“I prefer the way you sleep at home—naked—but I will not allow that here. Not knowing how people are disappearing, I do not want to chance you needing to run from someone unexpectedly, but if such a situation was to rise, ah dinnae want you running around naked to escape someone.”
She laughed, a silent laugh, but Cree could feel it, and he loved feeling her body chuckle against his.
“We need to see this done fast, so we may hurry home to the twins and our own bed where I will have you naked again,” he said and nuzzled at her neck. Though silent, he could feel her satisfying, soft purr with the way she curled her shoulders, and his hand went to her backside to turn her to face him. “The journey here has kept me too long from being inside you,” he whispered.
She nodded, agreeing, and kissed him with an eagerness that poked his passion.
His fingers drifted between her legs, and she spread them enough to give him easy access.
He groaned near her ear. “You are so wet and ready for me.”
She nodded and hurried her hand down to his shaft, but he grabbed it, stopping her.
“It has been too long. I will burst too soon,” he warned.
She patted her chest letting him know she felt the same, annoyed with herself for falling asleep last night while she waited for him. Naturally, he did not wake her, which annoyed her all the more, for she had been eager to make love with him and she was even more so now.
“It will be a quick one then until we can linger later tonight.”
She nodded again, turning on her back and Cree rising over her.
The pounding on the door had Cree releasing several oaths.
“Lord Newlin asks for your immediate presence, Lord Cree. A man has been found dead in the woods.”
“I will be right there,” Cree called out.
“I will convey your response, my lord,” the servant called back, and footfalls were heard rushing off.
Dawn frowned and shook her head.
“I agree, such disturbing news cools ardor rapidly,” Cree said, and Dawn nodded.
Dawn followed her husband out of bed and got busy dressing.
“You want to come and see for yourself, don’t you?” Cree said, wrapping his plaid around his shirt he had slipped on.
She nodded vigorously, donning her tunic over her soft wool underdress, slipping on her stockings, and hurrying into her boots. With a quick splash of chilly water to her face from the bucket near the hearth that had done little to heat the water and a rush of her fingers through her long auburn hair before quickly braiding it, she was all set and eager to go.
Beast felt the same, pacing in front of the door.
“You will do as I say,” Cree ordered, and she nodded. “I mean it, Dawn.” She nodded again and he shook his head as he opened the door.
The Great Hall was abuzz with whispers when they entered. Dawn saw that most of the servants had a sprig of mugwort tucked somewhere on them, though she was surprised to see how all eyes followed her husband as if they looked upon him as their savior who would deliver them from evil.
Lord Newlin hurried to him. “Tavia will be here soon to sit with your wife while we go into the woods.”
“Dawn will be joining us,” Cree said.
Lord Newlin’s head drew back in shock. “It is not a pleasant scene, Lord Cree.”
“We leave now,” Cree ordered, offering no explanation.
“As you wish,” Lord Newlin acknowledged.
Beast took off once outside but caught up with them after they entered the woods, keeping close to Dawn’s side as if he sensed danger.
The snow had stopped, leaving a few inches and covering any chance of finding tracks or anything that might help. Cree kept a firm hold on his wife’s arm as they made their way through the woods, taking no chance of her falling.
Henry, the tracker, had been sent ahead to see if he could find anything, though between the snow and the tracks left by the warriors who had come upon the dead man, it was doubtful anything would be found.
Lord Newlin stopped a short distance from the body. “Are you sure you want your wife to see this?”
Cree took no offense to Newlin asking out of concern for his wife, though was blunt in his response. “We are wasting time, Newlin.”
“Aye, Lord Cree,” Lord Newlin said and led them to the body.
Dawn did not let her husband know that her stomach roiled when she looked down and saw that the man had a gaping hole in his chest. Someone had cut out his heart.
“No one recognizes this man, a lone traveler no doubt,” Lord Newlin said and shook a fisted hand. “But I know who did this… the demon. He ripped out the poor fellow’s heart and probably ate it.”