Sweet Savage Heart (17 page)

“Why did you marry me, White Eagle?” she murmured in confusion. “Will you take me far away, use me, and desert me? Will you allow the evil spirit who haunts my dreams to harm me? Why do I fear you and these powerful new feelings?”

Ever since White Eagle’s departure, Black Hawk had stalked her everywhere she went. His igneous eyes had visually stripped her garments from her body, then brutally punished her with their fiery heat. He looked at her as if he despised her, yet craved her as well. “I will never let you have me. I will flee or die first,” she vowed aloud as she recalled the persistent warrior.

The thought of mating with Black Hawk or Rides-Like-Thunder or any other man dismayed her now, after such close contact with Travis. She had happened upon lovers or animals mating in the forest, so she knew it was a natural part of life or loving. Vividly she remembered being in White Eagle’s arms and tasting his kisses. She recalled his tenderness during her dark dreams and their walk. She could almost feel the fires that had inflamed her body at his touch, and the pleasure she had received from his gaze and nearness. Oddly she did not fear his sleeping mat.

Perhaps, she admitted, she had provoked his mischievous and taunting actions. Perhaps he had heard wicked tales of her misbehavior, as he had alleged. Yet he had chosen her and had made the largest trade offer any maiden had ever received. She helplessly questioned his feelings and motives. She did not want to be a tame-thewild-wind game to him, a game about which she had so often been teased. And, if he had tried to fool her people, had he hoped to leave with her before they learned of his deceit—leave with the sister of Chief Lone Wolf as his hostage? If only she did not sense some great mystery and
reluctance surrounding him.

She reflected on her taunts to him after their joining. He could have chosen any maiden, and won her. Why her, an Indian girl? Why had he returned to the land of his birth? Why help the Oglalas? “Who are you? What are you? Why do you ensnare me and trouble my spirit?” she asked aloud.

Surely he would return for his friend, but how would he feel about her and her people for doubting him, for threatening him and his friend? So many questions and mysteries, she concluded nervously, completing her chores and attempting to push her distressing thoughts aside, to no avail.

The morning of the fifth day arrived. Lone Wolf entered the tepee and announced that Wild Wind was to serve food to the white man. She looked at him quizzically, silently questioning his unusual order and his reasons.

In a rare moment of kindness, or weakness, Lone Wolf had yielded to Nathan Crandall’s plea to meet his granddaughter once before he died, if it were to come to that today. Lone Wolf had secured the older man’s promise to reveal nothing to her about her past or his reason for coming to the Oglala camp. He told Wild Wind now, “I wish him to see the reason why his friend will return to our camp. He is old and weak and afraid. He knows White Eagle has taken you as his mate. When his senses are filled with Wild Wind, he will trust his friend to return for one whose beauty is greater than Grandfather’s flowers. If he must die, he will believe some evil kept his friend from returning. He is a good and gentle white man. He must not suffer for another’s dark deed.” He paused. “Do you wish me to send another with food and smiles?”

For the second time, Wild Wind felt that her brother was lying to her. Yet she did not expose her doubts and anguish. Another mystery, she concluded sadly. “I will go, my brother and chief.”

She was not surprised when Lone Wolf accompanied her and remained at her side. She offered Nathan food and waited for him to consume it. He did so slowly, his eyes seeming to drink in her face and essence. He did not appear afraid, only sad, and seemed overly happy with her visit, as if she were warming sunshine on a cold winter day. Neither did he appear weak, in spirit or in body. This was a man who knew hard work, she realized, who knew courage, who loved and trusted his friend…

When Nathan could no longer stall his meal and her visit, he smiled and thanked her, and moisture filled his eyes. He removed a turquoise and silver pendant and handed it to her. It was a curious shape, as if it had once been a circle and someone had cut a small section from its top and sealed it in a point on its bottom. It looked old and precious. As she eyed the lovely treasure, a pain flashed inside her head and she rubbed her right temple to ease it. With quivering fingers, she held it out to him in polite refusal, for it frightened her.

Nathan closed his hand around hers and the pendant, indicating that he was insistent she keep it. Lone Wolf translated Nathan’s emotion-hoarse words. “It belonged to his daughter. He wishes you to have it for your kindness. Do not offend a dying man by refusing his generosity.” Lone Wolf had noticed her reaction, and he knew it had been the suppression of a memory.

Wild Wind met Nathan’s gaze and probed it, learning nothing. She allowed the man to place the pendant around her neck. Again, she was baffled by the curious moisture that brightened his eyes. She could not explain why, but she felt drawn to this man. She smiled and
said,
“Pilamaya.”

“My sister thanks you and accepts your gift. If it pleases her, I will bring her with food before… the sun sleeps.”

His hesitation was not lost on any of those present. If Travis and the guns did not return in the next few hours, Nathan would not live to eat another meal or to see the sun go to sleep. Lone Wolf had spoken, and he could not change his mind. He dared not tell Wild Wind who this endangered man was, nor did Nathan want her to know under these circumstances.

Anticipating her husband’s return, Wild Wind left Nathan and her brother to wash her hair and body and dry herself in the afternoon sun in the company of some of her friends. Her garments and possessions were packed, and she felt a certain satisfaction that the other girls were envious of her and charmed by Travis. Her pride demanded that she appear trusting and confident around them as well as around her spurned suitors.

A few at a time, the other women left the river, their baths and washing completed. “Are you coming, Wild Wind?” Myeerah asked.

Wild Wind glanced at the sun. It was past the treetops, time to prepare her brother’s evening meal. So little time left for White Eagle to return and the man called Nathan to live… Would time forever be her foe? she wondered. It always seemed to be battling her.

“Go along, Myeerah. I will return shortly.” She needed to be alone, for it seemed the worst was about to happen. Clad in a drying blanket, she stood and began to walk along the riverbank to expend part of her tension. She tried not to think about her fate, yet her mind allowed her to think of nothing else. Time and distance passed unnoticed.

“He will not return, Wild Wind,” a cold voice taunted nearby.

She glanced toward her right and her gaze fell on Black Hawk. Although her body was covered, she felt naked, and she was alarmed by his gaze. “Why,” she asked angrily, “do you torment me, Black Hawk? Have you no pride and honor? White Eagle will return before dark.”

The warrior laughed, and the sound of it was wintry and mocking. “Buffalo Slayer and his band have returned. They took many guns and bullets from the trader’s wooden tepee. The white dog did not return with them. His friend will die, and you have no mate.”

Wild Wind paled. “Was he slain in battle for the guns?”

The warrior laughed coldly once more. “Buffalo Slayer watched him ride away in the dark. Our warriors did not chase him; they rode swiftly to bring the guns to our camp before soldiers could pursue them. White Eagle is gone. I will demand to track him and slay him, and I will demand Wild Wind as my
coup.
I will not be denied.”

“You lie,” she accused boldly, her blue-gray eyes chilling.

“My words are true. I spoke against the white dog many times. I said he could not be trusted. I tried to save Wild Wind from his tricks. I must be rewarded for my words of warning. Wild Wind will be mine.”

The aggressive warrior yanked her to his hard body and covered her mouth with his. Even when she struggled fiercely, he did not release her. Tightly banding her arms to her body, he clamped his hand over her mouth and dragged her into the concealing bushes, his abrupt movement deterring her from kicking. He fell to the ground with her and pinned her hands to her sides with his strong thighs. Withdrawing a wide rawhide strip from his waist, he secured it over her mouth to cut off her screams for help, then loosely bound her hands with another strip. She could hardly breathe from his heavy weight across her torso and could not wiggle free. His
forearm across hers prevented her from striking out or battling him. He shifted to yank off her blanket, exposing her naked body to his crazed senses. His roughened hands moved over her breasts as his eyes grew wilder with lust and determination. When she continued her futile battle, he told her, “Once you are mine, Lone Wolf will be forced to give you to me in joining.” His mouth fastened to one breast and he sucked greedily on it.

She freed her tied hands and, for a brief instant, pounded on his head and shoulders. Laughing, he seized them and pinned them to the ground above her head. His legs wrapped around hers to halt her kicks and thrashing. He gave his attention to the other breast, nursing hungrily like a baby starving for his mother’s milk.

Suddenly Black Hawk was ripped from her helpless body. Wild Wind watched as her new husband beat her attacker as if he were as crazed by fury and jealousy as the warrior had been with lust. White Eagle showed the man no mercy; clearly he wanted and was trying to kill Black Hawk with his bare hands. Stunned by the warrior’s attack and White Eagle’s sudden rescue, she merely watched the action as if she were detached from her body. Her wits and control returned finally as the warrior drew his knife and lunged at White Eagle. Shaking violently, she came to her knees and sent forth a gag-muffled scream.

As suddenly as the battle had begun, it was over. The men fell to the ground and, during the scuffle, the knife was shoved forcefully into Black Hawk’s chest.

With revulsion, Travis tossed the dead warrior aside and did not even glance at him. He went to Wild Wind and, drawing his own knife, cut her bonds. Before she could throw herself into his arms and thank him, he reached for the blanket and flung it at her, saying, “Cover yourself and return to camp. You should not place yourself in such peril. He was blinded by you. No
man takes what is mine and lives to enjoy it.” He whirled then and left, heading in the direction of the settlement.

Wild Wind stared at his rapidly retreating back. He was in a great hurry. His face, which was dirty and sweaty, had not been shaven for many suns. His clothes were dusty and his hair tousled. She saw that he walked like a man consumed by fiery rage, one seeking some challenging prey to conquer and burn beyond life or recognition. Surely he did not blame her for Black Hawk’s actions! She had done nothing wrong. On unsteady legs, she stood and tried to wrap the cover around her trembling body. It slipped from her grasp, and she cursed it and her weakness. Her reaction filled her with anger, and the anger instilled control.

She rushed past Black Hawk’s body without looking at him. Seizing her garments, she yanked them on. Then, grabbing her other possessions, she hurried toward camp. She had to discover the truth, or the peril awaiting him.

Travis entered the camp, and with unsuppressed relief, noticed the wagon standing near the ceremonial lodge. He strode in that direction, scolding himself for cutting it too close for Nathan’s and Wild Wind’s safety. Lordy, he was too fatigued and worried to think straight! Wild Wind should not have been at the river alone; she was too trusting and tempting! She had this way of causing a man to lose his wits and his control. If he hadn’t rushed off, he would have pulled that naked body into his arms and taken her in pure animal heat, right beside his dead enemy! She did crazy things to him, and he was in no shape to resist her.

The shouting of his name called Lone Wolf’s attention to Travis’s arrival. The chief smiled at him, then wondered at his stormy mood. Nathan, who was examining the guns, turned and saw Travis approaching them. Nathan winced, for he knew Travis’s look and walk
meant trouble.

Travis greeted his friend with a bear hug and a forced smile. “Have they been treating you right, Nate?” he inquired needlessly as his keen gaze examined the older man’s face and body.

“We did not expect White Eagle this moon. Buffalo Slayer told us you rode after the treacherous white dog,” Lone Wolf remarked.

“I found the bastard and killed him,” Travis informed the warrior as he withdrew a scalp lock from his pocket and handed it to him. “Put that on your
coup
stick for all to see what happens to those who trick or betray the Oglalas.” He did not say how easy it had been to locate and battle Claude Chambers and his two hirelings, all of whom had been camped and getting drunk on whiskey purchased with his stolen money. He had ridden like a devil-pursued man to pay the new trading post owner, who had not concealed his astonishment at Travis’s honesty. Then he had ridden like mad to make sure he arrived before this sun set, just in case the wagon was late. In five days, he had covered many miles, and most without food or sleep. “I rode like the storm clouds to make sure Lone Wolf did not make another mistake. You see I am a man of honor and truth,” he stated coldly, pointing to the wagon and then flicking the small section of hair into the chief’s grasp. “Not so, a warrior named Black Hawk. He lies dead near the river for trying to rape my wife.” To avoid causing Nathan any further distress, Travis spoke in Lakota. After finishing his account, he ordered himself to calm down, for the dangers to Nathan and Wild Wind were past. He only wanted to get out of this territory before any Hunkpapa warriors passed this way and remembered him. Damn, he swore silently, feeling utterly fatigued, his nerves taut.

Nathan caught his arm and asked worriedly, “Son, you all right?”

“I will be as soon as we’re heading home. I was in a little bit of a rush, so I haven’t eaten or slept for days. I had forgotten why I left this bloodthirsty land. Seems I’ve regained some bad traits, which you’ll just have to correct again,” he stated jokingly to relax the man.