Stallions

by Jade Carr

  "A stallion," the older shifter whispered. "Big and powerful with legs made for running."

  "This could have been either of you."

  Seconds ticked by. She sensed their heightened awareness. The longer she was in here with them, the more in tune with them she felt. They shared the same air, the same space, but her reaction went beyond that. Beyond sexual awareness, even.

  "There's something else I learned," she said when she couldn't put it off any longer. Rubbing her thighs still wasn't a good idea, and yet she needed to remind herself that she was separate from them.

  "Do we want to hear this?" Nokoni asked.

  "I can't explain it."

  "That's not what he asked," Hah-Tee said. "He needs to know how to prepare himself for what you're going to say."

  "I can't answer that for you. Please take what Quana told me for what it is—something I believe."

  Nokoni stood and walked over to the ladder.

  Don't leave. "After the ceremony, everyone went home. Because they hadn't gotten any sleep, they all went to bed. When they woke up…"

  Chiding herself for faltering, she got up and joined Nokoni but didn't touch him. "Each man had a vivid dream. They called each other and shared. The dreams were all the same."

  "You believe this?" Hah-Tee questioned from his place on the ground.

  "Maybe Quana had been lied to," Nokoni said. "What you just told us makes no sense. I—"

  "Hear me out."

  Silence. Thick and alive. Stalling for time, Terena left the ladder and walked over to a wall someone had decorated with a figure of an old woman holding an ear of corn. Terena touched the figure.

  "Corn is life to the Hopi while horses allowed the Comanche to rule the plains. Maybe that explains why those old men dreamed they rode tireless wild horses. In their dreams, the men were young again, carrying spears and dressed for battle."

  "Describe the dream horses."

  Facing Nokoni wasn't easy, and her body jolted as if she'd touched an electric fence. Throwing caution to the wind, she looked at Hah-Tee. Another sizzle hit.

  "Stallions. Mostly black with hints of red. White chests."

  "Eagle markings on their chests," Hah-Tee said.

  "Yes." She waited out a thousand-conflicting thoughts. "Quana is levelheaded, but I could tell what his grandfather told him shook him."

  The way Nokoni stared at her, she thought he might question Quana's honesty. Instead, he joined her and touched the Hopi figure. Something, maybe his nerve endings, brushed her flesh.

  "Do you think we could talk to the old men?"

  She swallowed. "Yes, I think so."

  Splitting her attention between the two was making her dizzy, although maybe the truth was she didn't have what it took to deal with so much male power. Praying she could get through the rest of what she needed to tell them, she wrapped her arms around her middle. Two dark pairs of eyes said they understood the gesture.

  "Once the men realized they'd all had the same dream, they decided it was a sign, a force, for lack of a better term. Right then, there was a lot of news about how the BLM was reassessing their mustang management policy."

  She filled them in on growing concerns about the size of the wild horse population. Lines were being drawn about how to handle things, especially the exploding birth rate. One option was to euthanize surplus animals.

  "Once, many of those mustangs' ancestors had belonged to the Comanche." She couldn't relax her hold on her waist. "The tribe felt a responsibility to them."

  Her head pounded. All these years of chasing after facts and taking pride in the accuracy of what she wrote, and here she was. jumping into an abyss.

  One Nokoni and Hah-Tee needed to comprehend.

  "The old Comanche men went to Nevada and started following the mustangs on foot. The moon was again full when they rolled out their sleeping bags and slept under the stars. There was another common dream, but it was different from the first."

  "Sit down. You're swaying."

  Confused, she stared at Hah-Tee who patted the mattress next to him. Nokoni took hold of her arm and guided her to the other shifter. Hah-Tee was right, she was less than steady. With their help, she half sat and half collapsed. Nokoni joined them, his shoulder brushing the one that wasn't dangerously close to Hah-Tee.

  "Go on," Nokoni encouraged.

  Despite the distraction, she concentrated on what Quana had told her. In the second dream, the Comanche had all seen a number of mustangs break off from the herd. They were led by a stallion.

  "The Comanche came to the conclusion that their dream was a spirit-sign of what needed to take place. They couldn't kidnap mustangs and truck them somewhere, but they could try to—do you believe what I'm saying?"

  Nokoni wrapped his fingers around her wrist and drew her arm toward him so the back of her hand rested on his naked chest. "Go on."

  Chapter 25

  Hundreds of years ago, Comanche braves united in battle. The disagreement with a governmental agency wasn't a war, but something they considered precious was in danger. They—apparently they painted themselves like Comanche warriors used to do, but instead of fighting an enemy, they held hands and talked about the debt of gratitude they owed the horses. The act of holding hands was a departure from traditional individualistic warrior behavior. Maybe that's why…"

  Hah-Tee brought her free hand to his mouth and kissed it.

  "Maybe that's why they were able to create us," Nokoni said at length.

  Her breath hissing in a long sigh, she leaned against his shoulder. "Yes."

  "Prayer," Hah-Tee added. "About something that was meaningful to those old men."

  Maybe the shifters were aware of the united heat, but maybe they were too intent on putting the puzzle pieces together for anything else to penetrate. Despite her growing physical response, she struggled to focus on them.

  "As I understand it, when the elders acknowledged what their collective energy was capable of, they knew they had decisions to make. Their desire to grant at least some mustangs a life free of governmental constraints wouldn't succeed on its own. The horses needed leadership."

  "Me," Nokoni said. "The first shifter."

  "Yes, except back then, you were only a few years old and pure horse. Fast, intelligent, curious, and embracing what it meant to be male. Do you remember being approached by a number of men? You could have run away, but you didn't. Maybe you had some inkling that—I don't know what I'm saying."

  He shook his head. "My first memory is of walking day after day, taking as many mares and their foals as possible with me."

  "Where did that compulsion come from?" Hah-Tee asked.

  "I wish I knew," she said. "The only explanation I have is the Comanche's collective determination. As for the ability to shift and the speed—some things defy explanation. Maybe we'll never know." She tried to free a hand so she could press it to her forehead, but the men held on.

  Trapped between them, desire raced over her skin in ever-increasing waves.

  "One question." Hah-Tee's sharp tone stopped her. "Is Nokoni my father?"

  "No."

  Nokoni's grip tightened. "How can you be sure?"

  "Because I brought it up with Quana. What he said was the men decided there had to be more than one shifter stallion. It couldn't be another Nokoni's age because they'd fight, but if they blessed—I don't know what else to call it—a colt, that little one would eventually take over."

  She sensed the shifters staring at each other over the top of her head. Mental and emotional exhaustion stole chunks of energy from her. Maybe it was better that way. Soon she'd be too tired to think about wanting sex.

  Sex? Now?

  She again tried to pull free. When they released her, she wasn't sure that was what she wanted. Being sandwiched between them was the problem. Once she had back her own space, she could decide what she needed to do.

  Standing took effort. At the same time, she was proud of her accomplishment. The past week had
been incredibly hard. No wonder everything took effort.

  She faced them. "I'm going to leave now. When you want to talk again, I'll be at my aunt and uncle's place. Quana said he can get you in touch with the elders."

  "You don't want to do this," Nokoni said.

  "What don't I want to do?"

  "Leave."

  A flush started in her belly and radiated out until no part of her was untouched. She couldn't think how to lift her head and had never felt more exposed or vulnerable.

  The two big, shirtless men stood. It wasn't happening, was only her crazy imagination, but their every move seemed to be in lockstep. And their eyes—equal parts confidence and question.

  "No, I don't."

  "Why not?"

  A challenging question designed to take the conversation in a jump-off-the-cliff direction. Being around them increased her own confidence, but instead of telling them that, she flattened a hand over each man's chest.

  "I don't remember your heartbeats being this strong. You don't suppose…"

  Nokoni cocked his head. "What don't you suppose?"

  "That the Comanche have anything to do with this."

  "I don't think so."

  The three of them were standing in a place that had been created hundreds of years ago. In sharp contrast to the aged space, she felt newborn. She couldn't and wouldn't think beyond this moment.

  "A stud doesn't share," Nokoni said.

  "I know."

  "But we're more than herd leaders."

  Unsure whether Hah-Tee was speaking to her or to his fellow shifter, she nodded. Nokoni slid a hand around the back of her neck. "And because we are, we need more."

  "Tell me about those needs." He massaged the top of her spine. and erotic sensation ran through her.

  "Listening isn't enough. You desire both of us. What do you want from us?"

  She swallowed. "Please don't put it all on me. The only thing I know is that you're both equally vital to me."

  Hah-Tee brought her hand to his mouth and licked her palm. It took everything she had not to sway.

  "I want to believe you," he said. "After all, you didn't have to talk to your Comanche friend. You didn't owe us anything."

  "How can you say that? If you think I could walk away from you, you're—"

  "I turned my back on you," Nokoni broke in.

  It hadn't been exactly like that. "You could have lost your life that day and had a lot to deal with. I understood."

  "We were all under a lot of stress."

  Hah-Tee's his harsh intake of breath had her looping her fingers over his jeans' waistband. When Nokoni exhaled, his breath dampened and heated her throat.

  "You expect me… You think I can tell you what to do when you… Damn it, I don't know what I'm trying to say."

  "Then don't speak," Nokoni said.

  That she could do. One second after another ticked past as her focus remained locked on touch and pressure, promise and question. She didn't know what to do with the fingers gripping Hah-Tee's jeans, didn't know what Nokoni wanted. Her legs were going numb. At the same time, her untouched breasts were unbelievably sensitive.

  "Now?" Hah-Tee asked.

  She tried to put her mind to whether he'd directed his question at her and what he was talking about. Instead, she drifted. Waited. Experienced.

  "Yes," Nokoni said. "Now."

  They were talking to each other. No reason for her to get involved. Relieved, she barely noticed when Hah-Tee claimed her wrist. Surely his intention was to direct her to where he wanted. When that happened, she'd willingly comply. Do whatever he needed.

  Instead, he placed her hand at her side. After running his tongue between her fingers, Nokoni did the same. They stepped back.

  "Listen to me." Nokoni spoke from what seemed like a great distance. "We're going to watch while you get out of your clothes. It doesn't matter how long it takes. We're patient."

  Them, patient? Not the stallion sides of their nature.

  "What are you trying to prove?" she asked.

  "You'll understand in time," Hah-Tee said. "Right now, do as you've been ordered."

  Ordered? Hardly. Even before she started in on her blouse buttons, she knew she was 100 percent behind what they wanted of her. There was a world beyond the kiva, but it could and would exist without her. For now.

  Two pairs of eyes accustomed to watching for danger bore into her while she tackled button after button. She swayed, pulled herself upright, swayed again. Drew her blouse over her shoulders and let it slide to the floor. Started in on her jeans' fastening, stopped, and leaned over to untie her tennis shoes. Done with that, she kicked off her shoes followed by her socks.

  The shifters' gazes intensified, darkened. Their erections strained their jeans and yet their arms remained by their sides as if arousal was of little concern to them.

  "This isn't about me having two men, is it?" Her ability to speak surprised her. "It's the pair of you claiming me."

  "Does it matter?" Nokoni asked.

  No.

  Her fingers were numb as she tackled the button and zipper, but as soon as she started drawing her jeans over her hips, feeling returned with such vengeance it took all she had not to cry out. She was on fire! Lit up. Ready to explode.

  Whimpering low in her throat, she stepped out of her jeans. She straightened, looked first at the small pile of clothing on the ground and then back into the shifters' eyes. They were like bottomless caves, like deep holes in the earth. Her breasts pressed against the damnable unwanted bra, and she wondered if she had the strength to shed her panties.

  Nearly naked before her shifters. Eager for them to take her apart and put her back together. Eventually.

  "Finish," Nokoni commanded.

  I can't. There isn't enough of me left.

  Determined to make a lie of the admission, she reached behind her and unfastened her bra. She tried to shake the garment off her swollen breasts and erect nipples, but sweat had stuck the fabric to her, forcing her to peel it off. There. Gone. Unwanted. Hoping to take the pressure off her chest wall, she lifted her breasts.

  "Let them go." This from Hah-Tee.

  After stroking her aching nipples, she complied. Not touching herself was so hard, giving rise to the hope that the men were equally uncomfortable. Hah-Tee gave no indication of what he was feeling when he rested his hands on her shoulders and drew her close. He ran his fingers under her breasts. Agonizing second after agonizing second slipped by while he closed in on her nipples.

  "Not fair." Much as she needed to end the waiting, she forced herself to hold her ground. "I didn't come here to—"

  "What did you come here for?"

  Chapter 26

  Nokoni's sharp tone ripped her attention from what Hah-Tee was doing. The older shifter stared at her, his crossed arms warning her not to do anything to garner his disapproval. However, the bulge in his crotch was at odds with his stern question.

  "You know," she said. "A week is a long time, especially when I can't stop thinking about you two."

  Nokoni indicated Hah-Tee's fingers on her nipples. "Did you think this was going to happen?"

  "I didn't know."

  The shifter's slow nod was at odds with his stiff body. The longer he studied her, the more she needed to ask what he was thinking. Nights had been so hard, too much wanting and imagining, mentally playing out scenarios she feared would never be reality.

  "Hah-Tee and I didn't talk about you," he said. "It was easier if we didn't."

  "Was it?"

  Still claiming her nipples, Hah-Tee raked his teeth over the side of her neck. Stifling a squeal, she ran her nails down his sides in retaliation. He stepped back, releasing her as he did.

  "So what you're telling me is you figured you'd function just fine as long as you didn't think about me?" she asked.

  Hah-Tee rubbed his sides. "That's not what he said."

  The men shared a glance. No more stalling, no more standing on the brink. Now was for disco
very—and dealing with the consequences of that discovery.

  She closed her fingers around the elastic waist of her panties and lifted it away from her belly. "I wore red today. I only have one pair that color and seldom wear it, but when I do, I feel alive, more of a woman, a sexual creature."

  "You wanted to be a sexual creature today?"

  Nodding, she dragged the nylon down. She couldn't get enough air into her lungs, and her heart couldn't beat faster if she'd been running a marathon. Their gazes followed her every move. First Hah-Tee then Nokoni unzipped.

  A dance of sorts. Everyone stripping, closing in on the moment when separate bodies joined. Her panties now barely covered her sex, prompting her to run her fingers into her pubic hair.

  "I thought about shaving myself here." Were those high-pitched words coming from her? "Here." She cupped herself. "Some women do that, did you know that?"

  Their expressions said they weren't sure what she was talking about.

  "You're wonderful. Both of you."

  "Wonderful?" Hah-Tee asked.

  "Your innocence. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. You aren't at all childlike." Determined to prove her point, she ran her hands into the open V in their jeans and cupped two substantial erections. "Here's proof."

  The shifters closed their fingers around her wrists but didn't pull her off them. "I'm, ah, I was talking about your naivety when it comes to some of what goes on in today's world," she said. "For example, did you know that many, many men are circumcised?"

  They frowned. A heartbeat ago, she'd wanted to expand on what she was talking about. Now, with their weight, warmth, and strength in her hands, she no longer did.

  "Later." She breathed the word.

  Nokoni rubbed the vein on her inner wrist. "And now?"

  She swallowed, swallowed again. "Now we have sex?"

  Twin nods served as the answer she needed as she'd never needed anything else in life. She supposed she could have called the shots, directed the show, but the truth was, she wasn't sure what was going to take place. After an electric yet comfortable silence, they let go of her and went back to dealing with their jeans. Much as she hated relinquishing their cocks, she needed to be done with the last of her clothes.