by Paty Jager
He stared at their clasped hands. “I don’t understand. You’re solid yet soft in all the right places.” His gaze lowered to her breasts before slowly returning to her gaze. “How could you be a spirit? I’ve heard of ghosts but they…” He shook his head. His hand grew limp.
She refused to allow him to disconnect with her. Not now. “I know this is hard to understand. But if you wish to make me your wife, we have to talk.”
He stared at her. The hot, passionate gaze that melted her insides no longer pulsed in his eyes. Could they get back what they had? She needed him to believe in her and not be unsure.
“Do you wish to ask me something?”
“The other night. The smoke. Was that a trick?” He rubbed his mustache and stared into her eyes.
“No trick.” She drew her hand from his and dissolved into smoke, hovered a moment, then returned to the human form. “I shift to smoke before I take another form.”
His head shook slowly as if trying to clear away what he had witnessed.
“You change shapes?”
She shifted to smoke, her eagle form, smoke, and back to her maiden form. “Yes.”
He reached out and grasped her hand, turning it over, peering at each finger, and testing their weight and firmness. “Do you change into other forms?”
“I prefer not to, but I can enter other animals or people and manipulate them.”
His eyebrows arched and his gaze drilled into her. “Is that how I heard your voice? Were you inside me?” He started to toss her hand away.
She clutched his hand between hers. “No. I did not enter you. You would have felt my presence. We know each other too intimately for me to take over your vessel.”
His eyes softened and his fingers twined with hers. “How did you speak to me?”
“I was not sure you would listen or understand. Wewukiye could speak with Dove before she became a spirit, but she had strong txiyak, powers. I hoped our power was strong and you would hear me.” She smiled shyly at him. “I have never cared to speak with any other mortal male. You make my body sing and my heart light.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. An act she had hoped for from the moment she saw him following her summons.
She reveled in his tasting and probing lips. His exploration proved as heady as his previous kisses. Sa-qan fell into the intimacy with abandon. Excitement and yearning vibrated in her. She told him the truth about her so he would know she wished to be his in all ways.
Wade didn’t want to think about Sa-qan being anything other than the woman in his arms. The woman he’d pinned his future on. Her fevered kisses, hands stroking his hair, and body pressing against his—meshing her womanly curves to his need—blocked his questions and doubts of sanity from forming in his head.
He ran his hands down her sides and up to cup her breasts. The weight and texture of them proved she was a woman. His woman. Smoke swirled in his mind, and a bald eagle flashed in his memory.
He jerked back. His hands remained on the fullness of her breasts. Sa-qan peered at him, her golden eyes so like the eagle; he shook his head.
What was he doing kissing a spirit? Or someone who thought she was a spirit. Had he lost reality and become feeble from this campaign and his wounds? He raised a hand and placed it over the now almost vanished wound in his shoulder. He’d healed faster than anything he’d ever witnessed. Could it be? He stared at the woman in front of him. Sa-qan. A spirit?
Sa-qan placed a hand on top of his. “Does it still pain you?” Her hand grew hazy, and his shoulder warmed just as when she nursed him.
“No, there isn’t any pain.” He grasped her hand. Her cold fingers wrapped around his. She knelt in front of him, her gaze searching his face.
“I still don’t understand.” He ran a finger down her cheek. Her inviting lips opened slightly and her eyes drifted shut. His body leaned in for a kiss, but he checked the motion inches from her lips.
“I want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life. But I don’t understand. How can you be a desirable woman and yet turn to smoke and an eagle before my eyes?” He’d heard stories of medicine men that would disappear and reappear. Were they also spirits?
“Do not think with your mind, think with your heart.” She placed her hand on his chest. “Have I healed and cared for you? I am good for you.”
“You’ve given me a desire for a future outside the military. But how can that happen if you’re a spirit?”
She leaned in the last few inches and touched his lips with hers, a chaste kiss, before retreating to peer into his eyes. “The Creator will show us. He made Himiin mortal so he could be with Wren, the mortal he loved, and Dove became a spirit to be with Wewukiye. We will help my people and the Creator will reward us.”
Wade stared into the eyes of the woman who had completely stolen his heart and possibly his mind. He wanted to help the Nez Perce not only to fulfill her wish but to save her people. How did one go about making a future with a spirit?
He sighed and gave up trying to figure it all out. Sa-qan cuddled against him, willing to fill his arms and relieve his loneliness. Wade wrapped his arms around her, drawing her body tight to his. “I guess knowing all this about you means you won’t run off on me.”
Her eyes lost their shimmer. “I do not understand.”
“Every time I talked about a future with you, you’d disappear. Now that I know who you are, will you hang around and tell me more about being a spirit and perhaps discuss our future?”
Sa-qan’s eyelids lowered, veiling her eyes a moment before she returned his gaze. “I will do my best to not run away.” She pressed her lips to his. He didn’t want to talk anymore.
Wade took command of the kiss as his hands caressed her back and hips. Sparks snapped between their lips and he reared back. “What…”
“Our spirits have become one.” Her eyes glowed like the early morning sun.
“How do you know this?”
“The light and heat of our lips touching.”
Wade wasn’t sure he liked the idea of sparks snapping when they kissed. “Will it happen every time?”
Her eyes shimmered with amusement. “No.” Sa-qan wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. His body hummed with life and desire. Wade returned the kiss, easing her lips open and drinking in the exhilaration she poured forth. Warmth continued to flow through their embrace and intimate contact.
His hands slid under the hem of her dress, caressing the smooth skin on her thighs. She wiggled, settling her bare backside in the palms of his hands. The firm roundness triggered his need and pulsed his shaft.
Wade groaned and broke the kiss, his hands burned from the contact of her body. “Angel, I want you so bad my body is tied in knots, but I won’t make love to you here in the open where it has to be quick and on the hard ground.” He eased his hands from her body.
She leaned in, her mouth inches from his. “It is my wish to become one with you tonight.” Her warm, sweet breath flowed across his face and tickled his mustache.
“You aren’t making this easy. I’d like nothing more than to fulfill your wish, but not here.” He pulled her head against his chest to hide the passion glowing in her eyes. His control was only so strong. The desire burning in the depths of her eyes scorched his body and weakened his resolve.
Her arms wrapped around his body, and she pressed her soft curves against him, again.
“You’re a vixen.” He drew her face up and kissed her, wishing for a soft bed and privacy to show her his desire raged as strong as hers.
Sa-qan drew out of the kiss. “I only wish to become yours.” She placed a hand on his cheek. “Tomorrow. I will show myself to you in the sky, and you will stop your soldiers for the night. I will tell you where to find me, and we will have cover and blankets.”
Her words conjured up a night he’d dreamed of since meeting her. “I like your idea. But how will you—”
She placed a finger upon his lips. “My
brother and sister will help. They have given their blessing for us to be one.”
“Will I meet them then?” His curiosity about this brother and his wife needed to be resolved.
She turned her head. The heat of her cheeks brushed his. “I have not been kind to my brothers when they fell in love with mortals…I-I did not see how they could throw away all that the Creator gave us for a mortal.” Her guilt-ridden eyes gazed into his. “Now, I have walked in their footsteps, and I see I was too harsh. It humbles me that Wewukiye has not rubbed my nose in my past attitude.”
“So you aren’t ready for him to see us together?” He could picture this woman lecturing her brothers on consorting with a mortal. Hell, it’s what he was doing. Consorting with the enemy. But it didn’t sit sour in his belly. It warmed his heart and his soul.
“Lt. Watts!”
Pú-timt wax `oymátat
(18)
Wade peered down the cliff. Sergeant Murphy and two others searched the lower ground headed toward the ridge and he and Sa-qan. The early morning gray grew lighter with each step they took.
“I will see you tonight.” Sa-qan feathered a kiss across his lips and shifted to smoke, disappearing into the sky.
He stood and descended the cliff. Even though he hadn’t slept, his body belied the fact, ready for a long day on a horse.
“Sergeant, I’m right here. Why are you looking for me?”
A call from an eagle rang through the light of dawn. How often had Sa-qan watched him from the sky?
Murphy strode forward. “When you didn’t return during the night I thought something happened.”
“The noises of the others sleeping annoys me. That’s why I leave the camp. To sleep.” Wade kept on walking. The three men fell in behind him, but Murphy strode beside him. The man’s gaze flitted his direction, assessing him.
The sun cloaked the camp in yellow when they arrived. The other troopers had their horses saddled and ready to go. His mount stood saddled as well. He pulled hardtack out of his saddlebag and took the reins from a private.
“Thank you, Private.” He mounted his horse and ordered, “Mount up.”
They moved out at a trot. It didn’t surprise Wade when Murphy rode up beside him.
“Sir, we didn’t send someone back to Colonel Sturgis with a report.”
“We’ll know more tonight and send someone with a report then.” He glanced at the sergeant’s dirty uniform and weariness sagging his face. The same exhaustion clung to the other men riding with him. “Did you take a sentry shift last night?”
“Yes, sir.” The man straightened in his saddle.
“Well, don’t tonight. I need you rested. And only have two men a shift with two men getting a full night’s sleep every night. We need to have part of the group sharp and rested.”
“Yes, sir.”
Wade couldn’t handle any more conversation. He had too many things about his meeting with Sa-qan to think about.
“Sir?” Murphy’s voice broke into his thoughts.
“Sergeant?”
“Do you think these Indians are going to make it to Sitting Bull?”
Wade shifted his attention on the trooper. The man squirmed in his saddle.
“I mean, why are we chasing them? Why don’t we let them go? Everyone knows Sitting Bull took to living where no one else wants to.”
Wade shook his head. “The Nez Perce have raised our government’s anger, and they aren’t going to let them get by that easy. And as servants to the government, it’s our duty to do what we’re told.”
Murphy nodded and reined his horse back with the other men.
Wade continued on, wishing for a way to make the government see the waste of lives this campaign had left in its wake. Not only the troops and Indians but the civilians.
****
Sa-qan watched the procession of soldiers continue in the path of the Nimiipuu. She knew Wade had to follow the orders of his leaders, but she also knew he would not let his soldiers harm innocent Nimiipuu. Her heart filled her chest. Tonight they would become one.
She flew straight to the Nimiipuu camp in search of Wewukiye and Dove. The Nimiipuu had traveled a good distance from the camp location by the time she caught up. On the way, she had scouted the area between Wade and the Nimiipuu and found a hastily abandoned earth dwelling she and her brother and sister could clean and ready for the night.
Sister, did you talk with your soldier?
Yes, where are you?
Following the stragglers.
Sa-qan spotted the regal elk and landed on a rock near them. She had witnessed the slow pace of the women, children, and old before drifting to the ground.
“They are weakening,” Dove said, staring at the slow progress of those in the back of the group.
“With the soldiers always finding them, they have not had time to rest and hunt for proper food. The warriors are always scouting and running off the Crow and Bannock trying to steal their horses.” Wewukiye snorted his anger.
Sa-qan did not like the weariness and loss of hope drifting on the wind. “They need rest, but there is nothing we can do to stall so many soldiers or keep the enemy tribes from harassing.” For the first time as a spirit, helplessness emerged. She saw little the three spirits could do to help their people. Too many enemies came after the Nimiipuu at once. She swallowed the fear bubbling in her throat. What would they do if the soldiers captured The People? How would they help them then?
“Joseph has spoken. He has promised they will find Sitting Bull and live in peace.” The confidence in Dove’s voice brought little comfort to Sa-qan.
“Then it will be so.” Wewukiye stomped his hoof.
Sa-qan peered at the procession. How could Joseph have this conviction when she, a spirit with powers, had lost hope?
“Why did you seek us?” Dove broke into Sa-qan’s fearful thoughts.
She shook, ruffling her feathers and trying to clear her mind of the failure residing in her chest. “I had…” How could she ask for something so selfish while her people struggled in turmoil?
“Does it have to do with your soldier?” The sparkle in Dove’s eyes lightened Sa-qan’s mood.
“Yes. I had planned to seek your help in cleaning an abandoned dwelling I found for us to use to become one.” Heat sizzled up her neck and made her head warm like flying close to the sun.
“Why do you need a lodge? What is wrong with using mother earth’s cushion and the Creator’s stars?” Wewukiye narrowed his eyes, watching her.
“I was willing last night with such a bed. Wade said he would not become one without a soft bed and lodging.” Her rapid heart beats nearly choked her as her brother continued to study her.
He snorted. “What kind of a man must have such to show his woman he loves her?”
Dove nudged Wewukiye with her muzzle. “Remember when I spoke with Agent William at the fort? His lodge had soft places to sit. Perhaps the so·yá·po cannot sit and sleep on hard surfaces?”
“But he sits on a hard saddle all day and sleeps on the ground at night.” Sa-qan insisted, now also curious about Wade’s demand.
“He made this up, knowing it could not be done,” Wewukiye said, bobbing his head and antlers.
Sa-qan wrinkled her brow in thought. Was this true? Did he not want to become one? Heat scorched from her belly out to her hands and feet. His kisses and roaming hands as well as his manhood had wanted her. That he could not hide. She shook her head. “He wants to be one with me. This I am sure.”
Dove peered at the disappearing Nimiipuu. “Then we must make this lodge ready and bring blankets. Once you have become one, he will help your people.”
Sa-qan leapt into the air. “Follow me.” Her brother and sister loped across the valley, following her to the earth shelter in the side of a hill. A prairie squirrel ran out the opening as Sa-qan landed. Stacked dirt enlarged a dugout in the rise. The front wall had an opening and two short walls on the sides extended the space. A small rock fireplace s
tood in one of the short walls. Wood containers, two chairs, a table, and so·yá·po cooking pots scattered across the floor. A wood structure with rope laced back and forth stood in the corner. The occupants had made a hasty retreat. Perhaps they fled, learning of the Nez Perce traveling in the area. Sa-qan did not blame them. Many of the warriors had taken revenge to their hearts.
Wewukiye and Dove changed to human form and entered the dwelling behind Sa-qan.
“Only when you are dead do you live in mother earth,” Wewukiye scoffed.
“This will be perfect,” Dove said. “We will clean. You fly and find blankets.” She pointed to the opening. “Bring an extra one to hang on the opening.”
“Thank you both.” Sa-qan hugged her brother and sister and shifted to her eagle form. Where would she find blankets? Soaring in the air, she spotted an altercation between Nimiipuu scouts and a group of so·yá·po. Her heart cringed when they raised their guns and shot at the Nimiipuu. Within minutes the so·yá·po no longer moved, and the Nimiipuu loaded all the food onto the horses.
She circled in the air, fearful of landing and finding a so·yá·po still alive. If she found a wounded man, her instincts would push her to heal. But to help the Nimiipuu prosper, her heart would not allow her to help men out to harm her people.
Sa-qan landed on a rock and studied the men. The tang of blood tainted the crisp air. Not a man moved. Only the sound of mother earth rustled in the breeze. She hopped down and crossed to the supplies the warriors flung about searching for food and weapons. Four blankets lay scattered about. She piled them together and clutched them in her talons.
Leaping into the air, she carried the blankets back to the earth dwelling with a heavy heart. She wished to be one with Wade, but the circumstance that allowed her to find blankets dulled her excitement.
Sa-qan shifted to woman form and stepped into the dwelling. Her sad thoughts vanished at the magic her brother and sister had performed. Animal droppings no longer sprinkled the floor. Pine scent filled the air from the boughs piled near the wooden thing in the corner. She carried the blankets to the structure.