by Paty Jager
She still believed it necessary to show herself to save Girl of Many Hearts. If that is your reason for ignoring me, you are wrong. Her gaze traveled across the land below. She spotted a wounded warrior in the path of Wade’s soldiers. Her heart raced. The threat on his life would force him to shoot at the soldiers and be killed.
The soldiers must change their direction. Sa-qan dove, falling to the earth near the soldiers. She flapped and squawked hoping to draw the soldiers’ attention and redirect their course.
“What is that?”
“I don’t know. It fell from the sky.”
The fragrance of sage filled the air as she continued to flop and beat her wings against the bush.
“It’s an eagle!”
“Stay back.” Wade’s authority rang in his voice.
She wanted to stop flapping to peer into his eyes but chopped that idea short.
“Is it hurt?”
“I don’t know but it’s best to leave it be. Move out.” Wade’s tone held a note of awe.
Sa-qan stopped fluttering and stared up into his eyes. The others had retreated; only Wade remained watching. She wanted to speak to him but knew it would only confuse him. The wonder and sympathy in his eyes sent her heart pounding like the ceremonial drums.
Stay to the right. She sent the message to him as she would her brother.
Wade’s eyes widened, and he spun away abruptly, taking long strides to catch up to the others.
By his reaction, he had heard her words. The knowledge thrilled her. She leaped into the air and flapped her wings, pushing her body higher and higher. Why did knowing he could hear her build this elation? She cared not the reason only that she could help him make the right decisions without having to—
She glanced down. He was not veering right but taking a straight course. Had she been mistaken about his hearing her? They would pass near the wounded warrior. Her heart rose into her throat. Wade was in the lead. He would be the one the warrior shot.
Pú-timt wax pá-xat
(15)
Wade shook his head. Where had the voice come from? It had sounded like Sa-qan. He glanced over his shoulder at the area where the eagle had flopped around. Enthralled by the beauty of the bird and knowing Sa-qan meant bald eagle he’d been even more entranced. The white head had rivaled Sa-qan’s hair in color, and the bird’s yellow eyes peering at him had reminded him of Sa-qan. Strongest of all the voice… Had he imagined the warm soft tone so like Sa-qan’s?
Why had the voice said stay to the right? He scanned the area ahead of him. Nothing moved. Had his own instincts told him to veer right, or had he truly heard a warning? He stopped.
His gut twisted, and his body tightened. The hair on his arms tingled. Did danger lie ahead?
“What’s wrong, Lieutenant?” Murphy stopped beside him.
“Nothing.” He couldn’t tell the man he’d heard voices. He decided to take heed of either his own premonitions or the voice and changed his course to the right.
They still had two miles of uneven prairie to cross before they would enter the fighting. He wasn’t in a hurry to get there, but if he didn’t keep a forced pace the men would get suspicious. They wouldn’t understand his need to keep them safe. He’d lost the mental battle needed to be an effective cavalry leader. His new goal was to get through this campaign and keep as many soldiers, civilians, and Indians alive as he could. How meeting one woman had changed his belief about life and duty, he couldn’t fathom. He no longer lusted for the next adventure, the empty room at night, or the authority. He just wanted to spend the rest of his life with one person and perhaps a few children.
The thought of sharing the rest of his life with Sa-qan tipped his lips into a smile and warmed the cold that had taken up residence in his chest sixteen years ago. He couldn’t voice his intentions until they settled the Nez Perce on a reservation, but it gave him a new goal. Halting this campaign and marrying Sa-qan.
The acrid gunpowder in the air interrupted his musings and brought them up behind the forces volleying with the Indians on the ridges. Vapors rose on the cold air from the guns, the troop’s breath, and the nervous, sweating bodies of their horses.
“Watts, where are your horses?” Captain Benteen asked.
“We were wondering the same thing, Captain.” Wade halted his men beside the mounted officer. “We believed hiking over here was more important than backtracking and finding our mounts.”
“I agree. Fall in and shoot at anything that moves on the ridge.” He whirled his horse around and gathered his men.
“You heard the captain,” Wade said, watching the Indian’s bullets fall short of their intended targets. He doubted their return fire would do any damage either. It was a waste of ammunition to fire at the ridge. But the captain outranked him.
He watched two mounted troops move to flank the ridges similar to the maneuvers on the last plateau. From the lack of targets hit and the slow ascent of the troops on the ridges, they’d be exchanging fire with the warriors for most of the day.
****
Sa-qan landed on the cliffs. After watching Wade nearly get shot and finally heeding her warning and avoiding trouble she needed time to allow her senses to calm. She watched from a perch on a rock as the larger group of soldiers circled the ridges at the canyon entrance. It would take them the better part of the day to get within striking distance of the warriors holding the others off. Plenty of time to check on her people.
She leaped off her perch and stretched her wings. If not for her entering the warrior and showing him the approaching soldiers more lives could have been lost this day. She wished to see if the Nimiipuu had traveled a good distance from the fighting. Within minutes, she spotted the long line of horses both loose and pulling travois and hauling people. To hide such a large number of people and animals was impossible. They left large paths of disturbed earth to follow.
Brother, I am here. She continued her course toward the group.
We are near the front on the side of the sleeping sun.
Sa-qan scanned the area and found her brother and his wife trudging along to the side and out of sight of the group. She landed in a tree in front of them.
“How are our people?” she asked.
“They are short on food and tired.” Dove said, worry trembling her voice.
Sa-qan remembered the weary and weakening horse and soldier she had entered. “The soldiers are also weary as well as their horses, but they do not stop.”
“The warriors are grumbling. Those that kill so·yá·po are bringing more trouble to The People. There are also many who are losing trust in the leaders.” Wewukiye stomped his hoof. “If they do not stop bickering, the arguing among the bands will get them all killed.” He shook his massive antlers. “I cannot enter all that cause trouble.”
“We can only help where we can.” Wewukiye’s defeat could not take hold in her.
“Your soldier. Can he not do something?” Dove tipped her wide muzzle and large brown eyes to Sa-qan.
Her chest warmed with the thought Wade belonged to her. Not in the sense they had mated and become one, but he held a special place in her heart. One she knew no other could fill. “He is not my soldier, and he is as helpless to change the soldiers as we are to keep the Nimiipuu safe. He is one. There are many so·yá·po who wish to hurt the Nimiipuu.”
“We cannot continue to only follow along. There must be action we can take.” Wewukiye carried little patience.
“Brother, we can only guide where we can and believe the Creator will not let the Nimiipuu perish.”
The People had journeyed on by while they spoke. “Stay with them and do your best to keep peace among them. If they fight among themselves they will be weaker against the enemy.”
“We will do our best.” Dove nudged Wewukiye’s shoulder with her muzzle, and the two walked side by side in the direction the Nimiipuu traveled.
If the Nimiipuu began rejecting the orders of their leaders they would surely perish. Streng
th could only come from a united group against the soldiers. Her fear for her people drove her into the air and back toward the fighting. She needed Wade’s strong arms around her right now. His strength gave her confidence the Nimiipuu would survive.
She circled above the entrance of the canyon. Tents stood as large white mounds and the injured had been gathered. More soldiers had arrived along with large guns on wagons. She watched warriors creep down the ridge headed back toward their families. They slowly retreated leaving enough behind to keep the soldiers busy.
Her gaze sought Wade. Finally, at the edge of the growing camp, she spotted him. How would she find a way to speak to him? Did she dare put words in his head or would that only confuse him? To show herself to him could also prove a problem should someone else see her. Impatience fluttered in her mind. She could see him, yet she could not go to him and speak with him. Could not gain solace in his arms and words.
She continued to circle, watching as he walked through the tethered horses, checking their legs, and moving farther from the assembled soldiers. He was trying to find a way to get to her. Happiness blossomed in her chest. His direction curved toward the side of the ridge. She flew ahead, scouting the cliff side, and found a hidden area they could meet. The obstacle would be finding a way to direct him toward the spot.
Did she dare change to woman and attract his attention? Would others see her and come as well? Wade continued toward the ridge putting more distance between him and the soldiers’ camp than the ridge. He would see her before anyone else staring this direction.
Her urgency to talk with him pushed all reason from her mind. She shifted to smoke, rising above the tallest sage, hoping it caught Wade’s eye, before shifting to her woman form. The need to see him pricked at her mind. Her heart hastened its beating and her breathing quickened. Yet, her head held her feet in place. In mortal form she was the enemy to the soldiers camped at the entrance to the canyon. To show herself to anyone other than Wade could not only hurt him for consorting with her, but the Nimiipuu.
She held this thought tight in her mind and her heart. Her friendship with Wade would end once the Nimiipuu reached safety. A knot formed in her mid-section. She stiffened her back. Showing herself in mortal form had been her only option to save Girl of Many Hearts and helping the wounded she’d found. She did not regret saving Wade. His friendship toward the Nimiipuu offered them hope. She believed this with all her heart, yet she should have healed him and not allowed him to see or speak with her. Or kiss her.
The memory of his kisses and the way he held her heated her cheeks and scorched a path down her neck to settle in her chest. Eagerness to see him once again took hold. Sa-qan shook her head. Why did her body overrule her head when it came to Wade?
The sound of brush scraping and labored breathing carried to her on the crisp evening air. She ducked behind the bushes and crept toward the sound. If she did not find Wade, she would leave and not return. His scent drifted to her and her heart quickened.
“Over here,” she said in a loud whisper.
Movement stopped. “Sa-qan?”
The question and eagerness in his voice tripled the delight filling her chest.
“Yes.” She stepped toward his voice and he walked into view.
Wade’s arms wrapped around her, drawing her against his solid chest and giving her the security she expected.
“I was so worried you’d been caught in the fire between the troops and the Indians.” His warm breath heated her scalp before he kissed her head.
“You do not need to fear for me. Watch only that nothing happens to you.” She raised her chin and kissed his neck. His skin tasted salty and gritty. He had endured so much as had all the mortals in this endless chase the so·yá·po started.
He held her head in his hands and stared into her eyes. “You keep repeating not to worry about you, but unless you can turn invisible, you’re going to be in danger.”
The worry pooled in his brown eyes tugged at her conscience. “Come, I have found a place where we can talk and no one will find us.” She linked her fingers with his and led him to the hidden spot. The ground dipped in like the hand of the creator had reached down and scooped a handful of earth to use elsewhere. Ringed around the area stood large boulders like the walls around forts she had flown over.
Sa-qan ducked through the opening between two rocks, pulling Wade in behind her. The indention and rocks held out the worst of the wind.
Wade straightened and turned a slow circle, studying the enclosure. “How did you find this?” His gaze settled on her.
“I was looking for a spot to meet you.” Her gaze dipped to his chest. She found it harder and harder to not tell him the truth. He thought of her as a mortal. After the Nimiipuu were safe and she no longer needed her woman form, he would be deeply hurt. Perhaps hate her. The thought stabbed like knives in her stomach. He had to know the truth. She did not want him hating her or thinking he caused her to leave.
She opened her mouth to tell him. His arms wrapped around her and his lips lowered to hers. Her good intentions flew out of her head. Her arms wound around his neck as her body pressed against his. She wished to become one with him. Rather than the admission jarring her senses, it filled her with happiness.
His kiss deepened. His tongue skimmed her lips. She gasped at the softness and he entered. The sensation of his body joining hers so intimately sent a bolt of lightning shooting from her head to her feet.
She pulled back and stared into his eyes. The surprise on his face meant he experienced the lightning as well.
“Did you feel…” He licked his lips and skimmed a shaking hand over his mustache.
She nodded and gulped. Now would be a good time to tell him. Dove had told her of the lightning when she and Wewukiye kissed when she was still mortal. Did it represent a sign from the Creator? Did a spark such as this with a mortal mean she had found her mate? The idea of Wade beside her always brought pleasant thoughts. Very pleasant.
“There are things—”
Wade pulled her back in his arms. “We’ll talk later.” His head tipped and she met his lips.
Lightning or not, she couldn’t ignore her need for this man. He nibbled her lips and tasted her thoroughly, weakening her legs. She sagged against Wade. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to a level spot with grass. He placed her on the ground and lowered beside her.
“You’re all I think about. Are you safe? Will I see you again?” He dropped kisses over her face and down her neck.
Sa-qan placed a hand on his cheek, riffling the end of his mustache with her thumb. “I think of you more than I should.”
His gaze met hers. “Why more than you should?”
“We are different in many ways. Ways—”
He placed a kiss on her lips. “The only way we are different is you are a woman and I am a man. Nothing else matters.”
If only that were true. Her heart ached to tell him the truth, but her head once again took control. “We are of different people.”
“I’m sure there have been marriages between your people and mine that have worked.” He kissed her neck as his hand skimmed up her side, resting just below her breast.
Heat pooled under his hand. The woman parts between her legs warmed and pulsed. She stared into his eyes. Did he see what he did to her body? His eyes sparked, and his hand moved to her breast, holding it, coveting the mound like a treasure.
Pú-timt wax `oylá-qc
(16)
Wade swallowed the desire bubbling in his throat. His hand holding Sa-qan’s breast burned, sending need straight through his body to his throbbing shaft. He hadn’t bedded a woman in over a year. The fort prostitutes no longer appealed. He’d thought he’d become too old to have his body react to a female, but the woman peering up at him jolted him alive in every way.
He leaned down to savor her taste once more. This time as he kissed, his hand kneaded her breast. A moan vibrated her chest and intensified his desire. Her hands gri
pped his head, holding his lips to hers as her body arched, pressing her hips against his and giving him more room to pleasure her breast.
Cupping her backside, he rubbed his desire against her belly. His need to be a part of her life—because making love to her would commit him to her; heart, mind, and body—surpassed any other obligation he’d ever accepted.
“Sa-qan, I want to be part of your life.” His husky voice whispering against her lips didn’t sound like his. She stiffened and her hands slowly released their grip on his hair.
“I cannot be a part of your life.” The gleam of passion in her eyes dulled to pain.
“I know there are differences. Once this campaign has ended, I want to marry you.” He nuzzled her neck. “No woman has ever haunted my thoughts like you, nor made my body crave to be near.” He kissed the pulsing vein in her neck. Surely she could see neither would be happy unless they remained in each others lives.
She sighed and her body relaxed in his caressing hands. He wanted her. But not here like this. He’d not take her like some randy buck. He wanted their communion to be long, satisfying for them both, and a bond that would never separate them.
Wade peered into her half-closed eyes. “When this is over, say you’ll marry me.”
She hid her inner thoughts shuttered behind her pale lashes. Her body tensed in his arms once again. Why did asking her to marry him cool her ardor? Was she using him for folly to learn of the troops movements? The image of her worry when healing his wounds, her excitement when they met, said she cared for him. Yet, where was this brother she spoke of, and how did she always find him and remain unharmed through all of this when she clearly traveled through the middle of the skirmishes?
He grasped her arms and held her away from him to peer into her golden eyes in the growing moonlight. He blinked at the blinding light shimmering in their depths. Her skin heated under his hands.