Spirit of the Sky

by Paty Jager

  He had to smile at her pushiness and her forcefulness. She grabbed his arm and yanked him down onto the wool covering. His hat landed at his feet, and she gently pressed his shoulders to the ground. His body relaxed at her touch, and his eyelids grew heavy. He fought to stay awake, to enjoy the time he had with her, but drowsiness claimed his senses, and he dreamed of Angel in his arms.

  ****

  Her touch had put him to sleep. He needed rest and she could provide it as she provided his healing. Sa-qan trailed a hand over his wide chest. His clothing did not stop the memories of gliding her hands over his skin and muscle when she healed him. She shook her head and stood, walking to the horse. The animal could use more to eat. She led it to a small patch of grass, loosened the strap holding the saddle, and allowed it freedom to graze.

  Sa-qan knelt beside Wade. The small barricade of rock provided safety. No one would find him. She should leave. Her fingers trailed over his mustache. His wonderful lips formed a smile. He had good dreams this time and not bad. She lay down, her head resting on his chest, and listened to his heart beat. The even rhythm strong and true. He wanted her people safe. Just like she did.

  Sa-qan remained, inhaling his scent and listening to his heart until the sun poured warm golden beams straight into the rock enclosure.

  Something shaded the warm sun from her head. The hair on her arms tingled, and she felt his presence before she looked up.

  Shifting her head, she peered up into the angry blue eyes of her brother.

  You were to meet us at the Nimiipuu camp this morning. His quivering elk form shook with wrath.

  I was on my way when I saw how tired he was. I stopped him and helped him sleep. She stood, keeping her movements fluid and quick to avoid waking Wade. She strode on silent feet out of the enclosed area to find a place where she could keep an eye on Wade and continue her conversation with her brother.

  She peered down at Wade, narrowed her eyes, and faced her brother, crossing her arms. “You do not have to come looking for me all the time.”

  “Do you fear I will find you mating with the soldier?” The scorn in her brother’s voice stung as much as his shameful statement.

  “I will not mate with a mortal. I cannot give myself to anything other than the Nimiipuu.” She poked a finger between the elk’s eyes. “I have more self control than you and Himiin. I care for the soldier because he cares for our people. He is a voice among the soldiers.”

  “That is why I caught you resting your head upon him?” Wewukiye walked to the edge of the outcropping and stared down. “You do not help yourself by continually making contact with this man. You may be denying your feelings but they show. If I see them, so does the so·yá·po.”

  Sa-qan watched Wade sleeping. Did he see her feelings? She did care for him in a way she did not understand. She glanced at her brother. He knew the love of another. Should she ask him what if felt like? No. She could not love anyone other than the Nimiipuu. The emotions she had for this soldier had to do with his need to help her people. Nothing more.

  “I only see him as an ally to our people. I harbor the same emotions for him as I do the Nimiipuu. Do not make more of what you see.”

  Wewukiye stared into her eyes. “You are the only one who believes your untruths, sister.” He walked away, stopped, and faced her. “Come with me now, if your only concern with this man is for our people.”

  “I cannot. He fell asleep before I could point him in the direction of the soldiers moving toward the Nimiipuu from the north.”

  “Why must he go to these soldiers?”

  “They will cross paths with the Nimiipuu next. I wish for Wade to talk the soldiers into finding a way to stop the killing.”

  Wewukiye snorted. “The so·yá·po will not stop until they have killed all the warriors.” He narrowed his eyes. “You are only helping them.”

  “You speak like a Nimiipuu warrior. Wade has the sense to know there must be a way to stop the killing. He would make a good leader.” She pivoted away from her brother and scurried down the cliff toward Wade.

  Sa-qan stopped beside a rock and watched Wade awaken. He stretched his arms over his head. His long legs extended, and his hips rose slightly when his boot heels dug into the ground and his back arched. Her mouth became dry at the sight. She swallowed and a ball of fire rolled down her throat, swirling around inside her body and catching her on fire.

  An ache unlike any she had ever experienced began at the core of that fire and pulsed out to her fingers and toes. She licked her lips and tried to deny her brother’s words but at this moment she did want to mate with this man. The urge hit her as hard and fast as a blast of winter air off the Lake Nimiipuu’s beloved mountains.

  Wade sat up. “Angel?”

  “I am here.” She walked out from the shadow of the rock. The smile ruffling his mustache and lighting his eyes licked her flames of desire even hotter.

  He held up a hand. She took it, and he tugged her down beside him.

  “I don’t know how you did it but that’s the best sleep I’ve had since you healed me.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Thank you.”

  She fisted her hands in his hair. “You are welcome.” Their lips met, and she poured her affection for him into the connection.

  Pú-timt wax ná-qt

  (11)

  Wade didn’t know what had come over Angel, but he wasn’t about to shove her away. Not when he could drown in her kiss and experience life as a whole man if only for this brief moment. He slid his hands up her sides, inching around and cupping her breasts. She gasped and his tongue touched hers. The sweetness and sensation brought him completely to attention.

  He changed the angle of the kiss when her hands squeezed his shoulders. Her fingers kneaded his shoulders and arms, taking away the tightness bunched in his muscles from hours in the saddle. Her sweet lips matched his, kiss for kiss, filling his lonely heart with hope. Hope that he could give his heart to someone again.

  Desire grew as the sweetness spun into urgency. One hand slid up her leg while the other cupped the back of her head, holding her hostage in a deep seductive kiss. He wanted to taste Angel everywhere. To give her something in return for all she’d done for him. He released her mouth and dropped wet open-mouthed kisses down her neck and chest to the vee of the neckline of her dress. Kissing the soft swell of her breasts at the opening.

  A soft moan of appreciation whispered across her lips.

  “Angel, you give me hope I could be a whole man again.” Wade pressed his lips to her skin, enjoying the silkiness and heat. “After so many years of loneliness and following orders, I didn’t think I could ever be anything but a puppet being manipulated by strings.” He glanced up into her face. She shuttered her eyes with her eyelashes but not before he caught a glimpse of an emotion he’d lost all hope of seeing when someone looked at him.

  Wade captured her lips once more, kissing her with the tenderness she deserved. He drew out of the kiss. “Let me take you back to your brother.”

  She shook her head and parted her sweet lips to say something, but he placed a brief kiss on her mouth.

  “You have given me something today I thought I’d never find. Now let me give you something. Let me escort you back to your brother and make sure you’re safe. Then I’ll go see if I can get a higher ranking officer to listen to reason.”

  Tears glistened in Angel’s eye. “I told my brother you were good for the Nimiipuu.” She touched her lips with her fingers. “And good for me.” Lips, puffy from their kisses, curved into a bright smile, lighting her eyes.

  Wade held her shoulders. “I think we are good for one another. But until the army stops chasing the Nez Perce, I can’t promise you anything other than moments like this should we meet.” His gut squeezed with fear, knowing he had to let her go and hope no harm came to her until this campaign ended. Then he’d resign and find her.

  She nodded. “I will find you when you are alone.”

  The conviction in her words brough
t back the questions of how she always found him and never feared the danger. “How do you find me?”

  Her small round shoulders rose and fell. “You and I cross paths.” She placed a palm against his cheek and leaned in kissing his lips chastely. Her breath whispered warm across his lips. “And I like the way you make my body warm while in your arms.”

  His arms crushed her against his body. He kissed her deep and long until they both grew weak from lack of air. Wade rested his forehead on Angel’s. “You’d best keep your distance from me for a while.”

  “Why?”

  He gazed into her eyes and nearly groaned witnessing the same desire swimming in their depths. “Because, there are more things I want to do with you than just kiss you.”

  A giggle mingled in the air between them.

  “Do you find my desires for you funny?”

  “No. It makes me happy. I wish to experience the coming together of our bodies, but...” She hiccupped. A glistening tear trailed down her cheek.

  He caught the tear on his finger. “What is this? Why are you sad?” He tipped her face up, peering into her eyes.

  “I cannot. We cannot become one. I have a duty to my people. I cannot put pleasure before that duty.” She pushed away and stood. “There are other soldiers coming from the north. They will find my people before Cut Arm. Go that way”—she pointed northeast—“and you will find them. Talk with them and see if they will make peace with my people.”

  “Wait. How do you know there are more soldiers? Angel. Don’t leave. I know we are on different sides now, but after—”

  “We cannot be. Not now, not ever. It is the way it is.”

  The sadness dulling her eyes—eyes that moments before had shone with so much love and desire—ripped at his insides.

  She spun about, ran through the rocks, and disappeared.

  “Angel!” It was useless to call. She wouldn’t come back, and he could give away his secluded location. No matter what she said, he wouldn’t give up on her. He’d found his salvation in her arms, and he’d damn well do everything in his power to see they were together when this campaign ended

  He didn’t understand how she knew so much about the army movements, but he believed she knew a troop came from the northeast. Most likely Sturgis from Fort Ellis. General Howard would pull in troops from every direction to try and overtake the Nez Perce.

  Wade rolled up his blanket, tightened the cinch on his horse, and mounted. He didn’t know when or if he’d see Angel again before this was all over, but he’d find her when it was and see if she still held so strong to her conviction she couldn’t be with him and still help her people.

  ****

  Sa-qan stumbled away from the rock formation. A good distance from the area, she shifted into a bald eagle and leaped into the sky. She circled and spotted Wade headed the direction she told him to go. Her heart throbbed. Sharing kisses and being held by him surpassed anything she had encountered as a spirit. The exhilaration and heat of his touch could not be bad.

  Why have you brought this man into my life right now? Is it because he will help the Nimiipuu or is it to test my loyalty to my people? She waited, but the Creator did not respond. Why have you stopped speaking to me? Especially, now, when I need your guidance the most.

  She gazed one last time at Wade and caught an updraft, floating on it toward the Nimiipuu camp. Her wings faltered at the sight of a group of warriors escorting a wagon and several horses with so·yá·po. She flew lower and discovered two women in the group.

  Where are you, brother?

  Watching the warriors with their captives.

  Sa-qan scanned the area around the incoming group and found her brother and sister. She landed in a tree near them. “How did these so·yá·po become captured?”

  “They insisted on meeting with Joseph.” Wewukiye shook his head, swaying his antlers precariously. “All would be well if Yellow Wolf had brought them, but he was pushed aside by this hostile group.”

  She peered at the Nimiipuu warrior in the lead. “Yes. He believes blood on his hands makes him stronger.” Sa-qan faced her brother. “You must enter that warrior and keep him from hurting the so·yá·po. These are not soldiers. They should not die. It will only bring more anger upon the Nimiipuu if these people are killed.”

  Wewukiye nodded and shifted to smoke.

  “What are we to do?” Dove asked.

  “We will wait to see what the chiefs do. If they talk about killing the so·yá·po then we will enter them.” Sa-qan shifted to smoke and drifted toward the camp in search of White Bird. The most volatile chief.

  The warriors led the so·yá·po to the chiefs. Joseph, Looking Glass, and White Bird, with Sa-qan as his conscience, told the warriors not to harm the captives and to separate the women from the men.

  Convinced White Bird would remain loyal to his words, Sa-qan slipped from his body and watched the Nimiipuu from a tree. The camp began preparations to move on.

  Once the Nimiipuu started moving, shots rang out. Sa-qan leaped from the limb and soared toward the sound. A group of the hotheaded warriors had shot three of the so·yá·po men who tried to escape. She spotted one hiding in the trees and another running as fast as he could through the forest. If he made his way to the soldiers, he would tell them of the killings. Her chest ached knowing these few bad-tempered warriors could have them all killed.

  Sa-qan shifted to smoke and re-entered White Bird. If he insisted the rest of the so·yá·po be let loose, the hot headed warriors would heed his advice. She hoped by showing good intentions with these, perhaps the captives would tell the soldiers the Nimiipuu were not all bad.

  That evening in a drizzling rain, the chiefs ordered the young man and two women to be set free. The women received horses and the man left afoot with food. They did not want them to travel too fast and get to the soldiers with the bands’ location.

  Sa-qan stayed with the Nimiipuu for ten suns while watching the soldiers from the north steadily draw near. She wanted to see Wade, but knew in her heart he must keep traveling and catch up to the soldiers. If he could convince their leader to talk with the Nimiipuu she would do her part to make the chiefs talk with him.

  At night, huddled on a limb she thought of his kisses and gentle touch. What would she have to give up to be wrapped in his arms every night? She would need to become mortal. Until the Nimiipuu found safety, she could not think of such a thing.

  This night she took flight, unable to remain still. The wind carried the scent of the army drawing near.

  ****

  Wade paced back and forth. He’d caught up with Sturgis the evening before. Fury consumed him learning Colonel Miles had sent word to Sturgis to “strike the Nez Perce a severe blow if possible before sending any word to them of surrender.” Wade pivoted from the path he’d paced the last thirty minutes. If he couldn’t stop the army he had to warn Angel. He’d promised her he’d do what he could to get the army to make good, but the higher ranking officers remained determined to make a precedence with the Nez Perce. He found it ironic the Nez Perce had killed fewer civilians and military than any other tribe, yet the army had made the peace loving group the scapegoats.

  He strode to his horse and began saddling the animal.

  “Where’re you goin’?” a civilian guide asked.

  “Out to check things.” Wade held the bridle up to his mount’s mouth.

  “I heard you tryin’ to convince Sturgis to give the Injuns a chance to surrender. You ain’t goin’ out there and powwowing with them are ya?” The tall man equaled his height but had twenty more pounds on him.

  Wade faced his accuser. “I’ve been riding in this army a lot longer than you’ve been scouting. I wouldn’t be tossing around insinuations you have no grounds to know.”

  Wade swung up into the saddle and tapped his heels into the horse’s sides. He took off at a lope out of the camp and down the side of the river. He hadn’t a clue how to get in contact with Angel, but he hoped by riding toward
the Nez Perce, she would somehow know to look for him. He wasn’t sure how she did it, but he had the feeling she would sense his nearness.

  The sun had set and the cold fall night began to settle around him. Sensations of being watched started nagging him the last hour. If it wasn’t Angel, he feared it could be Nez Perce warriors. A lone soldier would be a satisfying target for any warrior.

  He wound his way through the trees and walked a distance in a small stream, hopefully hiding his tracks. An area against the side of a small cliff where he wouldn’t have to watch his back loomed in front of him. He dismounted. His horse immediately began eating the tall dying grass along the base of the cliff. He gave the horse ample rope to graze and unhooked the cinch, tossing the saddle along with his bags and blanket on the ground.

  The gray of dusk blurred the trees and bushes. A fire would be nice but he couldn’t risk giving away his location to the Indians. He sat down with a canteen, hunk of hardtack, his rifle, and a blanket wrapped around his shoulders warding off the cold mist that started falling. His mind wandered to Angel. What had she been doing since he last saw her? Would he find her and relay the information before the soldiers caught the Nez Perce?

  His stomach soured at the thought of telling her he couldn’t stop the army’s vendetta. Would she blame him? His mind so occupied with his thoughts, he didn’t register the eerie quiet until his horse nickered and shuffled its feet.

  He raised his rifle to his shoulder at the same moment a large, light-colored creature dropped out of the sky and landed on his horse.

  Pú-timt wax lepít

  (12)

  His horse screamed.

  Wade shot his rifle in the air, afraid he’d hit his horse if he aimed at the cougar clinging to the animal’s back. The blast didn’t dislodge the big cat. He grabbed the barrel of his gun and swung it like a club at the animal. The butt of the weapon cracked across the cougar’s back but the cat didn’t relinquish its hold.