The Alchemy of Desire (25 page)

“Holy shit,” Cager whispered beside her. “You weren’t lying, were you, Oni?”

Diah’s arm went slack and she wriggled free to watch the woman below. The soldiers scrambled to the edge of the rocks beside them. None of them said a word.

“Lower your eyes and show her some respect, gentlemen,” she whispered.

The Ptesan Wi strolled across the deserted plains to the three piles of bones surrounded by the remnants of the blue army uniforms. She stared at them for a moment and, with a wave of her hand, the piles disintegrated into dust and blew away with the wind. She left behind no evidence of Hinkle and the two soldiers who shot her. After the last fragments of her murderers had been carried away, she turned her gaze toward them.

Oni cast her eyes down, not wanting to see the wrath in the holy woman’s face. But when nothing happened, she glanced up and saw the slight smile that played on the Ptesan Wi’s lips.

“Hecheto welo. Nahan rei ni wayon heon,”
the White Buffalo Calf Woman said loudly enough for them to hear.

“What did she say?” Sergeant Stiles asked.

“All is well. I am still alive,” Oni replied.

The Ptesan Wi then dropped to the ground and a cloud of dust surrounded her. When it cleared, she had changed back into the White Buffalo. She turned and wandered deeper into the shadows of the hills.

Cager rubbed his eyes as if waking from a dream. “I don’t believe this shit.”

“That doesn’t make it less real.” Diah held Oni’s hand as they watched the White Buffalo disappear.

“Sir, what are we going to say happened to Colonel Hinkle?” one of the soldiers asked. “Because no one is going to believe this.”

One corner of the sergeant’s mouth rose. “We tell them the truth. Colonel Hinkle and Privates Green and O’Leary were killed by a buffalo stampede.” He turned to the men. “There was nothing left of them to bring back.”

Diah grinned. “That account sounds close enough to me.”

“I think we had better gather the rest of the men and make camp for the night.” Sergeant Stiles tipped his hat to them. “Good evening, ma’am, gentlemen.” He waved his arm and the four other soldiers followed him down the hill into the cove.

Oni rolled over onto her back, and the first snowflake hit her nose. Giddiness filled her as if she’d just drunk several glasses of her uncle’s moonshine. They had witnessed the return of the White Buffalo and they were still alive to tell the story.

Cager threw his wand down in disgust. “Well, since we can’t kill the White Buffalo, how are we supposed to get that damn pelt now?”

The snow started falling heavier and Diah pulled her closer. As he kissed her forehead, she realized there were things in life far more precious than money and sacred objects. “Don’t worry, Cager. I’m sure we can figure out something.”

“Like what, Oni? Lamont wants that pelt.”

She laughed and brushed the snow off Diah’s arm. “Remember, I’m a Trickster at heart, and I think I have an idea that might work. But I’ll tell you about it in the morning.”

“I agree. Let’s set up the tepee and get out of this weather.” Diah stood and helped her to her feet. “This should be interesting, climbing down that hill in the dark.”

“Not when you have a Wielder.” She pulled out her dagger and the veins of orichalcum glowed brighter than a normal lantern as she guided her magic through it.

The light flickered when he cupped her cheeks and kissed her in a way that made her toes curl. “Thank you, Oni.”

“For what?”

“For saving us. If we had been the ones who shot it, we’d be dust now.” He took her empty hand and led her to back to the horses.

She decided not to mention that she would have pulled the trigger before him and carried the curse alone. She could always tell him later. Right now, all she wanted to do was cuddle under the warm skins next to him.

The cry of the falcon rang out from the trees. She turned to see a white bird flying through the snow. Chaytonska would report tonight’s events to the tribe and they would know the White Buffalo had returned.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Fort Pierre
Three weeks later

A warm beam of sunlight bathed Oni’s face as she stared at clear blue sky through the window of the inn.
Perfect weather for traveling
, she thought glumly.

The riverboat taking Diah and Cager back home to Mississippi was leaving today and neither had invited her to come with them. She wasn’t surprised. They were
wasichu
and
,
even though Diah loved her, she knew how things worked in his world. She didn’t expect him to make an effort to invite her into it, just like she knew it was selfish of her to want him to abandon his family for her.

Her heart grew heavy as she thought about it. The longer she stayed near him, the harder it would be to say goodbye. She needed to get out of here now.

Jim came in and sat across the table from her with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. “Good morning, Little Trickster. How are you this morning?”

“Morning, Jim.” She sank into a chair and accepted the cup of coffee that was offered to her. “So-so.”

Jim nodded. “I figured as much. If I were you, I’d get on that boat and follow him.”

“But he didn’t ask me to. I’m not going to follow him like a homeless dog. Besides, I knew this day would come.” She shrugged. “Why should he be any different from any other
wasichu?
”

“Because Diah is different and you know it. I have half a mind to go upstairs with my shotgun right now and talk some sense into him.”

She grabbed his arm. “Don’t, Jim. It’s his choice, just like it’s mine.” She held his gaze until he nodded.

“I was just hoping you two could be happy together.”

“We were, while it lasted.” She took a sip of her coffee and frowned. It was colder than she liked. “It’s still all right if I stay with you this winter?”

“Of course, Oni.”

She drained the cup and nibbled at the food the innkeeper set in front of her when he refilled her coffee. “You have most of your supplies loaded up?”

“Yep. I was going to wait and see the boys off before I leave town, though. I’ve grown kinda fond of them, though now I’m trying to figure out why.” He scratched his new beard. “It’s going to take me two days to get back to the dugout with the wagon anyways.”

She pushed her plate away. What little bit of food she managed to eat sat in her stomach like a brick. “I think I should head up to the dugout today and make sure it’s warm and cozy when you get in tomorrow. Tell them goodbye for me.”

“I didn’t miss that sarcasm, Little Trickster. I know the real reason you’re itching to hit the road. You don’t want to see him leave.”

“It would be too hard, Jim.” She patted him on the shoulder and made sure to keep her back ramrod straight as she left the boardinghouse. She refused to cave in now. Just because she was sobbing inside, her body didn’t need to show it. She was stronger than that.

The low whistle of the riverboat woke Diah and he bolted up in bed. The covers had been ripped off the mattress, but that was the only evidence left to prove Oni had been there. He reached for his clothes and pulled them on as fast as he could while the boat sounded its whistle again.

He grabbed his pack and ran downstairs. Cager stood outside the boardinghouse, immersed in conversation with Jim. Diah fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. “Boat here yet?”

“Just pulling in now. Glad you decided to wake up in time to join us, little brother. I was just about to head up there to get you.”

“Oni was supposed to wake me.”

“I haven’t seen her this morning.”

Jim looked away and Diah frowned. The old man knew something he wasn’t telling them.

Cager lifted a bulky, carefully wrapped bundle. “Do you think this is going to work?”

“I don’t know why not,” Jim replied. “Diah bleached it until it’s as white as snow, and you and Oni cast enough spells on it to make it seem magical. It should fool this Lamont character long enough to get your money and get him off your tail.”

“I certainly hope so. I have to admit, Oni had a good idea.” Cager hoisted the fake white-buffalo pelt over his shoulder. “I’m going to head down to the dock. You coming?”

“Just a minute. I want to find Oni.”

Jim cleared his throat. “She left about half an hour ago, son. Said for me to give her goodbyes.”

“What do you mean, she left?” Diah’s heart sank into his stomach.

“Couldn’t bear to see you go, so she thought it better to leave before the boat got here.”

Cager dropped the bundle. “You mean you didn’t ask her, Diah?”

He shook his head. Ice water ran through his veins and he wondered if he’d ever feel warm again.

“Of all the big idiots out there, you’re probably the worst. You’ve had plenty of time to ask her. Or were you too busy fucking her to remember to do that?”

“Watch your language, Cager. That’s my niece you’re talking about.” Jim turned to Diah. “What were you going to ask her?”

He stared out the main gate at the river. “Which way did she go, Jim?”

Her uncle crossed his arms. “And why should I tell you?”

“Because if I can’t find her and bring her back before the boat leaves, you’re going to have me for a guest all winter.”

Jim laughed. “I don’t know if I can handle the both of you, especially after hearing all that ruckus y’all made last night. She’s gone up to the dugout. If you push your horse, you should be able to catch her in time.”

“Thanks, Jim.” Diah ran to the stable and ignored Charley’s protests while he threw a saddle on his horse and tightened the buckles as fast as he could. He would deal with the stable owner when he got back.

Cager came in as he mounted. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? She’s made her choice and it’s probably for the best.”

“You’re wrong.” He jerked the horse’s head around to the door. “I can’t leave without her, Cager, and I’m not going to let her slip away without at least trying to convince her to come with me. Try to hold the boat as long as you can.” His horse tore through the fort and out into the open prairie.

Oni’s horse plodded over the slush-covered hills, but her numb body ignored the cold wind.
What a strange reversal
.
I was so happy this morning lying in Diah’s arms and now I feel like I’ll never know joy again.
Sometimes she wondered if it would have been better if the curse of the White Buffalo had consumed her, so she wouldn’t have to deal with this heartache.

A set of hooves thundered behind her, growing louder as the rider approached. She looked over her shoulder and saw Diah racing towards her. There was no mistaking his bright red hair.

“Oni, wait up,” he shouted. He jerked the reins so hard that when he came beside her, his horse almost threw him from the saddle. “I’m so glad I found you.”

“You’re going to miss your boat, Diah.”

“I—” He looked away and tried to catch his breath. “I wanted to ask you something before I left.”

“What?”

Impatience welled up inside her. Was he trying to torture her down the last possible second?

“Oni, what are you going to do over the winter?”

“Fend for myself, like I always do.” She kicked her horse forward, but he grasped her reins.

“Is that what you want to do?”

“What I want and what I have to do are two separate things. Now let go of my horse so you can make your boat before it leaves and I can make it back to Jim’s before dark.” She yanked on the leather straps in his hands, but they didn’t budge.

“No, please give me a chance… Shit, I don’t know how to say this.”

“Then don’t say it.”

Pain flickered across his face and she hoped he felt just a fraction of the agony that ripped her body right now.

“You’re probably trying to tell me goodbye, that you enjoyed our moments together, but you’re going home now. And you’ll probably add something like you’ll never forget me, to make me feel better about you leaving. But in all honesty, I left the fort early for a reason. I didn’t want to end things like this.”

His brows knitted together. “No, Oni, that’s not what I was going to say, but if that’s the way you feel…”

Her hands clenched. “Then say what you wanted to say and get back to the river.”

When he looked at her with those sad blue eyes, her heart wrenched.
Damn it, why did I have to hurt him?
She was about to apologize when he said, “Do you love me?”

Her chin quivered and she wondered if she could answer him without bawling. She nodded.

“Then why are you running away from me?”

She took a deep breath and swallowed her grief. “I could ask you the same thing.”

He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up so it stood on end. “This is not what I was trying to say. How did we get off on this topic?”

Her fingers itched to smooth his hair out, but she resisted the urge. “I don’t know. You started it.”

“I’ve never done this kind of thing before, Oni, so just please let me get this out before you interrupt me again.” Sweat beaded on his forehead and his Adam’s apple bobbed in the middle of his throat.

What had him so nervous? Her mind immediately filled with the worst, but she found the courage to say, “Go ahead.”

“I was wondering if you would like to meet my mother. She’s a bit old-fashioned, of course. I would have to introduce you as—” his voice caught, and he inhaled and exhaled before finishing his sentence, “—as my wife.”

The horizon wobbled in front of her and Diah caught her elbow as she slid off her horse. Stars above, did she hear him right?

He jumped down from his saddle and held her in his arms. “Oni, are you going faint on me?”

She shook her head, although she still felt dizzy from the shock. “Are you sure you want to marry someone like me? What will people say?”

“I don’t give a damn what they say. If the people back in Mississippi have a problem with us, then we can make a life for ourselves out here.”

“But what about your mother and sister? Would you be willing to leave them alone?”

A small frown creased lines into his face for a second before he nodded. “Cager’s right—they can take care of themselves. You’ve shown me how capable a woman could be and they don’t need me as much I thought they did. Hannah has her debut in May and will probably be married soon and, from the looks of things, our neighbor wants to make Mom the next Mrs. Pembroke. It’s time I started living my own life.”

“But it’s your home.”

His arms tightened around her in an embrace so fierce, it took her breath away. “Anywhere is home, Oni, so long as you love me.”

She searched his face, wondering if their love would be enough to withstand the challenges ahead of them. Behind the fear and tension, she could see the love he felt for her in his expression. He knew what she was, both on the surface and hidden deep inside, and he still wanted to marry her. Perhaps he was being naively optimistic, but just by chasing her down, he’d proved he was willing to fight to keep her.

Her chest tightened as though her love for him threatened to make her heart burst. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. Heat rushed through her to the tips of her fingers and toes as his tongue coaxed hers into his mouth and danced around it. The wetness pooled between her legs, and she was tempted to throw him to the ground and make love to him right then and there.

When the kiss ended, he smiled and stroked her cheek. “So, it that a yes?”

She laughed and tears of joy streaked down her face. “Yes, Diah, I would like to meet your mother as your wife.”

He wiped the tears away. “Sorry. I guess I should’ve been a bit more to the point. We need to catch the boat first. We can stop in St. Louis and get married before we get back to Vicksburg, if that sounds good to you.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and her heart pounded. He loved her and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

“Yes, that sounds wonderful to me.” She pulled away and mounted her horse.

They raced back to the fort as fast as their horses could carry them. Jim ran forward to take their reins when they got to the dock. “Better hurry—they’re pulling in the gangplank now.”

Oni hugged her uncle. “We’re getting married.”

“Don’t you have that a bit reversed, son? Ain’t she supposed to meet your mamma before the wedding?”

Diah grabbed her hand and pulled her to the boat. “Maybe, but in the end, she’s going to be my wife and that’s all I care about.”

The paddle wheel churned the muddy water, and the gap between the railing and the shore widened. They ran and leaped for the boat. Diah made it easily, but only the tips of her toes caught the edge of the deck. She fell back, but two pairs of arms grabbed her and pulled her aboard.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” Cager said as he guided her away from the railing.

“Not too outraged to have me in the family?” Her first test to see how others would react to the news.

Cager’s eyes flickered between her and Diah. She could almost feel his hesitation echoing through the space around them. After a few tense seconds, he shook his head. “I don’t think anyone else will make my brother happy and that’s all the matters.”

She smiled at him. If Cager was willing to accept her into the family, then maybe things would be better than she expected.

He shook Diah’s hand. “You’re sure you want to settle down with one woman the rest of your life?”

Diah grinned. “Only if she’s one in a million.” He took Oni’s hand and kissed it. “I know I’ve found her. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I think we need to inspect our cabin.”

The lust in his eyes excited her and she wondered how much of the day they’d spend in bed. Even after last night, she still hungered for him.

“Just try and keep it down. You’re not married yet.”

Diah chuckled as he led her down the hall. “It’s just a matter of a few words,” he said over his shoulder.

When they came to their cabin, he picked her up in his arms and tossed her on the bed in a mad dash to remove his clothes.

She bit her bottom lip and grinned while she waited for him to do the same to hers. Once they were both naked, he crawled into bed and hovered over her. “Now, where did we leave off this morning?”