Tykota's Woman (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  That she had also degraded herself by showing Tykota how much she wanted him to love her magnified her misery.

  That would never happen again.

  A coldness closed over her heart, and she turned her face to the wall, smothering a sob. She never wanted to see him again as long as she lived. She could not leave this valley soon enough to suit her.

  Makinna looked at Inea with compassion.

  "Santo is becoming more and more aggressive. He cornered me near his lodge and put his hands all over me. When I protested, he said he had that right. He is going to my brother today to ask that I become his woman. He says he will no longer tolerate my coldness to him."

  Makinna buried her own misery and took Inea's hand, wanting to help the gentle maiden she had come to care about. "If, as you say, Tykota is taking me away tomorrow, we must do something today."

  "But what?"

  Makinna frowned. "Tell me, what would happen if Santo saw you with Kachee in a pose that would make him look like a fool?"

  "I do not know what you mean."

  "Suppose you and Kachee were seen by many onlookers, including your brother, in a loving situation? What would happen?"

  Inea's eyes widened with horror. "Santo would kill Kachee!"

  "Not, I think, with Tykota looking on. And not if I am there to confirm how unhappy you are about Santo. Since I am not of your tribe, I am not bound to support your laws."

  Inea looked hopeful but frightened. "If only we could do that."

  Makinna nodded with assurance. "We can. Listen to me, and do exactly as I say. Tomorrow, Tykota and several of his warriors will be escorting me to Biquera Ranch. I would not be surprised if Santo is among them. This is what I want you to do..."

  Makinna awoke feeling heavyhearted. Today she would leave Valle de la Luna, never to return. She would go to her sister in California and try to forget all that had happened to her since the raid on Adobe Springs.

  She was about to put on the pink gown when Huara came to her, carrying a deerskin dress over one arm. She held it out to Makinna, saying something Makinna could not understand.

  "You want me to take this dress?" Makinna asked.

  The old medicine woman nodded and pushed the doeskin dress toward Makinna. Her pink gown was now ragged, and she was tempted to wear the soft Indian garb. She leaned forward and kissed Huara on the cheek, and the Indian woman looked pleased. She handed Makinna a pair of matching moccasins and smiled.

  "Thank you so much!" Makinna said. "I wish I could make you understand what your kindness means to me."

  Huara gathered up Makinna's tattered pink dress and motioned for her to put on the other.

  Laughing, Makinna slipped out of her chemise and pulled the soft garment over her head. It felt wonderful against her skin. She sat down and slipped into the moccasins, delighting in the freedom such clothing gave her.

  After she had eaten the corn cakes Huara brought her and drunk the sweet fruit drink, she hugged the dear woman and told her good-bye. "I will never forget your kindness," Makinna told her.

  She hurriedly left, knowing she would miss this Indian woman with the hands and caring heart of a healer.

  She descended the stone steps to the valley floor and found Tykota and Santo already standing beside their horses. She greeted them both with a mere nod, noticing the way Tykota was staring at her. Well, let him! she thought. Huara gave her the gown, and she was going to wear it, no matter if he approved or not.

  She looked into Santos eyes and felt an instant dislike for the brave. With his burning gaze boring into her, he appeared to be much more arrogant than Tykota, and she knew she would not like to meet him alone. She could see why Inea was frightened of him.

  Though she no longer needed such assistance, Tykota stepped forward to help her mount. His strong hands went about her waist, and he lifted her onto the blanket. It seemed that his hands lingered about her waist, but she could be mistaken, for his manner was stilted and cold.

  "This time our journey will not be so difficult, Makinna. We will not have to forage for food and water," he informed her.

  She felt cold inside at his impersonal tone, and she hoped she appeared cold to him. "I have learned to thrive without creature comforts, Tykota. But I am ready to get back to civilization."

  His eyes looked almost sad. "You will be there in no time at all."

  She watched him mount his own horse, and she fell in beside him when he started off. As they rode along, several other warriors joined them. Apparently, they were going to have all the protection they would need.

  Soon they were approaching the part of the village where Inea was supposed to be waiting with Kachee according to the scheme Makinna had hatched. But now that the time was upon her, Makinna was having doubts. What if she made everything worse for Inea by interfering?

  She nervously glanced ahead, wondering if Inea had changed her mind. But then she saw Inea and her warrior beyond a group of women heading down the trail to go work in the fields. Kachee's arms were around Inea, and she was gazing up at him lovingly.

  Tykota reined in his mount and glared at his sister. And before Makinna knew what was happening, Santo bounded off his horse and ran toward the couple. Chaos broke out as the other women crowded closer to see what was taking place.

  Makinna quickly dismounted and ran toward Inea. Tykota followed her.

  Santo grabbed Kachee and slammed him against the tree. When Inea tried to stop him, he shoved her away, and she landed hard on the ground. Makinna helped Inea stand, placing herself protectively between Tykota's sister and the threatening Santo. Makinna could not understand what the angered suitor was saying, and she was taken by surprise when Santo tore her away from Inea and shoved her to the ground, knocking the breath out of her.

  Stunned and fearful for Inea, she tried to rise but could not.

  Tykota stepped between his sister and Santo. "You will explain what you are doing, Santo. You dare to treat my sister and Makinna in this manner. Tell me now the meaning of your actions."

  Santo spun around and pointed an accusing finger at Makinna. "That woman you brought among us is the trouble. She has planted ideas in Inea's head that are unbecoming in a Perdenelas maiden."

  Tykota's eyes narrowed. "It is not for you to criticize my sister or to say these things about Makinna."

  Santo turned on Tykota. "How would you know? You have not been here these seasons past to see what was happening. Your sister was going to be my woman before you brought that white woman to our valley." He looked at the people gathered around and said in a loud voice, "I challenge Kachee to a fight to the death!"

  "Tykota, do not let him do this," Inea pleaded. "I never consented to marry Santo. He takes what he wants and does not ask." She placed a hand on Tykota's arm, hoping to make him understand. "I love Kachee, but Santo forbids any man to come near me."

  Tykota frowned in thoughtfulness, trying to hold his temper in check. "It is true as you say, Santo, that I have been away too long. If I had been here, you would never have kept my sister from the man she chooses. I thought you were my friend, but you are not."

  "It is that woman's fault!" Santo cried, pointing again at Makinna. "Your sister was not this way before she came."

  Tykota turned to his sister. "Is this true? Did Makinna tell you to do this, to shame Santo before the whole village?"

  Inea did not want to betray Makinna, but she could not lie to her brother. "She only gave me the courage to do what I should have done a long time ago."

  "And was this her plan?"

  Inea lowered her head. "I would never have been so clever." She looked up at her brother. "What are you going to do to us, Tykota?"

  "How many times have you met with Kachee?"

  "Never before today. We have barely spoken, but our eyes spoke of the love we could not confess." She tugged at Tykota's arm. "I know Kachee cannot number his wealth in horses, and his family members are not among the council. But he is a warrior of honor, and I love him."


  Tykota glanced over at the young warrior, who was just getting to his feet. "Kachee, do you love my sister?"

  Santo stepped forward, but Tykota motioned him aside. "Do you?"

  "I do. I have not wealth to offer her, and I know that I reach high when I ask for her as my woman, but I will love her and cherish her. And if she belonged to me, there is nothing I could not do."

  Tykota was silent for a moment, and those around him waited for him to speak, for his word was law. "Kachee, I give my sister to you, but you must increase your wealth by twelve horses and take a place on the warrior council."

  Kachee glanced at Inea with joy spreading over his face. After all, twelve horses would not be hard to obtain once he was on the warrior council, where he could join in hunting outside the valley. "It will be as you say, my chief."

  Tykota turned to the man who had once been his friend. "As for you, I believe your punishment has already started. Word of your behavior will run though the village, and you will know great shame."

  Santo's gaze burned into Tykota's, and then he turned to Makinna with a look of such hatred that she recoiled. She had made a powerful enemy today.

  "You will not accompany us, Santo. You will wait here until I return, and I shall decide at that time what is to be done with you."

  While Santo stalked away, Inea threw her arms around her brother. "Oh, thank you, Tykota, for giving me to Kachee. I would never have married Santo."

  Tykota's dark gaze fell on the young warrior. "She is not yours yet. You will have to prove to me that you are worthy of her."

  "It will be as you say," Kachee agreed happily.

  "Let us go our way, then," Tykota said, watching his sister walk over to Makinna.

  "What has happened?" Makinna asked, since she had not understood anything that was said.

  "Your plan worked! Tykota has given me to Kachee."

  The two of them hugged and laughed. "I know you will be happy."

  "My happiness will not be complete, though, because you are going away. You will always be the friend of my heart."

  "And you, mine," Makinna said. "But now I must leave." When she got to her horse and climbed on, she met Tykota's gaze, and it was dark and dangerous. She knew she would hear more about the happenings of this morning before the day was over.

  Makinna waved to Inea as they rode away, happy she had helped Tykota's sister and that all had turned out well.

  Coloradous took Santo's place escorting Makinna to Biquera. He rode just behind Tykota and Makinna, and when she looked at him, she would find him studying her pensively. But there was nothing threatening about him; in fact, she found his demeanor calming and serene.

  After a while, she kept her gaze forward. When they reached the narrow passage that led out of the valley, she halted her mount and glanced back down the mountain. The sun was high overhead, and she could see the people going about their daily chores. She wanted to imagine Inea married to her warrior and happy with her future.

  Tykota's voice was harsh as he said, "We have a long way to go, Makinna. It is best if we ride on, since we have already lost time."

  She cast him a heated glance and urged her horse into a canter. "The sooner I get away from here, the better," she muttered beneath her breath.

  They rode for three hours before they dismounted and rested the horses. Tykota went to speak to several of his warriors, and Coloradous came up beside her. He smiled, and it was almost painful to see how much he resembled Tykota.

  "Makinna, it is a good thing you did for our sister. I did not know she was unhappy. Perhaps she would have been unhappy for the rest of her life if you had not helped her."

  She was puzzled. "I was told you did not speak much English. Yet you speak it very well, Coloradous."

  "I have practiced with my sister. She would come to my lodge in the woods and spend hours teaching me. I did not know even then that her heart walked with Kachee. Like the others, I believed she would one day be Santo's woman."

  "I hope she will be happy."

  "That is my wish, also." He watched her, as if deciding how to choose his words. "Are you sure you want to go away from our village?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Do you want to leave my brother?"

  Makinna tried to think how to answer him. "Why should I want to stay with Tykota? He does not want to be a part of my life, and I do not want to be part of his."

  "Sometimes life is difficult for the chief of the Perdenelas, and our father made it more difficult still for the chief's who come after him. Tykota is feeling the tightening of the laws our father set in motion. Although our father had the best of intentions, he has made a hard road for Tykota to walk."

  Makinna recalled Mrs. Silverhorn saying almost the same thing. "We all have our roads to walk, Coloradous. Mine just happens to lead to California."

  Tykota returned, his expression fierce when he saw Makinna talking to his brother. "Do you talk all day, or do we ride?" he asked his brother in their language.

  Coloradous merely smiled, knowing Tykota would be jealous of any man who looked at Makinna. "We ride."

  Makinna was silent for most of the day. By dusk, they made camp on high ground so they could see anyone who might approach. Guards were posted, and Makinna wondered if Tykota expected trouble.

  Coloradous was standing on the edge of a cliff staring out at the desert when she approached him. "Will the Apaches still be searching for Tykota?"

  "Not anymore. And if you are feeling uneasy, know this-no Apache or any other tribe would attack this large a force of Perdenelas."

  "Why is that?"

  "They fear us."

  "Oh. It is hard for me to think of the Perdenelas as dangerous, since I have experienced so much kindness from your people."

  "Do not be fooled by the reception you received. The Perdenelas are known to be the fiercest warriors in this land." He smiled. "But I pray you will always think of us as kind."

  Tykota's shadow fell across Makinna's face, but his eyes were on his brother, and he spoke in their language. "Do you stand talking to the woman, or do you take your turn at guard?"

  Coloradous laughed and gripped his rifle. "I stand guard, my chief."

  Makinna refused to look at Tykota. She told herself she would be only too happy to get to her destination and see the last of him. He had become so different-hard, unreachable, and cruel. She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

  "Now we will speak of what happened with my sister."

  "I have nothing to say to you, Tykota. You were blind and heartless if you could not see that the man you called friend was hurting your own sister."

  "Perhaps I was," he said regretfully. "I should have taken better care of my sister."

  "You should have asked her what she wanted out of life. Did it not seem strange to you that she had never married though all her friends had done so and begun their families?"

  He closed his eyes. "I should have known."

  "Yes, you should have."

  He gazed out on the apricot-colored sky and drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

  Suddenly, sympathy welled up in her, because she felt his spirit was tormented. After all, he had been betrayed by a friend. "I am sorry about Santo, but he has not proven himself worthy of your friendship."

  He turned and stared at her, and her heart stopped beating. He was so handsome, his body so beautiful in his breechcloth. She tore her mind away from his physical appearance and tried to concentrate on their conversation. "You may as well know it, Tykota. I'm not sorry for helping Inea. She is a special person, and she needed a friend. I make no apology for being that friend and for helping her trick Santo into showing his true nature."

  He surprised her when he started laughing. "I did not suppose you would be sorry, Makinna. I have learned enough of your character to know you will always champion those who need it-like the night you brought me food at Adobe Springs."

  She attempted a haughty gaze, "I am gla
d that I amuse you."

  His dark gaze swept her face. "It is good to have someone who can make us laugh in a world in turmoil."

  "Is the world in turmoil, Tykota?"

  "Perhaps only the place where I dwell." He breathed deeply and turned away. "You should place your bedroll away from the fire"-he pointed to his left-"beneath that rock wall. I will lay my bedroll between you and my warriors, so you will not feel uneasy."

  Makinna could have told him that he was the one she felt uneasy around. She wanted so desperately to touch him, to have him kiss her, to go back to the way they had so briefly been.

  She could have told him that, but she didn't.

  Makinna's blanket was soft, and a cool breeze touched her cheeks. She folded her arms behind her head and stared at the endless sky, where a million stars were strewn like so many candles. She was aware when Tykota placed his bedroll, as he'd said he would, between her and his warriors. As she stared at the heavens, she wondered if he, too, was remembering the night they swam with the stars reflected in the river.

  It was still painful for her to think about. She turned her back to him and closed her eyes. He was so near, and yet she could not touch him. In a few days, she would be on her way to California, and she would never see his face again.

  That thought was so agonizing, she could hardly bear it. To never see him again would be a living death for her. He had touched her heart, and their souls had joined. Didn't he know that?

  "Makinna?"

  She did not turn to face Tykota. "Yes?"

  "Thank you for helping my sister."

  Now she did turn to face him. His tall frame was stretched out on his bedroll, and she saw his rifle near his hand so he could grab it if he should need it during the night. "I do not want your thanks, Tykota. As it is, I could never repay all you have done for me. You saved my life many times, and often at the peril of your own."

  "Do not mention that. I just wanted you to know that I have been considering what you said about my sister. I want you to know that from now on I will look more carefully to her happiness."