Sloan went to help Dawn but she was already several feet ahead of him and he ran to catch up with her. The woman certainly had courage. He had expected her to collapse at his feet crying when he saw her running toward him. That she had immediately let him know what had happened had surprised him and he admired her tenacity.
Once out of the woods they headed for the village. Clouds had blotted out the sun and looked as if they were there to stay. The once beautiful day was no more and Dawn suddenly felt the weight of the day upon her. Her pace slowed and her shoulders slumped and she wished she didn’t have to take another step. And she didn’t.
Everyone had stopped suddenly, and she followed suit looking to see what had halted them in their tracks.
Cree.
He had come over the rise, his men following behind him, though not able to keep pace with him. His beast of a stallion was fast and he rode hard. And Dawn wondered over his anxious return.
No one moved; they waited as their fearless leader approached with lightning speed. Sloan stepped forward as Cree brought the large animal to a halt in front of them. The black beast pawed the ground and snorted, as if annoyed that he’d been stopped.
“We caught the culprit,” Sloan said and two warriors pushed the man forward and down on his knees, then grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head back to look up at Cree.
“Take him to the stable area, secure him and post extra guards. The rest of you return to your duties,” Cree ordered and turned to Sloan. “Why is Dawn here and why does she have twigs and leaves all over her?”
Dawn had grown accustomed to people talking about her in front of her as if she wasn’t there, as if she could not hear them, as if she was incapable of participating in the conversation. This time, however, it annoyed her. Why had he not acknowledged her? Was this what she was to expect from him being his mistress? Would he only be courteous to her when they were alone and ignore her other times? And would he forever scowl at her?
She did not know what gave her the temerity to step forward, perhaps it had been all she had been through lately or perhaps she did not fear Cree the way she once did. Whatever the reason, the one small step was liberating.
She began gesturing with her hands, no doubt too fast for him to understand, but her intention was to show him that he was not the only one annoyed.
“Enough,” he warned frustrated. “I asked Sloan to explain, not you.”
Dawn slapped her chest several times and tapped her mouth repeatedly, then stamped her foot.”
“That I understood and I do not care if you want to speak for yourself. I asked Sloan to explain—”
Dawn shook her head and pointed to Sloan. How could he explain? It hadn’t happened to him; it had happened to her.
“Be quiet,” he snapped.
She caught her smile before it could surface. Never had she been told to be quiet and it thrilled her.
Sloan wisely spoke before Dawn could object. “Dawn had gone to collect heather and was abducted.”
“Tell me that her guard was killed trying to protect her because if he wasn’t, I’ll kill him myself.”
He wouldn’t, Dawn thought but the murderous look in his eyes told her otherwise.
Sloan shook his head. “She had no guard.”
That brought Cree off his horse to stand directly in front of Sloan. “You failed to carry out my orders?”
Dawn tapped Cree on the arm.
“Not now,” he snarled, his eyes fixed on Sloan.
This time she gave him a shove and it did the trick. He turned slowly to glare at her.
“Did you just shove me?”
She nodded, pointed at him, pointed at her ear, and then to herself.
“I should listen to you.”
She nodded.
“Is that an order?” he asked caustically.
She gave a sharp nod of command and Sloan laughed, unfortunately not soundlessly.
Cree turned on him. “I’m not finished with you.”
Sloan respectfully and wisely bowed his head.
Cree signaled to a warrior who stood nearby and Dawn realized that there were always warriors near Cree to do his bidding. He directed the man to take care of his horse, and then he grabbed Dawn’s hand and dragged her alongside him. Sloan followed.
Dawn didn’t have to be told where they were going. She knew he was taking her to Lila so that she could interpret. It annoyed her that he felt the need to do so. He had understood her gestures well enough and with time... perhaps he didn’t plan on spending that much time with her. And the thought saddened her, which troubled her all the more.
People were clustered in small groups as they passed through the village and one look from Cree had them scurrying off. Lila stood just outside her open door with baby Thomas cradled in her arms sound asleep. She stepped inside at their approach and once they entered Dawn yanked her arm free and started gesturing before Sloan even had a chance to close the door.