by Conn, Phoebe
Viper shook his head. "They are free to do what they
think is right. They want the war over."
In the gathering dusk, Viper's eyes appeared dark, without the smoky haze she had grown to love, and Erica could barely find the courage to speak. "Then the real question is, what do you want to do?"
Viper looked out over the river, envying the bubbling waters their endless rush toward freedom. He had joined in the uprising with grave misgivings, and he had them still. Since Erica already knew how hopeless their cause had been, he readily admitted it. "I thought it important to fight, even though we might never win back all we have lost. I have done all I can to make those in Washington hear our pleas," he explained slowly, the depth of his commitment to his people clear. "If they do not understand our desperation now, they never will. I do not need to kill another soldier, or the dozen I might kill in a week or two, if the uprising lasts that long. I would like to go back to the valley of the Cottonwood River and wait there for the peace talks to begin. Do you want to go with me?"
"Back to the little house, you mean?" Erica asked excitedly, her answer to his question already plain in her delighted expression.
"Yes, or another one, if you find one you like better," Viper offered generously. "If everything is settled by spring, we can build our own house then."
Tears of happiness made Erica's eyes sparkle brightly as she threw her arms around Viper's neck. Forgetting the terror of her fears in the warmth of his embrace, she vowed fervently, "Oh, how I love you I I knew you would make everything right. I just knew you would."
While Viper was very flattered to find she had such confidence in him, he had done little other than gather intelligence and draw conclusions from what he had learned. The end of the war was near, and the aftermath was bound to bring the worst sort of confusion. He W2mted to spare her that. It would be far better for them to begin their life together now than to wait for the government to right all its wrongs, since he feared that might take more years than they had to live.
Viper lay back in the grass and pulled Erica down with him. He pressed her cheek to his bare chest and began to
comb her flowing curls through his fingers. "My aunt is jealous of every woman who is happily married. I expected too much of her. I don't blame her, but myself, that you 1 had such a difficult time today. It will not happen again." '
While Erica could understand the silent hostility Flowers of Spring had shown her, she wondered what had made Wren so mean. "And Wren? Is she merely jealous, too?"
"Oh yes, she sounds very jealous," Viper agreed without hesitation.
Laying her arms across his chest. Erica rose up slightly so she could look at him as he answered her next question. "Does she have any right to feel that way?"
Viper frowned slightly, not understanding her concern. "What do you mean? Nothing would give her that right. She is no more than the sister of a friend." Or the sister of a former friend, he reminded himself, since he and Hunted Stag hadn't spoken since their fight.
"Well, there has to be more to it than that. Does she care for you? Was she hoping to become your wife?"
"How would I know what is in the silly girl's head?" Viper protested a bit too strongly.
Seeing she was upsetting her husband needlessly. Erica ceased to pester him and rested her head upon his shoulder. "No one has ever spoken to me like that, Viper, not in my whole life. I had never seen her before today, and yet she despised me. The hatred was dripping from her mouth like venom, and I silenced her the only way I could. I slapped her, and hard, but it was her own fault she fell into the river. If there is any trouble because of it, then it was of her own making, not mine."
Viper felt he had revealed enough confidences for one day and did not tell Erica that Hunted Stag's anger may well have fed his sister's hatred. More than one brave had warned him that Claw of the Badger was looking for him, but he doubted the man could harm him in a second fight, since he had not touched him in their first. He could scarcely criticize his wife's behavior, he realized, when he settled his own arguments with either his fists or the sharp edge of a blade. "I was not there, or I would have done worse to her myself," he stated calmly. "But I will see she apologizes to you before we leave."
"Do you think that's wise? Can't we just let the matter drop?'
"No. She has insulted you, which means she has insulted my entire family. An a|X)logy is the least she owes us."
Erica was now so curious she had to sit up so they could converse face to face. "How many people are there in your family? I have met only your aunt. Are there many more?"
Viper propi^ed his hands behind his head as he ran through a lengthy mental list. "My grandfather's relatives are all in France, so I know none of them, and they do not even know I exist. My grandmother had four brothers and two sisters. Each of them had children. I was my parents' only child. My father's brother was childless, as is my mother's sister, but there was also an older brother in her family, and he had several children."
"So you have quite a few cousins, then?" Erica had tried to follow along, and thought it sounded like cousins were all he could claim. "I didn't mean to start a feud. Viper, but Wren deserved what she got. Truly she did."
"I believe you," the amused brave assured her. "You needn't worry. We are all too busy with the uprising to begin a feud."
While she adored her husband's enchanting grin. Erica did not think he should tease her about Wren when the woman's threats had been so vile. "When are we leaving?" she asked abwuptly.
"In a few days. We do not want anyone to think you are afraid to stay here."
"I don't give a damn what anyone thinks of me," Erica vowed as she lifted her chin proudly.
"Not even me?" Viper asked with a quizzically raised brow.
"Oh, of course I care what you think. Don't be silly." Erica reached out to lay her hand upon her husband's chest and he drew it to his lips. He covered her palm with affectionate nibbles, then pulled her back into his arms.
"I know it will be difficult, but try not to give anyone else the opportunity to insult you. We cannot be together all day, so you must watch for trouble and avoid it. There will always be p>eople who will be eager to hate us, for an Indian is not expected to have a white wife."
"But you told me there were braves who do," Erica reminded him.
"Yes, and almost all were taken captive with their families. I will not allow anyone to make me a prisoner, nor you."
Erica tried to sit up again but Viper held her fast. "Then why must we stay here even another hour? Why can't we leave for the Cottonwood River tonight?"
"Because I do not want to be called a coward," Viper replied curtly. "Neither of us can afford to look like cowards, since that insult would haunt us forever."
"Must we stay here even though you do not want to, just so no one will talk about us after we are gone?" Such a precaution made no sense at all to her.
"Yes," Viper replied with the calm self-assurance he always displayed. "We will leave at the time we choose, and it will be soon."
Erica nibbled her lower lip thoughtfully, knowing she ou^t not to argue when Viper had already promised to take her away. She was so seldom quiet, however, that he began to worry.
"Erica?"
"Hmm?"
"You can bear to stay here a few more days, can't you?"
"I will have to," the lively blonde replied in a dreamy whisper. "I love you, so I really have no choice at all."
"Yes, you had a choice, and you chose me," Viper reminded her. With the agility for which he was well known, he rolled to his side, and in the next instant pinned her beneath him. He lowered his mouth to hers, wanting her to think only of the joy they had found together rather than the seemingly insoluble problems that confronted them at every turn. "I love you," he whispered between hungry kisses. "I will love you forever."
As Viper b^an to unbutton her dress, the thought briefly crossed Erica's mind that it was remarkable he had not scolded her for weari
ng it again, since it loudly proclaimed she was a white woman rather than one of his tribe. As his fingertips brushed the tips of her breasts she ceased to worry about the design of her apparel and instead let her spirit soar aloft with his. Once again she found it impossible to dwell upon her cares under his delicious
onslaught of affection. The grass was soft at her back, the hhing music of the river soothing, her husband's taste and touch so enchanting that she thought the moment perfect for making love.
Erica wound her fingers in Viper's flowing hair, pressing his face close as his lips and tongue continued to tease her nipples, until they became so sensitive the joy he imparted was of the most exquisite sort. As he continued to peel away her clothes, his kisses traced the path of his fingertips with a soft, sweet tongue of flame. Fed by the fires of his own desire, he caressed her smooth, creamy skin until he could feel the flames of her passion become an unquenchable heat that burned only for him.
His mouth slid over the flatness of her stomach, then returned to her navel where his kiss tickled and drew a throaty giggle from her lips. Enjoying her playful mood, he shoved the last of her garments aside before turning his attention to the elegant shape of her legs. His hands moved from her ankles to her waist in a gently adoring sweep before he rubbed his cheek against her thighs, parting them eagerly so he could nuzzle the pale, blond curls, which were but a soft promise of the tantalizing secrets her glorious body kept hidden still.
As he moved to lie between her legs, the sweetness of her body's own natural perfume beckoned seductively, overwhelming his senses with her fair beauty and daring him to draw closer still. Lured on by her unique fragrance, he parted her tender folds with his tongue and delved deeply mto the now unveiled cleft. He felt the first faint tremors of her response tingle within her loins, then swell until the rapture he was taking such care to create sent ripples of warmth up her spine, threatening to sweep through her limbs with a blinding heat. When she began to writhe beneath him, he pulled away for a moment to let the waves of pleasure subside before the crest so her need for him would be all the more intense. When she called out his name in a throaty whisper, her slurred words a hoarse plea for release from that torment of desire, he did not tease her. The tip of his tongue returned to caress her most sensitive nub of flesh, tenderly bestowing dazzling gifts of ecstasy, until the delectable essence of her femininity spilled forth in a welcoming rush. Knowing how deeply he had satis-
fied her thirst for love, he then sought to quench his own in the wondrous pleasure she would create for him.
As Viper's mouth covered hers, Erica could taste her own sweetness mingled with the flavor of his. She clasped his shoulders tightly, holding him close as she moved her hips in time with the deep thrusts that threatened to pierce her very soul. It was not until he had buried himself so deeply within her that she thought they would spend eternity entwined that she felt him surrender himself to ecstasy's most compelling spell. They were now lovers so finely matched, that that beauty not only shuddered through him but roared through her with a raging splendor as well. She had never dreamed making love could provide so fulfilling a glimpse of paradise, but then she had never dreamed of loving him, either.
The moon was high overhead before Viper again felt a compelling need to talk. Erica had fallen asleep in his arms, and while he hated to disturb the peace of her dreams, he did not waint to sleep by the river when they did not have to. "Erica, wake up," he called softly as he brushed her curls away from her face. He kissed her cheeks lightly, then her eyelids, hoping to wake her with thoughts of love. "Wake up."
Erica stretched languidly. They were lying on their sides and she drew her knee up over his. She wanted to make love again and again. That was the only valid reason she could see for waking, and she yawned before opening her eyes. "Let's make love all night long, Vipjer, until dawn," she suggested with an alluring smile.
Not wanting to refuse so delightful a request, Vijjer gave her an enthusiastic hug before he sat up and spoke. "At dawn, we might be embarrassed by men coming to fish, or hunt, to say nothing of women and children who might be up early to gather wood and berries, or to bathe. If you want to make love all night I will be happy to do it, but we must return to the tepee first." Before she could argue, he rose and went to the river to wash.
Hating to bring their romantic mood to a close even temporarily. Erica sighed sadly, but knowing he was undoubtedly right, she followed him to the water's ed^e. Still in a playful mood, she was tempted to push him m, but decided merely to splash him instead. As she scooped
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up a handful, she thought the water's sHght chill invigorating, but Viper did not. With an indignant howl, he grabbed her around the waist and carried her out into the river with him.
"If you want to play, then you must get wet tool" he insisted as he pushed her under. The moonlight danced on the^ater, and as Erica broke the surface her flying curls reflected the bright glow of the stars in a shimmering cascade. Her lush breasts shone with a seductive sparkle as the water trickled down her pale skin, and Viper realized that had he wanted to postp)one making love, he had chosen the wrong way to go about it. He wanted her again, right then and there. Reaching out for her hands, he pulled her so close she could not fail to understand the depth of his need. When she raised her arms to encircle his neck her kiss was as hungry as his. Breaking away for an instant, he put his hands on her waist and easily lifted her off her feet. "Wrap your legs around me," he ordered hoarsely.
Viper continually surprised her, and Erica did not object, but as she iollowed his directions she could only marvel at the ease with which he entered her. He was quite strong, and she was a slender woman, so her weight W2is no barrier to the enjoyment of making love in this new pose. Supporting her tenderly in his arms. Viper used the slow undulating rhythm of the river to create a warmth deep within her, which burned ever more brightly, until her iM'eath escaped her lips in shallow gasps. Despite the coolness of the water, her very bones seemed to melt fronci the fiery intensity of this sudden, feverish union, leaving her clinging limply to her dashing husband's powerfully built frame. It seemed to matter not at all how they made love or where, the pleasure bom of their love grew ever richer, deeper, until Erica could not imagine that any sensation more pleasurable could possibly exist. When at last Viper released her to place her upon her feet, she continued to lean against him, too enthralled with the heady magic he worked up>on her senses ever to want to let him go.
Song of the Wren brushed the hot tears of anger from her eyes as she watched the passionate scene being played out
in the water. She had wanted only to hear what the blond woman would say about her to Viper and had followed him there never dreaming there would be far more to see than to hear. She knew only one way for a man and woman to make love, and her shock at what she had seen that evening would be a deep and lasting one. "It is the woman!" she swore under her breath. "She has bewitched him, turned him into a demon who will do anything to satisfy her desires!" Horrified by the abandoned passion she had observed, and yet afraid she might miss something even more scandalous if she left, the dark-eyed maiden remained hidden in the bushes until Viper and Erica had gotten dressed and mounted his horse. When they had turned back toward the camp, she darted away. They had spoken in voices too low to overhear, but she would never, ever, forget what she had seen transpire between the fine brave she loved and his wanton white whore.
Before he left the next morning, Viper made certain his aunt understood that she was to treat Erica like a dear daughter rather than an enemy. He then had her tell him what she wanted Erica to do that day, so he could explain the task in words his wife would understand. With both women present he described the making of jjemmican, while he silently prayed that Erica would not refuse to help make it She had put on the buckskin dress without his having to ask her to, and he took that as a good sign. "My aunt will need more berries. Then you will help her mix them together and mash them up, wi
th bits of fat and meat. That is how we make p>emmican. It makes a good food for braves to take on the trail."
Erica frowned slightly, but his words and gestures had given her a fairly clear idea of what was to be done. "I think I understand. Pemmican must be something like mincemeat. That's made with chopped apples, spices, suet, raisins, and meat, for a pie filling. It's baked, of course."
"Well, pemmican isn't cooked," Viper informed her, grateful the nourishing dish didn't sound too horribly strange to her.
Erica had another more important question, however.
"Just which braves will this pemmican be used to feed, Viper?"
Viper knew what her objertion would be without having to hear it. "We will eat it ourselves on our travels. It won't feed braves who are fighting the army. Does that please you?"
Greatly relieved, Erica rewarded him with a lovely smile. "Yes, it does. Please be careful today. I don't want you to be hurt now, or ever."
Viper leaned down to kiss her cheek lightly. "Do not worry. I am clever, and my horse is swift. I will come to no harm."
As she watched him walk away, his long, easy strides were filled with the masculine grace that marked all his actions, and Erica's heart swelled with pride. She adored her husband, but as she turned to smile at his aunt, she saw only the same aloof curiosity she had seen the previous day. Knowing she would be leaving soon. Erica refused to allow Flowers of Spring or anyone else's unfriendliness to affect her. Picking up the basket they had used to gather berries, she smiled at the woman and gestured toward the river. "Shall we go?" she said brightly, and when the woman started down the path, she followed right behind her.
Flowers of Spring had not expected Erica to show her face that day. The young woman had courage. She had to admire that quality even in a white woman, and while she could not imagine having so blond a daughter, she had given her wordf to Viper and she would try.