“I will know the truth, and so will Panther. That is all that matters.”
Black Kettle nodded. “I am convinced that you do not sympathize with her just because she is white. Ugly Otter is criticized by many for the way he treats even his sons and horses. I will see what I can do.”
“Thank you, Father. I would not ask it of you, but I know Ugly Otter would not sell her to Panther or to me. You are his chief, and if he does not know you intend to give her to me, he might let you have her.”
“Knowing Ugly Otter, he will want someone to replace her. Buffalo Crass just gifted me with a young Ute girl he captured. Perhaps he will take her in trade.”
“I do not envy the Ute, but perhaps she can withstand Ugly Otter’s brutality better than Melissa. Ugly Otter will kill Melissa soon if she stays with him.”
It took three days for the wedding preparations to be completed. During that time, Tanya kept busy in the fields and preparing foodstuffs for winter.
On the day of her wedding, the women of the tribe took charge of Tanya. They took her to the river and scrubbed her skin and hair until they tingled, joking and giggling all the while. They dried and brushed her hair with a porcupine quill brush until it crackled and shone like burnished gold. With a pumice stone, they softened her roughened palms, feet, knees and elbows. Then they plucked the hair from her body and massaged her skin all over with scented oil. A few drops of the same wildflower-scented oil in her hair gave it a silky sheen, as well as making it delightfully fragrant. For the wedding, her hair would be left long and free, except for one thin braid falling in with the rest of her hair on each side. From these the silver discs would be hung.
Panther’s hair would be left unbraided also, except for the braids from which his feathers and discs would hang. The warriors had taken him hunting, keeping him away from the village until it was time to prepare for the ceremony.
Finally the moment arrived. Panther was waiting with Black Kettle as the women led Tanya to him. He was magnificent in his ornate wedding attire, tall, proud and bold. His blue-black hair hung down over his shoulders and like a river of black satin; his midnight eyes gleamed with admiration as he watched her approach.
Tanya looked and felt beautiful. Her ankle-length dress had been tanned to the color of creamery butter, and elaborately decorated with beads and dyed porcupine quills and long, heavy fringe that swayed as she walked. Her unbound hair fell past her waist, shimmering like molten gold in the firelight; her eyes were like two shining stars in her radiant face.
Through a daze of impressions, Tanya noted that Panther had worn the cat’s-claw necklace, as had she. Now she stood facing him before the ancient tribal shaman.
The old man inquired whether the bride price had been met. Black Kettle, in his role as the bride’s father, stated the bride price of thirty horses for all to hear, and acknowledged the payment.
The shaman then determined that the dowry had been satisfactory. Winter Bear, acting as Panther’s spokesman, agreed, and Tanya’s dowry was listed aloud. All this time, Tanya had eyes only for Panther.
Tanya found herself and Panther kneeling before the shaman as he chanted a prayer for their happiness, fruitfulness, and long life, shaking his rattle and waving smoking embers in a bowl over their heads.
Once more they were standing, and the shaman reiterated all the things Tanya was promising in marriage to Panther.
“You shall follow wherever he goes, to make your home always with him; to attend to his meals, his comfort, his children; to honor him; to be ever faithful and obey without question his commands.”
Tanya agreed.
In his turn, Panther affirmed his responsibilities toward her. He was to provide for and protect her and their children, and accord her the honor of her title as his wife and daughter of a chief.
Panther’s eyes glowed as he placed upon Tanya’s wrists two gleaming copper wristbands, intricately engraved to match his own, symbolic of his ownership over her as her husband; delicate shackles that bound her to him for a lifetime.
The ceremony over, the time came for the newly-married couple to exchange gifts publicly. At a gesture from Panther, Winter Bear stepped forward with a blanket-covered basket. Holding it before Tanya, he watched as Panther lifted the cover.
Tanya was dumbfounded. There before her were two cougar cubs. Her hands reached out automatically to stroke the still-downy fur. Eyes glittering with tears of delight, her voice came out in a choked whisper, “Oh, Panther, they are adorable! Where? When? How?” Her tongue could not keep up with the questions in her mind.
He smiled at her confusion. “These are the cubs you searched for so diligently. Dancing Horse found and kept them, and when I would have met you that last day, he handed the kittens over to me and told me of all that had happened. It occurred to me that they would make a perfect wedding gift, so I brought them straight to camp, hid them, and waited for you here instead.”
“They are a most unique and wonderful gift, Panther. Thank you. Now I have a gift for you.”
Walks-Like-A-Duck handed it over to Tanya, and she placed the cougar-fur coat in Panther’s hands. Slowly he unfolded it and held it up before him. “It is the most magnificent coat I have ever possessed. I will wear it proudly, Wildcat.”
Tanya nodded, suddenly shy before his appreciation. “Grass Man is preserving the panther head for your lodge pole.”
“I am honored,” he said soberly.
“It is I who am honored, Panther, to be chosen as your wife.”
The wedding celebration and attending feast lasted far into the night. At one point, Black Kettle spoke with them privately. “I have obtained the girl Melissa from Ugly Otter. Starting tomorrow she will serve you in your lodge.” He had discussed the matter previously with Panther and made certain of his approval.
“Did you have to trade your Ute captive?” Tanya inquired.
“Yes. Ugly Otter would only release her if he could have a replacement.”
Panther nodded and said, “I will try to bring you another on one of our raids, Uncle. It is only fair, since you had to give her up.”
Finally a group of the women came for Tanya. They escorted her to Panther’s tipi, helped her to undress, and left. It was ridiculous after all that had gone before, but Tanya waited for Panther as nervously as a young virgin on her wedding night.
Suddenly he was there before her, resplendent in his finery, gazing down on her nude, waiting form. Without a word, he removed his clothes, and if possible, was even more awesome as he stood naked over her. Tanya’s golden gaze roamed over his bronze, muscled form, and she shivered with anticipation.
Panther lowered himself to her side, taking great handfuls of her tawny hair and letting it slide like a shimmering river through his long fingers. “You are so beautiful,” he told her softly.
“So are you,” was her reverent reply as her hands came up to stroke his shoulders. “You are everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a man, wanted in a husband. I am so fortunate to have found you! It is such a relief to have all the obstacles behind us, and to be able to call you ‘husband’ at last; to know that you are mine and I am yours.”
“No one will ever part us, Wildcat. Never could I live with that. If anything ever separates us this side of the grave, I will move heaven and earth to regain you. You are part of my heart and my soul. You belong only and always to me.”
“That is all I ask in this life, Panther; to belong to you and be with you. You are my life and my joy, and without you my life would be without meaning.”
He enfolded her in the strong, protective circle of his arms, holding her tenderly as he began to make slow, delicious love to her. His lips found hers in a long, drugging kiss, as his hands mesmerized her body to his will. Their tongues danced and mated, and their lips clung together, as if drawing lifegiving nectar.
Her head spinning and her body breathless, Tanya gave herself wholly to his ministering hands and mouth. Capable of no thought but Panther, of pleasi
ng and being pleased, she gave of herself completely.
His magic hands played her body as a master musician plays a lute. Her body was like dry tinder, igniting immediately to his welcome flame. Never had she felt so beautiful, so loved, so desirable, and Panther fed these feelings with words as well as caresses. All through their lovemaking, he whispered words of love and desire.
Her hands could not keep from reaching for him, stroking and caressing her tender, savage lover, pleasing him with her touch as he was doing to her.
With lips and teeth and tongue she traced his beloved form, now well-known, but ever exciting to her. Panther’s mouth mapped a trail of fire across her body; her passion-swollen breasts, her quivering stomach, her yearning womanhood.
Finally neither could stand the excruciating tension a moment longer. He came into her with a long, smooth stroke, into her welcoming cave of moist, warm velvet, and her muscles clenched about him to hold him tightly. His tempo gradually increased, and she matched his pace, ever climbing toward that high mountain summit. At last, and too soon, they crested it to soar together in the bright sunlight of their love and passion, and floated gently down to a calmer valley.
All through the night he loved her, and she gloried in their mutual need; the need to hold and touch and love; to know that this joy was real and lasting, and properly claimed forevermore. That night their marriage was sealed, sacred, and consummated in glorious splendor; and they acknowledged it reverently, passionately, and thoroughly until both were replete and utterly exhausted.
Late the next morning, Melissa appeared hesitantly before Panther and Tanya. Her delicate cheekbones were still discolored and swollen, a split on her lip still healing, her arms marked with bruises and scratches. Her dirty, soiled clothing hung in tatters on her thin, childlike form, and the color of her once-bright hair was indistinguishable beneath the filth.
Panther took one look and ordered her from his tipi. Eyes wide with fear and brimming with tears, Melissa backed out and stood uncertainly, waiting.
Panther’s anger and disgust showed only in his dis- tended nostrils, as he turned to Tanya. “Take her to the river and see that she is thoroughly scrubbed, then get her something decent to wear. The camp dogs are cleaner than she is!”
Melissa’s jaw quivered as she watched Panther stride off. Tanya took her arm and started for the river. “He is not angry with you, Missy,” she assured the frightened girl.
As she helped Melissa to scrub away months of accumulated grime, she outlined the duties that would be expected of her. Most of them Melissa had been performing for Ugly Otter’s wife already.
“Also, it is necessary that you speak to me in Cheyenne, not English, and call me ‘Little Wildcat.’ I am Cheyenne now, the chief's daughter and Panther’s wife, and it is unseemly for me to speak English.”
“I don’t know the language very well, Little Wildcat,” Melissa stumbled in Cheyenne.
“With practice you will learn. Life will be easier for you with us, Melissa. You will be decently fed and clothed, but I must warn you, you must follow orders and accord both Panther and me the respect due our positions in the tribe. It would be an embarrassment to me, and would anger Panther greatly if you did not.”
Melissa nodded, and then stammered, “Will Panther expect… I mean… do I have to … ”
“Have to what?” Tanya asked.
“You know … ”Melissa blushed.
Tanya was incredulous. “Are you asking if you are to sleepwith Panther?”
Melissa gave her a pained look and nodded.
Tanya hadn’t even entertained the idea, but it was a normal happening in the tribe. Cheyenne wives were expected to look the other way and say nothing when their husbands bedded captives or decided to take a second or third wife. It was the way of things. Now Tanya had to face the fact that it was a very real possibility, as much as she knew Panther loved her and as much as she disliked the idea of Panther mating with another woman. Still, she doubted Panther would dally so soon after their wedding, especially since Melissa was possibly pregnant and so weak and battered.
Tanya answered the only way she could. “Panther is not an animal like Ugly Otter. I do not know his plans, but if he beds you, it will not be with violence and pain.”
Now it was Melissa’s turn to be astounded. “Doesn’t it bother you, Tanya? What has happened to you?”
“I am Cheyenne. Whether it bothers me or not is not the issue. Panther is my husband. I bow to his wishes and look to his comforts.” Then she smiled. “I really think you are worried about something that may not come to pass. Let’s concentrate on making you well and comfortable. Your help will be welcome to me, especially as I become more ungainly. We can make life easier for each other.”
A timid smile trembled over Melissa’s lips, the first smile Tanya had seen from her since that fateful day they were captured. “I haven’t thanked you, Tanya. No matter what comes, nothing can be as bad as belonging to Ugly Otter and his wife!”
Melissa became a part of their lives. Her bruises began to heal, her skin and hair were clean and more healthy, and the swelling in her face was disappearing. True to her word, Tanya had made sure she had nourishing food, clean and mended clothes, and shelter. On Melissa’s part, she worked endlessly to relieve Tanya of her work load, but she was ever-cautious around Panther; always wary.
“It distresses me to see her cringe each time I enter my own lodge,” Panther complained. “She is a bundle of nerves.”
“These things take time,” Tanya counseled. “Once she sees you are not going to ravish her or beat her senseless, she will calm down.”
“You may assure her I will not drag her off to my bed,” Panther said with a grin at Tanya. “She is much too skinny, and I am much too busy trying to keep my new bride satisfied.”
“Melissa was once very pretty. With proper food and care, she will be again. Perhaps you may yet find her appealing,” Tanya hinted.
“Perhaps,” he mused without enthusiasm, “but you forget I saw her that first day. For many minutes we gazed upon all of you bathing in the river, and of all, I chose you for my own. If I had wanted Melissa, I would have chosen her then.”
“I’m sorry to be so silly,” Tanya explained. “I just don’t like the thought of you bedding anyone else.”
“As long as you give me no reason to, you have nothing to worry over.”
“What about when I am heavy and awkward with your child? Will I not look ugly and misshapen to you?”
“My poor Little Wildcat, when you are heavy with my child, you will still be beautiful, and very special to me because you nurture our child inside you. Do you think me so weak that I cannot control the urges of my own body for a few weeks?”
“Forgive me, Panther. I do not mean to discredit you. I am being a foolish female.”
“Your worries are natural and normal to your state, I suppose.” He moved to draw her closer to him. “Just remember this. You are the woman of my heart, the light of my life.”
Matters came to a head a few days later. Panther was preparing for a hunt, and asked Melissa to fetch his quiver from inside the tipi. In her hurry from the lodge, Melissa tripped. The quiver fell to the ground, scattering arrows in every direction. Expecting a violent reaction, Melissa immediately began to quake. She threw herself on the ground at Panther's feet, clutching her arms over her head in a protective gesture and began to wail.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it! It won’t happen again! Please don’t beat me! Please don’t beat me! Please! Please don’t!”
Tanya and Panther exchanged dismayed looks over her pathetic figure. As gently as he would a child, Panther drew her to her feet. Her eyes were wild with fear.
“Melissa! Melissa!” It took him several seconds to gain her attention. “It was an accident. No one blames you. No one is going to beat you.”
Melissa’s eyes flew from Panther’s face to Tanya’s for confirmation of his words.
“If it were deliberat
e, or done in spite, I would, indeed, beat you. Have no doubt of it. But as long as you try to please me; as long as you are respectful and obey my commands and those of your mistress quickly and willingly, you will not be ill-treated. You will not be punished for something you could not prevent.”
Though still wary, Melissa calmed visibly.
Panther’s voice was quiet and gentle. “Go now and collect my arrows, and try not to damage any of the feathers.”
Melissa gathered all her courage to speak to him. “Are you really not angry?”
Panther smiled ruefully. “I am not overly pleased that my arrows took a beating, but I am not angry, Melissa.” At her wondering look, he added, “With both you and Wildcat becoming clumsier by the day, I can see my patience will be tried to the limit in the coming months. Putting up with one pregnant female is trying enough, but two?”
His smile widened as he included both women in his teasing gaze. “War and raids will seem like child’s play in comparison.”
Melissa’s smile lit up her face, rewarding Tanya and Panther for their tolerance. “Your husband is a just man,” she told Tanya as she retrieved the scattered arrows. “You are a lucky woman.”
“So I am,” Tanya readily agreed.
Another adjustment to be made by the women was the idea of having a listening audience while Tanya and Panther made love. Tanya realized this was not unusual in tipis throughout the camp, and once she finally accepted it and overcame her embarrassment, she was able to relax and forget Melissa’s presence.
“It’s all in how you are raised and what you get used to, I guess,” she thought.
Melissa, too, was embarrassed at first. Her natural instinct, after her brutal experiences with Ugly Otter, was to cringe in sympathy for her friend, until she at last realized that the moans and sighs reaching her ears were those of passion, not pain. She struggled to understand how anyone could find pleasure in the act. She, herself, would have been happy if no man ever touched her again, but if Tanya enjoyed it that was her business and Panther’s.
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