Bittersweet Ecstasy (57 page)

“Your father used the white men for his gain; but, when I tried, they tried to deceive me and use me. The fools are all dead. My people still speak of how Gray Eagle defeated my father in the death challenge for Shalee, then generously spared his life,” he sneered coldly. “All my life, all I have heard is Gray Eagle, Gray Eagle and his sons! Your father stole my bloodline. Brave Bear was not of the blood of Black Cloud. I needed Shalee, daughter of Black Cloud, to give me
power and protection; these were stolen from me!” he shouted.

When he did not speak again, Sun Cloud said, “Brave Bear was a good man, Silver Hawk, and a good chief. It did not matter if he was not the blood son of Black Cloud. He died bravely for his people. You shame him with your evil and greed. It was only right for my father to win Shalee, for they loved each other and had belonged to each other before your father knew her and wanted her. My father was a great man, the heart and spirit of all Indians. To destroy him nearly destroyed all. You betrayed your people; you betrayed all Indians. There is no place to run, Silver Hawk, for all know of your evil.”

“You will never be chief, Sun Cloud,” he asserted confidently.

“I am already chief, Silver Hawk. My brother’s wife has returned, and all know your vision was false, a lie. Bright Arrow has confessed his blindness and mistake, and he has voted me chief. I will join to Singing Wind and reunite the bloodlines of Brave Bear and Gray Eagle and the tribes of the Oglala and Blackfeet. It is Grandfather’s will; it is my destiny, and you cannot change it.”

Sun Cloud revealed his recent vision and the new treaty between the Indians and the whites, and vowed, “We will have peace, Silver Hawk, if only for a short time.”

“You will have nothing, Sun Cloud, for I will slay you!” he shouted, then started to charge the other warrior. His foot tangled in a strong vine, causing him to stumble. Unable to recover his balance, he fell, screaming, from the lofty rocks to his death.

Sun Cloud looked over the edge and realized he could not reach the body, which would be located and consumed by vultures, fulfilling his vision about birds
eating Silver Hawk’s heart and preventing him from finding eternal peace. His eyes lifted skyward and he murmured, “It is done, Great Spirit; it is over, Father.”

It was late afternoon and Sun Cloud was exhausted. He decided to make camp at the edge of the sacred hills, then head home in the morning. He longed to see his love, but he needed to refresh his mind and body before he began his journey home. He shot a rabbit, and while it was roasting, he stripped and entered the large creek beside his camp for the night. He sat down and splashed water on his face and over his sweaty body. He was so weary after traveling without sleep for two days, which came atop his nocturnal vigil at the fort. He rested his face in his wet hands. When he lifted it, Singing Wind was standing before him, naked and grinning.

“You must be very tired, my love, to allow a mere woman to sneak up on you,” she teased, dropping to her knees between his. Her gaze scanned his body for injuries and she was delighted to find none.

His hands gently seized her upper arms and drew her close to him. “What are you doing here, woman? How did you find me?”

“I have been trailing you since you left the others. You moved too swiftly for me to catch up. Soul-ofThunder found us after we escaped the fort and took us to your camp. I tried to wait there, but I could not. There are many things to tell you. Wahea has returned.”

“I know,” he murmured, happiness and excitement glowing in his dark eyes. “We will join when we return to my camp. All is good once more, my love, but Silver Hawk is dead,” he stated gravely.

“I know,” she replied, wishing she could feel more deeply for the death of her brother. “He was evil; it was his destiny. I saw his body. Was the battle terrible?” she
reluctantly inquired.

Sun Cloud related the episode, then said, “I am glad he did not have to die by my hand. I cannot recover his body to place it upon a death scaffold. He must face the Grandfather as he lived, violently.”

“He was wrong to hate you and to crave your Lifecircle. If father had lived…” She went silent.

“Silver Hawk would have shamed him and broken his heart, for a man’s destiny cannot be changed. When we reach my camp, I will send a message to your people and tell them all things.”

“Bright Arrow told your people we will join and you will become chief. He and Wahea looked so happy together.” She told him about his brother and Rebecca, and about the things which Rebecca had explained to her.

“All is as it should be. Bright Arrow’s heart and destiny have been returned to him. Soon we will join and I will be chief. Evil has been conquered and destroyed. For a time, our lands will know peace and happiness once more. Now my father’s spirit can rest.”

His hand brushed aside her long hair and he gazed into her eyes. “I searched for a way to rescue you from the fort, but my senses could find none. I planned to force the survivors of our attack to release you to me. When I met with Sturgis, he told me of your escape and of Wahea’s return. You were brave and cunning, my love. I knew you would be safe until I could claim you once more.”

Singing Wind related the truth about the incident in the blockhouse; and Sun Cloud smiled with pleasure, for he recognized the names of the two white men who had helped his love and his brother’s wife. After she told him what she had learned about Little Flower, a look of distress crossed his face; then he revealed what Silver Hawk had said before his death.

“Little Flower and Shining Feather are free of his evil; they can seek new mates and new happiness,” she remarked with relief. “And my people can find a new chief, one who is good.”

“After we join, I must ride to the fort to meet with Sturgis; then all will be settled. Our people can hunt the buffalo and enjoy a big feast.” He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes briefly.

Singing Wind’s gaze walked over his face and body, and she realized he was as exhausted as she was, and as elated. He was so strong and compelling, and she wanted to lose herself in his arms.

“How is my brother?” he asked, opening his sandy eyes.

“Bright Arrow’s wounds heal good. But we can speak of such things later,” she hinted, then began to lift water in her hands and to pour it over his shoulders as she rubbed them gently and lovingly.

Sun Cloud began to do the same with her, until the washings became caresses and their breathing grew shallow and swift. His fingertips moved back and forth over her parted lips, and she did the same. Their gazes were locked, and they leaned forward until their mouths did the same. As their kisses waxed urgent, her hands played as wildly in his hair as his did in hers.

He broke their contact to scoop her up in his arms and to carry her to his sleeping mat, which had been unrolled nearby. Their wet bodies stretched out on it and they clung passionately, knowing they were safe from all eyes and all foes. Their hands feverishly roamed and caressed, as if making certain the other was real.

Desires mounted rapidly and fatigue was forgotten, as was the slowly roasting rabbit. She lay on her back with one hand behind his neck to hold his mouth to hers while the other traveled up and down his muscular
back. His hand cupped a breast and softly kneaded it before allowing his fingers to massage the taut peak.

Snailishly his lips left hers and trailed sensuously down her neck to engulf the tiny bud and to pleasure it. As he shifted his body to permit room to tantalize the other one, she closed her eyes and sighed dreamily, her body alive and eager for the union which awaited them.

Sun Cloud’s right hand drifted over her sides, stroking her feather-soft skin. His hand entered the dark triangle between her thighs and he located the peak there which was taut and ready for his deft labors. He worked pervasively on her body until it was squirming with delight and hunger, and he was more than willing to comply when she urged him to enter her womanhood. He knelt between her legs, lifted them, and guided his shaft into the entreating darkness.

Their gazes fused once more as he entered and withdrew, this position allowing him to look at her tempting flesh and radiant face as he created blissful sensations at this contact and view. Their gazes drifted to where their bodies were united and both watched the beauty of it for a time. When she reached for him, needing to feel their flesh and lips against each other, he released her legs and gently came forward to lie upon her.

Singing Wind’s legs overlapped his and she matched his thrusting pattern. They kissed greedily and sought release from this rapturously tormenting siege upon their senses. Even though they craved this intoxicating attack and could allow it to continue forever, a victory was needed and desired. Their respirations increased and they joined swiftly. As if a flower bursting instantly and magically into full bloom, their releases came in glorious splendor. They plucked each petal and savored its beauty, continuing until love’s blossom was bare and they seemingly lay on a soft and tranquil bed
of its discarded petals.

They savored each other’s kisses and caresses until their trembling bodies and erratic breathing calmed. Sun Cloud leaned away and looked down into her dreamy gaze and flushed face, which exposed her contentment. His gaze shifted to her lips, which revealed how urgently she had worked for this moment of sweet ecstasy. Her body was relaxed and her oncetaut breasts were soft. She was so irresistible, but hadn’t he known that for years? He had been foolish to wait so long before admitting this truth and claiming it. But all things had their seasons, and this one belonged to them. She was his now, completely his, and forever. Such happiness loomed before them, and he was eager to capture it and to savor it.
“Micante petanl,”
he whispered as his mouth covered hers once more, for she was the fire in his heart.

Suddenly she sniffed the air and jerked her head toward the fire. She laughed merrily and retorted, “What you smell, my love, is the fire eating our rabbit.”

Sun Cloud glanced at the meat which was burned to a crisp. They had been so consumed with each other that they had lost all reality of their surroundings, even control of their keen senses. He began to chuckle. Their gazes met and they shared more laughter.

Sun Cloud went to remove the ruined meal from the holder which he had constructed from supple branches, as green wood was hard to set aflame. He tossed it away, scolding himself for such a waste of the Great Spirit’s creature.

He returned to kneel beside her and said, “I must hunt us more food, my love. We must eat and rest; our journey is long.”

Singing Wind sat up and snuggled against his stilldamp chest. She murmured provocatively, “You are all the food I need this sun and moon. We can feast upon
each other, then rest before our journey home.” Still nestled against his chest, she tilted her head to look up at him, to send him a seductive smile.

Sun Cloud’s heart seemed to catch in his throat as his senses engulfed her. He replied huskily, “You are the perfect match for me, Singing Wind. I am glad you chased me and captured me,” he teased.

“Since you are my prey, lie down so I can feed this hunger for you which never seems appeased for more than a short time.”

Laughing, he lifted her in his strong arms and carried her back to the creek. “First, we must wash our food; then, I will prepare it with the blaze which now burns within my body and my heart. I love you, Singing Wind; you belong in my Life-circle forever.”

“As you belong in mine. I told you I was destined to join the Oglala chief. Until all ceases, we shall live together as one. I love you, Sun Cloud; I love you.”

Their lips fused as they realized this was no longer stolen ecstasy, for it truly belonged to them, and always would.

Their journey home took several days, for they halted many times to play like happy children or to make love passionately. They did not want to worry others with a lengthy absence, but they needed to savor every moment of this special time together, for much work awaited them after they reached home.

Rebecca stood within the circle of Bright Arrow’s embrace as they looked at the large and colorfully decorated tepee in the center of camp, the one which all women had gathered about joyfully to construct for their new chief and his wife. The Oglala chiefs
feathered standard was placed in the ground beside the open flap, and many skilled warriors had painted the
coups
of Sun Cloud on the hides which formed his new tepee. Everyone was pleased with the results of his tasks and was eager for their new chief to see it, for the council had met yesterday and voted.

Members of the tribe and of other tribes had placed countless gifts inside the tepee, to reveal their joy at the impending union of the son of Gray Eagle and Shalee with the daughter of Brave Bear and Chela. A big feast was planned to celebrate the selection of their new chief and his joining. Food was being gathered and prepared. The music and dancing were planned. Berry wine was ready. The camp was clean, and the people waiting. It seemed as if everyone, no matter the age or sex, performed a task for these two happy occasions.

Rebecca shifted in her husband’s arms to meet his gaze. It had been over a week since his wound and injuries, and they were healing nicely and quickly. For days they had talked and laughed and made love. She had learned of Jeremy Comstock’s departure for St. Louis, along with James Murdock; she hoped Jeremy understood her feelings and forgave her for deceiving him. When she had visited Powchutu’s death scaffold, a curious glow had filled her, for she knew he had found lasting peace. The news had spread quickly about Sun Cloud’s successful strategy and the truce following it, yet she knew how deeply her love was disturbed by his misplaced trust in Silver Hawk.

“You must stop worrying about Sun Cloud. He will capture Silver Hawk and punish him. You did not see his evil, my love, but you were not alone. All trusted Silver Hawk and believed him. You must not be so hard on yourself. It was all a part of Grandfather’s plan.”

He smiled at her and nodded. “That is why I can
finally accept it. He is dead, for I can feel his evil missing. I have not known such peace and joy since before you were lost to me. So much has happened since the last full moon, but all is as it should be. I have my love; my lands are at peace; my father has been avenged; and I have my chief’s bonnet. See, I was not totally mistaken,” he jested.