Savage Conquest

by Janelle Taylor

  Miranda had never seen a bear so large. His head and body were massive. When he growled, she could see long, sharp teeth, as well as the saliva which drooled from his mouth. Although his eyes appeared very small, he seemed to have no trouble locating his prey. He moved swiftly and formidably, not at all like the clumsy performing bears back east. His furry coat was a thick yellowy brown. As he agilely ambled toward the two men, Miranda froze in terror.

  The creature suddenly raised himself to his full height of over seven feet, seven feet of powerful muscle without fear. She realized his arms nearly reached his groin. At the ends of those forelegs were two sets of claws longer than her fingers!

  During the initial flurry of action, the two soldiers had shouted back and forth. "Forget the gun and clothes, Jim! Let's run, run. It's a grizzly." But Anson had fallen forward as his trembling hands couldn't pull his pants from around his shaky ankles. The grizzly was on him in a flicker of an eye. Those gaping jaws ripped flesh and clothes, sending bits of both flying in all directions as the beast viciously mauled him.

  When Jim tossed the useless gun aside and was about to leave all behind to flee to safety, the monstrous animal left the severely wounded Anson to pursue him. The man didn't get far before the grizzly came to full height again, waving his paws and growling. Jim made a fatal error when he turned to see how close behind the bear was. With a lightning flash of one paw, the bear made a lethal slash across Jim's throat. Jim was dead before the silence returned after his agonizing scream.

  When the groggy and pain-riddled Anson began to moan, the bear's attention became focused on him again. The smell of blood overwhelmed the fresh air, and the stench of slaughter gradually joined it. Miranda's brain was too dazed to order her to f lee this ghastly sight. With a rolling gait, the bear nonchalantly returned to Anson's scarlet-covered frame. Anson screamed and sobbed, rolling to his stomach to protect his face and vulnerable belly, forgetting to play dead until the bear lost interest and left. As Anson shuddered and wept, fear permeated the air, an emotion which encouraged and pleased the enormous animal.

  The grizzly rolled Anson to his back with one forceful swipe, tearing flesh and clothes with those sharp instruments of death and destruction. Miranda was grateful the fuzzy body prevented her view, as she seemed unable to look away.

  How she wished she couldn't hear the sounds of torture and death. Her heart pounded so forcefully that her chest and throat ached. Nausea churned her stomach and assailed her throat. Her gaze seemed to go out of focus, and lightness filled her head. Her mouth was dry. She was so cold, her body felt like stone. She feared she would faint, yet she couldn't scream in terror, or cry in fear, or even babble in hysteria. All she could do was sit petrified, unable to move. She, or Lucas, would be the next victim.

  A warm hand clamped over her mouth and shifted her head. Her eyes enlarged and misted as they took in the most beautiful and encouraging sight she had ever viewed. Blazing Star pressed his finger to his lips, commanding silence. His keen eyes glanced at the bear whose attention was on the dead soldier. Without making a sound, he took his knife and severed her bonds.

  Uncontrollably and ecstatically, she flung herself against his coppery chest and burst into alerting sobs as her arms encircled his waist. Fo:r a moment, the warrior's arms embraced and comforted her. Instantly the bear's attention was seized'. and the massive head turned in their direction. Blazing Star stiffened, coming to full alert. As the animal slowly lumbered their way, the warrior gently shoved Miranda aside and shifted his knife in his grip.

  The bear was considered a warrior of the forest by the Indians, a symbol of wisdom. A, bear was never killed lightly. When necessary, it had to be done with skill and daring, in hand-to-paw combat. Only a warrior who had slain a bear could. wear the claws around his neck. The warrior didn't wish to slay his brother of the forest, but he had no choice. He could easily flee danger, but the girl couldn't.

  To draw attention from Miranda, Blazing Star jumped to his feet and rushed to a small clearing, sending forth Indian whoops. The warrior crouched and awaited the answer to his challenge, one which was sure to come. The grizzly headed. for the warrior, ignoring the girl who was gaping in sheer terror.

  Miranda knew she was to blame tfor endangering their lives. But no power could enable her to take back her rash mistake. She prayed as she had never prayed before. But what could a knife do against such imposing strength and ten lethal claws? Should she run? Was the warrior only distracting the beast for her to escape? But what about Lucas? What if her escape movements attracted the bear's attention? What about the man who was risking his life for her?

  She watched the intrepid warrior and the large creature as each sized up the other. She couldn't suppress a scream when the bear swiped at the warrior with those deadly paws. But the warrior was agile and quick, and the bear's attack was unsuccessful. As they moved and slashed at each other, it became a deadly dance of death. She wondered how long the warrior could avoid those destructive weapons. Surely his six-foot frame was no match for such height and weight.

  If possible, Miranda's terror had increased with the warrior's involvement in this drama. She saw blood on the knife; yet the warrior's virile body revealed no cuts. She witnessed confidence and determination in the warrior's expression and movements. He exuded physical prowess. Was it possible he could win such a fierce battle?

  Weapon ... She recalled the soldier's guns. She forced her wobbly legs to crawl toward them, desperately trying to keep her gaze off two grim sights. Her eyes darted around as she failed to locate either pistol. It was as if they had vanished. But Miranda hadn't seen the bear's paw fling them into the bushes during his two attacks.

  She hurried to Lucas's prone body, placing her ear on his chest to find his heart still beating. She struggled to free him, finally succeeding. But she couldn't arouse him. With luck and prayers, the bear might overlook him, so she left Lucas where he was.

  When she entered the open area once more, screams of horror were torn from her throat as the warrior fell backward to the ground and the grizzly charged at him with claws curled ominously. Miranda shouted and stomped the hard ground, trying to pull the bear's attention from the warrior until he could regain his footing and balance. She avidly sought items to seize the menacing foe's eye, tossing rocks and small limbs at the huge body of dark fur. The bear ignored her and continued his charge on the fallen and weaponless Indian. Unable to witness this man's death, she screamed an echoing "no" and slipped to the ground as protective and merciful blackness engulfed her.

  Blazing Star was given the split second needed for victory when the bear whirled toward the loud noise. The bear was fatigued from his previous killings and the battle with the warrior. He was distracted and sluggish. Already weakening from a speedy loss of blood from the wounds in his chest and throat, the animal was doomed as Blazing Star sent his lethal blade home. The bear staggered and slowly sank to the blood-spattered ground.

  Blazing Star rushed to Miranda's side, dropping to. his knees to pull her into his arms. Clearly she had tried to draw the creature's attention and attack to her, to save his life. She had been willing to die for him. That reality stunned his senses but thrilled his heart. She was so pale and cool. Blazing Star sat down and cuddled her in his embrace. He placed kisses on her face and lips. He thanked the Great Spirit for bringing him here to save her life. His mission was over; the two soldiers were dead. For some inexplicable reason, he was glad he hadn't been compelled to kill them before her lovely eyes. It was time to return to his people. He fretted over the feelings he was experiencing: loneliness, desire, and indecision.

  Miranda's eyes fluttered and opened. She was bewildered. She was lying on her back in the forest, gazing at the movement of leaves overhead as the wind slipped through them. But for the singing of birds and the soft rustle of leaves, it was so quiet and peaceful. She sighed tranquilly and stretched her limp body. Abruptly she bolted to a sitting position and looked around her. Lucas was lying nea
r her, his head bandaged with strips from his shirt. They were alone, in a different spot!

  Voices caught her attention in the distance. She realized they were near the river, near the anchored steamer, near help. But who had brought them here? Where was the warrior?

  Her heart thudded with suspense and hope. Did this mean he wasn't dead? She tried to awaken Lucas but couldn't. She had to go back to see if the warrior lived! Whatever the danger, she had to know his fate!

  Breathing raggedly, she burst into the small clearing where the rank odor of violent death stung her nostrils. Her hand Hew upward to cover her nose and mouth. She inched past the mutilated Jim and Anson, then halted in disbelief. The bear lay dead, without his furry coat and lethal paws and massive head. There was no sign of the warrior who had saved her life and removed her from this grim setting.

  Clamping her hand over her mouth to keep from retching, she commanded her feet to take her back to Lucas. She had her answer; he had survived, survived with the strength to take a bloody trophy. As she fought against fainting again, she leaned against a tree to regain her control and wits. She murmured softly, "Thank God, you're alive. I couldn't live with your death on my hands. Will we ever meet again? I don't even know your name. I didn't even get to thank you."

  She cried for a long time, releasing her anguish and tension. When she walked away, she was unaware of the somber black eyes which followed her. He mastered the impulse to capture her, for she offered great danger to his emotions and pride. It was wrong for him to take a white woman, so why was he tormented by such desire for her? Why did her sadness and tears pain him more than a knife wound? Why did it take all of his control to keep himself hidden from her, denying both a farewell? Who was this girl with such potent magic that she could have such stirring and forbidden effects on him? Why did he want her at his side under the sun as much as he wanted her beneath him at night? These were new and baffling feelings, feelings he must conquer and forget.

  Forget, he scoffed to himself as she vanished from sight. How he wished he had never seen or touched her, for he could never forget her now. But it would be worse if he had shown himself, if he had joined her body to his. Would he be as stirring and haunting to her? If only she weren't so rare, he would take her prisoner and sate his lust for herl But she was, and such treatment would destroy her. For a few moments beneath the sun, they had touched and kissed. He could allow nothing more, for she was more dangerous than any peril or foe or beast he had ever confronted.

  At Lucas's side, Miranda tried to arouse him once more. When she failed, she cried out for help, which came swiftly. When Lucas was carried aboard the steamer to a doctor who was heading for Fort Sully, Miranda told him they had been attacked by a grizzly and that she and Lucas had been rescued by a strange trapper dressed in buckskins. After slaying the bear which had killed the two soldiers, the man had helped them get this far and then returned to skin the bear before someone else found it. She added that the trapper said he would see to burying the two soldiers. She didn't know what she would do if they checked out her story and found the two soldiers nearly nude. What if there was evidence it was an Indian warrior? They would force the humiliating truth about the foiled rape from her. They might even suspect she knew the warrior.

  One man shook his head and informed the others, "Them grizzlies are known to travel in pairs. I ain't going in there after no mauled bodies. Let that trapper bury 'em like she said.'

  One of the crew members said the wood was cut and nearly loaded, and they needed to get underway. Several others agreed there was no need to fetch the bodies or to waste more time. Before noon, the steamer was moving again, with one last stop before Pierre.

  Miranda was sitting beside Lucas's bunk when he came around, his head freshly bandaged. When he groaned and touched the sensitive area, Miranda caught his hand and warned him to leave it alone. When he was fully alert, she revealed the events which had taken place, confessing her other meetings with the Indian warrior to him, all except the kisses and embraces which they had shared at that second stop. She also related the false tale she had told their fellow passengers.

  Lucas was astonished by her behavior. "You mean he's been following the steamer to meet with you?" he asked incredulously.

  Miranda replied honestly, "I don't know, Luke. He just appeared each time. If he hadn't, we'd be dead now," she reminded him.

  "Considering the tales I've been told about these warriors, it sounds crazy. You don't know his name or tribe?" he probed.

  "Neither. He always came and went so quickly and secretly. As I said, I fainted before the fight with the bear was over. I assume he wasn't injured because he brought us near the river to be found." She explained the precarious riddle as best she could.

  "But why did you go back?" he demanded.

  "I had to know if he survived. He could have been wounded. He could have used his remaining energy to help us. He saved our lives, Luke. He was kind and gentle. He never harmed me and I wasn't afraid of him."

  Lucas couldn't debate her statements. But he fretted over the identity and motives of the warrior. Still, the man had spared her innocence and saved her life. He cautioned himself to watch her more closely. He had almost gotten her raped and killed.

  "I'11 be fine, Randy. Why don't you get some rest or write Mandy and Reis," he suggested to distract her from her thoughts of the warrior.

  "I wonder what they're doing right now," she murmured aloud. She would have cringed in renewed fear if she had known the answer to that question, for matters were just as complex and dangerous back in Alexandria .. .

  After Reis persuaded Amanda to unlock the door, he poured out his soul to her, telling her nearly everything he knew or felt. Comprehending how important she was to him and how much he loved her, Amanda's anguish and doubts fled. He ended his confession with a declaration of love. "I love you and need you as no other person in my life, Mandy. What would I be without you? My life would have no joy or meaning. Please forgive me for hurting you. I promise to do my best never to hurt you again."

  Tears sparkled in her light blue eyes. "I love you too, Reis. I suppose this situation is difficult for both of us, a new marriage and a critical mission at the same time. I'll try to be more understanding and patient," she vowed softly, smiling into his expression of relief.

  "That's a good suggestion for both of us. But I don't want to mislead you. Until this case is over, there will be times like this week when I can't get to you, love, and times when I can't explain what's happening. But I will be as open with you as possible."

  "Now that I know more about this case and your duties, I'll accept your rules. I don't have to like them, but I will try to follow them," she added with joyful laughter. "You were right, my darling; there was so much I didn't know. But I love you and trust you.,,

  Reis's mouth closed over hers in a tender kiss of love and commitment. When his lips brushed back and forth across hers, she murmured hoarsely, "Make love to me. I've missed you so."

  Reis discarded his boots and clothes, then slipped the gown straps from her shoulders and let the garment slide down her silky flesh to the floor. His smoldering eyes flickered over her tawny curls and touched each feature upon her face. His gaze became as a warm liquid flowing down her trembling frame, from face to bare feet, over curves and planes that ached to be sensuously invaded. He placed his hands on her shoulders, then leisurely moved them down her arms to grasp her quivering hands. He pulled her toward him, their nude bodies melting together before they sank to the bed behind them.

  As they fell entwined into the arms of love, they were oblivious to all but each other and their cravings. Their love and passion were rich and deep, given and returned. He murmured words of endearment into her ears, inspiring feverish responses to him. Her hands caressed his firm, smooth body, and she touched him gently, then almost savagely as her hunger increased. He pulled her closer and tighter to him.

  He nibbled at her lips, favoring the fuller lower one. He fondled
her in daring new ways, touches which enflamed her to a matching boldness. He seemed to explore and conquer each part of her body, as she did his. He teased and tantalized her with lips and hands until she was tensed and warmed all over, begging to be sated.

  She moaned in desire. She was certain she could climb no higher on love's spiral, but she did. Fires leaped and burned within both as they meshed together upon the soft bed. Her head rolled from side to side and she breathed erratically as his mouth feasted upon breasts which were swollen and firm with passion. For a time, she lay mesmerized by his actions and the sensations they aroused.

  She discovered the stimulating thrill of bringing him intense pleasure with her bold caresses. Shamelessly and greedily, she gave and took with unbridled desire and new courage. When he entered her, she arched and engulfed his manhood with an urgency which surprised and pleased him, crying out in blissful rapture at that first inner contact.

  They moved in unison, Reis whispering instructions into her ears, all of which she eagerly followed. Although each thrust and response inspired ecstasy in both, their needs flamed into one roaring blaze which demanded to be extinguished before they were consumed.

  They soared toward passion's peak together, the heights they were reaching bringing a lightness to their heads. They touched, kissed, and mingled bodies and spirits until they could no longer restrain themselves. Fulfillment burst upon them and shook them with an intensity unknown before. Scaling the peak, they gradually eased down into a tranquil valley. They lay locked together, relishing the power and pleasure of this joining. They kissed and embraced tenderly as slumber claimed their exhausted bodies.

  On Thursday and Friday, Reis remained with Amanda during the daylight but ventured out both nights to meet with George Findley and carry out his investigation. Amanda could sense his dismay over the accumulating evidence, but she didn't pry. Before dawn on Saturday, Reis slipped out of the house to head for Washington-eighteen miles from Alexandria-to discuss his findings with Grant.