Astounded by White Arrow’s audacity and stinging words, it was some time before his statements and concern settled in the chief’s mind. When they did, he was stunned to comprehend his actions and weakness. “Why do you speak this way to your chief, White Arrow?” he began, unable to pull forth the best words.
“Because you are my chief and the father of my best friend. Because I love and respect you. Others have not noticed this magic spell she has cast over you, but soon all will see it. Do not dishonor yourself or your son by falling prey to such weakness. The Great Spirit opened my eyes to this brewing trouble so I might warn you of its results. You are chief; she is a lowly white slave, Running Wolf. Yet she calls and you obey. It should not be this way. I have spoken as the Great Spirit commanded me. Never will these words leave my lips again.”
“I am ashamed, White Arrow,” the chief admitted, lowering his head. “I am not worthy to be chief of the Oglala, for I allowed myself to become the slave of a slave.”
White Arrow studied the slump-shouldered man before his gaze. Suddenly Running Wolf looked old and tired. He sought to remove some of the sting barbs his words had inflicted. “Is it not said that an aging man can fall prey to the mating fever when he needs to prove his manhood and prowess? Has the fever not passed now that your prowess has been proven and the truth fills your mind? Can you not resist her magic now? Once more, Running Wolf is chief and Leah is the slave. Is this not so?”
Comprehending the meaning beneath the words of White Arrow, Running Wolf smiled and nodded. “The Great Spirit opened your eyes, White Arrow, and now you have opened mine. The fever has passed,” he agreed.
The two men talked for a while longer. Both were certain no one else knew of his brief madness, but Shalee did. Neither would ever speak of this tormenting matter again. The decision was made; in a few weeks, Leah should be sent away. The two powerful warriors grasped forearms and smiled into each other’s eyes.
“You are a true friend, White Arrow. I will not forget this coup, which must remain a secret. You have saved the life and honor of your chief.”
“I accept your gratitude, Running Wolf, for I know you would do the same for me. We will find ways to make her appear a useless and troublesome slave. No one will question her sale.”
When Running Wolf returned to his tepee, Leah wondered at his coldness and rejection of her advances. He called her names she did not understand, but the tone of his insulting voice was infuriatingly clear. When she seductively stroked his groin to entice him, he slapped her hand away. His eyes filled with venom and fury, he sent her falling backwards with a stunning blow to her face.
Leah got his message; he was finished with her. Something, or perhaps someone, had broken her spell! He was showing her he was in full command of himself and this situation. The hatred and repulsion upon his face, now distorted with rage, warned of her precarious departure. She had revealed weakness and defeat to him; he would never tolerate it again, nor her continued presence. She dreaded to ponder the length of her stay here. The person who had foiled her plans would pay dearly.…
Shalee lay upon her sleeping mat alone, but her warring emotions would neither grant her peace of mind nor sleep. Although she had kept her distance from Leah for many days, she had witnessed the changes in the vile female: the conceit and the baffling confidence. Two nights ago, she had learned why. After Bright Arrow was fast asleep, she had gone to visit Running Wolf, as was her custom every two days. Before she could call out for admittance, Leah’s voice and words singed her ears. Shalee couldn’t believe the things she was hearing. She was instantly grateful very few understood English. Her temptation to force her way into the tepee and expose the wanton girl’s intention was halted by the humiliation Running Wolf would endure. For two days she had fretted over how to handle this degrading situation. Gray Eagle would be furious; he would kill her with his bare hands!
What could she tell him when he returned in two more moons? She had never been able to conceal anything from him. Shalee couldn’t bring herself to approach Running Wolf with her proven suspicions. Learning she could never attain Gray Eagle, Leah had apparently settled for the chief. She didn’t have to wonder how. She knew.
Later that evening, Running Wolf came to visit Bright Arrow and Shalee. He practically invited himself to eat the late meal with them, then stayed until it was very late. As Shalee observed the Oglala warrior with his grandson, enlightenment filled her; happiness quickly joined it. Running Wolf had seen the light and was denying Leah’s charms. She could detect the renewal of fierce pride and strength within him. Shalee quickly decided Leah had lost her battle and would soon be gone. Running Wolf would never tempt himself to another self-betrayal or to unforgivable weakness. His brazen ecstasy had ended….
That night both Shalee and Running Wolf slept peacefully. But Leah did not. She was busy planning her revenge on White Arrow, for his look of fierce hatred informed her of her new enemy….
When Gray Eagle returned home, he was greeted by a cheerful father and an ecstatic wife. Running Wolf was asked to join them for late meal, to visit and to discuss Gray Eagle’s trip to the camp of the Cheyenne.
The evening was long, but enjoyable. When Running Wolf finally bid them goodnight and left, Shalee fell into her husband’s arms and covered his face with kisses. “I missed you greatly, my love. Our mat is cold and empty without you.”
“As it should be, Grass Eyes, then you will love and desire my presence even more,” he teased, closing his arms around her. Later he would tell her he must ride to the camp of their Sioux brothers, the Sisseton Tribe, at first light on the next sun. For now, he craved to hold her and savor her love.
Their need overpowering, they joined quickly and fiercely to quench this thirst within them, to drink of their shared love and passion. As Shalee nestled into his embrace, she whispered softly, “There is more you did not tell me, my love,” alert to the solemn mood that now claimed him.
“Have I no secrets from you, Grass Eyes? Should I rename you Eagle Eye?” They both laughed.
“One name and two endearing terms are sufficient, my love. What news did you forget to tell me?” She returned to her greater concern.
He sighed heavily and propped himself upon his elbow to gaze down into her liquid green eyes. “When Wi shows his new face, I must ride to the camp of the Sisseton to tell them many things,” he reluctantly told her.
Disappointment filled her eyes and clouded them. “But you just came home,” she promptly argued against his hasty departure and another separation.
“I am band leader, Shalee. It is my duty to relate the words spoken in the camp of the Cheyenne. I will be out of your sight for only three moons. When I return, we will break camp and return to the Plains. You will one day become the wife of the chief. You must learn to share me with my people and my duties,” he playfully scolded her.
Disregarding his words of jest, she replied seriously, “I know, Gray Eagle. But often this sharing is difficult and frightening. I wish you could remain at my side day and night forever. Even that would not be long enough,” she added, drawing his head down to fuse his lips with hers.
Running his tongue over her lips, he enflamed her senses once more. “You must learn patience, Little One; you are Indian now. Soon the buffalo hunt will take me from your side for many weeks. Should we not enjoy our times together, no matter how long or brief?”
“I’m going with you this time,” she casually announced. “When you halt at night to rest, I will lie at your side.”
“The buffalo hunt is dangerous, Shalee; the work is hard and bloody. What of our son and my father?” he tenderly reminded her of her other duties.
“Shining Light can take care of our son, and Leah can see to Running Wolf’s needs. I wish to be with you,” she petulantly vowed.
“What if you are with child then?” he unexpectedly and unwittingly asked. Unable to take the hurtful words back, he kissed her to remove their sting.
When the hea
dy kiss ended, she met his rueful gaze and softly entreated, “If you desire another son, Great Eagle of the Sioux, you must work for it. Place your seeds within me and I will pray to the Great Spirit to plant them there,” she encouraged, revealing no anger at his words.
How they both longed for another child, a child who was yet to be conceived, no matter how many times they had joined since Bright Arrow’s birth. “The Great Spirit knows and sees all, my love. When the time is right, He will grant us more children. You will see,” she comforted him, knowing each prayed for this gift each day.
“If you are not with child, you can come on the buffalo hunt with me,” he acquiesced, to lessen her sadness and pain.
She laughed and remarked, “Perhaps then new life will grow within me as it does upon our lands. We will find an albino skin to wrap around our new son when he is born.”
“Your face beams like Wi’s. When he is born, we will name him Sun Cloud until he seeks his vision and new name.”
“Sun Cloud…” She rolled the name upon her lips. “Yes, he shall be called Sun Cloud. He will shine brightly before our people and rain upon our enemies,” she commented with rising joy.
“Sun clouds reveal the power of the Thunderbirds. Our new son will draw his strength and cunning from them. First, we must make a new child,” he suggested roguishly, leaning forward to kiss her.
His kiss was leisurely and deliberate, driving all thoughts from her mind except those of fusing her body to his. He trailed his fingertips from her throat to her groin, then slowly returned to her breast. His movements caused her stomach to tighten and her pulse to race. To be so strong, his touch could be as light as a feather and as warm as the sunlight. Each spot he touched tingled and glowed. How she dearly loved this man who had once been her fierce enemy, who had stolen her purity and heart, who had given her joys and pleasures beyond belief. Was it wrong to be so happy?
Wrong, no; but perhaps dangerous. It seemed as if some evil force could not tolerate perfection and ecstasy. It always sought some malicious way to destroy or to damage it. Annoyed by such dire thoughts at a moment like this, she cast them aside to concentrate upon her lover. She eagerly returned his fiery kisses and gave him the same pleasures he was giving her. Her hands roved his body as some dextrous expedition exploring and mapping it. How wonderful he felt, so firm and smooth, so warm and responsive.
She giggled as his tongue circled her breast, anticipating his attack upon her defenseless peak. She moaned as he teased it with his teeth, his hands roaming freely over her body. The blissful tension and sweet ecstasy were always present. If possible, she could remain entwined with him for days or months or years. Was there another love as powerful as theirs, a passion as fiery and fulfilling? She doubted it.
He was in a playful, tempting mood tonight. Each time he eased into her, he would slowly withdraw until she begged for another stroke. He laughed in total abandonment. His woman. She would always belong only to him. But their game soon became serious as their fiery passion flamed hotter, threatening to fuse their souls together. His strokes became rapid and his kiss evinced his rising fervor. Each inch of her cried out to feel the rapture only Gray Eagle could grant.
His body shook with intensity as he followed her release. His control cast aside, he pursued her over the summit into the tranquil valley. Reluctant to withdraw from her body so soon and not wanting to place his full weight upon her, he propped his elbows on either side of her head and gazed down at her. Such love and tenderness were reflected there. Her heart swelled with those same emotions. “Forever,” she murmured.
“Forever,” he happily agreed, kissing her lightly. They talked for a while before relenting to slumber and wonderful dreams.
Shalee waved as her husband and his band of warriors rode off early the next morning, heading for another talk of battles and hunts. When they were out of sight, she turned and entered their tepee to sleep a while longer. As she lay down, she could smell the heady odor of her lover still clinging to the mats. She pressed her face to that spot, inhaling his lingering essence as she drifted off to sleep.
When Shalee and Bright Arrow finally awakened, the day passed slowly and uneventfully, too quietly, since Bright Arrow was entertained nearly all day by his grandfather. It seemed more like days than hours before night descended once more.
The next day was warm and sunny; April would soon reveal her lovely face. This fateful day began much like yesterday’s uneventful one, but it did not end that way. Shalee decided to take advantage of the nice weather to wash garments in the river, which was around seven hundred feet from the last tepee in their winter camp, the one which fed the narrow stream that flowed peacefully beside their campground. Eager for exercise and diversion, Bright Arrow tagged along with his mother.
Today, Shalee allowed her auburn hair to flow wild and free down her back, secured from her ivory face with a beaded headband. She and Bright Arrow held hands as they leisurely strolled along, her garments loosely thrown over her other arm. They halted by the bank and watched the swirling power of the swollen river, which was nearly over its bank because of the melting snows from the nearby mountains. Shalee warned her son to stand clear of the slippery bank, for the forceful water could easily carry a person away. Even a skilled swimmer could not defeat its present power.
Shalee dropped the garments and knelt to test the water’s temperature. She quivered at its still icy tinge. Perhaps it would be best to carry water to her tepee and warm it first. Surely her hands would be numb within minutes if she plunged them into the frigid water. The way the currents were tearing at anything weak or loose, they would no doubt yank her garments from her hands and steal them.
When a red fox with white-tipped ears and tail came to the other side to drink, Shalee pointed him out to her son. They laughed and watched him as he shook his head as icy water rushed up his nose. The fox held their full attention too long, much too long.
Not far away, two pairs of eyes were watching the woman and child at the riverbank. “You really think that’s the Eagle’s son, Starnes?” one man apprehensively and excitedly questioned the other.
“Look at his wanapin. It’s Bright Arrow all right,” the second man concluded, smugness filling him.
As Bright Arrow half turned to speak to the woman, the silver arrow dangling from his neck captured the sunlight and sent shimmers that caught the first man’s attention. “You’re right, by damn! You still think we can grab him before any alarm could be given?” he worriedly pressed.
“Half the warriors are gone and the rest of ‘em are sleeping this time of day. We could have ‘em and be gone afore anyone knows what happened,” the other confidently stated.
“What about the woman? Our horses can’t bear that much extra weight.”
“From the looks of ‘er, she’s just a white captive. ‘Sides, she ain’t no more good after them Injuns have had ‘er. We’ll have to kill ‘er.”
“I ain’t never kilt no woman afore. I’ll take the boy and you deal with ‘er.”
“Don’t make no never mind to me. If she was any good, she wouldn’t still be alive and feeling so cheerful. Sh-h-h, they’re heading this way. Get ready. When I give the word, you grab the boy. Mind he don’t make nary a sound.”
When Shalee and Bright Arrow stopped within feet of where the two soldiers were concealing themselves, the deadly plan went into motion. Well-trained and determined, they acted too quickly for Shalee to react or to cry out for help. Starnes spoke the only Sioux word he knew to catch their attention, “Hiya.”
Both Shalee and Bright Arrow turned simultaneously to see who shouted “no” at them. A band of steel closed around Bright Arrow’s squirming body and a large hand over his mouth as the first man seized and imprisoned him in an iron grip. Shalee only briefly saw her danger coming, too late to avoid it. The rifle butt crashed into her temple. Instant blackness claimed her as the forceful blow sent her backwards into the awesome river. Within moments, she disappeared from sight.
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Bright Arrow struggled with all his might to pull free and to save his mother; he could not. He stared at the spot where she had gone down, not to surface within his sight again. He was quickly bound and gagged, then hauled away to their horses. He was placed before the largest and strongest man in the dark blue garments with sunny yellow trim. Tears eased down his cheeks into the nasty gag, not from fear, only from heartrending agony. The men walked their horses a safe distance before galloping headlong for Fort Henry to the north. It was only too clear what the infamous Gray Eagle would trade for his son’s life.…
Another pair of eyes watched this fierce and tragic battle, but their owner did nothing. The green eyes shifted from the spot where the two riders had disappeared into the trees to the riverbank where one obstacle to her success had been removed for her. Leah smiled as she tossed Shalee’s garments into the bushes to conceal them, then casually returned to camp. Suddenly she was deliriously exhausted and wished to rest a while….
Running Wolf was the first to discover Shalee and Bright Arrow were missing. Several times later that day he walked the short distance between their tepees to visit with them, each time to find they had not returned. Dusk was rapidly approaching and the chilly winds were picking up; the threat of one last snow flurry hung heavily in the unpredictable weather, which was common for this time of year and this area. Some intangible feeling of danger refused to leave his mind.
He made his rounds of the tepees where he hoped his dearly loved family were visiting, to find neither person. As if winter was resolved not to yield easily or graciously to spring, the winds increased their force and the spidery clouds drifted closer toward the camp. Eventually only heavy gray sky sprinkled with fleecy cirrus clouds could be seen in every direction above the land. Worry rose higher and higher as time passed.
Brazen Ecstasy Page 5