Triad

by Selena Kitt

  “Please!”

  “Patience, ma puissance, my cousin will take care of you.”

  “What about thou?” Her voice was reedy with desperation.

  “I’ll have my turn.” His hand brushed her hair away from her cheek.

  Not knowing where her daring came from, she reached out and brushed her hand over the strange cloth which cupped his erection. Struggling with the unfamiliar closures, she smiled as she finally freed him. With her experiences it wasn’t the first time she’d seen a man’s sex, but they had been nothing like the thick length throbbing against her palms. Rubbing a thumb over the damp tip, a groan tore free from him as she explored the contours of his sex. “Sacru blu.”

  A scream escaped her tight throat as Jack eased her down over him. The flash of pain was briefly noticeable as her innocence was shredded and the unfamiliar feeling of fullness stretched all of her virginal tissues. “Ohhh-owww.”

  “Relax...it will be better now.” Jack’s hands tweaked her nipples. Gritting her teeth, she shifted and moaned as both men moved against her. Ragtow’s had his length moving between her hands, while Jack’s hands were rocking her on his hard cock. Pleasure teased at her as she had an overwhelming urge to take Ragtow’s cock in her mouth and taste his pleasure. Leaning forward to do just that, she screamed as Jack’s teeth caught one of her nipples in his mouth and he tongued and nipped at it. She soared over the peak.

  * * * *

  Gananoque, Ontario 2010

  “Son of bitch.” The hateful alarm clock had sounded. Surging up in bed, Jack threw the covers off. His cock stood at attention and was very unhappy that he’d woken before he’d been able to spill his seed deep inside of his mate. It didn’t care that he had an early shift at the hospital this morning. Wrapping a hand around his aching cock, he tried to suppress his need to find Onatah and bury the aching length where it belonged. Deep inside of her pussy or ass and he didn’t really care which at this particular moment.

  “Are you okay?” Ragtow’s ragged deep voice came from the doorway of their shared living room. While they no longer lived on the reservation, they’d retained the tradition of living together. They had a much deeper bond than just that of familial ties and they both knew it. He met Ragtow’s gaze. The spiritual bond between them was singing with awareness. They were only waiting on Onatah to complete the bond and make them whole. She was the third side to their connection. Without her they weren’t grounded and both knew it.

  “It’s got to be soon, Ragtow. I can’t take many more of these dreams.”

  “I know. She’ll be coming soon. Orenda promised us the time was upon us. We’ve only got to wait a bit longer. Once the moon is full, she’ll be able to cross time and join us. Orenda has never been wrong.”

  “Let’s hope not.” Jack held his head in his hands. “I don’t know how much longer I can wait for Orenda’s baby sister to find the portal and come to us. If she doesn’t come soon, I swear I’m going to find a way to go to her, prophesy be damned.”

  Ragtow nodded. There was no use arguing about it. It was amazing Jack had waited this long. His older cousin was a real force to be reckoned with when he wanted something, and Orenda’s younger sister was what they both wanted—what they both needed. They’d waited years for the time to be right. Time was running out for them to form their own Triad and find the balance they needed. Their personal need for their mate was not alone. Their people needed her just as desperately. Achak was adamant their mate was what their people needed to flourish. She was needed now—with this moon—for all of them.

  Chapter Two

  Northern New York Territory, 1816

  Kneeling on the ground next to the fire pit, Onatah Littlebird helped herself to a bowl of the venison stew her mother had prepared earlier in the day while she’d been out attending the sick. The loss of the young girl was weighing heavily on her. It was at times like these she wondered why the Great Spirit had ever called upon her to use her meager healing gift when he was going to take the spirit of innocence despite all her attempts to keep it here.

  “Daughter, how does Little Doe fair?”

  Tipping her head down, she shook it sadly. When her mother’s hands touched her shoulders, she closed her eyes while she tried futilely to keep the tears at bay.

  “Thou tried, Onatah. If the Great Spirit deemed it time for Little Doe to return home, it was her time.”

  Nodding, she took deep breaths as her appetite deserted her. Handing her mother the bowl, she stood. “I’m going to go down by the river. Perhaps a walk will clear my thoughts.”

  Her mother stood and chewed on her lip nervously. “Be careful, Onatah, the river has claimed many including your sister. At least take this with you.”

  Accepting the corn cake from her mother, she tucked it into the pocket of her doeskin skirt before leaning down and grabbing her walking staff. She’d used it for both protection and comfort. Her father had made it for her.

  “I shall be careful.”

  Making her way away from the center of her village, she walked towards the river. The mighty St. Lawrence River was wide and fast flowing. She found the oddest comfort walking along its shores. She felt closer to her sister, even though her heart was saddened. Her people had lost a great seer when Orenda had fallen into the fast moving waters, never to be seen again.

  “I miss you, Orenda, and your guidance. You always knew how to comfort me.” Walking along the edge of the water, she nibbled on the corn cake and tried to come to terms with the fact she’d lost the small girl. At times like this, she felt so insignificant and that her healing skills had failed her.

  * * * *

  Gananoque, Ontario 2010, The Eve of The Full Moon

  Glancing at the watch on his wrist, Jack frowned. It was after six and Ragtow was normally home from his shift at Covidien by now. The plant which was located not far from their home manufactured ECG leads for doctor’s offices and with his Masters Degree in Science, Ragtow was head of Research and Development. He was always home by four, so when he still hadn’t arrived, Jack worried as he left their small home, and headed towards the center of town intent on finding his wayward cousin.

  Coming past the casino he could hear music and the busy noise of slot machines. He briefly thought of going in. Orenda worked there in security. Since she’d been employed the rate of card sharks had drastically decreased. No one wanted to try to cheat a casino with a ‘bona fide seer’ in the control room. She could tell him exactly where to find his cousin but in a town the size of Gananoque, population five thousand minus the islanders, he’d locate him faster just by doing a quick walk through the town.

  He finally found him standing at the water’s edge gazing out at the St Lawrence River. The inherent tension filling Ragtow’s body was easy to see. Joining him at the railing, they watched the ships ferry up and down the river.

  “Long day at the office, cousin?” Sometimes Ragtow came down to the river when his job’s stresses got to him.

  Ragtow shook his head. “I couldn’t concentrate today so I cut out early.”

  Jack cocked his head and waited for him to continue. Sometimes patience was the best bet with his cousin. It paid off as Ragtow finally turned to face him.

  “Do you think she’ll adjust to this time, Pajackok? I worry about it. This time is very different than the eighteen hundreds. She’ll never have even had any electricity, much less ridden in a car, or any of the other technological things we take for granted.”

  “We’ll ease her into our world, cousin. That’s why we’ve taken time off from our jobs and we’re using the old homestead outside of town. I checked with Andy, the electricity is on. I plan on taking out groceries and everything we’re going to need for at least a two week stay. We’ll take care of her and make sure she doesn’t regret coming to us.”

  Ragtow nodded. “I sometimes wonder if it would be better for us to return to her time than force her to adapt to ours. With your training as a nurse and mine as an engineer we
would be a great asset to her people.”

  “I know, but what would you do if you had to go without your Saturday morning cartoons?” Jack had meant it as a joke, but it was quite obvious his humor had failed when his cousin quickly turned to face him.

  “I’d gladly give up my cartoons if it meant our woman would be happy.”

  “You and I both, Ragtow. Come, it’s getting late. We’re going to need our rest before we start our journey tomorrow. It wouldn’t do for us to be so tired we can’t pleasure our mate.”

  A grin broke over Ragtow’s dark face. “Speak for yourself, old man. I’m still young and studly. I’ll be able to pleasure our mate long after your member goes limp.”

  “We’ll see who lasts longer, cousin.” Jack cuffed his shoulder, glad that whatever funk his cousin had been in was finally over.

  * * * *

  Northern New York Territory, 1816

  Onatah awoke to screams. Shoving the furs off her, she raced out of her mother’s wigwam. The sounds and smell of black powder guns filled the clan’s clearing as a familiar hand grabbed her arm.

  “Mother!” She caught her mother’s falling figure. Blood was flowing freely from a wound on her temple. Instinctively she pressed her hands against the wound.

  “Go, run!” Her mother’s hoarse plea fell on deaf ears.

  “No! I won’t leave thou! You’re the only family I have left.” Kneeling in the slushy mud and blood splattered snow, Onatah refused to let her mother go. Struggling to her feet, she dragged her mother up. “I refuse to let thou go.” Half carrying and half dragging her mother, she ran as fast as she could from the village. When they finally reached the water’s edge, Onatah stopped, turned and sobbed. Her only home was a blaze as the soldiers set fire to every structure. The screams and shouts of her people had her turning to rush back towards the village when her mother grabbed her arm.

  “Stubborn girl!”

  “Let go of me, mother! I can help them.” Struggling against her mother’s surprisingly strong grip, she tried to help her people.

  “I’m sorry, Onatah. There is no help for us now. Your sister foresaw the end of our way of life before she left. Now it’s time for you to join her.”

  Disbelief washed over her and Onatah turned to face her mother.

  “Mother, what are you talking about? Orenda is gone and my place is here with you and our people.”

  Her mother smiled sadly at her. “Your place is with your mates. Go, they are waiting for you.”

  Looking at her mother as if she’d grown three heads, she tried to back away from her, but the firm grip her mother had on her arm stopped her.

  “I love you, daughter. Tell your sister, I love her and miss her. Now go.”

  “Go where? She’s gone, Mother!” She cried out as her mother gave her a hard shove and she tumbled backwards into the fast flowing water. A scream left her as she sank beneath the surface. Coming up for breath, she tried to stay afloat as she was washed further away from her burning village and everything she’d ever known. Desperately she grabbed at a log near her, hoping to use it to keep from drowning. Wrapping her arms around it, she rested her head against the rough bark as tears ran down her cheeks. As much as she longed to join her sister, she wasn’t ready to die yet.

  “I love you, Orenda, but I can’t die simply to rejoin you, no matter what our mother wants.”

  * * * *

  Onatah was jerked out of her daze when the log she grasped finally bumped ashore. Opening her eyes, she glanced around in the dark but nothing looked familiar. Wearily she unwrapped her protesting arms and tried to stand. Swaying she tried to stagger and crawl out of the river. As her knees buckled, a pair of masculine arms wrapped around her and lifted her from the St. Lawrence’s icy water.

  “Shh, ma puissance, I’ve got you, now.” The deep baritone nearly had her fainting. Had the soldiers found her? Looking up, shock washed over her as she recognized the man holding her. It was the man from her dream. What was his name? Yes…Ragtow.

  “Thou can’t be here! Did thou come with the soldiers?” Fear washed over her, and she tried to struggle in his arms.

  “No, ma tranquillité, you came to us in our time.” The deep voice on her right had her head turning. It was the second man from her dream… Jack.

  “Thou’s time? What does thou mean?”

  “It’s the year two thousand and ten, Onatah, and the Great Spirit decided to finally gift us with you. You’re the third member of our Triad. Ours to love, cherish, and protect.”

  A scream of shock and astonished disbelief escaped her and for the first time in her life, Onatah fainted.

  Chapter Three

  The smell of something heavenly teased her nose. It smelled something like the hickory coffee her mother sometimes traded furs with the settlers for. With the lean winter they’d just come through, what few furs they’d managed to collect for trading had been used for staples such as flour and salt. Opening her eyes, she slowly sat up and looked around. She was in the longhouse from her dream! How had she gotten here? She moaned softly as memories of the fire and her mother pushing her into the river. She remembered fighting for her life against the strong current. Somehow she’d managed to survive the river but how…

  The sound of two voices pitched low and speaking French reached her ears as the unfamiliar sound of what she thought might be a wood door closing and opening, had her looking around the room for a place to hide. How had she ended up in the settler’s village? If she stayed here, she’d be hunted as a witch for sure. The white man didn’t understand the difference between a medicine woman-healer and a witch.

  Shoving the blankets off her, she sprang from the huge raised pallet only to stumble as her shaky knees protested the idea of her walking. The urgent need to relieve herself had her holding onto the wall of the room. Looking towards the door where the voices were coming from, she chose to use the other one. She wasn’t taking any chances.

  Slipping inside the room, she looked around in shock. The long basin along the far wall looked similar to what white men used to water their horses. But surely they didn’t bring horses inside? Spotting an oddly shaped seat next to it, she walked over and lifted the lid. Blue water greeted her. Seeing a shiny handle she experimentally pushed it. She jumped back as the water swirled as it disappeared only to be replaced by more blue water. What kind of sorcery was this? Licking her lips as the sound of running water increased her urge to relieve herself, she finally lifted the short gown she was wearing and sat down. She shivered when the cool porcelain touched her bottom. She let out a deep sigh afterwards and stood. Pushing down on the lever once more, she was pleased to see it washed away the evidence. Turning she approached a smaller round basin and fiddled with the levers. When water rushed from a spout, she washed her hands before drying them on the soft towel hanging from a wall hook.

  Reentering the room, she stared at the large pallet that dominated the room’s center. This room was obviously used for sleeping, but did an entire family sleep on the strangely elevated pallet? She’d just made her way back to it when the wooden door opened and one of the men from her dream walked in carrying a tray. The delicious smells triggered her hunger. But she was still afraid of him. Scrambling around the bed, she tried to hide from his view.

  “What are you doing out of bed, ma puisannce? Did you find the bathroom?” The thick French accent she heard seemed odd coming from the copper skinned man.

  “Thou…thou aren’t real. Is this another dream?”

  Setting the tray on the stand next to the bed, Ragtow walked around the bed. Lifting her with ease despite her struggles, he set her back amongst the rumpled sheets. She swallowed, as the lust she’d seen in his eyes during her dream, returned this morning. “Stay put, Onatah. Jack would have my hide if I let you catch a chill. He takes his job as a nurse quite seriously.”

  She frowned at him. “Nurse?” She mulled the word over in her head before giggling when she tried to imagine the other man from he
r dream nursing a babe.

  “Tis not possible...”

  “Ah, the language barrier. Jack is what you would probably consider a healer helper. He assists doctors…healers…with caring for the patients.”

  Understanding washed over her. “He is a special man then.”

  Ragtow sat down on the edge of the bed and held out the cup of orange colored liquid to her. She cocked her head. “What is it?”

  “It’s orange juice, ma puissance. Try it.” Holding the glass to her lips, he allowed her to sip on it. The burst of citrus along her tongue was surprising. It was both tart and sweet. When he took the glass from her mouth, she protested.

  “A little bit at a time. Too much, too fast can make you sick. Or so I’ve been told.”

  The bang of the outside door had her looking up. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Ragtow looked down at her. “That will be Pajackok, or Jack as most call him. Our company has just arrived. Someone has been quite anxious to see you again.”

  Pulling the covers up to her chin, she stared at him with big eyes and trembled with fear. She didn’t want to meet anyone else from this strange time.

  “Do you honestly think either Jack or I would allow another to hurt you? We’re here to love, cherish and protect you. We would sooner cut off our own arms than allow you to be hurt.”

  She shook her head as the voices grew closer. They both seemed familiar. There was definitely a man’s and a woman’s voice coming from the other part of the longhouse.

  “I know it’s going to be a lot to ask but I want you to trust us, ma puissance.”

  She swallowed as the door opened and Jack strode in, in all his glory. Desire shimmered along her nerve endings as his fluid stride brought him to her side in three long strides. Tipping her head back, she couldn’t help but be amazed at his height. He was taller than any man she’d ever seen. With his hair neatly divided and braided, he looked immaculate in the cream breeches and button down shirt. He was quite the contrast to Ragtow, who was wearing the faded denim jeans from her dream and a soft tunic with his hair flowing down his back. She noticed the tunic was the same color as the one she was wearing herself. Perhaps it belonged to the man.