by Karen Kay
Again, she nodded. Staring up at the handsome image of him, as the moon and shadows washed over the hills and valleys of his complexion, she found herself not only seduced by his nearness, but enchanted with the vitality that was his alone.
“It happened long ago,” he started again, his voice low and soothing. He went on, telling her of the being he referred to as the Thunderer, speaking of his own people who were imprisoned in a mist, telling her of the Creator’s promise to give his people a chance to end the curse, and of the boys chosen to go out into the world to do so.
When at last he finished, she was silent as she tried to digest what he had said. She realized he was right. She didn’t really believe him.
But it didn’t matter what she thought. The point was that he believed it…and that she had come to trust him. “Are you one of those boys who was chosen to end the curse?”
“I am.”
“And so the task that imperils you is to free your people?”
“Hau, yes.”
“And how do you seek to do it? You must have some idea?”
“A little, perhaps. But this is why I ask for guidance and power from my spiritual helper. Without that I would be lost, for as you can well see, the traditional enemies of the Lakota no longer make war.”
“Yes, I can certainly understand that. And how has this spiritual helper aided you?”
“I cannot speak of it. To do so would be as to make it powerless.”
“Oh, I see. Well, then,” she said, “is there anything you can tell me about it?”
“I can only say this one thing: My spirit protector has given me a song.”
“A song?”
“It is a good gift, for it is a sacred song.”
“A sacred song to help you on your task. Well, I think I should like to hear it. That is, if I may?”
“Hau, though the song belongs to the mountain lioness, she has given me permission to sing it freely.”
“Mountain lioness?”
“She is my spirit protector, and this is her song.”
With his free hand, Black Lion began to beat out a rhythm against the denim that covered his legs. Nodding to that rhythm, he sang:
“Haye-haye, hey, hey.
Haye-haye, hey, hey.
Come run with me.
Come feel the air rush quickly over your back
Haye-haye, hey, hey.
Come sit with me on this rock
In the sunshine.
Come feel the warmth of he who rises in the sky
Each day.
Haye-haye, hey, hey.
Come share the fresh meat I have brought you this day
Come sink your teeth into it and fill your stomach.
Haye-haye, hey, hey.
Come nestle close to me. Feel my warmth.
Come, my children. For you, I do all this. For you, I love.
Haye-haye, hey, hey.
Haye-haye, hey, hey.”
His voice had been low, barely audible, the song a mixture of minor and major keys. When he said, “Come, sing it with me,” Suzette was unprepared.
“Sing it once again,” she said.
He indulged her, then, “Are you ready to lift your voice with mine?”
“I think so. At least I will try.”
And so they sang together.
He helped her with the words when she stumbled. When it was finished, they sat still, each taking the measure of the other.
After a moment, she asked softly, “Does haye-haye mean anything?”
“It means to be glad, usually because of a gift. The mountain lioness is happy because she has her children. They are a gift to her from the Creator, and so she made this song to sing to them and to the one who made them, that they all might appreciate her love.”
“That’s very beautiful,” said Suzette.
“And so is your voice.” His fingers squeezed hers.
His touch was unlike anything she had ever experienced as far as its effect on her. Her breasts swelled, a portion of her body most private ached, and her nerve endings were on fire. Indeed, she found herself saying, “Please, do that again.”
“What?” he asked. “Sing the song with you?”
In truth, that was not what she had in mind. But she wasn’t certain she could admit that to him. Did a woman talk of her need to a man, even if that man was her husband? And if she did mention these things, what would he think of her?
Confused, she uttered the only thing she felt she could. “Yes, let us sing it again.”
They did so, and when the song was over, they stared at each other.
At last, he said, “At this moment, I feel as though I know you very well.”
“I too.”
“I would very much like to kiss you.”
“I would like that also.”
Pressing her hand, which he still held firmly within his own, he brought it up around his neck. Then, bending toward her, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
“You taste of honey and nectar,” he said against her mouth as he pushed himself a little closer to her.
“And you taste of mint,” she whispered, then she frowned at him. “Why do you taste of mint?”
“I chew the leaves, which are to be found all over this prairie. I have done so most of my life, as is common with my people. Mint is a good medicine, for it aids one in social surroundings, and it helps with a stomachache too.”
“Do you have a stomachache?”
“No, but when you sit near me, as you do now, I often feel as though I have leaped from a high cliff.”
“Do you?” At his words, an involuntary quiver raced over her skin. “Sometimes I feel that way too…about you.”
“Truly?”
Suzette didn’t answer. Alas, she was afraid to do so, if only because she craved something from this man that she could not quite admit, something quite sensual. And a proper young lady didn’t speak of such matters, did she?
In the end, she chose a safe topic. “But you have no need for the mint, I think, for your breath is quite…invigorating.”
“Invigorating?” He seemed to mull over the meaning of this word. “It is good you feel this way. In the days of old, before the white man’s liquor stole away our vigor, a warrior took pride in all things concerning his appearance, and that included the way he was perceived by others.”
She nodded. “Yes.” Because she grew tired of trying to second-guess herself and him, she threw away all caution, and whispered, “Kiss me again.”
He was not slow on the uptake, and within moments he had enfolded her fully in his arms, bringing her body in close to his. “Let us make ourselves comfortable.”
To this end, he eased her onto the ground, which was made soft by the pine needles, leaves and snow.
He did not raise himself over her fully, but rather lay by her side, with only his upper body pressed to hers. “Is your position comfortable?” he asked, even while he smoothed his lips against her cheek, then moved steadily toward her ear.
“Somewhat,” she said softly, barely able to think when his lips were making magic over her. “I do believe, however, that a pillow would be quite to my liking.”
He at once obliged her by removing his jacket, folding it carefully and placing it under her head. Immediately, the scent of horseflesh, fresh air and the unmistakable fragrance of his distinct masculinity assailed her. Excitement burst within her. But all she said was, “That’s perfect.”
They shared a sweet smile, until at last she said, “I feel I should like to inform you that I have been searching within myself for…courage.”
“Courage?”
“Yes. I fear that if I tell you what is happening with me, you will not like me very much.”
“Not like you? That will never happe
n, for I already like you. Nothing can change that. Nacece, I have liked you from the very first moment I ever saw you.”
“Have you? Still, I am uncertain.”
“I understand, but tell me anyway. I promise that regardless of what you say, I will always like you.”
“Truly?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “I have your word?”
He nodded. “You have my word.”
With as much dignity as she could muster, she said, “Very well. It is this: I do believe if you were to agree, I should not object to having an affair with you.”
“An affair? Ah, I see.” He grinned at her. “But we already have an affair,” he countered, and even as he said it, he leaned down to kiss her, an overture she returned eagerly.
Coming up for breath, she thought she should be very clear on the subject. “I think I mean more than an affair.”
“More?”
“Like…the marriage bed…perhaps…”
He was quiet for a long, long time. She became nervous.
At length, however, slipping down to lay by her side, he murmured, “I, too, would like that, very much. But you must know that I am bound by honor. An honest man does not take his pleasure with a woman who is with child. After you have the babe—”
“Yes, yes, of course. I am certain you are right about this. I should never have mentioned it.”
“Hiya, no, my heart is happy to hear you feel free to speak to me about this. We should always be honest with each other. And perhaps it is not wise that I tell you this: I, too, crave that. But there are some things more important than physical need.”
“Yes, again you know best, I am sure.”
“But it does not mean,” he continued as though she hadn’t spoken, “that I cannot kiss you like this.” No sooner had he said it than he opened his mouth over hers, his tongue dipping inside, tasting every inch of her, while his hand eased over her cheeks, her eyes, her ears, tracing over her nose, on down to her lips, which were plump and wet from his kisses. His hand continued its journey down to her neck, to her chest, which was more exposed than usual due to the cut of her evening gown.
She moaned. “That feels good.”
“Hau, it does.”
She smiled, and as he returned the gesture, he made a foray over her, moving his hand downward, avoiding her chest—as though in respect to her—but coming to rest on her stomach. He whispered, “How is the little one? Does he stir?”
“I have felt very little, but it is still somewhat early in my pregnancy, and I am told I may not be aware of his or her movements until I am a few more weeks along.”
He nodded slightly. “If he moves, I would ask that you come and seek me out, no matter where I am, for I would like to feel this also.”
“I will do that.” Any tendency she might have had in the past to remind him that the child was not his evaporated within her.
“Are you eating the right things?” he asked.
“I eat well.”
“But you must dine on very specific foods when you are with child. Foods that will ensure he will be healthy. Meat from the buffalo and certain plants should be part of your diet, for these will aid his growth and nourish his spirit.”
“Truly? I have not been aware of this. And these things are commonly known amongst your people?”
“All of our women know and seek to learn this knowledge when they are carrying a child. If you would like, I will ask someone from my tribe, for they will remember what these special foods are. And then if it pleases you, I will seek out these foods for you. Tell me, do you keep your thoughts on deeds that are happy?”
“I try to do so, but it is not always so easy.”
“But it is good that you try. For you would want your child healthy of mind, as well, I think.”
“Yes,” she agreed, patting her stomach.
He took her hand in his. “I will seek out the wisdom from the old women of my tribe. And now I think I should take you back.”
“Back? So soon?” Wasn’t the night only beginning? Why did he want to take her back?
“It may be soon to return you to the party, but I feel it is the right thing to do.”
“Why? Why do you say this? Mr. Cody’s festivity means nothing to me and I have been enjoying myself…with you.”
“I too,” he said, although he was frowning. “Perhaps though a little too much. It would be a simple deed for me to take advantage of you, especially after your confession to me this night.”
“But—”
“I must not take advantage of you. Understand this: Many times the old men of my tribe have told us boys that to take a woman who is carrying a child is bad. It could harm the child, and it might cause the mother to miscarry. It could incite both of their deaths. I would not take that risk with you.”
“But my doctor said I could…without risk to the child.”
Black Lion was silent for a moment, until at last he nodded. “The white man’s ways are strange to us, for a Lakota man would never seek his pleasure from a pregnant wife, for fear of damaging both…if not physically, then perhaps spiritually. But know this, if my honor did not keep me from it, you would not have to offer yourself to me, for we would have already made love…now…always…”
She swallowed. “Black Lion… Thank you…I think.”
“You do not need to thank me. It is the way I have been taught.”
She scoffed a little, blowing out her breath. “I was raised knowing I should save myself for my wedding night—and look at what I have done. As you say, you may have been raised in a particular way, but you honor it. And there’s the difference.” She bobbed her head. “There’s the difference.”
“Do not blame yourself for what has happened to you. The roles of men and women are often opposed, and because of the way a man is, he will try to seek his pleasure regardless of his respect for the woman or her reputation. But if a man loves a woman, it is his duty to draw a line when it comes to passion, for it is well known that a maid pushed too far is easily convinced. It is why she must be so carefully guarded by her family. An honorable man marries the girl of his choice.” He grinned at her. “Recall again that I married you.”
“Yes, so you did.”
His smile turned solemn. “And now we should go back, while I still possess the will to stop.”
“I suppose you are right, and I am certain you have more experience than I do in this matter. But come, it is dark here, the moon is shining in a very romantic way, and I am wanting one more kiss. Surely you could afford to give me that without…”
He inhaled deeply, but he nodded all the same. “Perhaps I could do that,” he said judiciously.
She caught her breath as he bent over her and positioned his open lips over her own.
Chapter Fourteen
Like a blossom, her mouth opened to him, and his tongue delved into the inner recesses of that moist haven. In and out, over and over, he tasted the clean fragrance that was her. Her tongue met his, danced with his, and then she groaned.
At the sound, he died a little. He wanted her; he was ready for her. And she wanted him, no mistake. Yet, if he was to remain honorable, and he must, he knew he had to ignore the urgings of his body.
He ended the kiss, let out a sigh and sat up. She followed him into a sitting position. Leaning forward, she reached up to spread her arms around his neck.
He grasped hold of her arms, as though to remove them from around him, yet he couldn’t quite manage it. Instead, he turned his face in toward her, rubbing his head along the skin of her upper arms. After a while, he said, “You surely test me. But you know that we cannot carry on in this manner much longer. Already I fear I will obtain little sleep this night.”
“Indeed?”
At that moment, something in her abdomen moved. He felt it.
“Was that the child?” h
e asked.
She looked surprised, as well as he. “I think it was. It is the first movement I have felt.” She grinned up at him. “How delightful it happened now. I believe he might approve of what we are doing.”
Black Lion returned her smile and placed his hand over her stomach. “Maybe he will move again.”
As she eased her hand over his, Black Lion let his gaze wash over her, and he would have had to be a blind fool not to recognize the raw hunger illuminated within her eyes.
But he shut himself off from the sight. It did nothing to help his resolve. Delicately, she rubbed her hand over his, then smoothed the backs of her fingers over his cheek. He groaned, even while his stomach took a steep dive.
“Your cheekbones are high,” she commented, “and your skin is soft.”
“I am not soft.”
“Well, perhaps soft is the wrong word. What I mean is smooth-shaven. Have you a beard?”
“Not as the white man has,” he responded quietly. “There are a few whiskers that grow on my face, perhaps, but I, like my fathers before me, pluck these, and they are not many. I fear it would be a wasted effort for me to shave as does the white man. And if I let the hair grow on my face, I would still never have a full beard.”
“It is interesting, I think. You are so different from everything I am accustomed to. I wonder about your chest.”
He swallowed, holding himself rigidly back from her. “My chest?”
“Yes. Do you have hair on your chest, or do you shave it?”
“Shave it? I have no hair on my chest, nor do I have any on my arms or legs, as the white man does.”
Again, she traced her hand over the contours of his face. He grabbed hold of that hand, placing his lips against her fingers, as he urged himself to keep control, not only over himself, but of their situation.
She said quietly, “I would like to see your chest.”
He almost lost it. “Do you try to seduce me, even after all I have said?”
“No, well…maybe. It is only I am curious.”
“Curious? Perhaps I should also remind you I am doing all I can to keep your honor and mine close to my heart.”
“And you do that very well. I would still like to see it.”
