by Deanna Jewel
From the corner of his eye, he saw his father. Sakima sat further behind him, remaining silent. It seemed as though he had sat for hours inside the quiet lean-to with Kate never moving a muscle. Slow, shallow breaths were all he heard. His own chest labored with each breath he took.
Soft scents of sagebrush emanated from her body, and he longed to have her back.
Darkness set in. Still he waited. Kate never moved other than the shallow rise and fall of her chest.
Thundering hooves sounded outside.
As Taima looked up, Ahanu stood holding Mai’s limp body, followed by Aiyana. Taima’s heart sank and he held tighter to Kate’s hand. How much of what Mai had said would now come to be?
“Lay the body on this side, away from Kate,” Sakima said.
Ahanu carefully laid Mai’s body where Sakima had instructed, then sat beside Aiyana.
Sakima placed his hand over Mai’s heart for several minutes with his eyes closed.
Taima waited, his own heart thundering in his chest.
“Kate’s soul does not exist within this body...but there is a great disturbance here.” Sakima sat silent again, appearing to concentrate on a connection with the spirits.
“Taima, place you hand over Kate’s heart and touch her ring at your throat. That is the strongest link you have with her right now. Concentrate on your souls joining upon the wind.”
Taima placed his hand over her heart, held tight to the emeralds at his throat, and closed his eyes. Seeing Kate in his mind, he beckoned her spirit to rejoin his. Kate, come to me. I love you...though I have never told you this. Know you mean more to me than life itself. He continued in a silent prayer to the Great Spirit to release Kate.
Much time passed, but then Kate’s chest rose higher beneath Taima’s hand.
A stronger heart beat against his palm.
He opened his eyes, hopeful Kate’s soul had returned to him. The ring in his fingers warmed to his touch. Another silent prayer went out to the Great Spirit.
Kate stirred.
Taima glanced over at Mai’s body. Her head moved to the side, a foot twitched.
Then Kate moved, recapturing his attention. A low moan slipped from her throat and her eyelids sprang open.
A smiled curled her lips as he stared into dark eyes. “You will not win, my love.”
At that, Kate’s body slumped motionless. Her heartbeat slowed again beneath his palm.
An evil, shrill laugh came from the other side of the lean-to and the hairs on the back of Taima’s neck stood out.
“Nooooooo!” Taima screamed, anger raging through him as he scrambled over the furs toward Mai, his fingers finding her throat. He squeezed hard as he stared into those eyes, wanting to deplete her of every breath she’d ever taken.
In a harsh whisper, she said, “It won’t help. You are mine!”
Ahanu grabbed his shoulders, pulling him from Mai’s body as Aiyana screamed. Taima refused to let go of Mai’s neck and she struggled for air. Sakima pried at his fingers until he finally released his hold and sat back away from Mai.
She quickly scooted toward the door before anyone stopped her. Taima tried to reach her, but Ahanu held him fast.
“Taima...I will return when you least expect it,” then she rolled out the door into the night.
Taima darted after her, bent on revenge, but when he stepped outside, all he saw was a raven fly toward the moon.
Chapter Twenty-One
Taima watched the silhouette of the raven against the brightness of the three-quarter moon as darkness surrounded him. The sound of his heart pounded in his ears. His chest rose and fell in an angry crescendo as his fingers dug into his palms, vowing he would protect Kate from whatever dangers may come along from this point on. Something stirred behind Taima, but his interest held fast on the shape shifter overhead.
“Next time will not be so easy for Mai,” his father stated quietly.
Taima spun around. “There will not be a next time, Noshi.”
“Kate’s soul is stronger. Her purpose here is clear.”
Through narrowed eyes, Taima wondered at his father’s words. “Have your visions told you something new? I am ready to listen rather than lose the woman I have come to love more than life itself. I could not bear that.”
“Kate’s spirit has traveled here from the east, beyond the mountains. It is for you two to discover the reason, my son.”
The sincerity in his father’s eyes touched Taima’s heart. “I will never again allow her away from my side. She has become a part of me.”
“You must both seek your true feelings for one another. My visions tell me that your souls are joined for eternity. Time cannot alter this.”
“Your father is right, Taima.”
Kate stepped forward from behind his father. Just the sight of her made his heart beat even faster. He reached out to her and she moved into his embrace, her hands now free. Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin atop her head.
“I love you, White Woman.”
She leaned back and gazed for long moments into his eyes. “And I you, my savage warrior. We will overcome our battles. Our love will win out in the end and block all who dare to interfere.”
“You both need time alone. Kelee is with our children for the night,” Aiyana said.
Elation lifted Taima’s spirits high into the night. His eyes never left Kate’s. Cradling her in his arms, he strode off toward his lean-to. “Know that you will never leave my sight again. Our spirits are meant to be joined forever. And if ever I should be killed in battle, my spirit will find yours somewhere in time.”
She lightly kissed him. “I love you.”
Entering his lean-to, he put Kate down and spread out their furs for the night. Removing his leggings, he motioned for her to join him upon the thick furs. He held her close, their warm bodies melding together. Taima closed his eyes as the scent of sagebrush engulfed him.
“My foolish pride has kept us apart for too long. I know I have loved you, not wanting to admit it to myself.” He caressed her back, pulling her closer. “No woman has affected me the way you do since I lost Witashnah three years ago. Anger has clouded my feelings since then. I wanted no one but my son, and only now do I realize my need for you.”
“I know I shouldn’t bring this up right now, but I need to know. It has nagged at me too long. You mentioned weeks ago that you were interested in a woman, but she wasn’t interested in you, only your son.” Kate chewed her lower lip and glanced down at her ring around his neck. “I must know who this other woman is and your feelings toward her. Does she live here among your people?”
Taima couldn’t believe she hadn’t realized he spoke of her. His fingers touched below her chin to raise her face. “Look at me. This other woman I spoke of is you. I didn’t think you were interested in me or my needs, only those of my son. You know he loves you like a mother.”
Kate could only stare back at Taima. How could she not have known he spoke of her? “Oh Taima...how could so much get so misunderstood? I care very much for you...and your needs.”
Kate lightly caressed his lips with the pad of her thumb and he moistened it with his tongue, then drew the tip of her thumb into his mouth, gently sucking it. She withdrew her thumb and replaced it with her lips. Pressing her onto her back, Taima kissed her with more passion than he thought possible. Her warm hands caressed his sides as he threaded his fingers through her hair.
Flames of desire ignited deep inside of him. His tongue danced with Kate’s in tormented need. He rolled once again, pulling Kate atop him and he reached for her hips. The warmth of her thighs took his breath away; his erratic heartbeat thundered in his ears. Slipping his fingers beneath the hem of her dress, he moved higher over her naked flesh.
With her body stretched over the length of his, Kate braced her hands on either side of his head and broke their kiss, lifting herself to gaze down at him.
“Do you still care about my needs?” he asked, a
smile playfully curving his lips.
As he carefully held her atop of him, her feet moved along the sides of his calves and her hips made small circular motions that nearly drove him mad.
“I will always take care of your needs before my own,” she whispered.
Every muscle in his body tightened as she continued moving over him. Taima gripped her hips tight to stop her movements. “I am not ready for that yet, woman.”
With one swift motion, he gently pulled her dress up and over her head, tossing the dress aside. Kate’s full breasts lay against his naked chest. He caressed her waist, moving up to allow his thumbs to touch the swell of her breasts.
She gasped.
“You have the same affect on me,” he whispered.
Her mouth touched his neck and he turned his head to the side, loving the feel of her lips on his skin as they heated his blood near to boiling. Soft, warm flesh filled his hands as he moved them over the length of Kate’s body. He allowed her to torture him a few moments longer, then rolled her onto her back once more.
He braced himself above her, removing his breechcloth and tossing it aside. The heat between her thighs consumed him as he pressed further, deeper, closing his eyes to join them as one. Kate’s hands moved over his hips and lower, her fingers gently pressing into his already taut muscles.
Taima lowered his head to kiss Kate, slipping his tongue past her lips in search of hers. Wild passion began a slow burn as the kiss deepened. He carefully lowered his weight and threaded his fingers through her hair, cupping the back of her head. Moans escaped her throat, giving him even more pleasure as he slowly moved between her thighs, her toes seductively caressing his calves. Kate made him feel complete.
Breaking the kiss, Taima rose onto his hands again, attempting to keep pace with Kate’s body. Her breath came in short gasps; her hands caressed his hips, his sides, then gripped his biceps as a cry of pleasure slipped from her lips. He silenced her next cry with his mouth as their bodies called to one another for a completeness only the other could give.
* * * * *
Spent and satisfied, Taima held Kate close as they lay on their sides, the woman in his arms easily fulfilling his every need. Why had he allowed his pride to shut her out?
Kate touched her emerald ring still on the piece of leather about his neck.
“I will always wear your ring to remind me of you,” he said.
She kissed the hollow of his throat. He closed his eyes when her lips trailed kisses higher up his neck to his chin, then his lips, where she placed several more short kisses. Moving his hand down her waist to her hip, Taima held her close. He captured her mouth with his own and reveled in her response.
Kate’s hand caressed his neck, his nape, her fingers threading into his hair. Her other hand cupped his cheek. Gentleness surrounded her, exuded from her in all she did. He knew their love would only grow stronger.
“Sleep now. I will hold you till we wake again,” he whispered next to her ear.
“Mmmmmmm...what a pleasant way to spend the night and be assured I will be safe.”
“I will not allow harm to come to you again.”
He kissed her forehead, then tucked her head to his shoulder. Soon she slept, her breathing slow and even while he held her.
Again, his thoughts strayed to Mai and how the skin walker had come so close to accomplishing her goal. The matter would have to be dealt with. Taima knew eventually Mai would return.
Was Kate’s spirit strong enough to withstand another attempt at her soul? She had been through so much since he’d captured her, yet as he looked back, there was no way he could have allowed the scarred warrior to ride off with her.
The scarred warrior.
He had also vowed to return for what he considered to be his woman since her second capture. The warrior would not be an easy foe. Ahanu and Sakima would stand at his side when the time came to fight off these enemies upon their return...of which he knew would surely come to be.
* * * * *
Euphoria surrounded Kate as she stirred, the morning light finding its way into the lean-to. The warmth of Taima’s chest against her cheek only added to her happiness and reminded her of the night before. The love they had shared meant so much. It seemed as though she had waited an eternity for his admission. Perhaps they would now be past the misunderstandings that had created the arguments between them.
Would she be able to give Taima everything he needed in a woman living among his people? She had tried so hard to learn their ways and didn’t plan to stop now. There was much more for her yet to learn.
Kate moved her head to lie upon his upper arm and lightly traced the short horizontal scar below his collar bone with her fingertip. A small puncture scar appeared above and below it. She had remembered much of what she’d read about the ritual Sun Dance and the pain men had endured to prove themselves worthy. These scars surely represented pain and suffering for Taima and Kate was glad she hadn’t had to watch him.
An image of Taima during the Sun Dance formed in her mind, causing tears to pool in her eyes and when she looked up, his blue gaze met hers. A tear slipped over her cheek and the pad of Taima’s thumb gently wiped it away. Concern entered his eyes as he watched her; she hadn’t wanted him to see her tears. He rose up on one elbow and looked down at her, but she lowered her lashes and took a deep breath.
Taima placed a knuckle beneath her chin and his thumb wiped away another tear. “Have I done something to displease you before we’ve even begun the day?”
Her eyes snapped open. “Of course not. Please don’t think that.” Again she touched the scar of the Sun Dance. “I was only thinking about the pain and suffering these must have cost.”
“We do not look at it as pain and suffering. The Sun Dance brings us closer to the Great Spirit, provides wealth in our hunt of the buffalo and sheep to provide for our people, and helps heal the sick.”
“Has it done that for you, even though you have lost so much?”
“I do not question the Great Spirit. Perhaps I have had to endure my losses in order to accept the love I now receive from you.”
Kate watched the sincerity in Taima’s eyes. It touched her soul as they lay there together, so much being said, though no words were spoken in the silent moments that followed. She searched his eyes as long and hard as he searched hers, creating a bond neither would be able to break.
Kissing her fingers, Kate touched them to Taima’s lips. “I will forever be a part of you.”
He kissed her fingers, then his tongue moistened them as well, sending a shiver through her that curled her toes.
“Shall we find my son and nourish our bodies before I begin to feast on you? Though that is what I’d prefer to do.”
Kate giggled and hugged him. Simple words so easily made her heart leap in her chest.
“We should tell your son we have become a family.”
“You will be fulfilling his hopes, you know. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I have never been more sure,” Kate said, sitting up and pulling her dress over her head. Taima cupped her breast before she could cover herself and a warm flush moved up her neck.
Tugging down her dress, she leaned over to caress him. “You don’t plan on greeting the world naked, I hope.”
“I’d rather not greet the world at all,” he whispered and cupped the back of her neck to pull her close for a deep kiss.
Moments later, Kate admired Taima while he dressed and pulled on his leggings and moccasins. The taut firmness of his body would always create a heat deep in her stomach.
Taima brushed back the hide at the opening and she stepped into the bright sunlight that shone upon the entrance. Happiness filled her as never before and she turned to Taima as he stepped from the lean-to.
The cold hands of fear squeezed her chest like a vise.
Horror screamed through her mind and she gasped for air.
Kate stared past Taima’s shoulder at the pair of blue-black raven
’s wings stretched above the entrance of the lean-to.
* * * * *
Taima inhaled sharply when he saw the wings. Damn Mai, she would pay dearly for this! He grabbed Kate and turned her away from the wings, holding her close against him. She hugged his waist tight and hid her face to his chest.
The hair stood out on the back of Taima’s neck and he sensed a watchful eye. Glancing quickly around, his people darted into their shelters, but he searched for Mai.
“When will all this end. I don’t understand what is happening or why the raven is involved,” Kate sobbed. “What does all this have to do with me?”
“Sssshhh...it will be okay. Sakima will know what to do,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “I will let no harm come to you. Let’s go to Ahanu’s and get you away from here.”
As Taima glanced into the fearful eyes his people who passed, they averted their gazes and scurried into their shelters. He knew they thought Kate to have special powers. At this point, good or bad, he knew they wanted no part of her.
He sat her near the fire with Aiyana, taking a seat beside her while Ahanu went in search of Sakima. Nervously, she searched the surrounding tree line, her eyes wide with fear.
Kate glanced toward the raven’s wings.
Taima wished he could rid her of all fears, real and otherwise. With fingers gently beneath her chin, he turned her worried face toward him and held her gaze. “Don’t even look over there. Sakima will take care of it soon enough. Look here...into my eyes if you’re searching for answers. I have all the answers that concern you right now.”
Kate’s eyes pooled with tears but she didn’t look away from him. Taima cupped her face and warm tears wet his thumbs. As he wiped them away, he kissed her.
“I love you,” he whispered, gazing into the most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen. He wanted the world to just leave them alone.
“I thought I would never hear you say that and truly mean it.”
“Know that I mean it, woman. You hold my heart in the palm of your hand. And that’s not a good thing for a warrior.”