“Two Moons, we need to talk.”
“There is a sadness in your eyes. From where does this pain come?”
“I…” She hesitated, drew in a deep breath then exhaled rapidly. “There is something you need to know. Something about me, I've failed to mention.”
He studied her for a moment, shook out the blanket he held then wrapped it around both their shoulders. “Talk is good. We will share this blanket and talk.”
She had seen men and women around the camp standing huddled together under their “talking blankets.” A form of courtship and a means in which to escape from the eyes of all those around them, this was their way of having a little privacy; something this village sorely lacked.
A magical moment meant to talk of love and of dreams to be shared, her words might surprise him, but it was time.
“I don't know where to start.”
“All that is around us has a beginning.” He held her hand in his and stared deeply. “Your words will not change what I feel in here.” He placed her hand against his heart.
Biting her lip, she lowered her gaze.
“Nothing,” he empathized. “There is nothing that can change my love. Look at me and tell me.”
Concern creased his brow. The truth of his words settled over her. “I-I come from a very far away place-”
“If you miss your home, I will take you there.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You can't. It is not of this world.”
The lines of concentration deepened along his brows and under his eyes as he studied her quietly. Then he smiled. “Your words do not surprise me. The Great Spirit sent you to me. I saw your coming. You are the woman who fell from the sky. My winyan wangai, woman of my visions.”
“You saw me in a vision?” He thought she was his vision woman? That’s why he held her hair in his medicine bag, as a medicine charm. A couple of times she’d been tempted to ask him about the significance of the items in his bag, but then he’d know she’d looked inside. And that would be as bad as reading someone’s diary.
“Yes. I have seen you.” He rested his forehead against her. He breathed evenly against her face. Then he drew back and ran gentle fingers against her cheek. “I have been waiting many moons for you. You are my chosen one. I have been a fool not to have seen this before. I saw your coming, but until I saw the gold around your neck, I did not know.”
“Why didn't you say something? You saw that locket, two days ago. Why didn't you tell me then?”
He smiled a lazy grin. “It was not talk I had on my mind then.” He nuzzled her neck with his face, then nibbled on her ear.
“Two Moons stop.” She crunched her shoulder up, then edged herself away. “Not now. We need-”
He straightened. “Fine. Speak.”
“What else have you seen in your visions?”
“I saw a man with hair the color of the sun, but he is not the one called Yellow Hair. I have seen him often this man of my visions. I think his thoughts. I feel what he feels. It is through his eyes I see. We are one and the same. This I know; the spirits have shown me.”
A moment’s silence lingered between them.
“What name do your people call you by?”
“Gabrielle.”
Two Moons grunted. “I shall always call you Blue Eyes.”
****
“What do you mean you are the same?” Blue Eyes frowned. “Who is this man? Is he here among us?”
“No. He is not of my world. He is a man who sees the world through a hole in a small black box. He is a man who makes the papers talk.”
Two Moons saw the cloud of confusion veil her face.
He ran a gentle finger across her brow. “Your mind is heavy with concern. I am sorry.”
“No. I'm fine. I-I just don't understand.”
“Many of my people believe as I, that one may be born more than once.
He brought his medicine bag away from his neck and showed her the two crescent moons beaded into the leather. “Although this man and I do not share the same face, he wears my totem and shares my heart.”
“But what does all this mean. Why am I here? What's the purpose?”
“I do not have all the answers. We must be patient, the spirits will tell us when they wish.” He nodded. “Now it is your turn to speak what is in your heart. You spoke of a battle that is to come. Tell me of this.”
She looked hesitant.
He wondered what she was afraid to tell him.
She took a deep breath. “I too have seen a vision. I know that in a few days your people will fight with Sitting Bull against General Custer and his army. Many will die, including my father. I have seen this, it is from my world, the future of which I speak. I know I cannot stop this battle, but I beg you to talk to your people. Do not follow Sitting Bull. Perhaps you can spare the lives of those you love so dearly.”
“Do you think me a coward that I would hide from a fight?”
“No, but fighting does not always mean you will be victorious. To be able to talk and understand other people, is the only way to win. By learning their ways and beliefs, like I have tried to learn yours, that is the only way to victory.”
He rubbed his chin, thought a moment. Perhaps he, too, was to die. Perhaps his family...
“Who will live and who will die?”
She shook her head. “I don't know, but more soldiers will die.”
“Good. Then if I should walk the path to the land above, I will be happy. It will be a good day to die.”
A tear sprang to her eye and twisted, deeply in his gut. He reached over to wipe it away.
“Do not lay your heart on the ground for me. This is a good thing. It is an honor to die among those who fight against evil. It is the only way to die. That is the way a warrior gains even stronger medicine for his next life. It is the way I shall die.”
“Two Moons please don't talk about death.” Her tears began to fall like the rains from above. Each drop running down her cheek was like a knife cutting into his flesh. “I don't want you to leave me alone. They all leave, don't you see? They all leave.”
He brought her head to his chest and wrapped his arms around her, cradling her body to his in comfort. “Shh-I will not leave you,” he whispered against her ear.
“I will never leave you,” he promised.
“But I was torn from my world without any notice. How do I know it won't happen here?”
“We cannot change the sunset. We cannot change a vision or the path chosen for us. The Great Spirit says this is so. If you must walk the pathway to the skies from which you came, you will but have to look into the eyes of the one with the yellow hair and you will see me there.” He kissed the top of her head. “Know this to be true. I will be with you until forever.”
****
They reached the Little Big Horn River-or as Two Moons and his people called it, the Greasy Grass-when the sun was high in the sky.
Gabrielle, her mind, congested with thoughts and unanswered questions, walked back and forth like a zombie, from the river with the rest of the women as they hauled the leather sacks back and forth to camp.
How could Custer have missed all this commotion? It just seemed impossible to miss the hundreds of tanned buffalo-hide tepees pitched in seven huge circles, each section over a half a mile in diameter.
She glanced around at the vast open plains that stretched for miles and miles all around her. This was where it had all started. She'd completed the circle. Was this where it would end? White Swan died here. Would she? Had her presence changed anything? If it had and she lived the rest of her days as White Swan, what would happen to Gabrielle? She didn't want to die, but she didn't want to never exist. It was all so very bizarre. And still the question haunted her as to why she was sent here in the first place.
“You are here because of them.” Gentle Fawn walked up beside her.
“Who?”
“My brother and the man with the yellow hair.”
Stunned, Ga
brielle stared, speechless. Was she some kind of psychic mind reader?
“You passed him by many times, but it is here that you will find him.” Like a small child, her voice was light and playful. “I have seen him many times,” she teased. She shook her head. “You never gave him a chance.”
Who was she talking about? It couldn't be Two Moons, so who? Roy? She'd never found the time for him, though there was some kind of spark between. A heaviness centered in her chest, aching like an old wound on a rainy day.
“You will know him when you see him.” With a twist of her head, Gentle Fawn walked away as if the conversation between them was over. Gabrielle stared after her, open-mouthed.
“I have been looking for you.” Two Moons strolled over and grabbed her hand. “Your work is finished here, for I believe I could use your assistance elsewhere.” His deep, smooth voice blew warmly against her ear. “And I believe you will find your new task more to your liking.”
Chapter Nineteen
The love shining in her eyes sent joy to Two Moon’s heart. “Come with me.”
Blue Eyes slipped her warm fingers into his outstretched ones and they walked passed a group of women making their way to the outskirts of the village to dig up turnips.
As Anpo Wie drank at the river's edge, they rubbed the animal down splashing water both on the horse and onto themselves. Blue Eyes' laughter like the sun dancing off the sparkling surface, filled him with warmth.
He grabbed her hands and pulled her to his chest. “I am hot and in need of some relief.” Slowly, seductively, his gaze traveled over her face searing every feature to his heart and soul. Her face, he would see forever in every dream, in every sunrise and sunset.
“Maybe you should go for a swim and let the water cool you off.”
Like a feather, her lips brushed his ear. He grinned. “The fire that burns is not of my skin, but beneath it.”
She pressed her body closer to meet his lips as he brought his mouth down upon hers. Hungrily he drank in her sweetness like a man whose parched soul had at last found quenching nourishment. He kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her neck. He heard her moan. As he aroused her passion, so his grew with every touch, every kiss, every quivering breath between parted lips.
Gently she pushed herself away. “I think…” She undid the beaded rope around her waist and let it drop to the ground. “We both need to cool down.”
He watched as she slowly pulled the white leather sheath from her body and stood before him naked. Then she reached to his breechclout and untied the string. Silently it fell at his feet. His heart thundered in his ears. Blood shot to his groin like a flaming arrow. He reached for her and she grabbed his hands pulling him after her.
The cool water swirled around his knees. She released her hold and he watched her dive beneath the surface. Quickly he dove after her. He could see her swimming before him. He kicked his feet, hurrying to her side. As he resurfaced, water splashed his face. She laughed.
He splashed her back. Again she dove beneath the water. Again he followed her. Reaching out, he caught her arm. She wiggled like a fighting fish. Together they broke through the water to catch their breath. He grasped her tightly under her arms. Sparkling blue eyes held his before her lashes lowered and she dropped her head back. Water glistened on her skin. Droplets traveled down between her firm breasts to taste the sweetness of her golden aroused tips.
He felt himself growing thick and hard beneath the water, felt his need for her squeezing. A mounting tightness of desire consumed him. He lifted her closer, sliding her down against him, skin to skin, wetness to wetness. Trailing kisses up and down her taut, warm neck, she shivered. And the air, water, sun and space around him seemed to come together, as Mother Earth reached out embracing them in her open arms.
****
She heard herself groan as he entered her, felt the cool water rushing between their legs as their bodies slapped together. Calloused strong hands slid across her buttocks, squeezing, pumping, urging her closer, inviting her to open herself to him, to welcome his jutting hardness into her throbbing, moist folds. Her mind and body seemed consumed by the blazing sun, and the heat of his skin pressing up against hers.
Abruptly he withdrew from her and ducked beneath the water. Probing fingers sought that from which only moments ago had been filled with his thickness. She gasped at the feel of his tongue darting in and around, teasingly. With parted legs, she dug her heels into the river's soft bottom and tried to hold her balance as her knees shook and her body trembled. She closed her eyes. His lips slid up her belly. His hands teased and explored. Just when she wondered how long he could hold his breath, he resurfaced only to plant more intoxicating kisses upon her skin.
Strong arms scooped her off her feet; and she watched the riverbank grow closer as he carried her from the water.
He lay her down upon the soft grass, then stretched out beside her. His exploring hand traveled over her thigh, skimming its way inward to seek that part of her pulsating moistness. She gasped in sweet ecstasy. Feather-light kisses along her neck, her face, her eyes, sent tingling waves through her entire body. He shifted his position. Chest to chest, she could feel his aroused shaft against her inner thighs. His eyes gazed down at her, burning with desire. Then, ever so slowly he eased himself lower.
And there under the branches of a big cottonwood tree their bodies intertwining, they became one, to the melodious chirping of the birds above and the soothing gurgle of the swift flowing river.
In the afterglow of their lovemaking they lay in peaceful contentment. Gabrielle, cradled in Two Moons’ arms, stared up at the blue sky. She dreamed of staying here forever, loving this man forever. Two Moons fingered a lock of her hair between his fingers and chewed on a blade of sweet grass.
An explosion of gunfire shattered the serenity.
Startled, they jerked themselves up to a sitting position and glanced around, confused.
In the distance a big dust cloud rose to the sky. Galloping across the river, a warrior on horseback rode with urgency toward them. “Oka hey! Oka hey! The chargers are coming. Nutskaveho! The white soldiers come!”
Two Moons grabbed his breechclout. Gabrielle reached for her dress. As they struggled with tense and hurried fingers back into their clothing, the warrior plunged through the river without paying them any notice and continued on his mission of warning. More shots pierced the air. Panicked voices roared, echoed with the booming guns.
“Hurry.” Two Moons grabbed her hand. They dashed to his horse. With one swift leap he was on Anpo Wie's back. Two Moons snatched Gabrielle up, then pivoted his mount around. At a full gallop they charged back to his village.
Chaos and confusion met her every glance. Old men shouted advice at the top of their lungs.
Women with no time to strike down their lodges ran in and out trying to gather their belongings. Younger men grabbed their rifles, bows and stone-headed clubs.
Two Moons jumped down off his horse, then reached up to catch her. “You must go with the other women. Gather the children and head for the hills.”
His gait swift, his word’s rapid, she could barely keep up with him. “No. I won’t leave you.” She grabbed his arm.
Men, women and children tore past her, some on horseback, some on foot. An old woman knocked into Gabrielle's side as she stumbled past them.
Two Moons reached over and caught her. “Do not fight me on this.”
“Two Moons please-”
Stray horses ran wildly about them. Dust flew into her face, stinging her eyes. Children screamed. Dogs scurried around getting in the way of the rushing hordes.
“I must see to my mother and sister.” Two Moons’ fingers bit into her wrist as he dragged her with him. “You must go with them.”
Suddenly he stopped short. Gabrielle nearly tripped over her own feet. She glanced up. Her gaze darted around searching for the reason why they had stopped so abruptly.
Between the stumbling old men and women who barely hobbled a
way, between the screams of anguished mothers searching for their loved ones, between the roar of gunfire, a young girl trembled-frozen to her spot, clutching a blanket over her head.
Gabrielle jerked her gaze to Two Moons. The expression of torment etched in his face tore through her heart as she realized, that in that little child, he saw himself.
Simultaneously, they jolted forward. Two Moons reached the child first. With one arm he jerked her off her feet. She struggled against him, kicking and wiggling. Gabrielle, realizing the reason for the child's fear, pulled the blanket off the little girl's head, so she could see that it was Two Moons' strong arms that held her safe.
Battle cries echoed through the camp. Roaring gunfire grew louder. Hell nipped at her feet as they ran to the edge of the village. She glanced to Two Moons. Silent remorse, dark and vivid, hovered in his hawk-like eyes and she felt his self-condemnation. She knew his torment.
“Give her to me,” Gabrielle ordered above the deafening firecracker blasts and clamoring roar. Without stopping she drove her hands under the child's body and wrenched her from Two Moons' arms. “Go back for your family. We will be safe.”
He hesitated a moment, studying her face, then nodded, swung on his heels and headed back to the village.
Ducking and dodging, Gabrielle made her way past warriors who leapt onto their skittish mounts as women waving shawls and sticks tried to keep the terrified horses close enough for their men to catch. A clod of dirt hit her arm; one slapped her calf. She ran past a group of women hurling clumps of earth at the charging animals. She bolted up a hill, scurried down the other side and dashed toward a clump of trees where the others hid.
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