Dawn nodded. Lately, the villagers had been avoiding her more than usual and she noticed how they would turn away and whisper when they saw her. She had wondered what they were saying about her.
“Dorrie could not let anyone believe that Cree did not find her desirable and so she has been telling everyone that he has taken you as his mistress since you cannot speak, therefore you cannot reveal any of his plans or secrets.” Lila reached over and laid a gentle hand on her arm.
Dawn shook her head before Lila could ask her if it was true, though Lila did not smile at the news.
“You have not been assigned a chore like everyone else?”
Dawn shook her head, concern knotting her stomach.
Lila squeezed her hand. “I fear he intends to lay claim to you, to make you his mistress, for you to serve only him.”
Dawn pulled her hand away and shook her head while patting her chest letting Lila know that Cree did not want her.
“Then why has he not assigned you a chore? Everyone in the village has been assigned a chore, even Old Mary. You are the only one who has no chore. Haven’t you asked yourself why?”
Dawn raised her chin, shook her head, and tapped her chest with both hands.
Tears came to Lila’s eyes. “It is not true that no one wants you.”
Dawn nodded vigorously. It was true and Lila knew it. There were those who acknowledged her with a nod, but no one ever attempted to talk with her and mothers mostly kept their children away from her out of ignorance more than fear. And then there were those like Dorrie who belittled her every chance she got.
Dawn had enough talk of gossip particularly about her and so she smiled and rocked her arms as if holding a babe, wanting to hear about baby Thomas.
Lila’s face burst with a bright smile and for the next hour that was all they talked about. Lilia left in a hurry realizing that feeding time was near and insisting that Dawn come by and spend more time with Thomas. She had nodded in agreement and looked forward to it, though having held the babe and felt him cuddle close to her with such contentment had had her wishing that someday she would have children of her own. The one fear that she had, though had never expressed it, was that her child would be born voiceless like her. And that she would never inflict upon anyone.
She grabbed her cloak from the peg and decided a walk in the woods would serve her twofold. It would clear her thoughts while she foraged for wild onions to add to the soup she planned to make herself tonight.
After grabbing her basket she headed out the door going around back to enter the woods behind her cottage. She stopped to restack two logs that had slipped off her wood pile and realized that it would need replenishing soon, Paul having had always seen to it for her. She then gave a satisfied nod at her garden as she passed it, pleased with the work she had done there. It was in good shape thanks to the last couple of days with nothing to do, though she had been anything but idle.
She had harvested the last of the vegetables and herbs and had set them to drying and then she had turned the soil so it was ready for winter rest. Her hands held proof of her strenuous labor, blisters just beginning to heal.
Pleased that she had accomplished the chores she had set for herself, she hurried off eager to complete a new task and making certain to keep to herself, the reason she approached the woods from behind her cottage.
She had no want to be avoided or to hear whispers that were not truly whispers since most thought her deaf as well as dumb. She would go and enjoy her foraging and even thought to find the right twigs to begin fashioning a winter wreath for the door.
With a light heart and a determined step, she entered the woods.
~~~
Cree watched her every move from where he stood with Sloan on the small hilltop. The spot gave him a vast view of the fields and a good view of the village. Sloan and he had been discussing the expansion of the planting fields. He had wasted no time in seeing to improvements and expansions for the immediate future. There was much more to come but first he had to tend to present needs and that meant more food for his people.
Dawn had distracted him, her patchwork cloak catching his eye. It was threadbare and would do her no good this winter. And her wood stack was low, though her garden was well tended and prepared for winter.
“Have you assigned her a chore yet?” Sloan asked with a laughing grin.
“You know damn well I haven’t.”
“And why not?”
“Wipe that grin off your face or I’ll wipe it off for you,” Cree cautioned.
“A fight will not satisfy that burning need in you,” Sloan said completing ignoring the warning. “What you need is to sink yourself deep into a woman and not just once... and it appears not just any woman.”
“What do you mean?” Cree snapped.
“That was a buxom lass last night who served your meal and made it clear that she would be willing to serve you another way. Yet you ignored her even when she made certain to brush your face with her breast.”
“Enough,” Cree warned through gritted teeth.
“Enough is right,” Sloan said. “Go after her, sink yourself in her and if she pleases you make her your mistress until you tire of her. But do something before she robs you of your sanity.”
Sloan walked away as if Cree would pay heed to his words, but he stood there watching Dawn disappear into the woods. He had been busy these last few days, too busy to give Dawn a thought, though that was a lie. She had invaded his mind and his senses day and night. There was not a time he had not thought about her.
At first he told himself it was because she needed to be assigned a chore like everyone else, but the chore he had in mind only served to make his task more difficult. No matter how hard he tried he could not stop images of her naked beneath him from assaulting him. He could almost feel the way she would squeeze his arms, tighter and tighter, her body bucking against him as he drove into her and she exploding in a blinding climax just as he had that time in the shed... only this time he would be deep inside her.
The groan started deep in his chest and would have developed into a deep roar if he hadn’t curtailed it. He stood a minute more, and then with powerful strides he walked down the hill and into the woods.
~~~
Dawn felt more content than she had in days perhaps weeks even though the sky was overcast it did not dampen her spirit. Rarely, did she have a chance to explore the woods at leisure. There was always work to be done. Today was hers to enjoy, for she did not know what tomorrow would bring.
She had come upon an area where there were several small broken branches and twigs and pine cones that would make a splendid winter wreath. She began to fill the basket wishing she had had the sense to bring two; one for the twigs and one for the wild onions. She did not want the scent of onions greeting her every time she entered her cottage.
She paused at her task to listen; something had changed in the woods. It had turned silent. She stood straight and that was when she saw him, tall and unmoving, staring at her. The animals had scurried away sensing a predator had entered their home, but he was not there for them... he was there for her.
He kept his eyes riveted on her and even at this distance she could see that they steamed with lust. She did not know what to do. Running would do her little good and even if she could scream it would not matter no one would come to her aid. He was the lord of this land and no one would question his actions.
What choice did she have but to wait and let him come to her and take her or did she offer herself to him and fully taste what he had only given her a sample of?
Her answer came easily. She smiled, raised her arm, and held her hand out to him.
Chapter Seventeen
Cree stared for a moment wondering if she knew what she offered him or had she offered it feeling she had no other choice that it was inevitable and she could do nothing but accept it.
What did it matter? It only mattered that he would finally ease the unrelenting ache that t
ore at him. He walked over to her, his powerful and determined strides growing more eager with each step he took.
She stood her ground, though her legs trembled, her stomach grew anxious and she wondered if she had made the right choice. But she had made a choice and that was what was important. It had been her decision; she had made it for herself.
He reached out, his hand going around the back of her neck, his arm slipping around her waist and his lips descending on hers. It was not a gentle kiss; it was a hungry one. It did little to appease his appetite; it only made him hunger for more.
The power of his kiss overwhelmed Dawn. He feed on her with an urgency that intoxicated her senses. His lips pressed to hers in a way that demanded and provoked her to join him. And when his tongue surged into her mouth, her body bucked and he yanked her hard against him.
Her arms wrapped around him of their own accord, as if that was where they belonged. As soon as she did his one arm grew taut around her waist and in one swift lift her feet were off the ground and with his kiss growing ever stronger he walked them to a large oak tree. Her feet crunched on a bed of leaves as he lowered her down and pinned her back against the tree with his body.
He was hard and warm and smelled of fresh earth and pine and she drank in his scent, thirsty for it.
He ended the kiss abruptly and rested his brow to hers. “Bloody hell, what is it about you?”
His lips went to the crook of her neck and he kissed and nipped along it as his hand reached up and pushed the neckline of her blouse down to scoop up one breast and free it. His mouth went straight for the nipple, his tongue teasing the already tight bud until it was rock hard and then he took it in his mouth and suckled.
Dawn gripped his arms squeezing tight as a rash of tingles rushed through her to settle with a throb between her legs. He leaned his hips into her, his arousal settling hard against her, and she felt herself grow wet.
His hand slipped down and hoisted up her skirt and stopped suddenly when he realized she wore...
“No stockings.”
His growl reminded her of a primal beast and she startled when his fingers slipped between her legs.”
“Damn, you’re wet and ready for me.”
Ready for him? That surprised her. She would have never thought she would want to couple with the infamous Cree but at the moment she wanted it badly.
She dug her fingers into his arm when she felt him slip two fingers inside her and when his thumb began to rub her soft nub she pulsated with pleasure. Her hips began to move against the rhythm he set urging her to respond, to enjoy.
He ground his mouth against hers demanding a kiss and she gave it to him; her hunger as ravenous as his. She thought she would die when his fingers slipped out of her but then she felt his thick, hard shaft rub against her. And she never wanted anything more than at this moment to have him buried deep inside her.
He rubbed harder against her, his rhythm increasing and she squirmed trying to get him to enter her and end her torment. His hands quickly went to her backside and took firm hold. He plastered her against him increasing his rhythm and forcing her to join him.
He growled low in his chest, though she heard it clearly enough and she knew then that he had no intentions of coupling with her. He did not want to spill his seed in her and risk it taking root. Her pleasure faded quickly and was completely gone by the time she felt him burst against her.
Her hands slipped off his arms to rest at her sides and she turned her head away not wanting to look at him, just wanting him done and gone to leave her in peace, though she wondered if she would ever know peace with him as feudal lord.
He grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him. “Why? Why did you stop yourself from coming?”
Her eyes turned wide wondering how he could possibly know that she had not climaxed.
He scowled. “I can feel your passion for me; it burns hot inside you and I can feel when it cools and fades but... I do not know why it cooled and faded. Tell me.”
Dawn shook her head. She would not, could not tell him how she felt.
Anger rose in his dark eyes. “You will tell me.”
“Cree!”
Dawn was relieved to hear Sloan shout out for him, though he did not release her right away.
“You will answer me; I will see that you do.” He released her then and she watched him walk away to join Sloan who waited a distance away.
When they were both out of sight, she let herself crumple to the ground. Tears gathered in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. It would do her no good to feel sorry for herself. And why should she be upset that he hadn’t coupled with her? She still had that part of herself to give to someone, if by some chance, someday, someone fell in love with her.
Her mother had told her once that the heavens had made her special and that someday, someone special would come along and he would love all that was special about her. She had believed her mum when she was young, but as she grew older she realized that her mum had told her that to help ease the pain of being voiceless and unwanted.
At the moment she wanted desperately to be that young lass who believed every word her mum had told her. Someone special was waiting for her and someday someone would love her.
Dawn wiped the tears from her face and gathered her basket. She would return to her cottage and keep herself busy. Idle time did little good for anyone. She plucked a few wild onions on her way home and as she rounded her cottage, she stopped surprised by the flurry of activity around the keep.
A troop of Cree’s warriors were gathered in front of the keep, some of their horses prancing eager to make haste. Cree stepped out of the keep and Dawn felt her stomach quicken. Villagers stopped in their tracks to stare and gasps could be heard along with whispered mumblings. He was a sight to behold dressed all in black, his leather tunic studded with metal along the shoulder seams. Black leather cuffs were held in place at his wrists by crisscrossed leather strips. And his sword was sheathed at his back.
He looked ready for battle and without thought Dawn recited a silent prayer for his safety. He spoke for a moment to Sloan who nodded and then he mounted his horse and led his men out of the village, though...
Dawn could not believe that he stopped at her cottage and she clutched her basket tightly worried what he might say.
“Do not go into the woods until I return and give you permission.”
Dawn nodded and he rode off.
She did not have to look around to know that people were staring at her and so she hurried into her cottage away from curious eyes and gossiping tongues.
It was only a few minutes before the door opened and Lila to hurry in.
“What is this I hear?” Lila asked.
Dawn smiled and reached out for Thomas who went contentedly into her arms. She looked from the babe to Lila and back again.
“Do not think to distract me by asking about Thomas.” She beamed proudly. “He is doing wonderful and he barely fusses. He is such a good baby. And Paul has returned to the fields, though he tells me that he has been giving the task of helping to plan next year’s crop and he says it will be much larger with the fields being expanded.”
Dawn smiled seeing her friend happy and hearing the hope in her voice. Thomas gurgled at her and she caressed his soft cheek. His eyes lighted and he smiled. Her heart soared and she wished— oh how she wished—she would one day have children of her own. She feared though that her affliction would pass to one if not all her children and that would break her heart. She would not want one of her children to suffer as she had.
“Now back to my original question,” Lila said and Dawn knew she would not be able to avoid answering it this time. “Did Cree actually stop and order you not to go into the woods until he returns?”
Dawn nodded.
“He worries over you.”
Dawn frowned and shook her head.
“Yes, he does,” Lila argued. “Some of Colum’s men have been spotted a distance from here and ther
e is talk that Colum may be among them. That is where Cree goes now to find them. And he has not ordered anyone to stay out of the woods except you. As I said he worries for your safety.”
Dawn did not bother to shake her head again. Lila would continue to argue the point while she was trying to comprehend it.
“The women gossip,” Lila said and paused.
Dawn waited knowing that any time Lila hesitated to speak that she was about to deliver troubling news.
“They say that you are the devil’s mistress and that is why you do not have to toil as others do. Your chore is to please the devil and he wants nothing interfering with his pleasure.” Lila paused once again before asking, “Has he had his way with you again?”
What did she say to her friend? Did she let her go on thinking that Cree had taken her virginity or did she confide how their new feudal lord will not spill his seed inside her? The answer came easily. She was too embarrassed to let anyone know the truth... even her dearest friend.
Dawn nodded, for what did it matter? People would believe what they wanted to. The truth would be hers and hers alone.
Lila spoke low when she said, “You do realize that you could be with child already?”
Dawn glanced down at Thomas sleeping contentedly in her arms and her heart ached to know the pleasure of cradling her own child in her arms.
“You are like the sister I never had,” Lila said. “I am here for you no matter what happens.”
Dawn smiled and pressed a hand firmly to her chest.
Lila got teary-eyed. “I love you too.”
The subject was changed then, nothing more needing to be said, both women understanding the depths of their friendship. Lila moved from subject to subject being her talkative self. Dawn would interject with hand motions now and again or to answer a question.
Lila left a couple of hours later and Dawn got busy soaking the branches she had gathered in water so that they would soften enough to bend and fashion into a wreath. She refused to allow her thoughts to linger on Cree, though she did give thought to going to the keep tomorrow and seeing if she could be assigned a chore. Perhaps if she had a chore like everyone else people would cease to gossip about her.
Highlander Unchained (Highlander Trilogy 1) Page 13
