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 she’d 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. “I’ll get no rest unless you’re 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 I’ve 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 didn’t 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.