Destiny's Bride (19 page)

Chapter Seventeen

The wedding ended when Broken Feather raised both hands in the air, shook his spear and lifted his voice in a high-pitched vibrating yell. In response, the entire tribe erupted into a deafening combination of cheers and war whoops. Lone Eagle took Cecile’s hand and raised it so the crowd knew they were truly joined as one. This ceremony had been quite a contrast to her previous one with Walt. She wasn’t the same person who stood in her parents’ living room and took vows with another. Doubtful, she would ever be again, but today she was just as happy as then…maybe more so.

Lone Eagle lifted her onto her horse, and effortlessly mounted behind her. Amidst the crowd’s continued cheering, he directed the animal out of the arena and across the compound. The early evening air stung Cecile’s cheeks and the tip of her nose. She pulled the marriage blanket tighter, grateful for its added warmth.

They rode beyond the village, past the creek, and back into the recesses of the mountain to a secluded honeymoon lodge, far enough from the village to allow them complete privacy. The tepee was almost obscured from sight by a shroud of evergreens dotted with red winterberries.

Lone Eagle reined in the mare at the tepee entrance, slid to the ground and, reached up to help Cecile down. “Come, my wife. It is time to begin our married life.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

Inside, a fire burned brightly. Someone had been kind enough to get everything ready for their arrival. The wood crackled and hissed with growing warmth next to the marriage bed Lone Eagle and Cecile would share for the first time as husband and wife. He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, tugging on the drawstring at the neck of her dress. It immediately released and fell to the floor.

Her toes still tingling from his passionate kiss, she stepped from the heap of clothing, and stood naked before him. “Make love to me, Lone Eagle. Today and forever, I am your wife.”

The firelight reflected on her hair and danced in her green eyes. Her erect nipples revealed her building excitement, and Lone Eagle’s hardness fought to escape the confines of his loincloth. In a flash, he stepped back and bared his body to her.

Cecile scanned his appealing form…his well-formed biceps, his flat stomach, the sinewy muscles of his legs, and his tight behind—he was perfect.

They came together in a lingering kiss, their bodies meshing into one as Lone Eagle slowly lowered her onto the bed. While showering her face and neck with kisses, his hand moved deliberately over her breasts and slowly past her protruding stomach, searching for a point of entry. His hand came to rest at the junction of her thighs, where he spread her legs and inserted his finger. Skillfully, he manipulated her nub of pleasure until she undulated to his touch. Gently, he mounted her and teased her with his hardness.

Cecile moved her hips in a circular motion in response to him, wanting to take in every inch of his maleness.  Every time they made love, he did something new that brought her to a higher level of excitement. When she reached the point of orgasm, he plunged deeper, spewing his warmth inside her.

“Oh, Lone Eagle,” she whimpered. “Oh, oh, oh!”

They fell asleep as the glow of the morning sun invaded their honeymoon sanctuary.

***

With enough provisions, they had no need to leave the warmth and comfort of the lodge except to relieve nature’s call. Between lovemaking bouts, they talked endlessly.

“Growing up as an only child was sometimes very lonely for me. I never really went without anything I wanted, except a brother or sister. Now I have lots of them.” Cecile compared her previous life to her new one.

“That’s the Sioux way. Everyone helps out, and we are all family.”

They shared customs, celebrations, and spiritual beliefs, discovering the only real difference between them was the color of their skin.

“Lone Eagle, you do believe in God, don’t you?”

“Wakan Tanka, our grandfather spirit, has power without end. He created the animals, the sun, and the earth upon which we walk. I believe he allowed me to find you.”

Cecile found his sentiment touching. She’d spent a lot of time praying lately and it helped to know Lone Eagle believed, too. “I guess we both have something to thank our God for.”

***

One the third day, they awoke to another blanket of snow; this one heavier and deeper. Although the glorious time alone gave them the opportunity to truly know one another, the time came for the honeymoon to end.  Despite having to leave the serenity behind, Cecile would assume her position as an official member of the tribe for the first time.

Lone Eagle went for the horse, she straightened the rumpled bed of robes, bundled their belongings together, and doused the fire with the remaining water. The dying embers hissed and smoked in protest, and almost immediately, a chill crawled along the floor. Before leaving, she paused for a moment and took a last look around the dim interior, gathering the memories shared during the past few days. She braced herself and stepped outside.

Lone Eagle lifted her onto the mare. “I am sure you will have a big baby,” he chided her. “It is much harder to lift you than before. Or could it be you just have a larger appetite these days?”

Cecile jokingly puckered her face. “Well, my husband, it seems you have quite an appetite as well…although not always for food.”

Effortlessly, he hopped up behind her, playfully nuzzled her ear and patted her pregnant belly. “No matter how big you grow, I still find you very appealing.”

He urged the horse into a slow walk, and Cecile settled back against him and enjoyed the warmth of his body against her tired back. Her advancing pregnancy wore on her, and she appreciated the short ride home.

When they rode into camp, they were greeted by their friends. Cecile compared this homecoming to her first arrival and giggled. “It’s amazing how much more comfortable I feel coming to the village this time.”

The mare halted in front of her lodge and Lone Eagle helped her down. “From now on you will live alone no more. I will bring my things and this will be our home.”

Cecile stood with arms stretched above her head in an effort to get the kink out of her back and allow the baby room to move. She flashed a pleased smile. “That makes me very happy, my husband. Hurry home.”

With a kiss on her forehead, Lone Eagle handed her the clothing bundle. “I will return as soon as I put your mare with the other horses.”

Cecile stepped into the darkened confines expecting to see all the gifts Lone Eagle told her would await them. Instead, a putrid smell greeted her. Holding her breath and covering her nose, she fully opened the flap, allowing sunlight and fresh air inside. In the middle of the bed, lay what appeared to be a rotting animal carcass. What must have been the gifts were torn apart and strewn about the lodge. All her personal belongings had been ripped to shreds as well. The precious baby gifts she’d received before the wedding smoldered in the fire pit.

She collapsed into tears. Who could have done such a terrible thing, and why?

***

Lone Eagle heard sobbing coming from inside the lodge as he approached. He quickened his steps, his heart pounding in panic. His first thought was of the child… was it time for the birth?  “Green Eyes, are you okay?” He called out as he came closer.

He ducked inside, his eyes widening at what he saw. Everything was in total disarray, and a sickening odor assaulted his nose. He scanned the tepee for the source, but it was difficult in the dim light.

When he was satisfied Green Eyes was physically okay, he hurried to build a fire. The tepee lacked warmth, but he needed to see the carnage more clearly. Surely she didn’t destroy her own belongings. Only moments before, she was full of happiness and glad to be home. His mind spun with questions.

When the fire flickered to life, he knelt and took his new wife in his arms. “Green Eyes, what happened? Did you do this?”

“Why would I do this?” Her voice broke into sobs. “I loved these things. Who hates me this much?”

  He knew the answer immediately, and suspected Green Eyes knew, too.  Despite the warm homecoming they received, only one person would do something so horrible.

“Spotted Doe!” Lone Eagle yelled her name and stormed out of the lodge, his jaw tensed.

His strides across the compound quickened as his anger grew. How dare Spotted Doe destroy their homecoming and cause such sadness on this special day. Racing toward her tepee, he spied her returning from the stream, carrying a basket of laundry. He stopped directly in her path, arms folded across his chest.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Lone Eagle, it is nice to see you,” she purred.

He knocked the basket from her hands and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her. “I know you were in our lodge. I know you destroyed our gifts. Understand this, I will not tolerate anymore of this craziness. I am married to the woman I love, and you will accept this. I forbid you to come near Green Eyes or me, or you will suffer my wrath. Do you understand?”

Spotted Doe took hold of one of his hands and held it to her breast. “I know you don’t mean that. I can make you happier than the one with the fiery hair. Can you compare her pale skin to mine? Come, sample my love and decide who is best.”

Had she not heard a word he said? He jerked his hand away. “Listen well, Spotted Doe. I do not love you. I do not want you, and you will honor my words.”

Spotted Doe’s eyes narrowed, her lips quivered as she angrily picked up pieces of clothing and threw them back into her basket. “How dare you treat me like that,” she muttered. “You will regret this day.”

Despite her threat, Lone Eagle spun on his heel and strode away.

Chapter Eighteen

Cecile was much more composed and trying to clean up the mess when Lone Eagle returned. She had managed to salvage a few mendable things, but most were a total loss.

He gathered her into his arms and held her, stroking her hair. “Spotted Doe won’t bother us anymore. I told her she would be sorry if she came near you again. And please don’t be upset about your things. My mother and sister will help you repair or replace everything.”

Cecile found strength and solace in his arms. What had seemed so devastating before wasn’t all that important now. Even back when Lone Eagle’s life was in jeopardy, his thoughts were of her and her loss.  If he hadn’t insisted she leave her home with him, she risked dying alone from starvation or freezing in the winter’s cold. He even agreed to accept the baby of a man he never knew, not for his good, but for the sake of her and her child. 

She held him tightly. “I’m so glad you’re part of my life. What would happen to me without you?” As she looked up and smiled at him, the baby gave a hearty kick.

Lone Eagle stiffened and then laughed. “This child will surely be a fine, strong son. Or perhaps a daughter with a temper to rival the color of her mother’s hair.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips, and held her at arm’s length. “Do not tempt me now, woman, I have work to do!”

Scrunching his nose, he picked up the dead animal Cecile had thrown outside. “I’ll find a better place for this.”

She watched his lithe body cross the compound, feeling warm even in the cold air. Ducking back inside, she finished cleaning, trying to get everything back to normal. She threw some pungent herbs on the fire, and brought in fresh pine boughs to help rid the air of the smell, and then brought in fresh water and changed the bedding. Satisfied everything was in order, she decided to visit Rain Woman. Someone with a positive attitude was just what Cecile needed right now, and although the honeymoon had been thoroughly enjoyable, she did miss having her lessons.

Rain Woman’s greeting was warm.  Cecile shared what had happened while they were gone, and the grandmother didn’t act surprised.  “Spotted Doe sets her sights on something and doesn’t rest until she gets it.  You had best be watchful.” The elder’s warning sent a shiver through Cecile.

“Granddaughter, my best years have passed and someday soon I will join the spirit world.”  Her admission snagged Cecile’s attention. “You have a caring heart and would make a fine successor.”

“Rain Woman, please don’t talk about death. I need you in my life. You are going to live to take care of my grandchildren.  Besides, I know very little of roots and such.”

Rain Woman chortled. “I’m not so sure this old body wants to live that long. I have had a very full life and I would like to spend my remaining years teaching you about healing our people. If you are willing, I will speak to Lone Eagle.”

Cecile pondered the offer.  How flattering to be the one person among the entire tribe picked for such an honor. She smiled at the woman she’d come to love wholeheartedly. “Yes, Un`ci. If Lone Eagle agrees, I’ll gladly accept. Whether or not I take your place, learning is still a very good thing. You can teach me all you know, but I’ll hear no more talk of dying.”

Their steps crunched in the snow as they walked through the forest surrounding the village. Rain Woman cleared away a drift next to a tree trunk, searching for roots having medicinal value. Each time she found one, she held it up for Cecile to examine. “This is the root of calamus. When chewed, it helps ease a tooth pain. You will find most roots in the winter, but the herbs I use abound in the spring and summer. Horsemint is one that is good for many aches and pains, especially here.” She rubbed her stomach.