“Yes. It must have been difficult for you. I’m sorry I hurt you so deeply. I’ll never reject you again,” she promised. “You’re mine.”
“Sha, Little One, you are mine,” he agreed, his happiness flowing around them. He nibbled at her lips, bringing a new fire to her.
She grinned, “I starved you for so long that you’re still hungry for me?”
“I shall never have enough of you.” His mouth tasted the sweetness of hers. His hands roamed his newly conquered territory. He slid his manhood into her, moving slowly and deliberately. Her passion increased with each stroke; she pulled him tightly against her. She watched as his tongue circled a protruding nipple, the sight stirring her. His smoldering ebony eyes drilled into her liquid green ones. Her hands moved up and down his back, reveling in the rippling of his muscles as he moved to stimulate her. His flesh was firm and smooth. She bit him lightly upon his shoulder. He laughed. His mouth captured hers as his manhood worked deftly and exquisitely to heighten her fervor. Suddenly the ecstatic spiral loomed before them, challenging them to scale its heights.
Upward they began to climb, slowly at first, then more rapidly as their needs cried out for appeasement. The molten lava within them exploded, spewing forth to flow and to mingle and to carry them along in its calming aftermath. He rested upon his back with her head lying upon his left shoulder. His powerful arms lovingly protected her, refusing to release her. He sighed in contentment. She was his….
His eyes looked upwards, watching fluffy clouds playing in the ever darkening heavens. The leaves upon the trees stirred and rustled. Cicadas and tree frogs began to serenade them. The birds were lessening their cheerful songs as the night birds sang out for their turn to lull the peaceful world to sleep. The air was cooling, but not chilly. This was such a tranquil spot. What more could a man desire? He was one with the Great Spirit, with Nature, and with his woman.
He cocked his head and looked down at her. A tender smile played upon his sensual lips. She was fast asleep in his arms, as it should be. At last she felt and shared love. She was at peace with him and with herself. Even if she never recalled their past, this new love would become as strong and passionate as their lost love. Great tenderness washed over him. He would protect her from all future harm. She was his….
As darkness descended upon them, she stirred and nestled into the warmth he radiated. She stretched and yawned. She met his gaze the moment her eyes opened. She smiled as exquisite memories filled her mind, bringing a softened glow to her eyes.
“You are happy now, wife?”
“As much as you are, my love,” she whispered meaningfully.
“The night air chills your skin. Come, let us return to our tepee.”
A reluctant and teasing smile touched her lips and eyes. “Sha, my love, let’s go home.”
The heady emotion that tinged her voice and eyes brought happiness to him. “Home…” he wistfully repeated. “You are home at last.”
They dressed quickly. Taking her hand in his, he led her along the grassy bank toward camp. How strange life was: he had lost her and then found her again in the same spot…
As she glanced up at him, he grinned knowingly. “Many times our thoughts are the same,” he hinted subtly, caressing her cheek.
She giggled and whispered, “I hope so, Wanmdi Hota, I certainly hope so.”
He chuckled in unsuppressed amusement, his ebony eyes sparkling. Not wanting anything to dampen his elation, he suppressed worries over his confrontation with Leah. He had been furious with himself for permitting his closely guarded secret to slip out while arguing with her. Knowing there was no way to recall spoken words or actions, he rationalized his careless mistake. What could Leah do? Nothing, for she was a captive! Still, it was not good for her to know of his ability to speak English. But his life and secret were not in peril at her discovery! She would never be allowed the opportunity to reveal it to the unsuspecting whites. Besides, she would probably overhear him speaking with his wife, if she hadn’t already! Vexed, he contemptuously dismissed this deed and the audacious Leah from mind. He was too happy with the return of his love to allow any trouble to dismay him.
Chapter Twelve
For the next three days, Shalee worked and studied with enthusiasm and concentration. Since her husband spoke such fluent English, her lessons in Oglala went swiftly and enjoyably. Between their own chores and obligations, Shining Light and Turtle Woman taught Shalee many things. Even Bright Arrow was as busy and constructive as a beaver. Her new friendships flourished and strengthened, as did her love for Gray Eagle and her son.
Although this sport was serious and this season an active one, this growing process took on an air of heady challenge and pleasure for all who became involved with it. Shalee’s vocabulary and skills increased with each day that passed. Her elation rising and her knowledge expanding, soon it was as if Princess Shalee had fully recovered, but she had not.
Possessions were gradually sorted and packed, encased in large buffalo skins, and secured with leather strips. On the third day following her blissful truce with her husband, the inevitable happened: the tepee must be dismantled and packed upon the travois that her deft lover had constructed from slender and sturdy cottonwood saplings. Gray Eagle had not argued against Shalee’s firm demand to perform these many chores without the assistance of Leah Winston. It was obvious Shalee didn’t like the white captive, but her reasons remained locked in her now happy heart.
Shalee spent a great many hours observing this process among the other women, beginning with Shining Light and finishing with Turtle Woman. Perhaps Turtle Woman was the most helpful and enlightening because of her sluggish accuracy. Shalee smiled as she realized this Indian woman had been named correctly. But there was a reason for Turtle Woman’s excessive leisure: one of her hands was oddly twisted from some accident before birth. But Turtle Woman skillfully and cheerfully did everything expected of her, perhaps more. She was a gentle and impressive female; she was stimulating and inspiring. If her disability disheartened her in any way, she concealed it well beneath her spirited and buoyant nature.
By midafternoon when the others were fatigued from their labors and had halted to rest, Shalee bravely and confidently attacked the job of dismantling their tepee. She loosened the knot near the bottom of the skin-abode. She began to unlace the two sides as far up as she could reach. Then, she picked up the Y-tipped stick and used it to complete the chore to the very top of the conical dwelling. The most difficult part, freeing the lengthy, thick strip was made easier as her son held the two sides together at the base.
She pushed and struggled for nearly twenty minutes before the edges left the last two holes and fell triumphantly to the ground, allowing the connected skins to slide down the poles and pile upon the ground. She shrieked excitedly, gathering her son into her arms and swinging him around as merry laughter came forth. Bright Arrow giggled as she stroked his arms and complimented him upon his strength and thanked him for his help.
The small boy reveled in this affection and in his pride. Between bursts of laughter, he told her he was a warrior, but he would help her since she had no daughter to do so. Knowing he had told some amusing tale, she laughed and kissed his cheek as if she understood his every word. The two cheerful people then worked diligently to roll and secure the large bundle that represented their home. When that task was completed, they began carefully to shove the poles together near the center of what was once their home. Checking to make certain no one was in the line of danger, she let her son give the collection of poles that were still secured together near the top a last shove to send them crashing to the earth.
Shining Light had told her new poles must be cut before the tepee was put up again; the old ones would be used for firewood to cook the supplies for their imminent journey, as Indians wasted nothing from Nature and the Great Spirit. The lively woman also explained how new buffalo skins must be tanned to replace those worn by time and weather. As Shalee gazed at the poles an
d connecting hides, a sense of wonder and confidence filled her as she realized she had actually constructed this strange home. If she had acquired such skills before, she could do it again!
This laborious event had taken many hours, but now it was done. As Bright Arrow replaced the circle of rocks that had been disturbed by their task, she realized it was time to prepare something to eat. As if hearing her mental question, Gray Eagle appeared with a hunk of meat from a freshly slain deer that had been divided among the ten hunters.
When she saw what burden he was carrying, she smiled in relief. He halted and gazed around at her progress. Their eyes met and locked. He grinned and caressed her cheek. She nestled her face into his open hand as she smiled at him. He nipped playfully at her ear. She whispered, “I did it, Wanmdi Hota. Bright Arrow helped me; no one else,” she proudly informed him, his astonishment matching hers.
Loving pride and amusement filled his ebony eyes. She quickly related the events of her day, savoring the telling of such feats. He laughed as he listened to her suspenseful deeds and victory. “Now, all I have to do is cook food for our journey and figure out how to pack all this stuff on that funny wagon,” she exclaimed in doubtful assurance.
“The cooking is a wife’s task, but I will help you load the ‘wagon,’” he mirthfully teased, bringing happy giggles from her.
For a moment, she was tempted to tell him of her strange feeling of familiarity with these chores; she quickly changed her mind, thinking it would inspire false hopes of her returning memory in him, and telling herself those twinges came from observing the process many times before attempting it. She watched the muscles flex in his arms and back as he forcefully broke the poles into lengths of firewood. She sat down to build a fire, thankful this was a chore learned long ago along the trail with her people.
She brushed an unbidden tear away as she forced such thoughts from her mind. Uncle Thad had been dead and buried for many years. Her life and happiness were here now. Still, her grief and loss seemed recent.
She cut the meat into ragged squares and skewered them, hanging the sticks upon the two Y-shaped holders on either side of her eager fire. Soon the meat was sending delightful odors into the air as it cooked. Ever so often she would rotate the meal as she mixed and cooked pones of aguyapi upon the hot rocks. She eventually discovered that she and Bright Arrow had consumed the water from the skin while doing their mutual chore of love.
She held up the skin and called to her son, “Mni, Wiyakpa Wanhinpe?”
He smiled and accepted the water skin, trudging toward the stream as if she had given him some critical mission to perform. She glanced at her husband and suppressed her giggles behind her hand. Her smile vanished as a thought came to mind. She hurriedly questioned, “Was it wrong to send our son for water, Gray Eagle? I was busy and didn’t realize we were out. Will the others make fun of him for helping me?”
“He is a small boy, Shalee. This time is busy. Many do chores to help their mothers and fathers. See how proud and eager he is to help you?”
“Sha, Wanmdi Hota. Do you know how happy I am?” she asked.
“Sha, Shalee. I see it in your eyes and hear it singing upon your lips.”
They exchanged looks of yearning, a crackling from the fire pulling her gaze from his. “Oh-h-h,” she cried in distress. “I better pay attention to my supper or we’ll be eating burned meat,” she jested.
He laughed. “If you must burn something, wife, best it be the meat.”
“You’re impossible!” she playfully chided him, laughing herself.
“With you in my life-circle, all things are possible,” he remarked, drawing her softened gaze back to his igneous one.
“That is true, my valiant husband,” she readily concurred.
“I must speak with Running Wolf. I will return quickly,” he promised, heading off to greet the chief not far away.
“I see you’re doing just fine without my help,” a surly voice commented, handing her the water skin.
Shalee glanced up, highly intrigued by Leah’s hostility under the circumstances. But of course, Leah didn’t know she had discovered the truth about her! The brassy witch was surely aware of the new intimacy between herself and her husband; no doubt envy and defeat vexed her greatly! Her gaze widened as she viewed Leah’s hold upon her son’s hand, a smile playing upon his lips.
Leah brashly reprimanded her, “It is not a man’s place to do a woman’s chores, Shalee. Since you can’t recall that fact, I’m reminding you. To spare your son ridicule from other boys, I fetched the water for him. It would be better for everyone if you didn’t resent my help and refuse it. Surely you can lay aside your spite and jealousy long enough to get us moved?”
“How dare you speak to me in such a rude and forward manner, Leah!” Shalee snapped in irritation. “You forget your place!” she warned, shaking her head as the words rang with inexplicable clarity in her mind, paling her face with the eerie sensation.
Her odd reaction wasn’t lost on the observant Leah. “Does your head still pain you?” she sullenly asked, the inquiry laced with sadistic pleasure instead of real concern.
“Do not fret over me and my problems. I daresay you have enough chores and troubles to occupy your time and energy,” Shalee snipped.
“I don’t think so,” Leah brazenly retorted. “I can think of better ways to spend my energy and time,” she added, her wanton gaze wandering to the virile frame of Gray Eagle.
Fury and bitterness crashed against Shalee’s body like violent waves upon a stormy sea. “Remove your lecherous eyes and wanton thoughts from my husband,” she demanded coldly, emphasizing her claim upon the robust warrior.
“My, my,” Leah clucked annoyingly. “Aren’t we the touchy one today? If you’re so confident in your hold upon him, why are you so upset? He’s a very handsome man, a powerful one. Surely a mere look doesn’t threaten him?” she sneered. “Are you still mad about our unforgivable conduct while you were gone?”
“If a mere look would satisfy your whorish mind and body, I would permit it,” Shalee said, consciously insulting her with clarity and resentment. “He is mine, Leah. Mine…”
“For how long, Shalee? Your confidence escapes me,” Leah dauntlessly taunted. “A man can only accept so much rejection and abuse. Soon he’ll tire of his futile wooing. Besides, he knows what I have to offer, naturally from experience.”
Shalee actually laughed at her. “I would be a fool to reject such a handsome and virile husband, Leah, and I’m certainly no fool,” she murmured silkily, again stressing her legal claim.
Leah’s eyes widened, her animosity and dismay revealed before she could prevent it. “You mean you’re sleeping with him?” she snapped harshly, as if she had some right to such intimate information!
“My life is no affair of a white slave, Leah. But such naivete, under the circumstances, is absurd for a woman like you,” she retorted.
“What do you mean?” Leah asked in dread, suspecting this innocent-eyed female had guessed her ruse.
Shalee laughed tauntingly. “Though your face is unpainted and your dress isn’t gaudy red, Leah, a harlot can be recognized from her aura.” She went for blood, wanting to punish this vile creature and her ruthless attempt to ensnare her lover.
“How dare you call me such names,” Leah exclaimed, cautiously holding her voice low, wanting to slap the lovely creature before her.
“If a name fits you like your skin, then you wear it,” Shalee calmly announced, focusing her attention upon her impending meal as if dismissing the woman from mind.
“You sleep with an unknown savage, then call me a whore?” Leah scoffed.
“I sleep with my husband, Leah. He is not a savage. I daresay he would find your insult dangerous,” Shalee threatened in a silky voice.
“Then tell him, if you dare. Considering what has taken place between me and your husband, he would think you mad from that blow to your head,” she vowed acidly, mocking Shalee’s confidence and claim.
“Your total lack of honor does not tarnish his, Leah. He has never slept with you, and we both know it,” she smugly announced.
“A woman doesn’t have to sleep with a man to pleasure him, my foolish girl!” Leah recklessly implied.
Knowing it was best to withhold her knowledge of Leah’s lewd conduct from both Leah and her husband, Shalee approached the quarrel in another way. “lyasni, Witkowin! If you speak again, whore, I will reveal your wild claims to Wanmdi Hota and see how he views them.”
In the heat of the moment, neither woman realized Shalee had spoken Oglala words she shouldn’t know in her state of amnesia. “Go, Leah.”
Leah gaped at the Indian princess, then whirled to walk away. Shalee exhaled slowly, releasing her pent-up tension. When Gray Eagle came back to her, he questioned her about the scene he had witnessed from a distance too great to comprehend it.
“Leah was scolding me for letting our son do a woman’s chores. I reminded her I am Indian and she is white. You were right all along, Wanmdi Hota; it isn’t possible to be kodas with white slaves. If I behave white, she loses her respect and fear of me.”
“She spoke bold words to you?” he asked incredulously.
“Do not fret, my wonderful husband; Leah won’t bother me anymore,” she stated with blind certainty.
“I will punish her,” he declared angrily. Surely Leah wouldn’t dare reveal her wicked temptations to his wife! But if she did, what would Shalee think and feel? Dread and panic attacked him, for their loving truce was still new and fragile. Not one to accept such intimidating and perilous threats to his happiness and pride, he bitterly resented them.
“No, Wanmdi Hota,” she softly disagreed. “Punishment with words or actions would only call attention to the trouble with Leah. To respond to the evil and weaknesses of others only casts shadows upon us. Let me deal with Leah in my own time and way. Please,” she entreated sweetly.
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