Spirit of the Lake

by Paty Jager

  Le’éptit wax kúyc

  (29)

  Dove stood beside her horse waiting for Wewukiye to help her and the baby mount. Uneasiness tickled her spine at the prospect of rejoining the band at the lake. Lightning Wolf had arrived five days after the birth and escorted Silent Doe back to the lake. She, Crazy One, and Wewukiye had decided to remain to give time for the other two to explain to Chief Joseph they would have to rely on something else to prove Evil Eyes’s attack and to send a messenger for Agent William.

  The weeks by themselves allowed her and Wewukiye time to enjoy the child together before they returned to the band. When they were with the others they would once again have to hide their feelings until they caught Evil Eyes in his lies.

  The day had come for them to return. The child was strong and growing stronger every day. Wewukiye wished the elders to behold the child and decide how to snare Evil Eyes.

  “Do not look so worried. Soon all will be put right, and we may plan a future.” Wewukiye kissed her cheek.

  “I have felt eyes watching us all morning.” She couldn’t shake the feeling of intrusion.

  “Sa-qan has been watching.”

  He wrapped his hands around her waist. Thoughts of someone watching disappeared, and her body leaned into his. She had healed from the birth, and her body desired to mate with Wewukiye. The urgency became so intense at times she could not keep her hands from touching him.

  “I wish to be with you before we return to the others,” she said it soft and low for his ears only.

  His hands squeezed her sides; red ringed the edges of his blue eyes. “It is my desire as well.”

  “Crazy One.” Dove did not take her gaze from his.

  The old woman shuffled up to her. Dove placed the child tucked in the cradleboard into the old woman’s hands. “We will be back.”

  Dove laced her fingers with Wewukiye’s, and they strode into the trees. Her heart pounded in her chest and her ears. Finally, she would become this man’s woman completely.

  Wewukiye continued walking when she would have stopped. Farther into the trees, in a secluded area, he stopped and wrapped his arms around her, dropping light kisses over her face. His tenderness melted her legs. She would have slithered to the ground had he not held her so tight.

  She had dreamed of this moment since the day she realized he would never hurt her and she would never love another. He slipped her shawl from her shoulders and spread it on the young summer grass. She slipped her hands under his tunic, sliding her hands up his body removing the garment. With his arms raised, she could no longer help remove the shirt, but she could splay her fingers across his taut muscles and feel the heat slice through the pads, down her arms, and burst flames of desire at the juncture of her legs.

  She inhaled at the spear of need that struck.

  Wewukiye clasp her head in his hands. His teeth scraped her lips and his tongue entered, sucking and demanding. The fervor of his kiss echoed the turbulence heating her body and making her skin sensitive to his touch, breath, and nearness.

  She did not realize his hands no longer held her until her dress raised and his lips left hers. The cool morning air tightened her nipples and swirled around her heated body, banking the fires.

  Dove stepped back admiring his long, muscled body as he spread her dress near the shawl making a larger bed. She sat upon the garment and watched him remove her moccasins; his hands drifting up her leg and back down, again igniting a blaze she feared would consume her before he made love to her.

  He stood and slowly untied the rawhide string keeping his leggings on his hips. His gaze never left hers as he removed his leggings and moccasins, kicking the clothing to the side.

  The sight of his body with the early morning sun lighting it from behind, stopped her heart and stole her senses.

  Glorious.

  He knelt beside her. “I have dreamed of this moment since the night I met you.” He skimmed a hand down her side, over her hips, and back up the inside of her leg.

  The pulse of drumming, rhythmic and insistent, vibrated her insides where the child had grown.

  “Your breasts are fuller, perfect for suckling a child.” He kissed her nipples and down the heavy swell of her milk-laden breasts, nuzzling the valley between them. His hand continued the slow trail up and down her sides and thighs.

  Her body throbbed and moved toward his touch. The drumming built—louder, stronger, until she thought the steady rhythm would drive her crazy.

  “Please. My body craves yours.”

  The color of his eyes deepened and glowed. He spread her legs with his and staring into her eyes, he entered.

  Thunder shattered the drumming in her head. All went still and lightning skittered through her body, scorching, tingling, exciting. She wrapped her arms around Wewukiye’s neck to hold on as he moved inside her, becoming one with her.

  He growled her name, kissed her fervently, and went still, his manhood pulsing within her and setting off more waves of mind numbing sensations.

  She closed her eyes and floated as if swimming on a summer day in the lake, carefree, weightless, and content.

  Wewukiye gathered Dove in his arms. Her love and acceptance of him made him whole. Until this moment, he thought his life was perfect. Now he knew the only way he would be content would be to have Dove with him always.

  Brother, I now realize what you tried to tell me so many seasons ago.

  He breathed her scent of milk, herbs, and Dove. His heart ached with happiness.

  “I could remain this way with you for all eternity.” He kissed her face. Her adorable face he saw even when his eyes remained closed.

  “Hmmm… It would be my wish as well.”

  She snuggled closer, moving her hips, taking him deeper inside. His sight blurred from the awareness of her body quivering around him.

  He thrust slow and pulled out slow.

  “Oh!” Dove sucked in air and pressed her hips closer.

  Smugness tightened his chest. He continued his slow ministrations, absorbing the quakes and quivers of her body and swallowing her gasps and moans.

  On the edge of his own sanity, she jerked, clasped his bottom, and thrust her hips hard against him as her body shuddered and he released.

  His muscles weakened. He tried to hold his body above Dove’s and not squish her, but his arms shook and his strength left him.

  How could this be? A spirit never became weak unless his power was drained. He stared into Dove’s glowing face. Had making love to her depleted his power?

  She ran a finger down his cheek. Sparks lit along his skin, giving him new energy. Her emotions mixed with his gave them both unequaled power.

  “Why are you so thoughtful?” The pleasure lighting her face dulled to apprehension.

  “You drain my power when we mate, then with a touch you restore it. Your power is stronger than mine when we join.” He kissed her palm. “But I do not complain.”

  “Your loving me gives me power.”

  The cry of the baby traveled to his ears. “I believe your daughter is hungry.” His gaze traveled to her breasts. A small bead of milk formed at the tip of each nipple.

  “It appears my body also knows the sound of my child.” Her cheeks deepened in color.

  “It is no shame in loving your child.” He kissed her lips. “Or loving the one of your heart. When Evil Eyes’s deceit is discovered, I will find a way to be with you.”

  She ran a hand down his face. “It would make my life complete.”

  Wewukiye sat up and drew her with him. “Come, we must get you back to your daughter and then to the village of the Lake Nimiipuu.”

  He helped her dress and donned his clothing as she watched. The gleam in her eyes stalled his hands more than once. He could see they would require many moments like this in the coming season to quench their desire for one another.

  Hand in hand they walked sedately back to their horses. Crazy One carried the baby on her back.

  “Is she not
hungry? Does she not have a strong voice?” The old woman shrugged out of the cradleboard. Dove took her child from the board. She loosened the tie at the neck of her dress and nursed her child draped in a shawl.

  Wewukiye scanned the area. He now sensed someone watching. Where are you sister?

  I am watching the approach of White men to the Lake Nimiipuu.

  Anxiety rippled his shoulders. Who are they?

  Agent William, two soldiers, and a skinny man.

  He calmed. Good. We will be there today.

  Dove stood, patting her baby on the back. “Is all well?”

  “Yes. I have talked with my sister. Agent William is on his way to the Lake Nimiipuu. He will help us get the truth from Evil Eyes.”

  She laced the baby into the cradleboard and threaded her arms through the straps.

  Wewukiye grasp her waist, lifting her onto her horse. His hand lingered on her thigh. “All will be well soon, and we can look to a future together.”

  A wide smile lit Dove’s face. “It is all I have wished for.”

  He kissed her hand and lifted Crazy One on her horse. Wewukiye started to mount his horse and stopped short. The sensation of someone watching feathered across his neck. He handed the packhorse rope to Crazy One and the rope of his horse to Dove.

  “You two continue. I am going to take a look around.”

  Dove started to protest.

  “Go. I will be right behind you.” He motioned them onward. The unease in the air flashed memories through his mind of the evil wolf who walked the mountain of his brother.

  He could not go to the village without first seeking the source of his agitation.

  Mita áptit

  (30)

  Dove stared across the light green rolling hills. The fear someone watched them still lingered. Twisting, she peered behind her. Nothing moved.

  They topped a rise. The lake shimmered in the spring sun. Wewukiye still did not return.

  Are you coming? She again twisted to see behind her.

  I follow a man who follows you.

  Her instincts proved correct. She shuddered and continued behind Crazy One into a copse of trees along the lake’s edge.

  The baby fussed and her breasts leaked. They had not stopped for some time.

  “Crazy One, the baby needs to eat and be cleaned.”

  The older woman stopped her horse beside a log and climbed stiffly down.

  Dove handed the cradleboard down to Crazy One and slipped from her horse’s back. Her legs wobbled. This first trip on a horse since the birth of her daughter weakened her legs. She smiled. The pleasure Wewukiye shared with her could also account for her shaky legs.

  Crazy One handed her the child and led the horses to the edge of the lake for a drink. Dove knelt on the ground beside the cradleboard and unlaced her daughter. She unwrapped the rabbit skin on the lower half of her baby and tossed the soiled grass to the side. Carrying the baby at arm’s length, Dove walked to the edge of the lake and dipped the baby’s bottom in the water.

  Her daughter cried at the cold, but Dove dunked her bottom again. Children bathed in cold water were stronger. Her child would need much strength. Her small face scrunched and reddened. The mark of the man who fathered her would never be seen. But once they proved his evil ways, her daughter would be known to carry his blood. She would need to be strong to prove she was a Nimiipuu.

  Dove stood, clasping her dripping child to her chest.

  “No! No! No!” Crazy One’s shouts startled Dove.

  A force against Dove’s back shoved her face first into the water.

  The cold demanded she suck in air, only it wasn’t air. Water quickly filled her mouth and lungs.

  My baby!

  She opened her arms, enabling her child to bob to the surface. The weighted pressure on her back drove her deeper under the water. The fight for her baby and the man she loved ignited a desire to live. She flailed her arms, clawing her way to the top of the water, to the sun glinting on the water’s surface.

  Wewukiye. The baby.

  Wewukiye charged into the lake the moment he saw the man he had followed charge out of the trees and shove Dove.

  His hooves nearly stalled at the thought of losing both of them. The water covered his massive elk form lunging toward the baby floating on the water. The man joined his race toward the child.

  Wewukiye glanced Dove’s direction. Her arms flailed weakly. Dove! Fear crackled down his spine and pound in his head. He couldn’t lose her. He cast a glance at the baby. She was more vulnerable. He ducked under water and came up with the child on his head, cradled between his antlers.

  The child is fine. He glanced once more at Dove, still working to remain afloat. He hurried to swim under her, folding her body over his. He wished to lunge for the shore but realized that would dislodge Dove. With precise steps, to not jostle, he walked to the shore.

  Wewukiye kept an eye on the man who sputtered and flounder in the water.

  At the shore, he handed the baby to Crazy One and gently slid Dove from his back.

  He charged the man, knocking him to the ground and holding him down with his thick antlers. One strike to the man’s head with his large hoof knocked the man out.

  “Dove?” Crazy One gazed at the limp woman on the ground near her feet.

  Wewukiye changed into man form and knelt beside Dove.

  “Dove? My strong woman, come back to me.” Wewukiye leaned down placing his cheek near her nose. Her sweet breath did not whisper across his skin. He leaned down, listening for her heart.

  Pain, searing and sharp, speared his chest. He picked up her limp body holding it tight to his chest. Tears burned a path down his cheeks. No, he could not lose her now. They had become one—she was his beacon of light and love.

  Crazy One picked at his shoulder as he sat on the ground and cradled Dove in his lap.

  “This is wrong. She has given so much to help her people. Why would she be taken now?” He stared at Crazy One through the tears in his eyes. Misery, an emotion he’d never experienced, shredded his body.

  “Should you not get this man and this baby to the others?” Crazy One pointed her knobby finger at the man sprawled on the ground.

  “But Dove…” He choked. He would never see her smile again or hear her beautiful laugh.

  “Do you not owe her to finish her journey?” Crazy One smacked his head with her hand. “Do you want to keep her from her gift to her people?”

  He had promised Dove he would help her prove Evil Eyes’s deceit. He swallowed the sorrow balling in his chest and placed Dove on the ground.

  Wewukiye stalked over to the man, slung him over his shoulder, and flung him across the back of Dove’s horse. Crazy One had the child bundled in the cradleboard. He tied the cradleboard to his horse and placed Crazy One on her horse, handing her the ropes for both the packhorse and Dove’s.

  Kneeling beside Dove, he gently scooped her into his arms and led his horse toward the Lake Nimiipuu Village.

  Each step he stamped in the ground stirred his anger further. If the elders would have only listened to her and stood beside her this would not have happened. She would still be alive, able to raise her daughter and fulfill her gift.

  His anger could not reverse nor halt time. He stalked into the village. The people cleared a wide path. Each step vibrated up his leg, jarring his teeth and intensifying his sorrow.

  Chief Joseph, Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains, and Frog all stepped forward the moment he stopped in front of the chief’s lodge.

  Silent Doe ran forward, sobbing and touching Dove’s face.

  “I have brought proof the woman in my arms told the truth about the so-yá-po who attacked her. And I have brought the man who killed her.”

  Voices rumbled around him. Lightning Wolf stepped forward to take Dove from his arms.

  “No!” Wewukiye held her tight against his chest and heart. “No one is to touch her but those that believed.”

  Crazy One touched hi
s arm, moving him to the side and taking the cradleboard off of his horse.

  She walked up to Chief Joseph. “Does she not have the strength of her mother?”

  She shook the cradleboard, and Wewukiye heard a pitiful mew from the child. His heart ached for the child who would not know her mother. The woman he loved. The woman who fought so bravely to help her people.

  Chief Joseph unlaced the child and held her up, studying her. He blew in her face and frowned. “She does not have the eyes of Two Eyes.”

  “Do you have to tell Two Eyes? Can you not see what his reaction is when you say different?” Crazy One stared into the eyes of Chief Joseph and his sons.

  Wewukiye nodded when the chief glanced his way.

  Chief Joseph peered at the child, then his sons.

  “Come here,” he ordered Wewukiye.

  Carrying Dove in his arms, he approached the old man.

  Chief Joseph nodded his head to Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains. He stepped forward, checking Dove’s breathing, skimming his gaze over their wet clothing.

  The baby cried and Springtime walked forward, taking the child from her father-in-law’s hands. “I will nurse the baby.”

  Wewukiye could see she too had given birth. She took the child and retreated.

  Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains stepped forward. The sorrow in his eyes spoke of his regret. The warrior opened his mouth to speak and Sa-qan screeched.

  The men she followed rode into the village.

  My brother. Are you well? Sa-qan’s words held the same misery pounding in his head and squeezing his heart.

  I will never be well again.

  Agent William and three other men rode up to the cluster of people. William’s gaze landed on Dove still limp in Wewukiye’s arms.

  “What happened? The child?” He dismounted as quickly as his aged body allowed. He stared at Wewukiye then peered at Chief Joseph.

  “Joseph, your messenger requested my arrival.” He pointed to Dove. “This woman spoke with me during the winter months. I made the trip to see if her allegations were true. What has happened?”

  Wewukiye held his head high. He would keep holding Dove’s body for all to see, until someone did something about the man who started it all.