She smiled and her hand slipped down and under his tunic to squeeze the hard length of him.
He gave a brief, rough laugh and rested his brow to hers. “I love when you speak to me so clearly.” And he titled his head to kiss her again when an arrow sped past just missing the top of Dawn’s head.
Chapter Twenty-six
It took all but a second for Cree’s arm to go around her waist, shove her to the ground and shield her body with his. A second arrow grazed his leather tunic at the shoulder and he let out a blood-curdling roar.
His men arrived in a flash and before they could surround him he yelled, “Two stay and the others go find the bastard!”
Cree was furious. His heart pounded in his chest and every muscle in his body turned rigid with anger. He silently berated himself for not having a larger contingent of warriors with him and he was even more of a fool for walking off with Dawn alone when danger still existed. Until the culprit could be found he intended to see her well-guarded and that damn window boarded.
He moved off her and asked, “Are you all right?” he didn’t need an answer, she had lost all color in her face and she shivered slightly. He was about to take her in his arms when an all clear signal sounded from one of his men.
He reached out and with his hands around her waist eased her to stand along with him. He kept his arm firmly around her, not trusting her to stand on her own. All but two men returned and the news did not please him.
One of the warriors informed him that they had picked up a trail and that two of the men were following it, though it did appear as if the archer was headed back toward Dowell.
“We return now,” Cree ordered and with his arm remaining firm around Dawn, he hurried her to his horse.
In minutes they were on their way, Dawn once again sitting across the front of his lap as he sped through the countryside. He wanted back to the village where he could keep her safe and then...
The person responsible for this would live only long enough to tell him what he needed to know, and then he’d beg to die. And Cree would be the one to deliver the final blow.
Dawn kept her head tucked in the crook of his arm and her face pressed firmly against his chest. She couldn’t stop shivering. It wasn’t that she was cold, it was more from fear. Had someone truly targeted her for death? And if so why?
She didn’t have time to ponder. They were entering the village at a good speed and villagers were rushing out of their way, their eyes wide with curiosity and fear. She had expected Cree to deposit her at her cottage, but instead he scooped her off the stallion after dismounting and with a firm grip on her arm hurried her into the keep and to the Great Hall.
He shouted for Sloan and a couple of servants rushed off no doubt to find him. He all but shoved her to take a seat on a bench at a table close to the large hearth. He then yelled for hot cider and a flush of servants appeared not only with pitchers of hot cider but platters of food.
William wandered in appearing as pale as Dawn along with several warriors while more warriors followed behind. William took a seat across from Dawn and with shaking hands accepted a tankard from one of the servants.
Dawn cupped a tankard in her hands but she had yet to drink.
Cree leaned down in her face and ordered, “You’re chilled, drink.”
His dark eyes flamed with such fury that she immediately obeyed as did William, though Cree’s edict had not been directed at him.
When she finished taking a swallow Cree leaned down in her face again. “You will stay here. You will not move until I come for you. Understand?”
Dawn nodded, his eyes so feral with fury that he actually frightened her. And at that moment she wondered if perhaps he didn’t have a heart after all. She was relieved when he walked away to talk with his men. It was as if she could finally breathe again.
“That was a frightening ordeal,” William said in a near whisper.
She nodded, the hot cider finally chasing away her chill or perhaps it was her fear dissipating. Whatever the reason she was feeling comfortably warm and let her cloak fall off her shoulders, though she kept it tucked around her waist and over her legs that still trembled a bit.
“Have you always liked to draw?” William asked.
Dawn’s face lit with a smile and she nodded.
William smiled as well. “It is a God-given talent you have.”
She placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head briefly, thanking him.
“You are most welcome,” he said understanding her and then lowered his voice. “I will make certain that I bring you some drawing tools. Your talent is too amazing to waste.”
It was thoughtful of him, and so few people were thoughtful of her, that she wished to show her appreciation. So she reached out and gave his arm a squeeze.