“The next time you decide to venture into a fire to save someone, promise me you’ll take me with you. Can you do that?”
The corners of her mouth crinkled slightly. Reaching over, she traced the line of stubble along his chin. “You know very well, I can’t make a promise like that.” Her whiskey eyes never left his. Those molten hot brandy colored eyes roamed his face with something a kin to worship. Could that be possible? Would a goddess like Sonja really adore somebody like him?
“But, I will promise you to do everything in my power to plan for your assistance if you’re around.”
Her giggle was infectious. The need to scoop her up in both arms and kiss her madly washed over him. She taunted him, enjoying every provocative moment of the encounter. After all, the argument was an old one and one so familiar. Since both were stubborn and mule headed to a fault, arguments aplenty were the norm. Still, there was truth in her jab. Ty couldn’t help checking off the times he hadn’t been around to see to her safety.
“You don’t need to remind me of the trip I made to the prisoner of war camp.” He’d gone off, leaving her alone. “I had a valid reason for going.” Sonja faced the vampire henchman, Union Major Perkins, along with a detachment of bloodsuckers in Ty’s absence. Guardian had been the one to tell him what a mess she was in when the fight ended. All the more reason why he wanted to punch the Guardian for letting her go into this last fire alone.
“Yes, but I could have helped you rescue Smitty and the others. As it was, you needed my help anyway.”
He dropped his head. “No use to argue with a woman.” General Stewart’s words came back to him. A laugh started deep in his belly and rolled out of him unbidden. The change of temperament worked. His tension eased. Focusing on his mate, he leaned in, stealing a kiss from those luscious lips before she could protest. “I’ll vow to do my best to be available when you need me, agreed?”
Her grin grew mischievous and sexy all at once. “We have to go.” Sonja rose, offering him a hand.
Accepting her assistance, Ty returned the grin. “You’re as strong as a horse, Nymph. Remind me to never arm wrestle you.”
Keen golden eyes peered from sooty lashes as her mouth turned up in an easy smile. “The wolf has some advantages, right, Lieutenant.” Recognizing his agreement, she smiled easily as they stopped in front of the water barrel. “How do you think the others will take Guardian’s news?” She took down the lye soap, working up a frothy lather with the bar.
“I’d say pretty much like I did. But, they’re a mixed lot, there’s really no way of telling. Some of the men favor having more of a part in the hunting, so they’ll be pleased with the news.” He accepted the soap she handed him and began to scrub. “I wouldn’t think all have the same opinion to start with.” Taking the cloth from Sonja, Ty blotted water. “They’ll come around, I think.” With another wicked grin, he took her arm, wrapping it around his. “Let’s go find out, shall we?”
Chapter 2 - Realizations
The fire in the grate burned brightly as meat sizzled over the open flames. Hunting had been good, off the beaten path for most of the trip, so everyone had enough to eat. A long table of planks waited for the meal once the food was prepared. The women worked together on the evening meal, each bringing their own unique talents to the task.
Hortence always made a stew with herbs and wild plants growing in the nearby forest or pastures. Not only did she keep a spell over the small band of refugees, still, she prided herself on her culinary skills as well.
Tonight’s meal consisted of venison and greens. A large skillet of cornbread warmed near the fire. The aromas were pleasing and reminded Sonja of home. Usually, they would sit around the single campfire and tell stories or sing songs until sleep beckoned.
Not so tonight. Tonight, the Guardian would speak to them. With his explanation of why he had to leave, she hoped the others would rally around.
Standing next to Hortence as she cut potatoes for the stew, her mind wandered to the days to come.
“You’ve something on your mind, my child.” Hortence flicked a glance between her prep work on meat for the stew.
Sonja shrugged, continuing to slice potatoes. “Just thinking of St. Louis.” Ty had told her it was several hundred miles more to the southern Oklahoma Territory boundary and his land. As she worked, she tried to fathom the distance. Still so far, to go, she mused.
Something in her peripheral vision made her grip the knife for attack.
Ty’s strong hand came around her wrist, bringing his strong arms around her waist, easing in to kiss her nape. The move calmed her nerves but she still needed to chastise him.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that. I could hurt you.” Her hand shook once before she smoothed her skirt front before returning to her task.
“Now, sweet thing, you couldn’t hurt me. You know why?”
Narrowing her eyes, she took the bait anyway. “No, why?”
“Because you’re my mate and you love me so much.” His wolfish grin made her heart tighten in her chest. He flashed a wicked smile at her before giving her nose a kiss.
Old habits die hard. Still she chided herself for glancing around to see who might be watching their personal exchange. Who cared? Take her sister, Briann, for example. Her attitude was there was no harm in a relationship with a former Confederate General turned vampire. Nor did she go around worrying over who witnessed their affectionate moments. So why should she? After all, except for the part about vampires, her courtship could be the same as any other wartime tale of romance.
Pulling the lieutenant by his shirtfront, she drew him into a kiss on his firm, marvelous mouth. Oh, the things he could do with his mouth, she mused and blushed despite her best effort to the contrary.
Hortence coughed. Their spell broken, Ty glanced over his shoulder at the witch. “Hags need to mind their business, right witch?”
Ignoring both now, Hortence moved to the wooden bowl Sonja used for the potatoes. “I’ll take these.” Before Sonja could object, she gathered the bowl up and turned to leave. “Lieutenants should know better than to show off,” she murmured under her breath. With a snort and another throat-clearing cough Sonja hoped didn’t end up in the stew, the old witch hobbled back to her concoction over the fire’s grate.
A slight tug on her skirt had Sonja glancing down to find Ethan, her nephew. The boy’s head of hair needed a comb. His eyes, were wide with questions. He asked, “Why you always kissing the lie…lieu…Mr. Ty, Aunt Sony?”
She squatted to his level, gathering him in and grinned. Pure innocence poured from the child’s face and Sonja couldn’t help reaching out to run her finger over his button nose. “Well, Ethan, I love the lieutenant and take pleasure in showing him how I feel. Understand? It’s what people in love do.”
Ethan’s forehead gathered. He glanced up at Ty, before garnering her attention again. “So if Mama and General Stewart kiss, they must be in love too?”
Ty cleared his throat, glancing at Sonja.
Sonja smiled. So serious for a six-year-old, she mused. “Yes, Ethan, I suppose it does. Why?”
He lifted his small shoulders in a shrug, “No reason. I wondered is all.” As he continued to consider, his brows drew together. “He’s not alive, Aunt Sony.”
His conspirator’s whisper surprised her. “Yes, but he’s more alive than most men your mother’s had over for supper, son.” Giving his hair a smoothing, she forced herself not to look at Ty, who wore a grin from ear to ear. “Give him time and you’ll see what I mean.” With a quick frown for Ty, she quickly changed the subject. “We best be getting the table set. Want to help, Ethan?”
The young boy’s eyes brightened. All concern over his mom’s suitor disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Youth, Sonja mused, was God’s lesson in perspective.
“When we’re done, I want you to go and get cleaned up. Take your brother with you, all right?” Her instruction came naturally. Ethan and Nathanial were like sons
to her. Unable to begrudge Briann’s time alone with General Stewart, Sonja focused instead on helping with the children if she could. After all, everyone deserved a little happiness in their lives. If the General filled the void for male companionship, then so be it. Judging General Stewart because of what he’d become wasn’t going to help any of them. Better to consider the man within, Sonja mused.
The supper bell clanged. A rag-tag group of men formally of the Confederate Army of America filed by the long board set up on saw horses in lieu of a proper table. Each carried his army-issued tin plate or a wooden bowl he’d brought with him from home.
The scene hit Sonja squarely. Each man passed by taking the small portion of stew, wild game, and unleavened bread offered. Gratitude and pride warred on their faces. Each man had come into this war with great expectations. They’d whip the Yankees, sending them packing within a month. At first, things did go in their favor. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania where they’d lost Stonewall Jackson and Yellow School House where General Stewart had fallen to the vampires shifted the power. Sonja still considered from time to time, how many folks said it was the work of something evil – not quit human. Whatever a body believed, the loss of those good soldiers brought sorrow to the Confederate cause. Many began to have doubts about the South’s ability to win the war. Time dragged after the Battle of the Wilderness. Confederate men simply drifted from one skirmish to another.
Alas, the news from Gettysburg was grim. Ty told her after supper one night not long after they’d escaped from Pennsylvania. Sonja could see the land in her mind’s eye. The ground would never be the same again, she mused. Concerned the vampires were involved, she experienced more and more nightmares. When the men got wind of the news, some turned back, wanting a piece of the Yankees hides. To look into their faces was a heartbreaking thing. Those days were tough.
Forcing herself back, she commented, “We’ll be in St. Louis soon.”
Ty nodded. “It’s been a long trip. We’ve still got to cross the river.” He glanced at the men filing by. “We’ve been on the road so many days. I think it would be a good idea to rest in St. Louis – restock supplies - take our time planning a crossing. What do you think?” With no answer, he tried again. “A penny for your thoughts, Nymph.”
When she glanced up at him in bemused concern, he grinned again. “Did you hear anything I said?” He draped a bronze arm across her shoulder and offered her a warm smile.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I said, do you think a rest before we cross the river is a good idea?”
“Yes, that’s a wonderful idea.” Sonja couldn’t maintain the scowl she’d adopted. Instead, she packed away her concerns, focusing on serving the men instead.
He remained close until everyone got a plate. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
Flicking him a glance, she caught the rakish wink he sent her. They had a spot they liked to use for meals. Supply boxes next to the wagon served as a private dining hall of sorts. Grateful for a place of relative privacy, she cut Ty another quick glance.
“You’ve gone away. Come back.” He gently nudged her neck with his nose, inhaling her scent. “I hate to tell you - your concern is showing.” He winked at her frown, scooping up another mouthful of stew. “Um, this is good. Hortence outdid herself tonight.”
Sonja sniffed the air before giving him a haughty glare. “Typical male - always thinking of your stomach.”
“Not always.” Ty countered with another wink.
Her brows bunched as she considered his astute observation of her mood. “How is it you can tell when I’m upset or worried or …whatever else you always have a way of knowing?”
“Your moods are like reading a book. When you know what the story’s about, you can pick out the point where the plot shifts.” He ducked when she sent him a backhanded swat.
“I am not like a book.” The reference made her wish for an easier topic. His analogy was certainly close to the truth of late. “How long before we reach St. Louis?”
He glanced in her direction before squinting into the night sky. “A couple of days, maybe three. Trying to change the subject isn’t going to keep me from wanting to know what’s bothering you. Are you still thinking about what the Guardian told you?”
She nodded before stabbing up another piece of meat with more gusto than was necessary.
Ty set his plate aside before reaching for hers. Effectively removing all the distractions, Ty wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into his warmth. The man was nothing if not persistent.
“Stop it, Ty. Can’t you wait at least until we’re alone?”
His chuckle was husky. “We’re alone and I’m not letting you go until you tell me what’s bothering you.” He brushed a blond curl from her forehead. The look of love he sent her had her going all soft inside. The man had skills. “All right, all right.” With a show of exasperation, Sonja attempted to wiggle free. Ty’s hold grew tighter. Finally, with her head resting on his, she released a long breath. “I’m scared.”
“Scared? What exactly are you scared of, Nymph?” His hold increased as he gathered her up bodily to rest in his lap.
She pulled her feet up along his thigh, letting him hold her for a moment. His attention never wavered. He simply waited for her to respond. He was so patient, never tried to extract the answers from her. Instead, he listened, allowing her time to organize her thoughts. Gratitude welled up from somewhere in the jumble of emotions churning inside as she kissed his cheek. His beard scraped against her face. A physical trait passed down to him by his white father, she mused, one he found aggravating at times. She loved the feel of a new beard’s growth as she ran her hand along the line of his jaw. Her hands moved against the planes of his face, a face as familiar as her own. Leaning in, she rested her forehead against his. Her trust in him ran deep. “Ty, I’m scared I won’t be able to help these people get to Texas without…without the Guardian.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” His voice went low with tempered patience. Those blue orbs never left hers as he rubbed her arms lightly, letting his fingers slide slowly over her skin.
Frustrated, she continued, “I’m the one who has to answer if these people don’t make it across. I’m the one whose problems forced these folks into this predicament, Ty. Are you forgetting it’s me the vampires want?”
His eyes closed briefly. When they opened, he fixed her with a soulful gaze. “Aren’t you forgetting about me?”
“About you?” She blinked. What did he mean?
“Yes, I guess you are.” Ty peered out into the darkness past the circle of wagons. Sighing heavily, he turned back to her. “You’re taking all this on yourself as if I can’t help. Sonja, no matter what, I’m right by your side.” He gathered her hands in his.
The contact made her breathe a bit easier.
“I’m right here with you, don’t you know that? We’re in this together.”
She winced inwardly at the raking tone of his question. “Of course I know you’ll be with me. It’s just…” Having trouble saying the words, Sonja scrambled up with Ty not far behind. He wouldn’t let the issue die. Now facing the darkness on the other side of the light from the campfires, she released a slow, laborious breath. “Call it an intuition, call it a vision, call it what you will, I have a deep bedded apprehension about crossing the river. The opportunity for any of Robert’s cronies to attack would be ripe. Though he’s gone, I still feel his presence, his spirit.” She wheeled, gripping Ty by the forearms. “Don’t you see? Can’t you understand? We’re going to need all the strength we can muster.” Irritated her words had grown more agitated, she paused, dropping her head. “The dreams still come. The monsters are still out there ready to kill all who venture with me. I see them every time I close my eyes.” She shook her head. “You’d all be better off crossing alone, without me.” She leaned into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. His warmth enveloped her. She closed her eyes tight. The heat of his body next to hers
made the sudden chill more bearable. “Oh, Ty, sometimes I think it would be better if I disappeared.” Hearing her statement, he tensed. She held him fast. “Then, at least, you’d have a fighting chance to make it to your family in Texas. You wouldn’t have the burden of my presence to worry about.” Tilting her head back, she gazed into his face. His jaw had gone rigid with her words. She was treading on thin ground, she mused.
"Sonja, do you trust me?”
She could tell she hit a nerve. “Yes, of course I do. I love you! But…”
“But nothing!” Ty eased her back, gripping her chin to look into her face. His fingers held her firmly, daring her to look away. “Don’t worry about our crossing the river. Let me handle it.” With a moment’s pause, he gave her dubious stare a one-sided grin. “I didn’t grow up on a two thousand acre cattle ranch and not learn how to get a herd and the men in my charge across a river.” He nodded when she opened her mouth to protest. “I know, I know, there’s more danger involved in this than a simple river crossing. I got that.” He cocked his head of gleaming black hair to the side. A broad smile creased his face. “I didn’t make it to lieutenant in Jeb Stewart’s cavalry without understanding something about the enemy’s tactics.” The fingers he’d anchored under her chin grew steady, drawing her ever closer. His lips parted as they met hers. His tongue darted in to trace the interior of her mouth, her teeth and tongue.
With little defense against an onslaught by the lieutenant, Sonja relented, absorbing all he offered. His hands roamed her back before settling over her behind, giving her backside a firm squeeze.
Enjoying the feel of his hand on her behind, Sonja was glad she’d not layered on the heavy petticoats under her shirtwaist. She rather appreciated his attentions.
“I want you to depend on me. To know I’ll be there for you no matter what,” he whispered next to her ear.
The heat of his hands coupled with the vibration of his words so close, sent a delicious shiver down her spine. Wanting him to continue meant they’d be on display again. With a force of will, she pushed away. Instead, she reached up, giving him a proper kiss on the cheek. “I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Lieutenant.” She fanned the flush which followed, turning aside intentionally to join the others when she came face to face with the Guardian.
Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) Page 3