or a cozy chat with her best friend Lila. That was how she had spent most of her time, and she favored it that way. How she would adapt, she didnt know.

Dawn was pleased when Flanna finally finished settling her things and after giving her friend an appreciative hug and seeing her out the door, Dawn found that she was tired. It had been an eventful day and it was only a couple of hours after noon. And though she was a bit fatigued, she wanted to see how her father was doing. She grabbed her cloak and went to the door, hoping she would not meet resistance to her plan.

Elwin, as usual, was outside the door and when he saw that she wore her cloak, he shook his head. Cree says you are to stay in the keep.

Dawn gestured that she wished to see how Kirk was doing.

Elwin smiled. In that case we dont have a problem. Kirk was moved here to the keep. Cree and Torr thought it best that way.

She was pleased that shed face no resistance, though she did wonder over the true reason why Kirk had been moved here. Did Cree and Torr believe his life was in danger? She tossed her cloak on the bed and followed Elwin down one floor. With each step her mind churned wondering over different possibilities as to why with Gerwans death, her life should still be in danger. What was it this person or persons were after? What value did her identity hold now with Gerwan dead?

Elwin opened the door to the room and stepped in. She was surprised to see him acknowledge someone with a bow of his head and was more surprised to see that it was the cleric who the King had sent to wed Lucerne and Cree.

I came to pray for the lords servant Kirk in his hour of need, the cleric said, his eyes narrowing as he spoke until his expression turned to a scowl. You are Crees harlot.

Dawn sent him such a scathing look that the cleric actually took a step back.

It is not too late to redeem your soul, he urged. We can pray together and cleanse you of the devil.

Dawn let him rattle on, her attention caught by the small vial in his hand. She pointed to it.

I was anointing him, the cleric snapped and you should wait outside until I finish and then I will hear your confession.

She didnt move, she continued to stare at his hands that looked weathered and worn from toiling in the field. But if he was one of the Kings clerics what would he be doing toiling in the field?

He stepped toward her and before she could move he grabbed hold of her arm, his other hand held a dagger, the point pressed to her stomach. The vial he had held had fallen to the floor beside the bed.

Unless you want me to cut your guards throat, you better agree when I tell him that we are going to Crees bedchamber where I will hear your confession.

She nodded, not wishing any harm to come to Elwin.

The long sleeve of his robe covered the dagger as they walked out of the room. She wishes to confess her sins and cleanse her soul, the cleric announced and Elwin looked at him oddly.

Dawn nodded and placed her hand on Elwin tapping his arm twice, though the cleric could not see it.

Elwin returned with them to Crees bedchamber passing Lady Ann on the way. She seemed in a hurry, claiming Lucerne was upset and needed her. When Elwin opened the door to the bedchamber, the cleric blocked him from entering the room.

Confession is private, my son, he said.

Elwin looked conflicted and Dawn hoped he would remain outside the door and attempt to find out what she had been trying to tell him. She had grown fond of Elwin and didnt want to see him hurt and Dorrie would be devastated if she lost him, the pair having grown to love each other.

As soon as the door closed, he shoved Dawn toward a section of the wall and pushed on it, revealing a boarded up opening. He couldnt rip the boards down without calling attention to the noise and thats when the scream sounded. As soon as it did, the cleric kicked at the boards and shoved Dawn through the opening.

Dawn slipped as she descended on the narrow stone stairs a few times receiving some bumps to her elbows and knees. It did not take long to reach the bottom and once there the cleric, though by now Dawn realized the man was no cleric, kicked the boards until a sufficient opening was made and he forced her through it, following behind her and not letting go of her. His grip was so strong it stung her skin.

He shoved her toward the woods and Dawn already shivered from the bitter cold and prayed that Cree would be close on her trail.

Cree hurried along the hall with Torr and Sloan following behind, having been informed that Lucerne was carrying on uncontrollably. He stopped abruptly in front of Elwin wanting to make certain Dawn was all right.

She rests? he asked.

The cleric is hearing her confession. Dawn seemed agreeable having nodded, Elwin said. What does two taps to the arm mean?

Cree kicked the door open and rushed into his bedchamber, Torr, Sloan, and Elwin following. His heart pounding wildly in his chest, he turned to Elwin. When did she tap your arm?

When the cleric said they were going to your bedchamber so he could hear her confession, she reached out and tapped my arm twice.