Never Surrender (24 page)

Once tied and blindfolded, Taima threw Mai over his
shoulder and strode toward his horse. Hoisting her up, Taima climbed up behind
her, and waited for Aiyana to follow with Kate’s horse.

An hour later, Taima’s people stared as he rode into
camp with Kate tied before him, her eyes covered. Their wide gazes told him
more than he wanted to know. Did they have any idea who Mai was or what she had
accomplished without any of them being the wiser?

Taima rode straight for Sakima’s lean-to at the far
end of the camp. If anyone here knew how to deal with this situation, it would
his father.

Sakima stepped from his lean-to, years of wisdom
meeting Taima’s gaze.

Before dismounting, he covered Kate’s mouth, then
whispered, “Kate...I know you are there. Do not let her win this game she
plays.” He paused as Kate’s body squirmed in his arms. “Know that I have loved
you...and always will. I need you with me like the eagle needs the wind.”

With that, he dismounted, pulled Kate over his shoulder
and strode into the shelter, followed by Sakima and Aiyana. Sakima said nothing
for several minutes.

Mai laughed at them.

Taima’s throat burned with bile as fear for Kate
tightened his stomach.

“Though I cannot see any of you, I can feel your fear.
All of you. I have won and you know not what to do about it.”

“Remove the leather from her eyes.”

“But Noshi . . .”

“Trust me, Nechan...she is not as strong as she
thinks, for I can feel Kate more.” Sakima waited until the leather was removed
then stared at Mai’s dark eyes. Without blinking away, Sakima said, “Send
braves back to the waterfall and return with her body. It is there.”

Mai’s gaze never faltered as she looked at Sakima.
“That will not save your precious Kate. Her soul is in my body...and will not
survive. She will die when they try to return with her.”

Taima fisted his hands.

“Taima...go inform the braves about the body and come
right back. I will not continue until you return.”

Quickly stepping from the lean-to, Taima found Ahanu
and two other braves. The men wasted no time in doing as he requested, and
Taima watched them ride away, then returned to Sakima.

He and Mai still stood face to face, hatred gleaming
in her dark eyes. Not a word passed between them.

Sakima spoke first as he placed his hands on Kate’s
head, gently pressing at her temples. Mai objected by trying to squirm away,
but his father held tight.

“Kate . . .,” Sakima said, his voice slow and calm.
“Kate...I know you are there. You are strong...my son needs you. Do not let her
win. Your strength has traveled here from beyond the mountains in search of
what you wanted. Do not let it fail you now.”

Kate’s eyes closed. She tried again to pull from
Sakima’s grasp.

Taima watched, his heart aching with need to have her
back. He wanted to strangle Mai. Something he should have done long ago.

Her eyes again looked into his father’s.

“Nechan. Look inside the medicine bag. Make sure there
is nothing remaining.”

Mai tried to step backward, but Sakima refused her
this. Taima carefully opened the pouch, tipping it over his palm. Aiyana
stepped closer to see. To his surprise, two small black spheres fell onto his
hand, becoming warmer the longer he held them. He rolled them around as he took
a closer look, then stared at Mai in amazement.

Taima’s nostrils flared. “Noshi...these are the eyes
of a raven.”

Kate tried hard to escape Sakima’s hold, squirming,
stepping back, but his father would not release her.

“You cannot change shapes this time,” Taima told her.

“Aiyana,” Sakima called, “take your knife and cut the
leather strip of the pouch from Kate’s neck. Taima cannot do this.”

Aiyana stepped forward, glanced at Taima, then
carefully cut the leather strip, removing the pouch from Kate’s body.

Immediately, Kate’s eyes closed and her body went
limp. Though he held tight to the raven’s eyes in his hand, Taima eased Kate’s
body to the ground. Sakima stood over them.

“She will rest now. When the braves return with Mai’s
body, we will continue.”

Taima watched the serene expression on Kate’s face,
wishing none of this had taken place. If he’d just not gone hunting this
morning, he could have been there. He took the pouch from Aiyana and replaced
the raven’s eyes back into the leather and handed it to his father.

Aiyana’s soft voice broke the silence. “I will go and
wait for my husband’s return.”

Without looking away from Kate, Taima thanked her and
she left them.

Taima reached for Kate’s hand, small and cold within
his own. He held it tight and caressed the back, feeling the small bones there.
Willing her to return to him, he kissed her cool fingers, remembering the times
he’d shared her passionate kisses. Their short life together had been filled
with so many problems. He thought they’d passed over those to find happiness.

Now this.

Now Mai.

She was forever a thorn in his side lately.

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.

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.