Kionee kneed the pinto’s sides and off they went toward an exciting challenge. Kionee was no more; Morning Dove had taken her place. Golden rays of dawn touched the land and licked at morning dew. Dark days, like moonless nights, were gone; a fate, like a bright sun, was rising before her. Soon she would unite with Stalking Wolf; the birth of a new and splendid destiny was at hand.
Kionee rode close to the riverbank in the canyon of wind between two ranges of mountains. Behind her, some high peaks displayed white tops from last winter’s snows, as if defiantly refusing to melt completely. Nearby, trees, bushes, grasses, and late-blooming wildflowers were plentiful, and would remain verdant for a while longer. Days were still warm, but nights had cooled since their return to the valley. Within a few more suns, she knew, the cold season would blanket the land.
That reality told Kionee she must hurry to find Stalking Wolf before the Cheyennes’ trail from the plains was concealed by snow. First, she would ride to the location her lover had given to her on the grasslands; she hoped the Strong Hearts were camped there again. It would be perilous to wander about in snow and harsh winds while she searched for him. She told herself that Atah would guide and protect her. Even so, nibblings of worry kept returning to trouble her.
Be waiting and looking for me, Stalking Wolf, Kionee prayed. Why should he when he will not expect you to come so soon? her defiant mind asked. Be alert to enemies making their last raids for coups and captives, it warned. Halt your doubts and fears, Hemene, her heart advised, or you will lessen the glow of your happiness and victory.
Traveling a well-worn trail and over relatively easy terrain, Kionee covered a long distance that day. She used every ray of sunlight available before halting to make her first camp. She needed to reach her destination as fast as possible to outrun winter’s steady approach and a body that would soon enlarge. She tended the horses, leaving the loyal and well-trained Tuka free to drink and graze at will, but hobbling the other near the pinto. She ate the food her mother had given to her, then reclined on a sleeping mat with weapons lying within reach if needed to use against wild beasts or foes.
Kionee heard a wolf howl not far away; then another answered that soulful call. It reminded her of Maja, and she hoped he and his mate were safe. She listened for other howls that would indicate a pack was near, but only peaceful sounds of night entered her keen ears: frogs, crickets, birds. She fingered the bow, arrows, and knife close by and relaxed a little. Still, she must not slumber too deeply and be unable to catch noises of threats and to react to them in time to save her life and her baby’s. My baby, her dreamy mind echoed as she caressed her belly. Are you a son or a daughter? Will your face be like mine or will it be like your father’s? What joy it will bring when I hold you in my arms. I—
Kionee’s happy thoughts fled as she heard a branch snap nearby. She sat up with haste, grabbed her bow, and nocked an arrow. She struggled to peer into the shadows of dense trees. The waning full moon failed to help her locate the cause. She waited in tension for it to reveal itself. She knew from the crunch and her hunter’s training that it was not a small creature or nocturnal bird. Tuka whinnied and moved about near the river, telling Kionee he also sensed something unfamiliar approaching. Her heart drummed fast and hard in her chest. Her body was taut. Never had she felt such fear and dread, for the life of her unborn child was at stake.
“Maja!” she shrieked in elation as she saw the silver-pelted animal leave the darkness, enter the moonlight, and run toward her. She laughed as he licked her unpainted face and nuzzled his head against her shoulder. “Did you not know me as a woman?” she teased. “It is good you remembered my scent and Tuka’s and did not attack us. Did you return to protect me from harm, my friend? Where is your mate?”
Kionee smiled as she noticed the skittish gray animal in the edge of the woods, the unfamiliar smell of the she-wolf no doubt the cause of Tuka’s anxiety. But with Maja there, the pinto calmed and returned to grazing. She knew from experience that the other horse was too dull-nosed and too dull-eared to be depended upon as a guard; that was why he was only a burden-bearing creature. She watched the she-wolf sit to await Maja’s return; it was obvious the female sensed there was no threat from the human whom her mate was visiting. She reached for a parfleche, removed strips of dried meat, and tossed them to the gray animal. Kionee observed as the she-wolf sniffed the air, crept forward, sniffed again, and snatched up the offerings.
Maja went to his mate, rubbed her sides with his, and licked her face. He returned to Kionee and sat down. She assumed he was telling the creature it was safe to join them, but the wary and untamed beast did not.
Kionee did not know how much Maja could understand from her words, but she told him everything that had happened since he left. Even if he did not grasp her meanings, he perceived her happiness and licked her hand once more. As she spoke, she fed him strips of meat, knowing her mother had packed more than enough to last during her journey. But if she ran out, she was a skilled hunter, and game was still abundant. “I wish you could travel with me to Stalking Wolfs camp,” she addressed Maja wistfully, “but it could be dangerous for your mate, for she is unknown to them and remains wild in spirit.”
The silver beast’s ears stood up and he gazed at her as he heard that familiar name. “That is right, Maja, I go to join Stalking Wolf. Now, we will both have mates. We are free. I must rest. Will you guard me?”
Kionee knew Maja recognized the command of “guard,” and he lay down beside her to obey. She saw the other wolf stretch out on the ground at a distance. Safe and happy, Kionee was slumbering soon.
After her breathing told the she-wolf the human was asleep, the gray creature sneaked to Maja’s other side and lay down. Both females were protected all night by the powerful and alert animal.
At dawn, singing birds awakened Kionee. She yawned and opened her eyes. She smiled at Maja and stroked his massive head. “Thank you, my friend; I had great need of sleep.” She saw the she-wolf at the wood’s edge, where she had loped at first sign of Kionee’s coming awake, watching them. “She waits for you to join her. Go to her. Return again when the moon comes if you are still near.”
Maja licked her hand and raced off into the beckoning forest, with the agile gray female running beside him.
Kionee ate, washed in the river, packed her possessions, and departed the tranquil location.
At the mouth of the canyon, Kionee saw outcrops of rocks where they were scattered across grassy hills. Sage and rabbitbrush dotted the landscape. Mountains were a mixture of black and gray and sand, with occasional red rocks. A mesa loomed in the distance, as did other mountains and ridges.
Kionee knew the forests and mountains of the medicine bows was seven to ten suns’ travel southeastward, according to weather, which could change in a short time during this season. In their sheltering canyons was her destination, the place where Stalking Wolf lived and waited.
She halted to make a second camp where the Muddy Creek would flow into the river if it was not dry from a lack of recent rain. She used a copse of trees to conceal herself and the horses from any passersby’s view. She refreshed herself in the cool blue water. She ate while sitting on a rock, then squatted to unroll her sleeping mat.
“I knew you would come to me this season,” a husky male voice murmured. “The visions said so, and they are never wrong.”
She leapt to her feet and whirled so fast she almost stumbled, but a grinning Stalking Wolf caught her arms and steadied her balance. She stared at him in astonishment. “How?” was the only word she could speak.
The man chuckled as he caressed her cheek. “Maja came to where I camped and guided me to you. Another travels with him, a gray female.”
Still dazed, she told him the recent events in Maja’s life. “Where are you camped?”
“Not far away. I did not mean to frighten you but I did not know where he was leading me. I hoped he was traveling with you, but I did not know if you were in peril. When my eyes tou
ched upon you and joy filled my heart, I spoke without thinking to alert you I was near. I did not see or hear your approach, for I was hunting in the hills for fresh meat. Maja found my camp, knew my scent, and tracked me. I have waited here for the passings of ten moons,” he said as his gaze roamed her adoringly.
Her trembling fingers roamed his parted lips. “What if I had not come?”
“I did not doubt the visions; it is our destiny to unite as one.” He lifted her right hand and stared at the colored mask still in place, then kissed it with tenderness. His tawny gaze fused with her brown one. His fingers slipped into silky black strands that flowed around her shoulders and relished the sensuous feel of them against his flesh. His gaze roamed her flawless skin and delicate features, visible and enticing with the painted mask gone. “To look upon you as a woman steals my breath, for no other’s beauty compares with yours. My heart races faster than the deer flees danger, and it beats with love for you. My body quivers with desire to have you near, to touch you, to hear your voice, to see your smile. My love for you is strong; it grows with each sun. I will make you happy, Kionee. Do not be sad for leaving your people to join to me; you face no dishonor. I will make sure no trouble comes between the Hanueva and Cheyenne for your action. Now, we must rest before we leave. We will ride far so you will be safe from any hunter who might come after you, and I will not be forced to take his life to protect you. One day they will forgive us and we can return to this land, for we only obey Maheoo’s will and vision.”
She smiled, aware he misunderstood the reason why her hand mark had not been removed. “There will be no trouble or danger, my love. My people freed all tivas, and they voted to release me from our law to join to you.” As he stared at her in astonishment this time, she related the events that had taken place since their separation on the plains. “I am called Hemene now, for I will join a Cheyenne and live with the Strong Hearts.”
“Morning Dove,” he murmured, then smiled. “That is good for you. The visions said the wind-of-destiny would blow over me this season, and it has done so in a female once called by that name; that is how I knew you were the woman for me and that Maheoo would find a way to bring us together. When I became a man and warrior, I sought my naming vision and spirit sign. We are both guided and protected by the wolf. That is how it is with you, a new name for a new life and rank, with me, as my mate.”
Kionee stroked his jawline and gazed into his tawny eyes. “You have removed my mask of the Hunter-Guardian and replaced it with a mask of love and joy which I will wear forever. The Great Spirit has smiled upon us and freed me so we can live as one in the stars even beyond death.”
Stalking Wolf cupped her face in his hands and said in a husky voice, “Ne-mehotatse, na-htsesta.”
“I love you, my heart,” she echoed his stirring words.
“Ne-haeana-he?”
“I am hungry only for you,” she answered as passion’s flames ignited.
Their mouths met in a kiss filled with yearning and joy. At last, they did not have to fear exposure of their love. They were free to join in all ways, to surrender to the yearnings within them. With Maja nearby to guard them, they did so.
With leisure and delight, Stalking Wolf unlaced the ties on her dress and removed it. His hands fondled her naked breasts and tantalized their tips to eager hardness. He trailed his fingers over her rib cage, across her abdomen, and downward. His seeking finger found her sweet heat and teased her lovingly. His mouth wandered down the sensuous column of her throat, brushed over her collarbone, and climbed one firm breast to nuzzle the nipple until she writhed with desire.
Kionee was consumed by love and desire for him. She slipped her hand under his breechclout; his maleness felt hot, hard, and eager against her palm. She massaged the shaft as best she could with the leather obstacle restricting her movements, rejoicing in his groan of pleasure. Soon, all their garments were discarded so they could enjoy every inch of each other, and savor the sensation of skin against skin. As if a signal was given, they united their bodies as one.
Kionee’s legs encircled his muscled thighs and locked him in place. Together they undulated like ripples on a river’s surface. He entered and half-withdrew countless times with her coaxing him onward to greater swiftness, depth, and strength.
With tight control, Stalking Wolf managed to time his release to come simultaneously with hers. They clung together, their bodies quivering and their hearts pounding, as they found splendid victory together.
At last, sated and contented, they snuggled on Kionee’s sleeping mat. Both thanked Maja for protecting them; then the two wolves went off to hunt, roam, and cuddle in the forest for the night.
As his breathing slowed to normal and his body cooled, Stalking Wolf’s gentle fingers traced the outlines of her facial features, which were so calm and lovely and peaceful. “I love you, Hemene, and you are mine forever, as I am yours,” he said.
She tingled with joy and sighed. “I can hardly believe we are together like this, free and in honor and soon to share a tipi and new life as mates. I fear it is only a sunny dream and I will awaken soon to a dark reality.”
Stalking Wolf kissed her parted lips and smiled. “We will always be together, for nothing and no one will ever take you from my side and life. I will use all of my skills to protect you and to make you happy. The sun our paths crossed when I rode to the sacred Medicine Wheel, you stirred something powerful deep within me. I did not understand what it was until I learned you were a female.” To avoid having to explain how he made that shocking discovery and betraying Taysinga’s trust, he asked, “Did your people visit the Medicine Wheel before making camp?”
“We did not do so this season. Bear’s Head told us we needed to elude the returning Crow, for they also stop there after the buffalo hunt, and we remained on the grasslands with your people too long to risk it. My people will go when Mother Earth’s face is green again after the cold season.” Kionee grinned and added, “The next time we climb Medicine Mountain, we must take gifts for Atah to thank Him for all He has given to us.”
“The Creator cleared the path between us so we can join; that is much to be thankful for,” the warrior concurred in reverence and gratitude.
“There is another blessing for which to thank Atah; I carry our child.”
Stalking Wolf stared at her in amazement. He watched her stroke the area of her womb in delight. “Our baby grows within you?”
Her glowing gaze fused with his proud and astonished one as she caressed his cheek. “That is true, my love, my daring Cheyenne.”
Ever so lightly, he touched the place where her hand had visited. “How did this happen?”
Kionee laughed, and her brown eyes sparkled with amusement. “You planted your seeds within me many times; one came to life.”
“When will I look upon his face? Or her face,” he added with a laugh.
If she was right, it would be in “Matse-ome-ese-he,” she told him.
“During the Spring Moon when Mother Earth puts new leaves upon the trees, flowers bloom to give her beauty, and the grass becomes green and plentiful to feed the buffalo and other creatures. That is good, Hemene. You will be strong and well before the summer hunt.”
“We must hurry to your camp and join before others learn our secret. Where did you tell your family and people you were going?”
“To seek the answer to my vision alone. Medicine Eyes understood what I must do; our shaman is wise and sees much in his visions. He will not be surprised to see a mate return with me.”
“Big Hump, Morning Light, Five Stars, and others will be.”
The warrior chuckled. “That is true, but our joining will make them happy and proud. When they learn Hemene was once called and lived as Kionee, they will be happy to have one with such large and abundant coups in our tribe and family. You will be accepted with great honor and joy.”
Since tivas were no longer a secret, the Strong Hearts could be told who she was she realized. “We must res
t, for our journey is long.”
“Sleep, my love, for I will guard you and our child. White Cloud will be safe not far away, and I will tend my camp after the sun rises. I love you, Hemene of the Cheyenne, Kionee of the Hanuevas.”
“I love you, Stalking Wolf of the Strong Hearts.”
They nestled together and went to sleep.
Maja and his mate visited the couple the next morning as they were packing to leave. As usual, the she-wolf remained at a safe and wary distance. The silver beast licked Kionee’s and Stalking Wolfs hands as his way of saying good-bye for a final time, as their paths would probably never cross again.
The warrior stroked Maja’s thick ruff and thanked him for all the years the loyal animal had loved and protected Kionee and been her companion, a rank he now held. He was amazed that the creature seemed to understand.
Kionee hugged Maja and whispered in his ear, “Be free, safe, and happy, my old friend. Go with your mate and run in the wild. I love you.”
Maja licked her cheek, nuzzled her shoulder, and joined the gray she-wolf. His golden gaze watched the embracing humans for a moment, then, the wolves raced into the engulfing forest to live and hunt as a pair for life.
Kionee stood with Stalking Wolfs arms wrapped around her as they witnessed the heart-stirring sight. Soon those fortunate creatures would mate and give birth to offspring who would roam the wilderness as they should. For a while, her path had crossed and mingled with Maja’s; now, she rode a loving trail with a Cheyenne warrior who had stalked and stolen her heart. She was no longer a Hunter-Guardian, no longer Kionee, for she had hunted and captured her last prey and would never release him. She turned and kissed the virile and handsome man, who responded in ardor. Destiny mine, I have found you.
EPILOGUE
Destiny Mine Page 30
