by Sabine Starr
“Yes.” He shrugged, as if he could make light of the serious matter. “She couldn’t take away my desires, dreams, or memories. But if she couldn’t enjoy me in bed, no woman would have me.”
“And you believe she has this ability?”
“Yes.” He more than believed it. He’d been living it. But he didn’t add any more fuel to Belle’s growing fire.
“You do understand that ‘curse’ is a simple word, and it’s probably not accurate for a complex set of circumstances.”
“I don’t care what you call it. She got mad at me and cursed me.”
“How did she gain this ability?”
“Far as I know, she’s trained.”
“Where? Who? How?”
He shrugged. “I met her in Massachusetts. We didn’t discuss it.”
“We may need to know more about her.”
“Why? You sent her packing. All I’d like to know now is how the hell you did it.”
“Why haven’t you learned more about her?”
“I got away. That’s the best I could do at the time.” He rubbed his sore jaw. “I hate to say it, but I hope what you did was the end of it or she might be more than my problem now.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s a mighty jealous woman.”
“You think she’d come after me, too?”
“I left her. In her mind, no man does that. And now I’m with you. Add it up.”
“If she’s smart, she’ll move on with her life.”
“She’s smart, but she’s not like you.”
“If she understands power, she’ll leave us alone.”
“Let’s forget Victoria.” He patted the blanket beside him.
“Come on back and get comfortable.”
She hesitated, appearing torn about what to do.
“Now that I’m well, I’m not going to bite.” He grinned. “At least, not too much.”
She chuckled. “Are you sure you’re well?”
“Yes. And thank you.”
She sat down beside him. “Why don’t you get some sleep?”
“Not on your life.” He grinned, patting her knee. “I haven’t felt so much energy in ages.”
“I hope it lasts.”
He looked her over, smiling suggestively. “It’ll last long enough.”
“For what?”
“Long enough to let an Eastern tenderfoot show a Texas lady what he’s best at doing.”
“I thought that was art.”
“Merely a sideline.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You sound entirely too pleased with yourself.”
“You would be, too, if you’d thought never to experience passion again.” He placed a hand protectively over his shaft. “You broke Victoria’s curse. I owe it all to you.” He reached out and lifted her chin with one fingertip. “I’m willing to share.”
She pulled back. “You better get some sleep while you can.”
He lowered his hand but not his expectations. “You’re not indifferent to me.”
“I don’t even know you.”
He moved closer to her. “Let’s pretend we’re strangers in the night. This is all the time we’ll ever have together.”
“So we make the most of it?”
“Exactly.”
“Mercy, I don’t know what kind of world you lived in back East, but that’s not the way we do things out here.”
“Do you need commitment?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know.”
“Let me do the thinking for us. You’ve been carrying the load for two, so let me help. I’ll make your world all bright and shiny again.”
“That makes me think of Hackett. I can’t be unfaithful to him.”
“It’s been a long time for you, too?”
She sighed.
“Don’t you miss the closeness, the pleasure?”
She sighed again.
“Let me please you as a thank-you for what you’ve done for me.”
“You would be a disappointment.”
“Excuse me?” He felt the shock of her words hit him like a lightning bolt. Mercy had never disappointed a woman in his life. Then again, he hadn’t tried in a long time. Still, he couldn’t imagine forgetting how to love a lady.
“No one could ever live up to Hackett. He was perfect in every way.”
“He was a man, wasn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“That means he put on his trousers one leg at a time just like every other man.”
“You don’t understand. He was the perfect symbol of justice, goodness, and fairness.”
“And he made you happy?”
“How could he not?”
“Give me a chance.”
“You’ll just remind me of all I’ve lost.”
“I’ll remind you of all that’s left for you in life.”
He got up, feeling strong and sure and so ready to pleasure Belle that he was burning up inside. He didn’t know what she’d done or how she’d done it. Maybe he didn’t need to know just now. All he wanted to do was bury his hard shaft in the hot, wet heart of her.
He picked up a dry branch and easily broke it over his knee. He grabbed more firewood and tossed it on the campfire. He stirred the embers with a stick and built up the flames. He wanted plenty of light. He was going to seduce Belle, and he wanted to see every expression on her face and every undulation of her body. When he was done, she’d be hard-pressed to remember Hackett’s face, much less his body.
He turned around and smiled at her.
She narrowed her eyes.
He grinned, trying to appear innocent and boyish. That usually worked to disarm a woman. But this wasn’t just any woman. This was Texas Belle Thompson, a woman who gave as good as she got. And that was just what he wanted. He knelt in front of her.
“Mercy, you’ve got a devilish gleam in your eyes.”
“I’m happy.”
“I’ve never seen you like this.”
“You’ve only seen me sick and weak.”
“I’m not sure I trust this new you.”
“Trust me to share my happiness.”
He sat down in front of her, crossed his legs, and scooted in close. “You’re beautiful.”
“Honeyed words won’t do it.”
He lifted her left hand to his lips, pressed a hot kiss against her palm, and then moved to her inner wrist, where he lingered to feel the fast beat of her heart. She was not nearly as indifferent toward him as she tried to appear. He nibbled up her arm to her inner elbow and paused to kiss her soft skin, adding licks and nips to increase her heart rate. He moved upward until he grasped her shoulders and turned her so she faced the firelight. She was bathed in a rosy hue that made her appear even more delectable.
“Mercy, you might as well stop. I’m not affected by your touch. Only Hackett made me see stars.”
“With me, you’ll see the Sun and the Moon, too.”
He slowly unbuttoned her blouse and then spread the fabric apart so he could see the upper slope of her breasts. She was just as wonderful as he’d imagined when he’d first met her. He feasted his eyes on the creamy mounds partially covered by white lace threaded with a crimson ribbon.
“I’m being patient due to your recent release from illness, but I suggest you not get more familiar.”
But he hardly heard her words. In sharp contrast to what he thought he’d see, or had ever seen on a desirable woman, he stared at a black tattoo marring the soft flesh over her heart. He touched the image with the tip of one finger and felt thrumming power. He glanced up at her face in confusion.
“Belle, will you please explain this symbol?”
Chapter 16
Belle slapped Mercy’s hand away, jerked her blouse together, and scooted back. In all the confusion, she’d forgotten about her tattoo. Only a few people knew about it, and two of those, Tex and Hackett, were dead.
She felt betrayed. If she hadn’t been caught by surprise, she’d have possibl
y found another way to confront Victoria. If he’d explained earlier, she’d have been prepared for possible trouble. If she’d understood his illness, she’d have found a way to turn events. Now she’d been forced to expose her deepest secret.
Irritation warred with practicality. She didn’t want to let Mercy any further into her life. Yet everything that had happened since she’d met him appeared to be leading to this moment. She didn’t like it. She didn’t completely trust him. She didn’t want to go forward. Yet she couldn’t go back.
“Okay,” Mercy said. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll answer my own question. That’s a Solar Cross, an equal-limbed cross set in a circle.”
“No.”
“Of course it is.”
She exhaled on a long sigh. “Now that I’m involved in your so-called curse, I suppose you’ll want an explanation.”
“Yes, I do.” He leaned forward. “I’ve seen magical symbols, and you’re wearing one.”
She gently touched the tattoo through her blouse. “This represents the Soleil Wheel.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s similar to an Indian Medicine Wheel in that it’s symbolic of the Earth’s elements and seasons. The right quadrant represents the East or Air. The lower quadrant represents the South or Fire. The left quadrant represents the West or Water. The top quadrant represents the North or Earth. And the Spirit is represented in the center where the bars cross.”
“That’s beautiful symbolism.”
“And more important, powerful symbolism.”
“Why do you wear it?”
“I’m a Rattler.”
“A what?”
“Sun Rattler. I’m a descendent of the mystics of the Atlahtaw Nation of Turtle Island.”
“Turtle Island?”
“That’s the original name for the United States of America.”
“You’re Indian?”
“My mother’s family.”
“You don’t appear Indian.”
“I do if you know what to look for. My eyes are a mixed-blood color. My bone structure is another sign.”
He hesitated. “Does this mean you’re a shaman?”
“Rattlers may also be called shamans.”
“Are you trained?”
“Yes. But I don’t practice anymore, or I didn’t until tonight.”
“Why?”
She sighed. “My mother died when I was young. Apokni, or Grandmother Rattler, raised me most of the time, but I also lived with my father. I learned to be a Rattler from Apokni and to be a bounty hunter from Tex.”
“At first that sounds incompatible, but you’re helping others with both skills, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “I’d never spent as much time as I wanted with my father, so when I turned eighteen, I left the Rattler world to be with him.”
“What world?”
“The Secret Order of Sun Rattlers seeks to preserve our heritage and our power. When the Atlahtaw Nation was defeated by Europeans, not many survived to continue our ancient way of life. Yet a number of priests and priestesses or Medicine People, whom we call Rattlers, joined other nations such as the Choctaw and Chickasaw and became renowned mystics.”
“I had no idea they even existed.”
“That’s why it’s secret and you aren’t to mention it to others.” She didn’t tell him that all was not perfect in the Rattler world. The Chief of the Sun Rattlers was a good leader. Yet he was opposed by Crawdaddy, a forceful and vengeful Sun Rattler with an outlaw empire. Crawdaddy continually tried to wrest away the rightful Chief’s position for the power and prestige.
“I’ll never tell. I’m too grateful for your help and too pleased that this Rattler world exists.”
“Apokni told me that one day my Rattler skills would be needed to save a life. And then I would renew my heritage.” She cocked her head to one side as she looked at him. “I believe that time has come.”
“I’ve no doubt you saved my life.”
“But you’ve had some type of mystic training, too, haven’t you?”
He nodded. “My world is different from yours, probably not nearly as powerful, but not too dissimilar.”
“And Victoria is part of this world?”
“Yes.” He clasped Belle’s hand between his palms. “You’ve heard of Spiritualism, haven’t you?”
“Trance mediums. I’ve read newspaper and magazine articles about them. Haven’t a lot of mediums proven to be fakes? They make money off the bereaved by pretending to talk with lost loved ones.”
“Some are fakes. Most aren’t.” He hesitated. “I wouldn’t tell this to others, but you’ll understand. I’m a Spiritualist.”
“What does that mean?”
“Spiritualism is a social as well as a spiritual movement. We believe in the continuity of the personality after death. We’re defenders of women’s rights and health reform. We’re concerned about too much authoritative structure in our society, but that makes us vulnerable since we don’t build strong coalitions, particularly political ones.”
She nodded in understanding.
“Spiritualists are changing now. Younger ones are moving in new directions.”
“How do you mean?”
“In 1869, twelve thousand turned out for a two-day grove meeting in Massachusetts. About that time, eight thousand gathered in nearby Melrose for a five-day camp meeting. Spiritualists still flock in large groups to picnics and camp meetings, but not as many now.”
“Did you attend meetings?”
“My parents took me. I played with the other kids. I grew up in the Spiritualist movement.”
“And you liked it?”
“Yes. But many Spiritualists are moving to places like Oregon in the West to preserve their heritage.”
“And you’re here in Texas and Indian Territory.”
“We want the freedom of those early camp meetings.”
“Maybe American women will one day win the rights, freedom, and power that most Indian women have had all along,” she said.
“I’m sure they will. I’ve seen their strength and determination.”
Belle squeezed his hand, feeling a deep connection with him that she couldn’t have imagined when she’d first met him such a short time ago. On impulse, or perhaps to comfort them since they both traveled such lonely roads, she leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his warm mouth.
He smiled as he traced the shape of her lips with a fingertip. “There’s something else about Spiritualists.”
“Yes?” She leaned into his seductive touch.
“Free Love.”
Chapter 17
“Free Love?” Belle looked quizzical. “How free is it? Or do Spiritualists charge for it like they do séances?”
“No.” Mercy laughed, feeling warmth spread outward from his heart. He lifted her hand and kissed the soft pad of each fingertip. “Maybe Spiritualists should charge. We’d make a fortune to fund our ideas, although we’ve already made a lot of progress.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Remember what I said about the importance of freedom?”
“It’s why so many of you move out West.”
“Right.” He placed a warm kiss against the center of her palm. “It applies equally to our amorous relationships.”
“You don’t get married?”
“Some do. My parents married to be strictly together. But others prefer no commitments or loose commitments regarding love.”
“What about children?”
“Our children are our light, love, and future. We take them seriously.”
“Then you do get married and create families to raise children?”
“Most do. Some don’t.” He turned serious, clasping their hands together, entwining their fingers. “What’s important is that we bring only wanted children into the world.”
“How do you manage that? Free Love must lead to babies.”
“We practice several techniques.” He squeezed her hand. �
��And there are always French caps.”
“What’s that?” She untangled their hands. “You’re making me sound naïve. I don’t like it.”
“Never.” He recaptured her hand and stroked her soft skin with his thumb. “French caps serve the same purpose as gloves, except—”
“Please, I get the idea. You’re starting to embarrass me. I’ve never had this type of frank talk with anyone.”
“Hackett?”
“Of course not!”
“Were you intimate with him?”
“Stop it.” She untangled their hands again. “I haven’t even known you twenty-fours and you’re questioning me about my love life. It’s indecent.”
“No it’s not.” He rubbed her lower lip with his thumb. “I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you. Only I didn’t think I could be worthy of you.”
“You mean you were under a debilitating curse.”
“That, too.”
She lightly bit his thumb and then pushed it away. “You’re just determined to keep me off balance.”
“I’m determined to make you happy.”
“Mercy, I’m a simple Texas lady. You are much too sophisticated for me.”
“I wish you were completely innocent, but I suspect you’re not. I don’t think Hackett was that big a fool.”
“He was no fool at all,” she said with a huff. “As a matter of fact, we—”
“Yes?”
“Now look what you almost made me say.”
He chuckled as he raised her hand to his mouth and touched her palm with the tip of his tongue, tracing a solar cross. He had his answer. It wasn’t the one he wanted, but he doubted the Texas Ranger knew as much about love as he did about catching outlaws. When he felt Belle shiver, he smiled in triumph.
“Mercy, I’m serious about you getting some sleep.”
“How can I when I feel so good?”
“We’ve got days of hard riding ahead of us. I don’t know what kind of danger we’ll encounter, but I can guarantee we’ll find it.”
“Or it’ll find us?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t want to hear it, but she was right. For now, he simply wanted to stay in this idyllic glade and let the world swirl around them.
“Maybe you’re thinking you could go back now since you don’t need Diana to cure you. That’d be okay. I’ll find her.”