“She is not my slave,” he repeated firmly, lips taut.
“She was while I was gone,” she refuted. “She’s a pretty female. She even favors me. Have you never thought of her as a woman?” She noticed the tic that appeared and quivered in his jawline. Anger?
Enlightenment washed over him. Did she suspect his guilt and weakness? “Once before you asked such questions. I have not taken her to my mat. That is your meaning?” he icily implied.
“Did you ever want to take her to your mat?” she challenged, using his own words to voice her unspoken charge.
“Hiya! What madness fills the darkness in your mind?” he sneered, eyes blazing with tightly leashed fury.
Either one or the other was mistaken or lying! When he eyed the doubt in her angry eyes, he stated, “Upon my life and honor, I have not taken her or any woman. Why do you question me this way?”
“I wished to test your claims of love for me. Leah is lovely, and she was available. I am naive, Gray Eagle, but not enough to be unaware of the needs men have. I only wanted to know if you replaced me while I was gone.” It was time to halt her vexing probe.
He broke into amused laughter. “You are jealous? Of a white slave? How can this be so? No female can match your beauty or gentleness. How could a man cast his eyes upon another when his heart burns for only you?” His expression and tone were cryptic.
“Does your heart burn for only me?” she asked seriously.
“Sha, Grass Eyes, for only you. My heart, my mind, and my body see only you. I would prove this if you would allow me,” he hinted huskily, his gaze and tone convincing.
Panic danced wildly in her gaze. Reading it, he shook his head and sighed heavily. “Why, Shalee? Why do you deny such love?”
“I’m honestly trying to work this thing out,” she stated sadly, wishing she had denied Leah’s visit.
“No, Shalee, you are resisting it. You hold to fear and doubt. You will not reach out to me.”
She tensed as he leaned forward and kissed her. “See? Coldness fills you like winter when I touch you, but fires like the summer sun burn upon me. Let my heat melt your snow,” he urged tenderly.
When he leaned forward this time, she did not turn her face away. She allowed his lips to explore hers. Surely he held the answers to her doubts. She inhaled raggedly as warm and stirring air filled her ear as he nibbled upon the lobe. His mouth returned to hers, plundering it with skillful devastation. His kisses deepened and intensified. A strange glow spread through her body. Her arms slowly eased around his neck and held his lips more tightly to hers.
It did not matter that the doeskin garment was between her breasts and his hand, the blissful sensations could not be denied. Shalee didn’t know when her hem was lifted and his daring hand began an exquisite expedition in that private region, but a stirring ecstasy sang within her mind and body. The small peak beneath his thumb grew taut with desire. The passage where his manhood yearned to travel moistened with rising passion. Determined to end her resistance, he worked gently and deliberately. Soon, she moaned with hungers she did not recognize. She clung to him to sate the needs that plagued her fiery body.
He lifted his head and gazed down at her, ebony eyes smoldering with bright fires. “It is time to end this agony that torments us. We must join our bodies and love as we have many times.”
His words panicked her. “We can’t. It’s too soon. Please don’t.”
“I burn with need for you, Shalee,” he coaxed futilely.
Her speculative jab hit home before she could halt its careless toss, cooling his passion and enflaming his temper, “Like you burned with anger and hatred moments ago! If you truly love me, give me time to know you again. Which is greater, Wanmdi Hota: your lust for me or your love for me?”
“If the love was not greater, I would take you without your agreement! My body hungers for yours, but I wish to feed your needs, not your hatred.”
He was up and gone before she could think clearly. What was this tension and aching within her? Why did she suddenly feel empty and sad? Why did she want to run after him and beg him to return, to begin a new assault upon her senses? What was this fierce craving in her breasts, upon her lips, deep within her womanhood? Was this the fiery agony he had mentioned? Was this the calling of passion to be sated? Did his body feel this same torment of denial that hers did? No wonder he was upset and angry! It wasn’t fair to build a fire, then toss cold water upon it! But pride and confusion held her glued to the mat. Too many discrepancies flourished here!
It was dusk when she realized she wasn’t alone. To her astonishment, it was not Shining Light who brought food and drink to her tonight; it was Gray Eagle. He handed her a water skin and wooden tray without meeting her gaze. His aura was cool, punishing. “I go to council. Sleep when you are weary.” He collected his prayer pipe, informing her never to touch it or other tabu items. He left before she could thank him or speak.
Her appetite lagging, she only nibbled at the food. The silence in the tepee was taunting; loneliness and despair kept her company. The resolution to her problem wasn’t simple or easy. It seemed her only peaceful recourse was to become his wife in all ways, but how could she? Why was he being so selfish? Why had Leah tarnished his bronze image?
The happy sounds outside the tepee called out to her, but she couldn’t bring herself to entice more rejection and anguish. She wept in dejection, feeling she was as much a white prisoner here as Leah was. Leah… why did her thoughts keep returning to her? She knew why. Leah had widened the breach that had been steadily closing between her and Gray Eagle. But he was as much a distressing stranger as Leah was! If only she knew who to trust.…
The hour grew late. Night owls called to their mates. A gentle breeze played at the ventilation opening. When she could resist the weariness of her mind and body no longer, sleep came to her.
By midafternoon the next day, the only person she had seen was Shining Light when she brought her meals. The loneliness increased after the genial woman’s departure and Shalee faced another lengthy span until nightfall. If her sullen husband had returned last night, he had departed before she had awakened. Was he avoiding her and their problem? Afraid of touching a ritual object, she resisted the curiosity to investigate their possessions. Did female contact actually cancel magic or power?
When the silence and solitude seemed unbearable for a moment longer, Gray Eagle entered. He looked at her, his expression unreadable and stoic. “I go for a walk, Shalee. Do you wish exercise and fresh air?” He impassively invited her for a walk.
She brightened immediately. “Yes, please.” She quickly accepted his offer before he could withdraw it or disappear again.
“Come, the day is warm and refreshing.” He held out his hand to her, testing her responsive mood. She looked at it only a moment before taking it. He smiled and relaxed. “The Great Spirit told me your anger had cooled and you needed me.”
He led her outside. As they walked through the camp, her eager eyes darted here and there. They encountered only a few people; all smiled or waved to them. Her spirits rising, she smiled and waved back. “Where is everyone? There are many tepees, but so few people.”
“My people rest this time of day,” he reminded her.
She caught herself before saying she had forgotten. That one word could rapidly dampen this sunny day. They walked into the forest. When they reached the riverbank, he headed to his right, gently pulling her along. She gazed at the birthing beauty and serenity that surrounded them. “It’s so lovely and peaceful here,” she remarked absently.
“Sha,” he concurred in a vital tone, steadily mellowing.
Reluctant to cloud their sunny aura, she did not apologize for their misunderstanding yesterday. Upon reflection, she was as much at fault as he had been. He stopped and sat down. “Yanka,” he instructed, patting the ground beside him.
She obeyed without thinking twice. “Soon, we must return to the Plains. The work is hard, Shalee, and you are still weak
. Will the journey be too hard for you?”
“I don’t think so. I’m getting stronger every day. How far is it to your summer camp? Do we walk or ride?”
“Such a journey tires even the strong and healthy. You must be careful. The journey will take eight or ten moons. We halt only for heavy rains or to defend against enemies. Most walk while the horses pull the possessions. You will ride with me.”
“I’ll be fine, Gray Eagle. What about our son?”
“He will ride upon the tipi. Other times, he will walk with the others. He is strong; he has made this journey many times.”
“Is it… too soon to see him again? I know I upset him last time, but… we can’t get to know each other again if we stay apart.”
“He will eat in our tipi this moon. You must…”
“I must what?” she asked when he halted.
“I was going to say lie upon the mat and let him think you are still weak and his visit must be short and happy. This is wrong. He is our son. We must not deceive him. We must try hard to look happy and relaxed.”
“You do not like deception, do you?” she abruptly asked.
“No, Shalee. But such teases at my mind when I see how the truth hurts those I love. His mind and the mind of his mother are keen; they would know of such tricks and resent them. It must be the truth, even if it hurts.”
“What will we eat? We can’t ask Shining Light to cook for us every day. I know!” she exclaimed in excitement. “If you could kill a rabbit, I know how to cook it over an open fire. I can also cook bread upon stones. I could fix our meal.”
He grinned in pleasure. “Come, I must hunt, wife. I will take you to our tipi to cook for your family. Gray Eagle must search the forest for a fat rabbit,” he teased.
She laughed in elation. At last she was needed for something important. He pulled her to her feet, quelling the temptation to kiss her. She noted the desire in his eyes and the tautness that stiffened his body. She smiled and stated softly, “You can kiss me if you wish.”
That provocative invitation widened his gaze. His eyes fused with hers. His hand caressed her cheek and slipped into her silky hair. His groin tightened in warning. “I dare not. A kiss would enflame me to desire more. Come, Shalee. We must prepare to eat with our son.”
Shalee was miffed and disappointed at his rejection, then recalled how his kisses could spark wildfires in her body. She suddenly giggled. He was right again! The confession that she could dangerously enflame him as he enflamed her was a heady and thrilling feeling.
“You taunt me, woman?” he jested, eyeing her roguishly.
“No, Wanmdi Hota. I was thinking how true your words were.”
He was about to say something, but mastered the urge to tease her. He must walk lightly upon this new truce. He must tempt her to desire him beyond her control; she must reach out to him in great need. He would become like the pizuta yuta, the drugging peyote buttons; he would ensnare her mind until she could not resist or defy him. If he was patient and cunning, his prowess would call out to her.
The evening went exceptionally well as Gray Eagle unobtrusively translated his son’s words and aided Shalee with replying in Sioux. The rabbit was roasted to perfection and relished with the wild greens cooked and offered by Shining Light for this joyous occasion. To hold Bright Arrow’s attention, Gray Eagle wittingly entertained him with exciting tales of his past coups, winking at Shalee to let her know where to laugh or nudging her when to sigh in awe. The ploy worked beautifully. Gray Eagle bragged with Shalee’s help, allowing Bright Arrow to relax and enjoy this family event.
Later, he sat calmly in his mother’s lap while Gray Eagle offered a prayer to the Great Spirit to help them teach Shalee all she needed to learn. When the child added his compliments to her keen and quick mind, she smiled and stated, “Pidamaye.”
He beamed with contentment and hugged her.
Gray Eagle said, “Listen, Bright Arrow; the night owls say it is late. Soon, you will return to our tipi. It is time for your mother to sleep now. She-used much energy to care for us tonight.”
Bright Arrow happily kissed her and bid her goodnight this time. At the entrance, he whirled and ran back to her to hug her once more. She laughed and squeezed him tightly. When Gray Eagle returned, he was grinning from ear to ear. “Bright Arrow’s tongue moves as swiftly as the river, Shalee. By morning, all in camp will know of the rabbit and the happy time.”
She giggled in satisfaction. “It did go excellently, didn’t it? Thank you, Gray Eagle. You made our son very happy tonight.”
“My heart sings with love and pride. We have shared many such moons. Soon, many more will join them. Sleep, Little One.” He spread a buffalo mat near hers and lay down. He sighed in pleasure and closed his eyes. There was only one way better to end such an evening, but that was impossible tonight.
“Goodnight, Wanmdi Hota,” she called across the short distance, her voice soft.
“Goodnight, Grass Eyes,” he replied cheerfully.
A tickling sensation teased at her nose. She brushed at it several times. As she opened her eyes to greet a new day, she discovered the source of the mischief. Gray Eagle was propped upon his elbows and trailing a feather over her nose. He laughed as their eyes met and fused. “You must open your eyes, Little One. Your father has arrived and wishes to see you,” he stated as casually as possible.
“My father? You mean Black Cloud?” she asked in suspense. “What will I say to him?”
He smiled. “He knows of your injury. He will speak and I will tell you his words. Do not worry; I will remain at your side.”
“I have to freshen up first,” she said, instantly seeking to delay this event.
“All is ready. I will wait outside,” he offered before she could ask.
Within a half an hour, they were approaching Running Wolf’s tepee to eat and talk with Chief Black Cloud. Gray Eagle grasped her hand and affectionately pressed it. He smiled encouragingly. She smiled in return and tightened her grip upon his comforting hand. They entered the tepee.
Black Cloud rushed forward and embraced her. She smiled and spoke his name, “Mahpiya Sapa,” as Gray Eagle had taught her. When he paused in the rapid flow of his words, Gray Eagle translated them: words of love, concern, and apology for not coming to her sooner.
She smiled and asked her husband to tell him she understood the mix-up with the messages. She sat down beside Gray Eagle to be served by Leah, along with the men. She ate slowly as the men talked. Ever so often, the virile warrior near her would explain their words and offer her comments to the two chiefs. When they burst into hearty laughter at something Running Wolf had said, she curiously asked what was so amusing.
His roguish grin nagged at her heart as he replied, “Running Wolf told your father we behave as we did after our joining and his eyes hardly touch upon us. He claims we spend all our days and nights in my tipi. “ It was not a literal translation, for the joke was rather risqué and he didn’t wish to offend her. After all, she couldn’t recall the events following their wedding in the Blackfoot camp. How could she know she had been kidnapped by a love-blinded half-breed scout two days after their joining and been lost to him for many months? But when she had been found, they had spent all their days and nights in his tipi! Powchutu had stolen many moons and happiness from them. He forced vexing memories of his past rival aside.
She pinkened and lowered her lashes, concealing both her shyness and her wayward thoughts. “The way the sun sets upon your face, Grass Eyes, they will think us guilty of such play,” he teased.
She risked a glance at him, then smiled at his mischievous expression. Every clever quip she could think of had provocative undertones, so she remained silent. He laughed, whispering into her ear, “Knowing you, Grass Eyes, your wit is strained to remain silent.”
Their gazes locked. “Have I no secrets from you, husband?” she teased merrily.
“Many moons ago, none. But this moon, I think yes,” he mysteriously concluded
.
“If you could know and read me as easily as the lines upon your hand, I would become dull and boring,” she seductively murmured.
“For as long as I have known you, you have always come to me fresh and different each time. You are a challenge that I shall never fully win. But I will keep trying,” he warned playfully.
She was sorely tempted to ask, what would happen if I allowed you to win? She did not, for Leah’s glacial and mocking attention seemed focused upon them. Without appearing overly quizzical or suspicious, Shalee furtively observed both Gray Eagle and Leah. By the time the meal was over and they were leaving to sit in the sun to continue their visit, Shalee knew two facts: one, if Leah held any interest or intrigue for her husband, he concealed it totally; two, Leah was definitely attracted to her intrepid husband!
The morning was long and demanding. When they retired to their tepee to rest, she slept deeply. That night, another lengthy visit was enhanced by a celebration, giving the people their first real glimpses at Princess Shalee and her troublesome injury. Still, she was treated with great respect and affection.
By nightfall, she was so enraptured by her warm reception that she allowed Gray Eagle to entice her to dance with him. Music came from kettle drums, eaglebone whistles, and an assortment of gourd rattles. Many couples moved around the large campfire in a mixture of steps that were easy to pick up and follow. She laughed at herself as she attempted to follow his instructions, soon moving as gracefully as he did. When the music halted briefly, they collapsed in merriment upon the same buffalo skin.
“If I did not know of the cloud over your mind, Shalee, I would say you have not forgotten the Dance of Lovers.”
“Dance of Lovers?” she entreated him to expound.
“You danced with me, telling others I am your chosen one,” he elucidated mirthfully.
“Since you are my husband, should that surprise anyone?” she saucily retorted, smiling up into his relaxed gaze.
Brazen Ecstasy Page 19
