Cree watched her slowly leave the room and when he glanced back at the table he saw that the vial was gone. Damn. He turned to Torr. Did you see which one took the vial?

Torr shook his head.

Well it shouldnt be long before we find out which one is behind it all.

Dawn was safely tucked in Crees solar without a guard outside the door. Cree hadnt wanted anyone to know where she was and a guard outside the door would certainly give her presence away. She couldnt wait in his chambers since men were busy repairing the secret passageway, boarding it up until a more permanent fix could be made.

She wondered who the culprit would be, Lady Ann, her true mother, or Lucerne or perhaps the two women had worked together and partnered with Lucernes father to see Dawn dead. She could not wait to learn the truth and for all of it to be over.

With a silent sigh she took a seat in front of the hearth to wait. The day had been long and filled with so much pain and sorrow for so many. She had made certain that word had been sent to Lila to let her know that she was all right or else as soon as Lila had heard of her abduction she would have been pounding at the keep doors.

It was so very nice to have such a good friend and to have added friends along the way. Even though it had been an ordeal since meeting Cree, she was blessed and grateful that he had entered her life, and she was ever so grateful that love had brought them together.

Her eyes drifted closed and her head lolled to the side. The fires warmth, a soothing brew, her knee tended to and the troubled day behind her all served to relax her enough for sleep to claim her.

The rap at the door startled her awake and she hadnt been sure how long she had slept. She hurried out of the chair with a stretch of her sore neck, which lead her to believe she had slept for a while in the uncomfortable position. The culprit had surely shown herself by now. She hurried to the door eager to find out and lifted the latch. She was more than surprised to see Lady Ann standing there.

I am so sorry for everything, she said and rushed into the room shutting the door behind her.

Dawn shook her head, shaking away the last of the sleep that muddled her mind.

She reached out to take Dawns arm but instinct had Dawn backing away from her.

Good lord, its been a dreadful day, but its over and done now. Lady Ann smiled. And life can finally go on as it should... after youre dead. She raised her hand that had been hidden in the folds of her gown and grasped tightly in it was a dagger.

Dawn stared at her mother. She hadnt wanted her when she was born, she had hired men to see her dead and now with no one left to help her, she planned to kill her daughter herself.

If only you had been born a lad, Lady Ann all but spit out the words like a snake spewing venom.

Dawn took another step away from her, her mind quickly calculating different ways to protect herself against the crazy woman, and hopefully biding time. Cree would check on her to make sure she was all right or at least he would have someone check on her. Either way she needed time.

She raised her hands, palms up, and shrugged wanting to know why.

I suppose I should at least give you an explanation. That fool husband of mine could not sire a child so I had no choice but to find someone to do it for him. I could not believe my bad luck in choosing a man who had an affliction that ran through his family. I prayed that you would be a boy, but luck was not with me that day. I would have seen you dead, but that fool Mary is a loving soul and protected you as soon as you were out of me. So like an unselfish mother I sent you away, never expecting to hear from you again. Imagine my surprise when Colum informed me of a dumb lass residing in Dowell, on Gerwan land.

Dont think because I waste my time explaining it all to you that you will be rescued. Cree and his cohorts hide in wait for someone to poison Kirk. The fool doesnt realize that it is you I want dead; I could care less about Kirk, though I will see to his demise in time.

Dawn had to keep her talking while she tried to see if there was anything in the room that she could use as a weapon to defend herself. But she neednt worry about keeping her talking. It seemed that Lady Ann had much to say.

I did not wed a fool, work, and sacrifice all these years to have my wealth and lands striped away. Roland could not forgive the King for turning his lands over to Cree. His constant talk of gathering clans and reclaiming his land from Cree would have left us with nothing. The fool couldnt see that Lucernes marriage to Cree would be a great benefit to us. The King favors Cree and the clans respect his strength. And Cree would have easily squashed any attempt to take his newly acquired lands. Roland had to go. Unfortunately, Kirk entered the stables at the wrong time and like an idiot tried to help Roland. When I came upon the scene I was quite pleased with Philip, Lucernes father. He had not only carried out our plan of killing my husband, but he also saved me the trouble of having to deal with Kirk.

She shook her head. How stupid of us it had been to assume him dead. One more good whack to the head and then there would have been only you to deal with. I had already laid plans to do away with Philip. I wisely learned about plants. Poison being an easy way to rid oneself of difficult people. Once we fashioned the plan to abduct you from the keep, it was easy to make certain that his flask was filled with a lethal poison. I knew when Philip first made himself known to me, demanding things in return for his silence, that I could not let him live, though I could use him to my advantage. I explained that all wealth would be lost if you were left to live. And so I sent him to hire men to see to the task, which proved a complete failure.

Dawn could not believe that this woman who could kill and deceive so easily had given her birth. She thanked the heavens that Lady Ann had sent her away and that a loving and caring woman had raised her. And if she thought it was going to be easy to kill her than she was even crazier than Dawn had thought.

I can see in your eyes that you think to best me, Lady Ann said with a smug grin. Others have thought the same, Bree for one and that fool man of hers. All the lass had to do was keep giving Lucerne the potion that kept her confused until I arrived, and of course try to poison you, and what does she do? Almost kill Cree with the poison meant for you. Philip taught her a good lesson for that mistake and the beating was easy to blame on Lucerne. But then I discovered that that stupid man of hers had showed up to help her and had broken in through the secret passageway so that Bree could give him shelter from the storm. I had Philip make it perfectly clear what would happen to the two of them if they did not do as they were told.

Lady Ann shook her head in disgust. But what does the stupid lad do, he wounds himself while attempting to kill you, in hopes of saving the woman he loves. Unfortunately, Philip completely lost his temper with the lass when he found out and beat her to death. Lady Ann shook her head again. I knew then and there he had to be done away with or I would live to regret it.

Dawns heart ached for Bree who had little choice but to obey or suffer the consequences. And how hard for the man she loved to stand by and not be able to save her. What was it that Cree had said to her? A man who does not stand for the woman he loves is no man at all. Brees young man had stood for her even as he lay dying and a tear slipped from Dawns eye for the young couple that never got to live and love.

Ive wasted enough time, though now you understand the lengths I would go to, to keep what is mine. With you gone there is nothing preventing Cree from wedding Lucerne. The King will command it. The land will then be secured and I will retain my title and home and I will finally be free of a husbands dictate. Now Ive said enough; its time for you to die.

Dawn raised her hand gesturing, though Lady Ann shook her head.

I do not understand you, Lady Ann snapped.

Dawn pointed to her, the dagger, and then herself and shrugged.

Lady Ann scrunched her brow. You wonder who will be blamed for your death?

Dawn nodded Thats easy. Another culprit who has yet to be caught and of course I will have seen him run off and give a good description.

Dawn shook her head.

Of course everyone will believe me. I will play the part well of a grieving mother.

Dawn laughed silently and Lady Ann grew furious.

Enough, she said through gritted teeth. It is time for you to finally die. Something you should have done at birth.

Cree waited with Torr just inside the room next to where Kirk rested. Sloan and Elwin were positioned across the hall in another room. The doors stood slightly ajar as they waited for either Lucerne or Lady Ann to appear.

There was complete silence. No one uttered a sound or made a move and Cree took the time to think about all that had happened. He had yet to hear from Elsa as to whether Lucerne was being poisoned. It would be easy to slip something into the brew that had been given to her time and again.

Cree startled, jarring Torr.

What is it? Torr asked anxiously.

The brew, Cree said, though Torr did not understand. It had been something that had used before Lucerne was born. That means...

Cree raced from the room.

Ill make it quick, Lady Ann said. After all you have suffered enough being voiceless.

Anger was a good deterrent to fear and propelled Dawn into action as Lady Ann ran at her, she grabbed for a tankard that had been left on the arm of one of the chairs and swung it at the dagger that was about to pierce her stomach. It flew out of her hand to the floor.

Dawn wasnt surprised that her mother didnt cry out in pain or that her face raged red with anger. The woman was demented and she wasnt about to let anything stop her from killing Dawn.

Dawn thought otherwise and lunged for the dagger.

Lady Ann did the same.

They both dropped to the floor, their hands reaching out in unison for the dagger. It skidded out of their reach as they tried to prevent each other from getting it. Lady Ann pounced on Dawn and lashed out at her face with clawing hands.

Dawn blocked her wildly flaying hands with her arms and rolled to her side forcing Lady Ann off her. She jumped, with a stumble, to her feet and her eyes turned wide when she saw that Lady Ann had retrieved the dagger.

Damn you, die! she hissed and rushed at Dawn.

Instinct took over and Dawn side-stepped the frantic woman, grabbed her wrist and held the dagger at bay. Lady Ann twisted with such strength that it knocked them both to the floor, the dagger pointed at Dawns stomach. Dawn didnt hesitate, she twisted her mothers wrist and sent the dagger into her throat. Blood spewed all over Dawns face and she watched the womans eyes spread wide in shock, and then collapse on top of her.

Her breath caught and she closed her eyes; she had just killed her mother.

The door swung open but Dawn didnt turn her head. She was too numb to move.

Cree roared out Dawns name and she was sure that this time he had splintered some of the rafters.

All Cree could see was blood and Dawn not moving. He flew to her side, dropping down on his knees. I forbid you to die. I forbid it, he yelled grabbing her hand.

She opened her eyes and smiled. That was her Cree, demanding she obey him even when he thought her dead.

Relief flooded him and he quickly shoved Lady Anns body off her before asking, Are you hurt?

She shook her head and he scooped her up in his arms.

Sloan rushed into the room and after a quick glance asked, Dawn is all right?

She is a brave warrior who fought a good battle and won. See to this, Cree said with a nod to the body.

Sloan nodded and stepped out of the solar.

Cree walked to the door and stopped. It is a good thing you obeyed me and didnt die, for I would have had to wage war with death itself to get you back. Youre mine, you belong to me, and Ill never let you go.

Chapter Thirty-six.

Two weeks later Why arent you naked and in our bed? Cree said walking over to where Dawn stood by the hearth in their bedchamber.

She didnt wait for him to reach her; she hurried to him and threw her arms around him.

Whats wrong? he demanded holding her tight.

She shook her head against his chest.

Cree scooped her up in his arms and walked to the bed to sit down with her in his lap. I know it troubles you to see how Lucerne suffers when she was innocent in this matter, but only time will heal her. Elsa said that the potion Lady Ann had been feeding Lucerne, to keep her confused and doubtful, had been so potent that she must take another potion to help with the problems it caused. That was why she was having such bad headaches and her emotions were so erratic. Bree had changed the potion hoping to help Lucerne regain her old self, though I wonder if she will ever be herself again after finding out about her true identity and the circumstances surrounding it.

Dawn nodded, though couldnt help but recall how Lucerne had clung to Sloan when she had been informed of Lady Anns death and the circumstances surrounding it. She hadnt cry, hadnt say a word, she had simply clung tightly to Sloan.

From what Sloan tells me you and Lila have been a great help to Lucerne. He told me that she looks forward to spending time with you two and hearing all about her true mother. Magda has also been a great help to her, he said and nuzzled playfully at her neck.

She scrunched her shoulders against the titillating tickle that ran through her and gestured that he helped as well.

At your insistence, he said kissing along her neck, I allowed her to reside in the keep, though I would have preferred her in a cottage, until we see what can be done with her. An answer to the message I sent to the King informing him of everything should be here soon and Im sure hell have some suggestions concerning Lucernes future.

Dawn grabbed hold of his face, stopping him from feasting at her neck, though she would have much preferred to let him continue. She pointed to him and then to her and then gestured a crown on her head and shrugged, her brow already scrunched in question.

I have no doubt that the King will grant us permission to wed. Roland has sent a message along with mine claiming you as his daughter so it would be a good and satisfying union to the King. Besides, I informed the King that I would wed no other but you.

Her eyes turned wide in fright.

Cree laughed. Do not look so fearful, I have demanded things from the King before and have gotten them. He knows I serve him well and so he tolerates me or perhaps hes fearful of the infamous Cree as so many are.

Dawn laughed, though it was silent, it was obviously a hardy one.

Cree scowled. You are not fearful of me, lass?

It wasnt the scowl that made her shiver but the burning passion that suddenly ignited in his dark eyes and ignited her own budding passion.

He brushed his lips over hers. You are right to fear me, love, for I intend to stripe you bare and make endless love to you tonight.

She smiled and crossed her heart with one finger.

Yes, I promise that tonight we will love like never before.

Dawn shivered and laid her hand over heart, and then placed it on his heart holding it there so that he knew how very much she loved him. It didnt surprise her when he did the same, their gestures speaking louder than words.

He stood and eased her to her feet, his hands going to the ties of her blouse and as he untied each one he followed it with a kiss to her chest until the last one exposed her breasts and he nuzzled his face in between the two, soft mounds, then kissed the tops of each before bringing his mouth to hers to kiss and whispered, Im going to feast on every inch of you tonight.

Dawn shivered in anticipation and licked her lips to let him know she intended to do the same to him.

Damn, you grow me hard so fast that it hurts, he said and his hands moved to hurry to get her out of her clothes so that they could begin their feast.

A knock pounded at the door.

Damn, I thought once out of that cottage Id never suffer another interfering knock again.

Another rapid knock sounded.

This better be important or whoever stands outside my door will suffer my never-ending wrath, Cree yelled out.

The door opened and Sloan walked in. He stood staring at Cree speechless.

Dawn grabbed hold of Crees hand and squeezed.

Tell me, Cree ordered grateful that the woman he loved was standing next to him.