Hearts Are Wild

by Patrice Michelle

  Feeling Shain’s hot, slick chest connect with her back, Lily tried desperately to curtail her bizarre reaction to the most amazing experience she had ever had, but it was no use. The tears kept coming and, as Shain wrapped his muscled arm tight across her chest, withdrew, and gently turned her over to face him, she raised a hand to cover her face.

  He stopped her and Lily bit her lower lip and closed her eyes.

  “Lily,” came Shain’s husky tenor. “Open your eyes.”

  She did. She had a hard time denying Shain anything. His rough, beautiful face was tense with concern, his gorgeous smoky eyes laced with worry. “I’m sorry, darlin’. Did I hurt you? Are you all right?”

  A strangled laugh-sob escaped as Lily tried to smile. She raised her free hand and placed it lovingly along Shain’s strong jaw. “I know you won’t believe this but I never cry.” She hiccupped and laughed, feeling giddy. Shain still looked deeply concerned—like she might have popped a cork. She ran her hand across his stubbled chin to his full lips. “Shain, I’m fine. Well, maybe not fine, but so satisfied, I’m a little punch drunk, I think.”

  She grinned and Shain raised a dark eyebrow before chuckling lowly. The sound made the hairs on the back of Lily’s neck tingle and she curled into Shain as he relaxed onto the bed, pulling her tight to his chest. “Woman, you are going to make my life damn interesting—among other things.” He nuzzled her neck and Lily nearly purred, feeling a tingle of need unfurl inside her once more.

  How could I want him again so soon after what we just did? Lily kissed the side of his cheek and was rewarded with a deep rumble not unlike the red bear in the woods.

  Thoughts of the bear brought back the tingling and a sense of knowing filled Lily. Driving her words. Directing her thoughts. “The bear,” she murmured. “He’s connected to this land. To the ranch.” She drew back slightly so she could see Shain’s face. “To you and Nhya. Tell me why, Shain. Please. I need to know.”

  Shain’s face was awash with emotions. Consternation. Disquiet. Pride. Fear. Then finally resignation. “You’ll never believe it.”

  “Try me.” Lily kissed the edge of Shain’s jaw, then rested her head in the cup of her hand.

  His expression softened and he pulled the blanket up to cover their legs. “There’s a legend in our family that tells about one of our ancestors. He lived in the long ago time—” Shain paused, as if embarrassed by his storytelling tenor.

  Lily ran a finger over the back of his hand. “Tell it how your grandmother told it. I won’t judge you, Shain.”

  Shain’s gaze snapped to Lily. “How did you know Grandmother told me this story?”

  She smiled warmly. “Nhya. She told me a few things about your grandmother. It was a good guess.”

  After a deep breath Shain continued. “His tribe followed the buffalo to these lands when the sun was high and the days warm. Even as a child, it was clear he was a pejula wacasa—medicine man. At the age of naming, he earned the title of Mato Luta, or Red Bear, because wherever the young warrior went, there were sightings of a giant red bear watching and sometimes warning The People of trouble or danger. Most believed the bear to be Mato Luta’s totem animal but close family knew better, for he was more than a medicine man. Red Bear was an ancient shaman reborn, blessed by Wakan Tanka to be a spiritual warrior and guardian of his people. The bear was Mato Luta himself.”

  Shain ran a hand through his hair, the muscles in his chest rippling. “Mato Luta grew strong, married and stayed in the tribe for many years, fathering three children—my direct relatives—and helping The People to stay healthy and prosperous. His time away from the tribe became greater and greater as years passed. One time he came back with a single, fist-long crimson bear claw strung around his neck. Any who were sensitive to the ways of spirit knew the claw was an object of high magic. A power token. The People began calling him Red Claw, in respect for this new, unknown power he held, and every time he went away and came back, there was another claw added to the necklace.”

  Shain’s gaze held Lily’s. “While his wife and children aged, Red Claw stayed the same, virile, strong young warrior he always was. His family accepted this but the rest of the tribe was frightened by this unnatural thing.

  “Relations between his family and the tribe deteriorated and, after his wife’s death, he made the decision to leave the tribe to preserve his children’s connection within it. They were saddened but understood and respected his choice. On the seventh day of the seventh month, Red Claw held ceremony, promising them that he would continue to watch over the tribe and the earth he loved. After kissing each of his children and grandchildren, he took one of the claws from his necklace and held it up while saying words of power. A ‘circle of light’ opened before him and he handed the claw to my great-, great-, great-grandfather before stepping into the circle of light. He was never seen again—in human form.”

  The tale at its end, Shain leaned back and closed his eyes. The room hummed with an electrical charge and Lily rolled over on her stomach, her mind tripping with images of the shaman, his people, his life. It was unbelievable. A family myth, surely. A beautiful one, but—

  “My great grandfather was killed because an acquaintance of his believed he had the pendant. When he couldn’t convince Hank to turn it over, he shot him.”

  “That’s terrible. Did they catch—”

  Shain shook his head. “Hell, no. He disappeared, leaving my grandmother, who was only five, to find the body when they got home from town.”

  “Oh, Shain, how awful for her.”

  “She survived. As did the rest of the legend, which says that through the next three centuries, our family has been helped, saved or assisted by our ancestor—always in the form of a great red bear.” He paused, his face grim. “I always wondered where in the hell the bear was when my great-grandfather was murdered.”

  The tingling was back as a memory of the beast filled her mind. Of its eyes…its otherworldly presence. “But,” Lily said breathlessly. “I’m not a family member. And what would he be saving me from when Luke and I saw him?”

  Shain grunted. “I don’t know. And I didn’t say I believe the stories.”

  Her gaze traveled back to her lover’s stormy face and Lily was quick to recognize the thread of indecision in Shain’s eyes. He wanted to believe—but could he?

  Do I?

  Lily shivered. “Shain. Have you ever seen the bear?”

  He was silent for a time, the steady tick-tock of the clock over the mantel filling the room like a low heartbeat. “No. But Nhya—” He paused, his expression grim. “My sister says she has seen him in his spirit form from early childhood.”

  Shain looked decidedly uncomfortable with the path his words were taking them down and Lily couldn’t blame him. She was pragmatic herself but in the short time she’d spent with Nhya, she’d sensed how different Shain’s sister was. How…special.

  In the same way that Lily had always felt her friend Susan was special.

  Lily sat up, her heart thrumming. “Shain, I know this sounds crazy, but I believe that bear I saw today is something more than ordinary. I can’t tell you why, but if you had seen it…felt it, you would too. I know it.”

  After a second Shain nodded curtly. “Well, if that’s true, then I’d have to wonder why he showed up now and what he was trying to—” Shain’s bronze face paled and he sat up, nearly bouncing Lily off the bed.

  He stood and reached for his clothes. “There’s something I have to check on.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  Shain spun. “No! You have to stay here.”

  Bristling from his tone, Lily stood, hands on her hips. Her mouth opened, but, before she could give him an earful, Shain pulled her against his bare chest and kissed her so hard it stole any convincing argument she might have had.

  His dark gaze caressed her face as he pulled back. “I need to do this on my own. Stay here. I’ll be back inside of an hour. I promise.”

  Lily chewed
her lower lip, tasting him there. Needing him more than anything else in her life. “But I might be able to help, to—”

  “Please, Lily,” Shain said quietly. “Trust me.”

  After a moment, she sighed in resignation. He released her, his thoughts already far away, his stride purposeful as he made for the door, pulling his shirt on as he went. He slammed his Stetson onto his head and turned to her. “Stay inside. Keep the door locked.”

  Fingers of ice itched across Lily’s shoulders.

  Shain leveled a no-nonsense stare her way as he pulled his gloves from his back pocket and slid them on. “I mean it, Lily. Do as I say.”

  Unable to speak, she nodded and watched as her lover strode from the cabin.

  * * * * *

  Nhya’s mare Keeta whinnied a greeting as he and Windigo slowed to a trot then pulled up. Dismounting, Shain’s feet hit the earth with a muffled thump and he tied Windigo loosely next to Keeta before starting up the mountain slope.

  The climb was steep and blood surged through his thighs as he crested the jagged rise. As always, the stunning view of the valley stole his breath and the strange, intoxicating energy that permeated the peak seeped into his bones and made his head fuzzy.

  He spotted Nhya on the smooth, saucer-shaped boulder hanging at the edge of the rim. Her back was straight, her dark, silky hair lifting softly in the breeze, her face tipped to catch the last rays of yellow sun. As he walked over, a warm, slightly numbing sensation started in his toes then moved on up to his head.

  Shain stopped a few feet away, his breath coming fast. He rubbed his eyes but it didn’t lessen the glow emanating from his sister’s still form. Blues and purples wafted from her in shimmering waves and Shain closed his eyes.

  “Brother, it’s okay. Open your eyes and sit with me.”

  Nhya’s soft voice eased some of the strangeness and Shain did as she asked, happy to see the colors had dissipated. They looked out at the valley.

  “So, tell me, Shain. How was it being away from the Red Bear? To not feel the land beneath your feet. To not smell the clean scent of the pine. To not touch the rich soil?”

  Shain grunted and flexed. “Like I was missing my right arm.”

  Nhya smiled. “For me, it would be like not having a heart.” She studied him and, after a moment, her gaze narrowed, then widened. “Shain…something is different. You—Lily,” she finished with conviction.

  A joyful laugh trilled through the air and Shain raised an eyebrow. “You approve?”

  Nhya placed a hand on his arm. “I more than approve. I give you my blessing and a warning.” Shain frowned at the look of gravity on his sister’s striking face. “If you mess this up, Shain, I’ll beat you silly.”

  Shain grinned wolfishly and Nhya raised finely arched brows. “I mean it. This is a good thing. The right thing. It’s time to stop running.”

  Her words arrowed straight to his heart. “I know,” Shain murmured, his attention captivated by an image of his blonde goddess’s ethereal face. Her stunning body. Her pure heart…

  “Nhya, how do I make this work?”

  She took his hand, her palm cool and dry. “By thinking and speaking from here.” She jabbed him lightly over his heart and smiled. “It won’t lead you astray.”

  Shain gripped his sister’s hand and cleared his throat. “Today, Lily and Luke say they saw—”

  “Red Claw,” Nhya finished for him.

  “Luke told you?”

  She shook her head, her gaze dreamy. “I felt him and I came here where his presence is strongest.” Their eyes met and Shain knew he had to put aside his doubts, his suspicions of the old ways. Because his sister—his little Nhya—was connected in the way of his grandmother and her father before her. It was there in her dark eyes, that amber glint, that flare of knowing.

  His chest felt warm, his head light, and Shain took a deep breath. “Is it real, Nhya? Do we actually have the pendant of the Red Bear?”

  Her look said it all and Shain had a hard time swallowing past the knot in his throat. “When? Where?”

  Nhya squeezed his hand. “I’ve dreamt about it for years but the dreams never revealed where—until today. And he said—he said that there would come a time where I would need to use the pendant. That I would know when that time was. Until then, I’m to protect it. Keep it hidden.”

  Anger sizzled in Shain’s gut. “What? How can Red Claw expect that?” Shain stood and paced. “If this thing really can do what Grandmother said, it’s fucking dangerous!”

  Nhya stood. “Listen…”

  Shain threw up his hands. “We have to get this thing and lock it up. Somewhere off the property and away from—”

  “Shain!”

  He stopped, blood heavy in his ears, and looked at his sister. She stood straight and regal on the top of the boulder, her hair streaming as if held up by invisible fingers. His anger drained away as if someone had pulled a plug.

  “Brother,” Nhya said, her voice lilting with an inner music that played softly in Shain’s ear. “I am capable of this. Meant for this, as you were meant for other things.” Her voice deepened, her words reverberating through his chest. “It is beginning now, with Lily, and others you will soon meet. Do not let your fear and anger blind you. It’s time to let go, Shain. It’s time to embrace your heritage and your destiny.”

  It was true. He knew it and, while he still wasn’t comfortable with it, the idea no longer filled Shain with dread. In fact, the suggestion of a future with Lily filled him with elation. A sense of purpose—the promise of things to come.

  Shain and Nhya locked eyes. “Where is it, Nhya? And what do we do?”

  Nhya smiled. “It’s hidden and protected by a spell of our great grandfather’s design. That’s why they haven’t been able to find it.”

  Shain’s heart stopped and he stepped forward on wooden legs. “Where, Nhya? Where is it hidden?”

  Her smiled faltered. “I—it’s at the old cabin. Set behind a spelled stone in the fireplace… Shain! What’s wrong?”

  Shain was already striding toward the path, every muscle in his body screaming for him to go faster, move quicker.

  “Shain!” Nhya called from behind.

  “Lily’s at the cabin,” Shain growled as he scrambled down the cliff, shale rippling in a wave at his descent.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Any time now, Shain,” Lily murmured. The hour was almost up. She’d tried to busy herself by inspecting every inch of the cabin but, within thirty minutes all she wanted to do was see Shain and find out why he had to leave so abruptly. If she hadn’t promised him she’d stay inside with the door barred, she could have at least gone out and explored the glade.

  And why had he insisted she lock the door?

  Lily crossed to the fireplace, admiring the smooth river stones that ran the width and breadth of the chimney and hearth. The mantel was lined with carved woodland creatures. Elk, wolf, trout, rabbit, but no bear. “Curious,” Lily said aloud, reaching out to touch the wolf, admiring the fine detail and life-like essence of the carving.

  A knock at the door made her jump. She set the wolf down and ran to the window. She couldn’t see who it was and her heart raced. Shain wouldn’t have knocked…

  “Who is it?” Lily called.

  “It’s me, Miss Whitman.”

  Lily’s eyes widened in surprise and she pulled the old fashioned bar lock off and opened the door. “Darrell. What are you doing here?”

  “May I come in?” he asked, holding his hat in front of him like a shield.

  “Sure.” Lily stepped aside, then closed the door behind him. “So, what brings you here? I hope you weren’t worried about me. Luke was supposed to tell you that Shain and I had—” Lily stopped and lowered her gaze, hoping it wasn’t totally obvious what she and Shain had been doing.

  “He did.”

  Darrell’s edgy tone brought Lily’s head up. A jolt shot through her. His expression was tense, almost feverish-looking.

&n
bsp; “Where is it?”

  “What?” Lily asked, taking a step back, her palms suddenly clammy. “Where’s what?”

  Darrell’s hand clamped onto her upper arm. “Don’t play games with me. Where is it?”

  Lily stared at his fingers in shock. “Darrell, I don’t understand.”

  In an instant he flung her aside. Spinning out of control, Lily struck the hutch on the far wall. Pain shot through her lower back. Dishes rattled. Glass exploded in a shower around her elbow.

  There wasn’t time to scream. Think.

  “Never mind. I’ll find it myself.” Darrell paced the room. “Amazing that the glade and cabin were so well protected.” He smirked. “Primitive magic. But effective. It wasn’t until Luke mentioned in his native tongue that Shain had likely taken you here did I realize what I’d been overlooking. Of course he thought I wouldn’t understand. Fool.”

  Lily tried to collect herself, tried to breathe through the pain as she forced herself to stand upright. To track the cowboy she thought she knew as he walked the room in an ever-widening circle, his once kind face vacant.

  “I know it’s here. I can feel it…”

  His words washed over Lily like ice water, snapping her out of her shock. “You!” She stumbled forward, her face flaming. “You’re the one looking for the artifact! Digging up Shain and Nhya’s property. How could you?”

  His eyes swiveled in her direction and Lily gasped. They were no longer the pale blue of an early morning sky, but rather the shocking turquoise of a robin’s egg. And they burned with an unnatural glow that confirmed to Lily that what she’d always taken for reality was about to shift. Forever.

  He stepped toward her. Lily stepped back. “How very astute of you, Lily. Did you figure that out on your own?”