Dawn pointed to the chair across from her, tapped her mouth, and then waved her hand and Flanna understood that she wanted her to sit and tell her more and she obliged.

There is talk that Rem, the culprit who saved your life, had told Cree that the attempts on your life would not stop until you were dead. And it puzzles him as it does many as to why someone wants you dead.

Dawn tapped her chest.

Of course it puzzles you as well since it makes no sense at all. No one wishes you ill will, except... Flanna frowned and shook her head. The soon-to-be lady of the keep is one to watch out for, a nasty one she is, barely a day here and she has already raised her hand to her one servant several times. And such a lovely lass Bree is, with bright curly red hair and a pleasant smile for all. I feel sorry for her other servant Magda. The poor womans hands are gnarled from years of stitching and must certainly pain her, yet Lucerne has her busy stitching away day and night. The woman has enough garments to last her forever. The servants worry that she will do the same to them, work them until theyre gnarled with pain, once she weds Cree and takes over the running of the keep. She smiled. Though there was an incident between Turbett and Lucerne and Cree has forbidden Lucerne to enter the kitchen and he has given me orders to remind her if necessary. He also told me to report any problems concerning Lucerne to him.

She shook her head again. I digress. We were discussing the attacks, which started before Lucerne arrived and she has yet to learn, "Flanna paused" your status in the village. And she wont be hearing it from any of my servants, I can tell you that. I warned every one of them that theyd answer to me if their tongues wagged.

Dawn placed a hand to her chest and nodded her thanks, then tapped her finger to her temple.

You have a thought, Flanna confirmed.

She gestured with her hands as if two mouths talked and then tapped her brow.

We can learn from wagging tongues.

Dawn nodded, patted her chest, and tapped her brow.

Flanna leaned closer. You want to learn whats going on.

Dawn nodded, pointed to Flanna and then to herself.

Of course, Ill help you. If it wasnt for you I would still be putting up with that bear of a man, Turbett. She smiled. Once I became his equal and he could no longer dictate to me in the kitchen he changed. She sighed. Or perhaps I changed and realized that his constant badgering had been his inability to show that he favored me.

Dawn patted her chest rapidly and smiled.

You are happy for me. Flanna sniffled back a tear. I am grateful to you. You have been a good friend and I will help you all I can.

Dawn pointed to her ear.

You want me to listen, Flanna nodded. A good tactic since most nobility think servants hear nothing, though Cree is more cautious, lowering his voice when a servant drifts near. I have noticed that recently Cree and Sloan often seek the privacy of his solar and it makes me wonder if plans are being made.

A questioning gesture from Dawn had Flanna responding.

Plans for what I dont know, though I will do my best to find out.

Dawn pointed to her and back to herself, and then locked her hands tight.

I will tell no one about what weve discussed. It will be our secret.

For a moment Dawn wondered if she was being fair to Flanna. If Cree discovered that the woman helped her she would certainly suffer for it.

I see the worry in your eyes, but what is it that I truly do? Flanna said with a shrug. I listen and gossip. It is what everyone does.

Dawn smiled and nodded. Flanna would prove a good ally and not only for this matter. Already she had learned from Flanna, without asking, that Lucerne had the habit of striking her servant, which told Dawn that the woman cared little for those beneath her.

I have to go and tend to my duties, Flanna said standing. I will see what I can learn and return with your evening meal and hopefully some useful information.

Dawn pressed her hand to her chest.

No need to thank me; I look forward to the challenge. Flanna smiled and hurried out the door.

Dawn decided to busy herself with adjusting one of the gowns in the chest. It required only a few tucks here and there and she would leave it loose so that it would eventually hide her rounding stomach. And with her hands busy her mind would idle. She could use the rest from the constant worry of late.

She gathered what she needed and sat on a chair by the fire to spend the afternoon stitching and waiting for night and Cree to visit and for them to talk.

The hour grew late and Dawn was brought no meal and she wondered what was amiss. Flanna had said shed return and if for some reason she wasnt able to she would have made certain that someone brought her meal. She could very well cook herself but after having a taste of Turbetts delicious fare, she much preferred it to her own.

Dawn had given Cree her word that she would not leave the cottage or she would have walked to the kitchen to see if there had been a problem and fetched food herself. She would have also liked to see how Neil was doing. She understood that Cree worried for her safety but she could not remain confined; she needed to be free.

There was a stirring outside the cottage door, then a rap upon it before it swung open to admit Dorrie, a basket on her arm.

I am sorry that your meal is late but there has been a terrible mishap at the keep, Dorrie said hurrying to spread out the food on the table. Cree took ill during the meal and took to his bed chamber. Elsa is with him now. Lucerne carried on endlessly that it was the cooks fault and that the fool had poisoned Cree.

Dawns heart hammered in her chest. She grabbed Dorries arm needing to know how Cree was and yet her hands trembled so much that she feared Dorrie would not understand her gestures.

Dorrie patted her hand. Cree is doing well. From what I hear Elsa purged his stomach and he is now resting, though not before he spoke to Turbett. I dont know what was discussed, though I do know that when Turbett returned to the kitchen he got busy preparing a special meal for you. He would not let anyone touch the food and chose me to bring it here since Flanna was busy.

Dawn wanted desperately to run to Crees side and see for herself that he was all right, but she couldnt. And it angered her. She should be there for him as he was for her this morning when she had retched.

I have to hurry, Dorrie said. Turbett has us busy discarding the old meal and preparing a new one. She turned to go, then stopped, and lowered her voice. I thought you should know that they caught another warrior who meant you harm. Talk is that he died before telling them anything. A brave one he must have been to suffer such torture and not confess.

Dawn paced the room after Dorrie left. Worry and anger churned in her. She did not know how she would be able to live this way, being part of Crees life and yet not being part of it. She so badly wanted to be by his side, be there for him whenever he needed tending or caring.

She would get no rest this night. She would worry until he came to her and she could see for herself that he was all right. This would not do, not do at all. If Dorrie hadnt brought her meal she would not have known that Cree had taken ill. And then there was Neil; she had yet to hear if he was doing well.

Anger spewed up inside her and she wanted to scream with frustration but she couldnt even do that. This day had taught her one thing and given her more determination than ever... she would be a prisoner no more. She did not care if someone was out to harm her. She would not hide away. Tomorrow she would visit with Elsa and see what she could learn about Cree, she would visit Lila and then Flanna and she would stop at the kitchen and thank Turbett for the meals he sends her. She would make her presence known in the village and to hell with the consequences.

She dropped down in the chair her anger suddenly spent and worry consuming her. A tear spilled form her eye and she wiped it away. Elsa would take good care of Cree; he would be fine. He would return to her soon and she would see for herself.

Dawn got up and paced again and that was how she spent the next few hours pacing, sitting and thinking, and pacing again. Her worry would surge and then be replaced by anger and then shed shed a tear or two in frustration.

No one came to take the food away which worried her all the more. Could Cree have worsened? Or perhaps the kitchen servants were being punished. But why? What had caused Cree to take ill? And why were others not ill as well if it was the food? And why had Turbett prepared a fresh meal for her after speaking with Cree? Did he fear someone might try and poison her? So many questions and not a single answer.

Finally, after endless hours Dawn collapsed on the chair to pace no more. Anxiety and anger had exhausted her, though it was feeling so helpless that brought her the most concern. She could do nothing to help Cree and that was something she found the most difficult to deal with.

When the door opened slowly, she jumped up hoping Flanna had managed to get away and let her know what was happening. Her eyes rounded when Cree stepped into the cottage. He looked pale and tired, though his stance was as imposing as ever.

She flew to his side and threw her arms around him. He hugged her tightly and rested his cheek to hers. She felt his exhaustion and was quick to react. She kept an arm around his waist and walked him to the other room where she quickly began to undress him.

I am not feeling too well, he said.

She nodded and gestured that he needed to rest.

He reached out to run his hand gently down the side of her face. Ill get no rest unless youre in my arms.

He had come to her in need, wanting her in his arms so that he could rest, for it seemed he could not do so without her. Her heart soared for surely it was a sign that he loved her.

You will not leave my side.

It was meant as an order and yet it sounded more like a plea to Dawn and she tapped his arm once. She then finished undressing him and pulled the blankets back for him to climb in bed.

He stopped her from covering him. I want you beside.

She nodded and pointed to her garments to let him know as soon as she undressed she would join him.

Still he would not let her cover him. Hurry, for I will not seek any warmth until you are beside me.

Stubborn, she thought, though it did please her to know how much he wanted her in bed with him. She rushed out of her clothes and slipped into bed curling herself around him. Only then did he pull the covers over them.

His arms went around her drawing her tightly against him and draping his one leg over hers. This is what Ive needed. Now I will heal.

My love will heal you; it will always heal you, Dawn thought and wished with all her heart that she could speak those words to him. She let him know the only way she could that she loved him. She squeezed her hand between their chests, pressed it to her heart and then to his.

Cree was already half asleep when he whispered, You belong to me.

Dawn nestled her head against his bare chest wondering if that was the only way he could let her know that he loved her.

Chapter Six.

Dawn woke early the next morning with Cree still wrapped around her. His breathing was steady and his body warm, though thankfully not feverish. It was good he still slept, rest would help heal him. And she intended to see that no one disturbed him. She would chase away anyone who came searching for him, no matter who it was.

Cree didnt budge when she eased herself out of his arms and out of bed. She slipped on a wool skirt and linen blouse and used the plain bone comb Paul had made for her years ago to get the tangles out of her hair, then she used a slim strip of leather to tie her long dark red hair back. Her hair was straight, not a curl or wave to it, though it was soft and had the loveliest shine to it.

She quietly left the room and being it was so early, and not knowing if food would be sent to her this morning, she decided to make sure she had food for her and Cree when he woke. She grabbed a bucket and went to the door.

Elwin, the warrior who first guarded her, stepped in front of the door as soon as she opened it. Youre not to be going anywhere, he said. And Cree ordered that no one was to enter until he permitted it.

That brought a smile to her face and she held the empty bucket up.

Elwin smiled and nodded, filled the bucket from the rain barrel, and returned it to Dawn. She was pleased to learn that Cree thought the same as she did and had ordered that no one was to disturb them. She had him all to herself, if only for a while.

She got busy setting leaves to brewing for a tasty drink she and her mum used to enjoy on cold days. She also had enough oats and barley to make porridge and to make bread, though it would not be as tasty as Turbetts. It would however fill them.

It felt good to prepare her own meal again and this time it was not for her alone, which made the task that more pleasant.

She had just taken the last of the bread loaves she had made off the hearth stone when she heard...

Dawn?

She hurried into the other room to find Cree, cover pushed back and ready to come find her. And ready for much more since he was as hard as stone. She rushed over to him and pushed him down on the bed, pulling the covers over him to his waist with her eyes focused above his hard chest... hard... damn but he was hard for her.

You left me, he said upset.

She shook her head and sat on the bed beside him. She pushed her eyes wide and then gestured holding a bowl and stirring and pointed to him and then herself.

He smiled. Youre cooking for us.

She nodded, then patted her stomach and pointed to him.

Im feeling better, though Id feel much better if you crawled in beside me and kept me warm.

Dawn was ever so tempted, but he needed his rest and she was curious as to what happened that had caused him to fall ill. She pointed at him, shrugged, and narrowed her eyes.

A bit of bad food I suppose, he said and stretched his hand out to her.

She shook her head not believing that.

Do not worry about it; I am fine. Now get in this bed.

She shook her head adamantly and placed her hands on her hips.

Youre going to be stubborn about this, arent you?

She gave a sharp nod.

My stomach soured, there is nothing more to it, he insisted. Now come over here.

She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes.

Youre going to make me come get you? he asked with a grin that warned and tempted.

She pointed at him, her stomach, the bed, and then stepped back.

I am well enough. I dont require anymore rest and did you just back away from me?

She wanted nothing more than to crawl in bed with him and make love. The sight of his naked chest thick with muscles and the size of his organ thick and hard had made her wet and turned her legs limp, not to mention what it did to her resolve to see that he rested.

She had to remain strong and see that he healed and so with her chin set firm, she took another step back.

Oh, my love, youre going to pay for that. He grinned and jumped out of bed.

She was so shocked that he called her my love that she failed to react and she was even more shocked that he had loosened her skirt and pushed it to the ground. Her mouth dropped open.

He pressed a finger to it. Not a word.

He startled her again by speaking to her as if she had a voice, though she should be used to it by now, he had done it so often. And again he distracted her so that her blouse was dismissed without a thought.