Broken Promise

by Theresa Scott

  He paused, wondering if he should say what was truly on his mind. She had turned away from him and was idly picking clusters of velvety red sumac berries.

  "When we get to my camp," he began, "you will stay with me."

  That caught her attention.

  "I do not want you talking to any of the Jaguar women," he said.

  "Why?"

  "That is not for you to know. I want you to stay near my tent. You may speak with your Badger

  women friends of course, but you must stay away from the Jaguar women. Do you understand?"

  "Yes."

  She went back to picking the red clusters. He wished he knew what she was thinking. "It will go better for you if you do as I say," he warned.

  "I am certain that is true."

  She did not look like the obedient kind of woman, he thought uneasily. Perhaps he should see about taking what-was-her-name? Sageflower, yes, that was it. Perhaps he should take Sageflower as wife. No, she reminded him too much of Tula. "And do not go near the other Jaguar men when we get to camp," he added. She must stay away from Marmot, particularly. Marmot stole wives.

  "You take me to live with your people and you do not want me to talk to them?"

  He heard the bewilderment and incredulity in her voice.

  "Do as I say," he warned, feeling foolish. What was it about this woman that twisted him in knots? Before he had ever traveled to the Badger camp on the bride quest, he had no yearning for a wife. But once he saw this woman who hid herself under layers of mud, everything changed for him. Now that he had her, what was he going to do with her?

  She inspected a faded cluster of sumac.

  "It is our custom," he added after a while. It was not, but if it kept her from speaking to the Jaguar women ... well, it was better this way. For him.

  "Jaguars have strange customs," she said.

  He shrugged. "You will get used to our ways."

  She frowned at him. "I do not want to get used to your ways."

  "No, you do not."

  "I am a Badger woman. I come from brave people. I do not want to live with you. Or with your people."

  He drew a tense breath. "I do not care what you want. You are coming to my camp; you will live with me. You will sleep with me."

  "No! I will not."

  He reached for her. She gave a little cry as the berries scattered. He pulled her into his arms, drawing in her scent. She smelled of smoke and leather and something elsewoman. And, ah, but she felt good in his arms. "I think you will find it very satisfying to sleep with me," he murmured. He was surprised how hungry he was for her. It had been a long time since Tula... .

  She pushed against his chest, and her eyes, dark and flashing, met his. "You have a high regard for yourself, Jaguar," she whispered.

  He kissed her forehead. "Not so high. It is just that I know how to satisfy a woman. I know how to satisfy you."

  He bent and touched his lips to her mouth. Ah, but she tasted sweet. He kissed her long, then pushed his tongue between her lips, but the barrier of her teeth stopped him. He chuckled and held her head, slanting his lips over hers. When she began to pant, he raised his head. "You see how fine it can be?"

  She touched her mouth with a finger, her eyes huge with wonder. He smiled and kissed her again.

  "Ugh!" Her knee to his groin caught him unaware. He doubled over and by the time he caught his breath, she had disappeared. "Come back, Badger woman! Come back right now!"

  But there was no answer.

  Muttering to himself, he ran after her, pausing now and then to listen to her footfalls as she splashed in the creek. He could barely make out her dark shadow as she dodged heedlessly up the canyon floor. Though he had expected her to break and runit was one of the reasons he had headed into the canyonnow that she was fleeing him, he was exasperated.

  "What is it about you that is so difficult, Badger woman?" he muttered.

  He rounded a rock-pillared bend, his aching groin still throbbing. He scanned the rocks, listening for sliding rock, for the sound of pebbles bouncing off the rocky walls of the canyon. Nothing but silence. Ah, she had stopped running. She was hiding again.

  "Star," he called softly. "It is getting dark. Come out. I will not hurt you, but I do not want to look for you all night."

  No answer. His loins still ached from the blow she had dealt him.

  "Star?" Where was she hiding now? Probably crouched behind a rock. He hesitated, approaching a large boulder. He peered around its rough edge, his eyes straining to find her in the waning light. "Star."

  Not there. He leaned against the rock, wondering what to do. A night spent searching for his reluctant Badger bride held little appeal. "Star?"

  He heard a little rustle in the darkness and smiled to himself. He padded softly in that direction. The rustle turned to a hiss and he paused. The woman has a strange way of warning me off, he thought.

  Then came a low growl and Falcon's heart started to pound. That sounded more like an animal.

  Another low growl cautioned him to halt. The moon came out from behind the clouds and he saw a large, heavy-jawed head and great yellow eyes glaring at him. A jaguar!

  He wished now that he had his spear. He felt for his knife at his side. The touch of the sharp blade reassured him.

  "Star," he said, keeping his voice low and hoping she could hear him. "Stay hidden. There is a jaguar. I will chase it away."

  The big cat hissed at him as it crouched on a rock a little above his head. Falcon estimated it to be the weight of two large men. When it snarled, its sharp white teeth glistened. It shook its head, and its strong neck and shoulder muscles rippled under the sleek yellow fur spotted with black rosettes. A man could be torn apart by such a powerful animal.

  "Run away," he said to the cat.

  It hissed louder. Jaguars would fight any enemy within reach. But Falcon did not want to fight this jaguar. The Jaguar People did not kill jaguars. They looked to them for protection. In return, the jaguar let its People go in peace. Perhaps this jaguar did not know of the agreement.

  "Go away," Falcon said. He waved his knife at the animal. "I am a Jaguar, too. My people are kinsmen to yours. I do not want to fight you."

  The jaguar snarled.

  "Hsst, Falcon," he heard Star whisper. She materialized at his side. "Here. I have a rock."

  He gripped his knife. "I have my knife. Keep the rock."

  The beast was the biggest jaguar Falcon had ever seen. Snarling, it crept toward him. He could smell its fetid breath as the animal spat and hissed.

  "Get back," he whispered to Star. "Behind me! If he launches himself"

  The animal gathered itself and sprang toward Falcon's throat. Sharp claws fought for a hold on his leather shirt. The cat's razor talons ripped through the skin of Falcon's shoulders as he braced himself against the lunge. Man and cat fell to the ground.

  "Falcon!" cried Star.

  They rolled over and over, the cat growling and snarling. Falcon struggled to find a place to thrust his knife. The cat raised powerful back feet and tried to rake Falcon's torso to disembowel him. Suddenly the cat yowled and arched around, shaking its back.

  Star was pounding at the animal's head with the rock. Falcon stared at her in amazement, then leapt to his feet and attacked the animal again. He yanked the animal to the ground and sank his knife deep in its jugular vein. The cat died with one last snarling growl.

  Panting, alert, Falcon watched the beast for any sign of movement. He was ready to fight again should the animal stir. But it was truly dead; its bloody fur ruffled in a puff of evening breeze.

  "Falcon?"

  He turned to look at Star.

  "Falcon, you are bleeding!"

  He glanced down at himself. His leather shirt hung in shreds. The thick layer, Tula's last handiwork for him, had protected him from the cat's sharp claws. The thick leather had saved his life. Streaks of blood coated his chest and leather-clad thighs. "It is nothing." It was true; he felt no pain. That wou
ld come later.

  She took his hand. "Come, let us return to the camp. You need help."

  He laughed and pulled off the tattered remnants of his falcon shirt and tossed it aside. It amused him that she thought he needed help. He had only a few scratches. True, they could become inflamed and red, but he had endured much worse.

  Star knelt and touched the jaguar's yellow, spotted fur. "Let us skin him and be done," she said. "I am anxious to leave. A second jaguar might appear."

  Falcon stared down at the jaguar and wished the beast had heeded his words. When it had refused to leave, he had been forced to kill it! Now misfortune would result.

  Falcon skinned the jaguar, but he left the meat.

  He could not eat a kinsman.

  They wandered back toward the Jaguar encampment, stopping first at the creek.

  Falcon waited patiently while Star dabbed water on his cuts. "That does not help," he complained. "It hurts."

  "How will you heal if I do not clean your wound?" She glanced about. "I need some special leaves. Ah, there." She waded over to a bushy plant and plucked two leaves. "Here," she said, wading back to him. She dipped the leaves in the water and squeezed them over his bloodied skin. "The juice will help ease the pain,'' she explained.

  Her concentration pleased him. And her attempts to help his skin heal pleased him also. But such leaves were useless. Only a Jaguar shaman and his chants could heal Falcon's deep cuts. "Thank you," he said. "That feels much better."

  She met his eyes. "Why am I helping you, Jaguar? I fear I may regret it."

  He remembered the feel of her in his arms. "You may regret it," he allowed. "But I do not." Suddenly he felt happier.

  She studied him, her dark eyes reflecting the yellow moon. "I help you, Falcon, because you fought the jaguar for me." With that explanation, she turned and headed back the way they had come. He watched the sway of her hips, but he was uneasy that he had killed a kinsman for her.

  When they reached the Jaguars' campfire, Falcon saw that the hunters had returned. Red Hawk shook his head when he saw Falcon approach. "What has she done to you, Falcon? You leave to take a walk with her and you return a bloodied mess with leaves sticking to you!"

  Several of the other men laughed at the jest.

  "Beware the claws of a Badger woman." Red Hawk laughed.

  Wearily, Falcon held up the jaguar skin and let it unroll. "It was the jaguar that scratched me, not her."

  The chuckles and laughter ceased. Red Hawk's face clouded. Claw stood up. "What have you done?"

  The men were staring at him and Falcon shrugged at their alarm. "I had no choice. He jumped at me."

  "You know you must not kill a jaguar!" Claw's black eyes flashed angrily in the firelight.

  "I know."

  The men muttered among themselves. Claw held up a hand. "Falcon," he said, and his voice shook, "this is a bad thing you have done."

  Falcon clenched his fists and shrugged.

  "You will bring misfortune upon our people!"

  "He had to kill it," said Star. "The jaguar leapt for his throat!"

  Claw turned on her. "Silence, Badger woman! What do you know of our Jaguar customs?" To the other men he said, "What shall we do?"

  "We'd better do something," said Red Hawk. "Otherwise, a jaguar will surely stalk and kill one of our people."

  The other men nodded. Lance said, "That is only fair. A life for a life."

  Falcon sighed. "No need for a life to be given," he said wearily. "Hawk was taken from me. You all know how he died. Is his life not enough for the Great Spirit? Must there be more deaths?"

  Claw frowned. "Perhaps," he said slowly, "we have made a mistake in deciding what this jaguar's death means."

  "What are you saying?" Red Hawk looked confused.

  Claw said slowly, "Perhaps this jaguar came to you, Falcon, and sacrificed his life because Hawk died."

  The others murmured.

  Falcon stared at him, wondering if Claw spoke the truth.

  "We must consult with the shaman upon our return," said Claw. "But I think that is what happened. Our jaguar kinsmen heard how unhappy you are and how you cause so much difficulty for your people."

  The other men murmured agreement.

  Falcon flushed.

  "They sent this jaguar to comfort you."

  "But it does not comfort me to kill him," pointed out Falcon.

  "His coat will comfort you," answered Claw. "His skin will keep you warm. Have the Badger woman tan it and make a shirt or cloak for you."

  Falcon pondered this. The jaguar's sleek skin that he held was truly a magnificent one, he had to admit. The animal had been at the height of his powers. If what Claw said was true, it had been a very great sacrifice for the animal to leave his life at this time. But then, Falcon's son's death had been a great loss also.

  Star said, "I will tan it. Your shirt was shredded. This one will replace it."

  Falcon stared at her, wondering if she knew that Tula had made the falcon shirt for him. Now this new woman of his was offering to make him a new garment. He rubbed the jaguar skin thoughtfully.

  "Very well," agreed Falcon at last, carefully rolling up the skin.

  "It is settled then," said Claw, and Falcon heard the relief in the headman's voice.

  The other men returned to their fire, where several haunches of venison roasted. Star wandered over to the women's fire. Falcon stayed with the men awhile and listened to their tales, but he grew bored with them. He wanted to be with Star. And he was tired of her rebuffing him. It was time the Badger woman realized she was his! Thoughtfully, Falcon walked over to speak with Claw alone. "I want your help," he told Claw.

  Claw frowned. "I did all I could about the jaguar you killed," he said. "I think only the shaman can help you now."

  Falcon shook his head. "This is not about the jaguar. It is about the Badger woman."

  The two men spoke together in low tones.

  "I will do it," promised Claw with a sly smile.

  Falcon nodded and wandered over to the women's fire. Star was lying down. He bent and took her arm. "Come."

  "Where are we going?" she snapped.

  "Not for another walk," he assured her. "One quiet walk along the creek with you is enough for one night!"

  She glanced at the Badger brides' fire. "No one is awake," he assured her.

  "Where are you taking me?"

  He could hear the nervousness in her voice. "You will see."

  He led her a short distance away from both fires. He found a patch of grass near the shelter of a pine tree. The rock side of the canyon was at his back and the stone still carried the sun's warmth. "Here. Sit down."

  She scanned the rocks and pine trees nervously.

  "You will be safe," he assured her. "There are no more jaguars. They hunt alone."

  "It could have been a mother. With half-grown cubs hiding. Perhaps they followed us."

  He shook his head. "It was a male. And nothing followed us." She took a step away. "Come," he coaxed, ''I wish to rest."

  "I do not."

  He sighed. The woman was stubborn. Perhaps the Badger people were well named, after all. This one could certainly dig her way into a burrow of stubbornness. He rose, walked over to her, and picked her up, one arm under her knees, the other around her shoulders. She felt surprisingly light in his arms. He ignored her protests and marched over to the rock wall. This time when she gave a little struggle, he set her on her feet. "We sleep here," he said firmly.

  "We do not," she answered, just as firmly.

  Falcon's muscles hurt from the fight with the jaguar, and he was tired of this woman's resistance. He kicked her feet out from under her and when she fell, he caught her and lowered her to the ground. Then he sat down beside her and gazed into her flashing black eyes. "We do."

  When he saw her mouth tighten in protest, he leaned over and placed his mouth on hers.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Star felt his lips touch hers. The gentlene
ss in him surprised her and she found herself kissing him back. As his lips moved over hers, she relaxed into his embrace. Her heart pounded as his hand moved down her back in a soothing, stroking motion. He lifted his head and kissed her cheek and forehead. "I want you," he whispered.

  She grasped his head, her fingers kneading the thick strands of his hair, and she pulled his mouth hungrily back to hers for more kisses. His mouth quested over hers and then his tongue sought entrance. She kept her teeth closed at first but under his insistent probing she soon relented.

  His tongue swirled inside her mouth and she felt invadedinvaded and suddenly, wantonly, passionately alive. She clutched him closer.

  His hands moved slowly over her back. She trembled when they reached her breasts and brushed lightly against the sides.

  "No," she murmured, trying to push him away.

  "Let me," he answered, kissing her. She was caught up in his touch, in his kisses, and she longed to yield to him. He could do what he wanted with her, so good did he make her feel.

  Her body felt heavy, her eyelids seemed weighted as though with stones, and the blood throughout her whole body pounded with each stroke of his hand. He slid a palm along one leg and up under her leather dress. Her legs parted of their own will and she felt him stroking, closer, closer to the warm pulse of her womanhood.

  He was breathing heavily now and she found the sound intoxicating. That she could make this powerful man tremble as he was doing now was a wonderful revelation.

  She moved his hand away from the warm place he sought. "Let me," he murmured, swiftly replacing his hand on her thigh. She tried to move his hand away again, but he held it there and gently stroked tantalizingly closer. She moaned.

  "Oh, yes," he murmured, and she clutched him still closer. His kisses were sending her into a swirling oblivion of sensation. She sank back against the warm stone wall behind her.

  He followed, pulling her closer, and she found herself clinging to his bare chest, kissing his taut, male-smelling skin. She kissed the tattoo of a black falcon in flight on his shoulder. He guided her mouth back to his.

  "Oh, yes," she moaned, "kiss me again."

  He chuckled. "It's much better when we remove our clothes." He tugged at her dress and she lifted her arms to oblige. Once the garment was off, he slipped out of his leather pants. Now there was nothing between them but warm skin. "You feel so good," he murmured, kissing her along the line of her neck.