Enchanted Ecstasy

by Constance O'Banyon

  "And what will you do when you reach your limit?" She taunted, unaware of the dangerous ground she was treading on.

  Kane's hand shot out and grabbed a handful of ebony hair and jerked her toward him. His face was a mask as he looked deep into her eyes, and Maleaha saw his nostrils flare as his silver eyes narrowed.

  "Congratulations, you have just succeeded in pushing me to my limit," he whispered against her lips. "Now you can feel what it is like to be driven half out of your mind."

  Kane's lips moved over her face, teasing and arousing, but never settling on her lips. Maleaha turned her head, trying to capture his lips with hers, but he always moved out of her range. She heard his deep laughter as he nuzzled her ear, and a gasp escaped her lips.

  "It's hell, is it not?" he whispered in her ear. Maleaha knew she should be angry with him, but all she could think of at the moment was the feel of his lips, and his hands, which were gliding sensuously down her back.

  "Beg me for a kiss, Maleaha, beg."

  "No!"

  "You know you want me to, Maleaha," he said, his warm breath caressing her face.

  "Please."

  "Please what, Maleaha?"

  "Please, release me. We are being watched."

  Kane had forgotten all about the Jojoba Indians who were watching them. He cursed under his breath as he untangled her arms from around his neck and shoved her away from him. Gritting his teeth, he turned his back on her.

  "Consider yourself lucky that I do not perform well in front of an audience, Miss Deveraux."

  Maleaha swallowed a sob as she tried to stop her body from trembling. Her love for Kane was second only to her need for him. He had awakened her body from that of a child to that of a woman, and it was a long time before she finally fell asleep. Her only consolation was that maybe the watching Jojobas warriors would report back to Mangas that she was now Kane's woman.

  The next morning as they broke camp and rode away, Kane was silent and brooding. Maleaha knew he was still angry about the night before, but she knew of no way to tell him about her fear of Mangas. Most probably he would not understand. One thing was for sure. Kane would not like it if he found out she had used him last night to fool Mangas.

  As they drew ever closer to the Jojoba village, Maleaha's mind shifted to thoughts of Mangas. She loved him in a way that was hard to explain. He was the chief of her mother's people, and a man whom she respected, but she did not want to be his wife. She was proud of her Indian blood, but she was too much her father's daughter ever to be able to live the nomadic life of the Jojoba. She supposed if she loved Mangas she would gladly live with him as his wife, but her heart belonged to another, one who was unaware of the love she had for him. Nor would he welcome her love, should he ever find out about it.

  Maleaha looked at Kane's dark, handsome face, and when he looked at her she quickly turned her head, fearing he would be able to read the love in her eyes.

  When they stopped for lunch, Maleaha found Kane watching her, and when he walked over to her she turned away with the pretense of filling the coffee pot with water from the stream they had been following all morning.

  "What do you think you are doing?" he asked her as she placed the pot on the fire and added coffee to it.

  "I am making coffee for Lamas. He has a passion for coffee," she said, not fully understanding his question.

  "That is not what I was asking, and you know it."

  "Lamas is more like a white man than you may suppose. He likes to sleep in a bed with a soft mattress, and, as I said before, he has a passion for coffee," she told him nervously.

  "I was referring to last night, and you know it. I have had a lot of time to think about it, and I have finally put the pieces together. Last night was not for my benefit. You were hoping that Mangas's warriors would report back to him that you and I were on . . . for want of a better word, friendly terms."

  Maleaha drew in her breath at his perception. She stood up, ready to face his anger. It was not anger she saw in his face, but more of a troubled look.

  "You are not angry with me?"

  "Yes, I am angry with you, but not for the reason you may suppose. I am angry that you would place yourself in a position to be used."

  Maleaha was stunned by his statement. "I thought you would be displeased because I used you to try and fool Mangas."

  "Maleaha, it seems this time you are caught between the Indian and the white worlds, and both would try to use you."

  There was a softness in his eyes that she had never seen before, and it made her all the more confused.

  "I knew what I was letting myself in for when I agreed to come along."

  "What are your feelings for Mangas?"

  "I respect him." She lowered her head, unable to meet his probing glance. "I also fear him."

  "At last I have found something you are afraid of," he said grimly.

  "I do not fear that Mangas will harm me," she said quickly.

  "What do you fear from him then?"

  "I . . . Mangas wants me for his wife."

  "And you do not fancy yourself as his wife?"

  "I do . . . not love him in that way."

  "I see. Is there another man who holds that place in your heart, say, Clay Madason?"

  Maleaha raised her head and stared, not into his face, but instead at the brass buttons on the front of his blue uniform.

  "I love Clay, of course, as I would love a brother."

  Kane placed his finger under her chin and raised her face up to his. "A very enviable position, no doubt." With his free hand he touched her cheek softly. "I wonder if I would also rate the love of a brother, as Clay Madason does?"

  Maleaha shook her head. "If you were my brother, I would ask that you be adopted out."

  Kane smiled, "It is just as well. I have no wish to be your brother." He studied her beautiful face. "No, I do not wish to be your brother.''

  Maleaha wished she could ask him what he did want from her, but at that moment the coffee pot she had placed on the fire chose to boil over, thus saving her question, and his answer.

  Maleaha quickly reached for the pot but Kane forestalled her. "Silly girl, do you want to burn yourself?" He pushed her aside, and using a stick, moved the pot off the fire.

  Maleaha wondered why she felt like crying. Surely it had nothing to do with the fact that Lamas's coffee was not fit to drink now.

  Once Kane had removed the pot from the fire he stood up and looked at her. ' 'It is my guess that you enjoy being the belle of Santa Fe far too much to give it up and be tied to one man. Am I right?"

  Maleaha bristled. "Perhaps I am not unlike you in that respect. I have heard it said that you break a new heart every week."

  "I was not aware that my personal life was of any interest to you, Miss Deveraux," he drawled.

  Maleaha turned her back to him. What had she said to make him angry again, she wondered? She was growing weary of this constant war that went on between the two of them.

  "Miss Deveraux, it is not too late to change your mind," Kane said, turning her to face him once more. "You can get on your horse and ride away right now, and no one will fault you for it, least of all me."

  "No. I knew the Robertson family who were killed by the Arapaho. I want to see their murderers punished."

  "All right, but don't say that you didn't have the opportunity to withdraw."

  Maleaha watched him as he turned his back on her and walked away. She remembered Salador's once telling her that it was not considered bad for one to tell a golden lie.

  "What is a golden lie, Salador?" she had asked.

  "A golden lie is silence. It is when you do not voice the truth, but keep it to yourself," he had told her.

  That was what she must do now. She would tell the golden lie. She would remain silent about her love for Kane. He must never know that she loved him with all her heart.

  11

  Mangas walked toward Maleaha. His dark face had a foreboding look on it. "So, Little Flo
wer, once more you come among your mother's people with the white man," he said, his eyes burning into hers.

  Maleaha slid from her horse and stood before him. "Mangas, I have brought Major Benedict here for a good reason. I hope you will listen to him and consider what he asks of you."

  He was silent for a moment. His dark eyes seemed to become even darker as he looked at Kane. "I will listen to this man, but only because you ask it of me, Maleaha."

  Maleaha turned to Kane and told him to dismount.

  When they were inside Mangas's teepee, Maleaha asked Kane to be seated. ' 'Tell Mangas I am honored that he has consented to talk with me," Kane told her.

  "Have you heard about the latest raids, Mangas?" Maleaha asked, not bothering to tell him what Kane had said, since he understood for himself.

  "Why did your father refuse my offer of marriage to you, Maleaha?" Mangas said in a quiet voice that was laced with anger.

  Maleaha found herself blushing, and lowered her head. "I love another man, Mangas. My father would not wish me to marry without love."

  She avoided Mangas's eyes, but she heard the sadness in his voice. "I would have you for my wife, Maleaha."

  Not knowing how to answer him, and feeling fear at his words, she turned to Kane. Kane sensed she was frightened and he spoke quickly, trying to draw Mangas's attention away from her.

  "Tell Mangas about the latest raids and the death of the Robertson family, and also that we would be grateful if he would help us find these Arapahos."

  "Mangas, the Arapaho have taken the lives of a white family, and this saddens me. I think they are having fun eluding the army and mocking the Jojoba."

  "Why should you think they mock us?"

  ' 'They trespass on Jojoba land to do their mischief, and do not forget they tried to implicate you when these raids first started. If it were not for Major Benedict's intervention, you would still be suspect. I would hope that you would help the army drive the Arapaho back to the Colorados."

  "You are wise beyond your years, Maleaha. I would like to have a wife who is as wise as she is beautiful," Mangas said softly. "I have waited a long time for you to grow up, Little Flower.''

  "Mangas, I love this man, Kanen Benedict."

  "Have you lain with him, Maleaha? Does he also love you?"

  Maleaha tried to look into Mangas's eyes, knowing she must convince him that she and Kane had been intimate. "Yes," she said lowering her head, knowing he would be able to see the lie in her eyes.

  "I do not believe you, Maleaha. You still have the look of innocence. I would not like it if I find you have not spoken the truth to me."

  Kane watched the exchange of words between Maleaha and Mangas, knowing they were not discussing the raid by the tone of Mangas's voice and the look in his dark eyes. Kane imagined what must be transpiring between them. He had been a fool to allow Maleaha to come with him. He should have insisted she remain at Deveraux Ranch where she would be safe. He decided to try once more to distract Mangas.

  "Tell Mangas the army is prepared to pay him if he will help us drive the Arapaho from the New Mexico Territory."

  "Would you consider helping the army for pay, Mangas?" Maleaha asked, glad to talk about anything that would take his mind off her.

  "I have no use for the white man's money," he said in a voice that plainly showed his contempt.

  She turned to Kane, "Mangas says he has no use for the money, major."

  "Tell him we are prepared to pay him in horses and cattle. The amount can be worked out to his satisfaction."

  "Mangas, would you consider this?"

  "I love the color of your eyes, Maleaha. I believe I would never tire of looking into your eyes,'' Mangas said caressingly. "I would like to see your eyes reflected in the eyes of my firstborn son." He reached out and touched her face softly.

  Maleaha instinctively reached for Kane's hand and clasped it firmly. "The major is a very jealous man, Mangas."

  "Dead men cannot feel jealousy, Maleaha," Mangas told her in a menacing voice.

  "If you harmed the man I love, I would hate you," she warned him, her fear for the man she loved wiping out her caution. "Do not threaten me with his life, Mangas."

  Mangas stood up and crossed his arms over his broad chest. "I will speak to you no more today. You and this white man will remain here until I have had time to think."

  He walked purposefully out of the teepee, and Maleaha turned frightened eyes to Kane.

  "What has occurred, Miss Deveraux?"

  "I am not sure, but Mangas has ordered us to remain in camp while he decides what to do."

  Kane watched as Maleaha paced up and down the width of the teepee. Then she went over to the tent opening and looked out.

  "Why are you upset? Tell me what Mangas said to you."

  "I do not want to speak of it, major."

  "I can see that you are frightened. I will not allow Mangas to harm you. You are under the protection of the United States Army."

  She laughed, "If Mangas decides that I have lied to him, not you or the army could save me."

  He was about to ask her to explain when Lamas poked his head through the teepee and spoke to Maleaha.

  "Mangas is angry with you, Maleaha. I do not know what he will do, but he went to see your aunt. Then he rode out of camp. It would be better if you go to your aunt now, and I will keep the white man with me."

  "What do you think he will do, Lamas?"

  "I do not know, but I shall keep my ears and eyes open. If it were possible, I would take you away from here, but we are being watched. It is best to act as if nothing is wrong."

  Maleaha turned to Kane. He had never seen her so frightened. Not even the day they had been attacked by the Arapaho. He watched as she clasped and unclasped her hands.

  "Major, Mangas is very angry with me. I . . . told him that I am your woman. I am sorry. It seemed the best thing to do at the time. You see, he wants me for his wife, and I am frightened," she admitted.

  "Did he believe you when you told him you were my woman?"

  "I do not think so."

  "Was that the reason you slept beside me last night?"

  "Yes, and apparently Mangas's spies told him we slept together, but he is still not convinced."

  "Miss Deveraux, as long as I live I will never let him take you. You can trust me in this."

  She looked into his silver eyes, and saw what? He was a brave man, but she knew he would not stand a chance against Mangas while they were both his prisoners.

  "I would never allow you to be harmed on my account, major. I only hope I have not damaged the mission by refusing Mangas."

  "Will Mangas leave you alone if he believes me to be your . . . lover?" Kane said in a deep voice.

  "Yes, but he is not easy to fool, major."

  Kane reached out and took her chin in his hand and studied her beautiful face. "It would seem you have been exploited by both sides: by Mangas, because he wants you as his wife, and by the army, because they want your help to catch the Arapaho."

  "You are not angry with me because I told Mangas I am your woman?"

  He raised a dark eyebrow, "Perhaps I should ask if you are angry with me. If I had convinced you to . . . be my . . . lady friend, as I tried to, you could have been honest with Mangas when you told him you were my woman." His voice was deep and his silver eyes probed deeply into her green ones.

  "I should be angry with you, major. At least Mangas offered me marriage."

  Kane laughed, "but you turned us both down. I wonder if there is any man who could get you to agree to be his woman?"

  Oh yes, she thought, I would be your woman if you asked me to be. "That is not our problem at the moment. You must go with Lamas and stay with him."

  "Where will you be?"

  "I am going to visit with my aunt and uncle. I will inform you immediately should something happen." If I am able to, she added to herself.

  "Why is it I feel I have not been in charge since that day I met you?" Kane sa
id as he swept out of the teepee and found Lamas waiting for him.

  Maleaha hugged her aunt, who seemed troubled as she led Maleaha into her teepee. After they had eaten, her aunt spoke quietly, as if she were afraid of being overheard.

  "Mangas is very angry with you, Maleaha. When he returns he will have decided what to do about you."

  "I do not want to be his woman, my aunt."

  "Is it true that you belong to the white man who accompanied you here?"

  "No, I spoke falsely when I told Mangas I was the major's woman."

  "I love you, Maleaha, and it is because I love you that I tell you that Mangas intends to set spies on you and the white man tonight to see if you spoke the truth. If he discovers your deception, I do not know what he will do. I think he will force you to be his woman, if he thinks you have tricked him."

  "What can I do? I am frightened."

  Her aunt took her hand and looked sadly into her eyes. "You must go to the white man and lie with him tonight."

  Maleaha felt hot tears behind her eyes. "I cannot, I would be so ashamed."

  "Maleaha, you must. It is the only way. Will the white man help you?"

  "I do not know. Will I have to allow him to . . ."

  "Daughter of my dead sister, I wish I could help you, but in this I fear the white man is the only one who can help you." She kissed Maleaha's cheek. "You must ask him to take you as his woman tonight. I am sad to tell you this, but it is the only way to stop Mangas."

  ' 'I cannot bear it. The major will never understand why I would offer myself to him. He will think I have done this kind of thing before."

  "No, he will be able to tell that you have never been with a man before."

  Maleaha looked at her. "I do not know if I will be able to go through with it, but I suppose if it is the only way, I do not have any choice."

  Her aunt nodded in agreement. "It is the only way to keep Mangas from taking you."

  "Do you think the major will be in any danger if I go to him?"

  "No. I believe Mangas loves you. I do not think he will harm the white man if he believes you want him."

  "I do not know why Mangas loves me, my aunt. I do not like the idea of deceiving him. I like him a great deal."