"Now, let me see. Could you be ticklish here?" His fingers brushed across her ribs and Camille struggled harder.
"Not there. Then I think I will try here."
His searching fingers found the tender skin beneath her arm. Camille giggled as she attempted to roll away, but his body held her against the mattress.
"Oh, please stop! Dmitri, stop!" Tears rolled from her eyes, as Camille's laughter became choked. Dmitri released her, then rolled onto his side. Camille closed her eyes for a moment as she caught her breath.
Dmitri lowered his head to kiss her wet cheek. "Was I too rough with you? Did I hurt you?"
She opened her eyes, then smiled at him. "No, you were not too rough."
His concern touched her. Camille reached up to push the hair from his forehead. Will we ever reach the point, she asked herself when questions like this are unnecessary?
***
Without a word, he embraced her. They lay back on the bed together. Camille rested her head on his shoulder. Dmitri's hand caressed the soft skin of her back where the nightgown had ridden up.
Already he knew the feel of her body. It was strange, knowing a woman's body better than her heart. Camille cuddled against him and seemed content. Did she experience any of the conflicting emotions now storming through him? Would they ever be as one, married in the full sense of the word?
There was a significant difference in their ages. Seventeen years were almost a lifetime. Dmitri wondered if the age gap between them might be the cause of their inability to understand each other. It was a gulf he was not sure could be bridged.
True, he knew of other men who married girls much younger than themselves, but he never found innocent young girls more than boring. They flirted, they played games, and the extent of their conversation seemed to be local gossip.
Camille was young and there were times her inexperience irked him, yet he sensed something kind and good in her. She was not a vapid, selfish chit.
He needed to let go of the worries and enjoy the warmth of her tucked against him. For now, Dmitri would take what he could get. Camille lay against him, and he sensed no reservations in the woman he held. It was sufficient for the moment.
Dmitri awoke later to find himself alone in the big bed. There was laughter coming from Camille's room. He supposed the sewing circle was in full swing once more. With a sigh, he rose from the bed to dress. Then he went in search of his uncle. There were a few things he wished Gregor to attend to during the day.
His business with Gregor concluded, Dmitri took a rifle, then went off to inspect the school building. It was not his main reason for going out. Sometimes he needed to be out in the forest to clarify his thoughts.
Should he speak to Anya? And if he did, what would he say to her? Ooskada made him uneasy. The shaman hated him and everything about the modern world. The man would turn the clock back, if he could, to the time when the Tlingit ruled this country. Ooskada's possessive attitude toward Anya disturbed him. He was not sure where it would lead.
Dmitri walked around the cabin. It was coming along well. Serge, Stanislaus, and two other boys had put another two courses of logs up. It appeared they could soon begin the roof. When they finished the cabin, he would assemble the books, along with the other equipment Camille would need.
After inspecting the construction, Dmitri started back toward the house. He must speak to Anya. She must not go to the village alone. The bear would be his excuse, but in truth, he feared Ooskada more than the elusive bear he had yet to glimpse. A drizzle from a large cloud pattered down on the part. Dmitri walked faster. He would punish Anya to keep her obedient if he must.
He could not keep her away from the village forever. Attempting to do so would only drive her into Ooskada's arms. The rain slackened, then drew to a stop as Dmitri reached the house. His clothing soaked through; Dmitri went directly to his room to change.
Once into dry garments, he glanced at his watch. It was time for lunch. Hungry after his walk to the village, he thought during lunch might be a good time to discuss Anya's transgressions with her.
Because of Camille's frequent nightmares, he now left his door into their shared dressing room open. He heard the women talking in Camille's room. Dmitri walked through the dressing room and tapped on her door.
"Come in, Dmitri." When he opened the door, Camille took his hand.
She kissed him on the cheek which took him by surprise. Camille's eyes were a dark green, flecked with gold and they smiled up into his face. For a moment, Dmitri forgot what he came to say, and the presence of his daughter.
Camille's pink lips curved upward into a smile. "Did you want something?"
"Yes. I would like you and Anya to join me for lunch."
Camille looked down at her dressing gown in dismay. "But, I am not dressed. There is so much fitting to do today; I had thought I would skip lunch today."
He reached for the sash of her robe, untied it and pulled the cloth a little tighter about her before knotted it again. "There. The dressing gown will serve. It will be just the three of us. As this is your home; you may do as you like."
"Why not?" she replied. Camille turned and reached down to take Anya's hand. "I am sure you are hungry. Shall we go?"
Anya nodded. She and Camille walked hand in hand out of the door, then into the hall. Surprised, but pleased, Dmitri observed Anya, as she walked down the stairs with Camille. They were discussing what sort of trim to use on the doll dress Anya was hemming.
Lunch progressed pleasantly enough. Dmitri had a small steak, accompanied by one egg. Camille and Anya ate apples and cheese while drinking refreshing tea. Dmitri told Camille of the progress the boys had made on the schoolhouse.
She seemed pleased. "I had no idea one could erect a cabin so quickly. I find it quite surprising."
"The hardest part is chinking it. That will come after the roof is on and the floor laid." Dmitri responded.
"Whatever is 'chinking' Dmitri?" Camille looked inquisitively at him.
Anya looked at her with a smile. "First they take clay, then mix it with straw. Once mixed, it is forced into all the places where the logs lay on top of each other. Moss is pushed in over the clay, and smaller branches get wedged into the cracks. That keeps the wind from blowing through the cracks."
Anya looked at her father for confirmation of her statement. "They will do it in that manner, won't they?"
"Correct, Anya." Dmitri ate the last bit of his steak, then sat back with a glass of wine. Anya and Camille had finished their lunch. He decided it was time to broach the subject of Anya's visit to the village.
"I believe you, and I have an agreement about your trips to Ooskada's village, child."
Anya placed her glass on the table without looking at her father. Then she looked up into his face. "I was not to ride to the village alone," she replied
Dmitri nodded. "That is the way I recall it. But I believe you have gone back on your part of our agreement."
The child jumped from her chair. Her face was pale. Anya glared at him in defiance. "Ooskada is my Uncle! They are my people! I have a right to go there whenever I wish!"
"Anya!" His voice became harsh. Dmitri threw down his napkin in disgust. "This is a place where foolish people can die quickly. You know I found bear tracks. I am not trying to restrict you from your mother's people. I am attempting to keep you from physical harm. You will obey me, doch'! I will have it no other way!"
Anya lifted her chin in a stubborn gesture. "I am Tlingit. Nothing on this island will harm me. Ooskada watches over me! His power is great."
Dmitri rose from his chair and gripped the back in his hands, Dmitri stared down at his daughter. "I do not care what Ooskada told you, if you chose to dishonor yourself by lying and being deceitful, I will treat you as the shameful thing you have become. You gave me your word!"
His voice became softer. The chill which had taken possession of Camille at the start of their argument, deepened. Dmitri spoke in a whisper.
&n
bsp; "Go to your room. Think about your actions. Do not leave there until I have given you permission."
Anya turned to Camille. "Excuse me."
The pale face appeared calm, but Anya's gray eyes blazed with anger. If Camille had expected tears, she saw none. Head up, back erect, Anya left the room.
Camille looked at Dmitri. "Whatever was that about? Who is Ooskada?"
He collapsed in the chair. "Anya's mother was half Indian; Tlingit to be exact. Ooskada is my late wife's half-brother. By Tlingit law; Anya should be with him. They trace descent through the mother's line for certain matters. Anya is the last of her mother's direct line."
Dmitri rose again. He paced the floor. "Damn him! He cannot have Anya."
Camille glanced at his set face as Dmitri came to a halt. He was staring out the window into the forest. "Perhaps if Anya spent more time with her uncle, he would look less attractive."
She saw him stiffen. Camille knew she had said the wrong thing. "I will not allow it! He has no claim on my child!"
Dmitri glanced at her for a moment before he turned back to the window. Camille glimpsed a vein throbbing at his temple. She was sorry she had ever voiced her opinion, some things, however, must be said.
"Perhaps you should be gentler with the child."
"Gentler? After she broke her word? She is a Bressoff. Word, once given, is never broken! That she will learn, or I will beat it into her if I must."
His fist slammed into the wall, causing Camille to jump from her chair. "Calm yourself! You must remember Anya is just a child."
Dmitri turned to stare at her; his single gray eye blazed with fury. "Madame. You do not understand how important this entire matter is. Since you are not familiar with the whole affair," his voice rose to a roar. "Allow me to handle it in my way!"
Camille discovered this outburst was easier to deal with than the cold, quiet anger he had turned on Anya. With a toss of her head, Camille glared at him.
"My familiarity with the problem is not the issue." Camille placed her hands on her hips. "Further, you have no reason to take your anger out on me. Good afternoon."
***
Camille left him standing in the dining room. There was no peace to be had in her room. A chaotic restlessness overtook her; Camille threw on a dress. With the coat from the wardrobe on her arm, she went into the downstairs hall.
There she met Helena. "Do what you can without me, please. I need fresh air. I am going out for a walk."
Without waiting for a reply, Camille hurried outside. She followed the path for a while toward the mill village.
Why did they always have to fight just when things were going well? He needed her in the darkness, and she was happy to give him what she could. Surely, he must realize she was not questioning his judgment; she was only offering suggestions.
If she did not understand the situation why hadn't he explained it to her? She longed to become a part of his world, something other than a bed partner. They would never be united as husband and wife until she shared all of his life, not just his bed.
Camille reached a fork in the trail. She stared down the gentle slope to the village beyond. She was not ready to return home, nor did she want company. The trail upward to the waterfall beckoned. On impulse, Camille took it. That decided, her thoughts returned to her marriage.
Was it all he married her for, a bed partner? It could not be the case. A man like Dmitri would not have married to gain a bed partner. Why? Why had he married her in the first place?
The question was always at the bottom of their relationship. It teased Camille like something half seen from the corner of her eye. She knew from experience, Dmitri would not give her an answer to the question. It was almost as if he was forced to marry her. But, what or better still, who could force Dmitri into doing anything he did not choose to do?
Camille found herself at the base of the waterfall. She wondered how far from the house she had come. A large rock would do as a seat. With a sigh, she watched the water tumble and churn into the defile below.
The water was a light aqua color. Camille had never seen water so clear. The air smelled of thick moss and spruce. Camille closed her eyes. She let the roar of the water surround her. After pulling the pins from her hair, she shook it free. With her arms clasped and her hands around her knees, the young woman let her thoughts wander where they would.
Again and again, the tall angry man of their latest encounter popped into her mind. No matter how often she chased him from her thoughts, Dmitri returned. How baffling he was. Irate father, conservative businessman, thoughtful lover, violinist beneath the trees and the man hewing the logs, Dmitri was all of these and how many more?
His lightning changes of mood often took her by surprise. At first, he had terrified her. With a smile, Camille recalled how frightened she was the first morning on waking to find Dmitri was her husband.
Last night, when he needed her, Camille enjoyed returning a small measure of the comfort to Dmitri, he had given her. How like him to call it only a night terror and bottle up his hurt within. When would he let her through his wall? Camille ran her hands through her hair, then changed position to be in the sunshine again.
She realized how far the sun had traveled when the clouds lifted. Camille understood it had grown very late. It was time to leave. She twisted her hair into a knot at the base of her neck, as she rose from the rock, and started off at a brisk walk down the trail. At the fork in the path, a crowd of children surrounded Camille. They were trying to speak to her, but were so excited; she could not get them to speak in English. Then, Alexis appeared.
"Whatever do they want, Alexis?" Camille gestured to the now silent children.
"We have been searching for you, Madame, for the past two hours. They only wish to know if you are unharmed."
"I was sitting near the waterfall, thinking. I am quite alright, Alexis." Alexis translated what she had said to the villagers.
"Now, Madame, I will take you home."
When they were out of earshot of the children, Camille turned to Alexis. "Why on earth was everyone looking for me?"
"Camille, you recall the bear tracks Dmitri discovered? We were all afraid of what could have happened if you met the bear on your walk."
"I don’t understand why you are all so concerned. Wouldn't a bear be as much afraid of me as I would of him?"
Alexis shook his head. "The bear has decided this is now its territory. They defend what belongs to them."
Camille realized Alexis was carrying a rifle when he put it to his shoulder and fired three shots into the air. When they neared the house, Dmitri was the first person she saw. His long strides closed the gap between them in a few moments. Face pale; the vein in his forehead seemed to be trying to jump out of his skin.
"I am glad to see you are unhurt."
"I do not see what all the fuss is about." His long fingers closed like a trap on her wrist. "Come along, Camille. I will show you what concerned us!"
Camille found she had to run to keep up with him. Pride kept her from asking him to slow down. The knot of dark hair came loose and cascaded down her back. Dmitri pulled her into the house, then up the stairs. He did not stop until they reached his room.
"Now, now I will show you why you must be careful." He tugged off the wool jacket and almost ripped the buttons off his shirt, in his haste to remove it.
"I remember the first time you saw these scars. Do you remember, Camille?" Turning his back to her, Dmitri glared at her over his shoulder. She remembered the awful things she first imagined on seeing the terrible network of scars on his back. Summoning all her will power, Camille clenched her hands together. She only nodded in response to his question. She would not allow Dmitri to frighten her this time.
"And further, my dear, there is this," He turned and ripped off the eye patch. Against her will, Camille stared at the pink patch of skin where his other eye had once been. His hard fingers dug into her shoulders. Dmitri shook her in time with his words.
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"A-bear,-a-bear-did-all-this-to-me-do-you-wish-to-be-marked-so!"
He ceased shaking her. In a harsh voice, Dmitri continued with the tale. "I did not even have time to fire at it. The bear jumped me from behind. It threw me to the ground. I had to lie still while it chewed on my body. One sound, one hint I was still alive, and it would have ripped the flesh from my bones."
Tears rolled down her face. She was almost choking on the sobs, which racked her. Dmitri's hands dropped from her shoulders. He stared at her pale face for a moment before taking her in his arms.
"Damn! No, stop now, I did not mean to tell you this way. Please hush, I did not mean to frighten you, child. You must understand; you could be killed!"
He cradled her damp face against his bare chest. Dmitri crooned to her as if to a child. Once again, he had acted the fool.
***
Camille's arms crept around his waist. She clung to him, sobbing. Camille was not frightened. She was crying for Dmitri, for the agony he had endured. Now, she knew what his night terror was.
Hatred rose within her, causing Camille to cry all the harder. "I hate them!" She blurted out. Camille's words were muffled against his chest.
"What did you say?" Dmitri asked.
She lifted her head from his chest. Camille looked up into his face.
"I hate bears! I wish they were all dead." Camille rubbed her cheek against him as she held Dmitri tighter. Dmitri stared down at her dark head in amazement. Was she crying for him? His mind tried to reject the thought, but, the more he considered her behavior, the more logical his conclusion appeared.
One soft hand caught the back of his head. Camille pulled his face downward. She kissed him with a passion Dmitri had not realized she possessed. He lifted his head and tried to fathom her expression.
Camille took his face between her hands and kissed him again. Dmitri nuzzled her neck as he twisted his fingers into the softness of her shining hair. Oh her toes, she strained and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging Dmitri to her.
Behind the Raven Mask Page 15