“Yes, Little One. The days and nights have been empty and long without you,” he murmured in that low, hypnotic voice of his.
Tears of joy and relief welled in her green eyes. “So very long and lonely, Gray Eagle,” she readily agreed. “I missed you more than words can say. Each day I prayed for your quick and safe return to me. Each night I became more and more afraid of the meaning of your delay. But you have never been defeated or possessed with evil. We have all made mistakes and suffered from brief moments of weakness. If you were perfect and pure, you would be Wakantanka and not Gray Eagle. I love you and need you. You judged yourself much too harshly, and I loved you so much I also weakened in fear of losing you. Perhaps my illness placed a strain upon both of us, a strain that caused us to react as we should not. Those weeks of not knowing you shone brighter than I realized and confused my mind as the memories returned. I hurt you deeply and I am sorry. This time has been difficult for us, but it cannot destroy our love. There are no ghosts between us now.”
A smile captured his sensual mouth, a dazzling one that seemed to drive every shadow from the dim tepee and her heart. He pulled her into his embrace and held her possessively and lovingly. She could feel and hear the thundering of his heart. “Tonight, I was coming home to you, my one love above all others. I have hungered for you each moment I was away. I feared the Great Spirit would rage at my lack of attention. As I prayed and chanted, I would hear your name slip from my lips. As I dreamed, your face would float before me. Even as I weakened, my needs for you grew stronger. Never has patience tested me more. Many times I had to force myself from the entrance to the cave as my heart was drawn to leave, to return to your side. But I was not yet Gray Eagle, and I could offer you no less. What is my life without you? From the moment you stepped before me at your fortress when I was the captive of your people, I have loved and desired you, Little One, only you with all my heart and body. You fill me as my body fills my skin; there is room for no other.”
She leaned back and looked up into his smoldering eyes, reading the love and passion blazing there. “We were so foolish, my love. We must never allow anyone or anything ever to spoil or endanger our love and joy. Only we have the power to destroy or protect it. For me, there will never be a man to take the place of Gray Eagle, for you are my place in life. I would cease without you.”
His mouth came down upon hers, exploring and tasting the sweet nectar there. He crushed her so tightly to his chest that she could hardly breathe, but she did not care. Eagerly seeking the treasures she possessed, he plundered her mouth with skill and resolve. Her arms encircled his waist and slipped up his back. How intoxicating it was to touch him. Her mind reeled with the fiery sensations that they shared. His nearness was like an aphrodisiac, she was drugged by it.
Surely there was no spot upon her face which did not tingle from his searing kisses. Her body surged with life and desire, as did his. Never was she more alive or elated than when in his arms. He controlled the very essence of her being. His warm breath sent tremors over her flesh as he nibbled at her ear and whispered tender words into it. His insistent hands roamed her sensitive body, each area responding hastily to them. They moved leisurely as if refreshing each inch within his mind, enflaming her with their gentleness and fire.
There was no spot upon her that did not cry out for him to invade it, to conquer it, to claim it as his own domain. As his lips and tongue played upon her palms, she shivered with excitement. “My body burns like a fiery torch for you, Little One. My needs are as tight as the beaver’s dam. I almost fear to take you so soon, for surely the dam will explode the moment I enter you.”
Her voice was sensually husky as she vowed, “I am a careless beaver, my love. The dam is so weak that it will require little to tear it away.” Thus she revealed her own desperate need for him.
Flames licked greedily at his smoldering body and igneous eyes as he removed her garments and enticingly roved the shapely body before him. He bent forward to capture an inviting breast with his lips. As his tongue circled the point, she watched with a mesmerized gaze. Wild and wonderful feelings played havoc with her control. She wanted to savor this long-awaited and special moment, but her needs were too great to wait.
Her hand went to his head and wandered into the sleek midnight mane. Each time he left one breast to tease the other, it would mutely plead for his return. His lips began to move upwards until they locked fiercely with hers. His hand provocatively slipped down her hips and over her taut stomach to seek out the secret place that summoned his attention and deft movements. A moan escaped her lips between kisses.
“This fire that rages within me will surely consume me to ashes if you do not feed it soon,” she declared hungrily.
Her shaky hands sought and loosened the ties to his breechcloth. It was a difficult task, but eventually a successful one. As it fell away, her hand claimed the prize that possessed the power to drive her mindless with ecstatic pleasure and blissful torture. It was sleek and warm. It reared proudly like some wild and carefree stallion. Her daring hand stroked it gently, causing its spirit to heighten. His body shuddered as a groan came from deep within his brawny chest.
Her hand was forced to slip away as he lifted her and carried her to their mat. He lay her down, instantly joining her and fusing his mouth to hers as his hand returned to taunt her breasts and womanhood, to seductively anticipate what was in store for them.
Dazed with heady desire, she pleaded, “Love me, Wanmdi Hota… love me now or I shall surely die of need….”
This joining so long-denied and her body so eager for his, he swiftly entered her, the contact nearly causing her to swoon and to cry out with exquisite rapture. Her face imprisoned between his hands, he artfully ravished her mouth, his manhood striving to sate her great need. She was trapped in his power. All restraint and resentment torn away, she heatedly surrendered her will and body to his loving assault, seeking the sublime fulfillment that only he could grant.
Her hands moved up and down his back, reveling in the strength of the rippling muscles. As he probed her body, his lips could not leave hers, for her passion was so great that she could not constrain her moans, which could awaken their son and disrupt this victorious moment. More and more he realized the advantage of the white man’s wooden tepee with its offer of privacy that could shut out the world in times like this. In the heat of the moment, that amusing thought was discarded.
When the raging waters of passion crashed forcefully against her weakened dam, it was torn asunder. She was blissfully swept away with its powerful currents, helpless to do anything but allow herself to be carried along with its savage surge for freedom and release. He continued his control of her mouth, suspecting the muffled cry of pleasure could have been heard throughout the entire camp if he had not prevented it. He was heady with the knowledge of the way he could please her.
As her flood of passion began to subside, he quickly pursued her before she could reach the tranquil pond. Giving free rein to his manhood, he plunged forward to join her. His release was so potent, his body shuddered violently as he exploded within her. So ensnared was he by her magic that he almost lost control of his own tongue. He rode the intense waves until every spasm ceased and he was peacefully drifting to join her in the quiet waters that lapped serenely at them.
His respiration erratic and his heart pounding fiercely, he whispered against her lips, “Waste cedake, Cinstinna. Waste cedake.”
He rolled to his left side, carrying her along with him, unwilling to break their contact. Her hand caressed his cheek, then pushed the raven-black hair over his bronze shoulder. It lingered there to caress the flawless and smooth surface, to slowly trace over his chest, to ease up his throat, and to play over his lips. As her eyes met his, she vowed, “As I love you.”
She smiled mischievously and teased softly, “You have much strength, control, and prowess for a weakened eagle, my warrior of the sky.”
“I needed you more than food or air, Little On
e. You nourish me as they never can. With such a prize in sight, even a weakened eagle can soar like the wind and claim it. But if your passion had not matched mine this night, Grass Eyes, only I would be smiling happily this moment. My control vanishes when I but look at you or touch you. Surely you recall the last day of purification includes refreshing the body with food and rest?” he jovially reminded her.
“If I am your food and peace, you could not refresh yourself until now,” she saucily mocked, grinning at him, leaning forward to playfully nibble upon his lower lip.
“Why do you think I rode like the wind for home near darkness?” he parried, as his beguiling and amused smile stirred her heart.
“Because the Eagle needed to protect and enjoy his territory.”
“And you are my territory?” he seductively jested, pushing aside a straying auburn tendril that blocked his total view of her body.
She lifted a shiny joining necklace and smiled. “This tells the whole world I am yours forever.”
“Would it do so if I had not challenged for your hand and forced you to marry me?” he said, slyly continuing this stimulating game they frequently shared.
“If it was not around my neck, surely my eyes and heart would shine more brightly than it does. I belonged to you long before you demanded to marry me. No doubt if you had not come for me, I would have stolen a horse one night and abducted you. I would have taken you to some secret place and held you as my captive. I would have driven you wild with desire until you could not resist me.”
“How so, when I have never been able to resist you, Grass Eyes?”
“I would have weakened your mind as your body.”
He chuckled softly. “Do you not prefer me strong and cunning?”
“I prefer you as you are. No other man compares to you.
“In what way am I matchless?” he pressed in pleasure.
“In all ways, my love. In all ways….”
“All?” he gravely questioned, his meaning clear.
She smiled. “Each is a part of you. If not, you would not be Gray Eagle. If not Gray Eagle, then not the man I love.”
“As I love you in all ways,” he replied passionately.
“All?” she seized his challenge, grinning.
“I love all that was once Alisha Williams, all that is now Princess Shalee. I love all that is you.”
She smiled contentedly. “It is true, my love; I am Princess Shalee. Alisha was but a name, not a woman.”
“Alisha did not die, Little One. She only became Princess Shalee, my woman, my wife. It was but a white name, and now you are Indian.”
She gazed into his eyes. “In the cave, you accepted this, did you not?”
“The Great Spirit showed me many things, Shalee. Your blood is red like mine. Only life is carried there, not the white man’s evil. Evil lives in hearts and minds. They do not in yours. You are Indian. When I look at you and touch you, that is all I see and feel.”
Her heart soared as free and light as a feather in the wind. “I love you,” she declared.
His gaze caressed her enchanting face. “I know, Little One.” His lips claimed hers as they rekindled the smoldering fire that would never cease to burn within them.
Later, as they lay entwined in the afterglow of lovemaking, they talked about many things. “When Wi shows his face, Grass Eyes, I must leave your…”
She pressed her finger to his lips. “Say no more of partings, my love. For tonight, there is only us. But you must promise me to guard your life with all your cunning and strength, for without you I am nothing.”
“I will claim the bodies of our people. But I will return to your side before I avenge their deaths. Do not fear, Grass Eyes, for it is not the season for me to join Wakantanka. He revealed many things to me. Our people will know a greatness other nations will not. The white man will fear the power of the Sioux Nation. It will be many winters, Little One, but Sun Cloud will come to us.”
She glanced up at him and grinned. “What did the Great Spirit reveal to you about our next son?”
“We must be patient. When the vision came to me, I saw Bright Arrow riding at my side. Long before we join the Great Spirit, our sons will ride against the white man together. Both will be great leaders.” Dreams and visions were powerful magic they did not doubt.
A haunted look clouded his eyes. She questioned it and his abrupt change in mood. “Wakantanka revealed some trouble to you?”
“There were many visions I did not understand. Running Wolf was dying upon his mat. A warrior stepped from the nearby shadows. It was Gray Eagle; yet, it was not. Who but my son could reflect my face? I pray this means Running Wolf will live to see my son grown.”
He glanced at her curiously as some imperceptible chill passed over her. He pulled her against his body to draw comfort from its warmth. “Many times a knife gleamed before your face. Perhaps I only dreamed of the night Chela tried to slay you long ago. Still, you must be careful. Promise me this.”
She could see he was deadly serious, so she smiled and promised. Their firm belief in dreams often confused her. Yet, so many times he had spoken of things that had come to pass. Was it only keen perception and logic, or was he the receiver of some mystical premonitions? Who could explain the mysteries of life? Regardless, they believed in such signs; therefore, she had to take them seriously.
He truly believed they would have another son one day. Now, his dream filled him with patience and contentment. But why had she reacted so oddly to his first revelation? Why did she also sense there was some foreboding message there? Knowing how frequently his visions were accurate, she listened intently.
Gray Eagle glanced over at the sleeping form of their first son. His eyes revealed a sadness she dreaded. “The seed of Gray Eagle will not pass through our first son, Shalee; the greatness of the Oglala will live within Sun Cloud and his children.”
She paled and trembled. “Are you saying he will be slain?”
“No, Little One. But Sun Cloud will ride as chief before Bright Arrow is old enough to pass it to his son. Sun Cloud will show a greatness few warriors ever know. His coups will outnumber even mine. Many winters after we join the Great Spirit, the line of Sun Cloud will rival the power of all white-eyes. The white man’s words will speak of the greatness of one who takes the name of the buffalo bull who sits in council with wisdom and who rides with courage and skill unmatched.”
“I do not understand. How will Sun Cloud take the chief’s bonnet from his older brother?” she worriedly asked, imagining some fierce struggle for power between her two sons.
“A woman will enter his life; her love will defeat his power.”
Bitterness edged into his tone and his eyes chilled. “A woman? But who? How can a woman’s love remove his war bonnet?”
“I do not know. But he will choose her love over his duty. Her face was not clear to me, but she carried some guarded and persistent enemy within her.”
“Perhaps it is Wakantanka’s way to move the line to Sun Cloud. If the greatness will pass through him, he must first become chief. Perhaps the Great Spirit gives this special woman to our son to appease his loss and to grant him peace and love. Can such a powerful love be wrong, my husband? Can he not be a great warrior?”
“He will become a great warrior. But her love will cost him much.”
“You are saying he must step aside to claim her?”
“Yes.”
“It troubles you to know such things?” she pressed.
“I am confused. How could the son of Gray Eagle chose a woman over his duty?”
“Perhaps his love will rival ours. Do you not recall how much my love once cost you? Do you not recall how you refused to give me up, even at the cost of much honor and suffering?”
He smiled ruefully. “It is so. I thank the Great Spirit I was not forced to chose between you and my duty. I cannot think of what such a decision would be,” he stated quietly.
She smiled and caressed his cheek. “I under
stand, my love. To sacrifice all for a love must knife the very soul. To live without either would be tragic. How cruel and demanding life can be. If the vision is true, we must not interfere,” she cautioned him.
“You say I must not step between him and this woman?”
“Yes, my love. His destiny lies in the hands of Wakantanka. As with many times before, we do not always see or know the workings of the Great Spirit’s mind. We must learn to trust him and to halt defying His plans, even when we do not comprehend them or agree. Perhaps He will find some way for Bright Arrow to have both, as you do. Until this day presents itself, we must forget such knowledge. Do not allow such confusing visions to come between you and your son. Perhaps it was only a warning, nothing more,” she hinted cheerfully.
He grinned. “Perhaps. As it was with us, she would not enter his life and heart if it is not the will of the Great Spirit.”
“With so many visions sent to you, how did you have time to think of me or to miss me?” she jested, to lighten their grave moods.
“You are wily, Little One. You are also right; we have spoken enough of such matters. It will be many winters before we see such things. Bright Arrow will make us proud to call him son.”
“He brings pride and joy now, my love. Each day he is more like you.”
“Perhaps too much like me?” he teased lightly.
“Never. You are perfect.”
“Love blinds your eyes to my flaws, Little One.”
“You have none. Perhaps only very tiny ones,” she altered her claim as he chuckled, and his gaze mocked her.
“Since I am not the Great Spirit, I cannot be perfect.” He used her prior words.
“Alas if it must be so, I accept you as you are.”
“We must sleep, Little One. The new sun will show its face soon.”
“You will be careful,” she repeated apprehensively.
“How can I be harmed when we have another son to make?”
“If it will be many, many winters before he comes, need we work so hard for him now?” she merrily jested, eyes sparkling.
Brazen Ecstasy Page 37
