Sweet Savage Heart (15 page)

The quicker they left, the sooner she could learn the truth and be free of this farce, he mused dourly. Him, too, for his crazy feelings for her scared the hell out of him. Evidently he had misjudged her attraction to him, and that conclusion did not sit well. “Get your belongings and say your farewells, Wild Wind. We must leave,” he told her, unaware that his voice and gaze appeared chilly to her.

She looked up at him, her stare challenging and her chin held high. She did not like being forced to comply with a demand that would alter her entire life. She feared his magic and her impending return to the white world. He owned her, and he was being the man she did not like again! The least he could have done was ask her first, or warn her! She whispered angrily, “Do not give Wild Wind orders. You have not taken me from my lands and people yet. I only obey the council’s command to save my people and to punish my brother for selling me to a half-breed. I wished to join to Black Hawk or Rides-Like-Thunder; you have ruined all. Perhaps you will be sorry for forcing me to become your mate. Perhaps I will not fit in your white world.”

Travis concealed his anger as he grinned and nodded. Perhaps, thinking he would be gone soon, she had been having fun with him. Perhaps she had used him to make Black Hawk jealous. Either she did not like being forced to marry and leave or she had been using her wits and charms to get her way; in either case, she had lost.

“White Eagle has many bad traits. Perhaps trading is the only way White Eagle could obtain a mate,” she scoffed insultingly. Why wasn’t a man like him joined? she wondered silently. Because he was viewed as a “despicable half-breed"? Did he need a mate and feel she was a good choice because she was white and would not expose his Indian heritage?

“Wild Wind has many bad traits. Perhaps slyly trading
her to a stranger was the only way Lone Wolf could be free of her cutting tongue and wild ways,” he taunted devilishly. “Perhaps I can tame them before we reach home. Do not forget, your words and honor bind you to me. If you do forget, I will bind you with thongs or punish you.”

Without replying, she turned and, with great dignity, walked to her tepee. She was distracted as she collected her possessions and stuffed them into several
parfleches.

Myeerah entered the tepee and found her immersed in packing. “I wish you did not have to leave,” her lovely friend told her.

Wild Wind did not want to dampen her friend’s happy joining day or leave in such gloomy spirits. She would not give the other girls reason to pity or ridicule her. Her selfsacrifice must be carried out bravely and unselfishly, or at least appear so. She could not help but recall Lone Wolf’s words in the ceremonial lodge. Having been raised by Indians who were firm believers in and followers of visions and dreams, she felt this was the Great Spirit’s will, or His test of her courage and obedience. Perhaps some exciting challenge lay before her, even at the side of that mysterious and vexing male. Perhaps her separation from the Oglalas would not be forever. She smiled and artfully replied, “Do not worry, Myeerah. He is very handsome and brave. I must not show eagerness and joy at his trade, for his pride would grow too great. Wild Wind must force him to seek her heart gently and patiently. As the doe, I will dart and run and hide, and he must chase me. He will not tame the wild wind; she will tame a mighty eagle,” she teased. “White Eagle does me great honor to choose the sister of Lone Wolf and to offer so many trade goods. But you must tell no one of my secret.”

The girl was fooled, and delighted. “My heart is happy that he pleases my friend. His face is handsome and his
body virile. He is strong and cunning. If Lone Wolf did not cause fires in Myeerah, her eyes would settle on White Eagle,” she confessed with laughter.

“Be happy with my brother. One sun, Wild Wind will return to visit. I wish to find many children and great joy in this tepee.”

Myeerah left to retrieve a parting gift for her best friend and Wild Wind knelt on a buffalo mat as she continued her packing. Her back to the entrance, she allowed herself to become lost in deep thought. Her mind envisioned the evil white man of her nightmares and she murmured, “No white dog will ever harm me or own me.

Her thoughts drifted to Travis. She was nervous about leaving with him. He had not revealed her bad behavior of that first night. He had made her relax and talk freely. But still she wondered, Had he asked for her because she had rashly inflamed his body? Did he need a strong woman of courage, daring, and wits? A white woman to conceal his dark past? “I must not be afraid or bad,” she declared aloud as she completed her packing and shifted to sit on the buffalo mat to await her friend’s return.

Suddenly her line of vision was filled by the towering physique of her new husband, whose gaze seemed to encompass her. She failed to notice that he had closed the tepee flap to assure their privacy.

Travis came forward and hunkered down before her. His intention in visiting her had been to offer encouragement and to lessen her tension during this difficult period, but this was forgotten as he looked at her and drank in her stimulating presence. Unable to master his feelings and thoughts, he allowed his smoldering gaze to engulf her exquisite features, which set his body aflame with desire for her. It was obvious that he had trouble swallowing as he tried to clear his throat to speak to her. He was quivering with tightly leashed passion and
straining to keep himself under control. His respiration became shallow and rapid. All he could think for a time was, She’s my wife and I want her. He was sorry he had been rude and harsh, and he was determined to win her approval and help.

Wild Wind’s body and emotions reacted to his presence instantly. Her gaze fused with his and she was unable to think clearly. He seemed to dominate her entire world and all sights and sounds of other things were lost to her. Her tongue refused to speak and her body had the urge to fling itself into his arms. Her lips craved a melting against his and her mind begged to let her senses soar like his Indian name. She felt charged with anticipation and energy, yet held fast by weakness and apprehension. She felt bold and brave, yet hesitation and cowardice sneaked into her mind to prevent her from rising, walking to him, and surrendering eagerly to his allure. The drums had never beat more swiftly than her heart at this moment. She did not know what to say or do, or even if she could compel her body to obey her. She was flustered and enraptured, and her reaction annoyed her.

Slowly Travis’s body drifted forward until his knees touched the ground and brushed lightly against hers. His shaky hands slipped into her hair on either side of her head, and he looked deeply and longingly into her expressive gaze, which sent forth messages of a matching hunger. Nothing and no one, including himself, could have halted him from touching her and savoring her lips. He lowered his head and brought his mouth down to hers, evoking a shudder from each at the blissful contact. The kiss was tender and exploratory, but gradually it deepened to reveal mutual desire. Travis’s strong arms closed around her body and drew her up to lock her possessively within his embrace. His lips skillfully claimed hers and sent their senses spinning.

Wild Wind’s hands moved up his hard chest to ease
around his neck. Without hesitation or inhibition, she pressed her body against his in a manner that exposed her desire and announced her surrender. An August day could not have warmed her body more than his nearness and passion. She was trembling with feverishly awakened needs. At that moment, she wanted him urgently and was willing to yield without reservation, to follow him wherever he led. He was the only man to claim her heart, her love, her desire, her life, her all.

Abruptly Travis’s lips left hers and he pushed their bodies apart. Both were flushed and breathing heavily. She eyed him inquisitively and tried to reclaim her stirring place in his arms. Then she understood the reason for his withdrawal as Lone Wolf’s voice called out to him more sternly, “Come, White Eagle, we must complete our trade. This is not the time to begin your life with my sister.”

Travis glanced at her as if guilty of some misdeed. His embarrassment and dismay were obvious, and they cooled her ardor. He mastered his respiration, then replied, “I will join you soon, Lone Wolf.”

The chief did not enter the tepee or leave his position outside the closed flap. Lone Wolf’s sharp instincts and keen senses had absorbed enough to know he should separate them quickly; yet he was tempted to allow Travis and Wild Wind to make this joining a real marriage by sealing their vows with their passion and commitment. He decided it was too soon. “The sun passes swiftly, White Eagle. We must hurry.”

“I am coming,” Travis answered, then gently caressed her cheek and smiled apologetically. In a few more minutes she would have been his completely. He was shocked by the power of his attraction to her, but he knew she was also taken by him. “I must go. I came to tell you not to fear me or leaving your people. Prepare to ride, and I will come for you soon. Do not allow anger and
false pride to spoil your departure. We will speak later.” He paused. “Surely what has just passed between us proves that it is I, not Black Hawk, you crave.”

Wild Wind watched him rise and leave, closing the flap behind him. She wished her brother had not interrupted them, and she wondered if he and others had guessed what was happening inside this tepee. She blushed and tried to calm herself but found it difficult. His kisses and touches had created a fierce aching within her, an aching she knew only he could appease. There was a magic between them, and she was delighted by it. Now she was ready to leave with him. But then his last words echoed through her mind. Had he been trying to enchant and control her? Trying to ensnare her with her own feelings?

The wagon had been unloaded and Travis was opening the crates to show the warriors how to use the different weapons. “I’m glad this matter has been settled peacefully and quickly, Lone Wolf,” Travis remarked. Yet he was uncomfortable. He did not like the way his neck kept itching, a sure sign of trouble. He had not trusted Claude Chambers; it had been the reason he had ordered Nathan not to take his eyes from the crates for an instant. Travis knew that if Chambers had a hundred barrels of water, he could not trust the greedy man to share even a dipper of it with a dying man. A cold shiver ran over the Texan’s body as he realized his keen instincts and suspicions were about to be proven accurate.

Lone Wolf noticed the man’s reaction to the trade goods just before Travis declared in vivid rage, “That sorry bastard! He switched crates on us! These guns and ammunition are useless. I’ll kill the sneaky bastard.”

“What troubles you, White Eagle?” the young chief asked.

Travis explained the problem, knowing how the
deception would appear to the Oglalas. “We’ll have to go back to the trading post. This time, Chambers will reward us with more than our fair share.”

Black Hawk stepped forward and accused, “The white-dog lies. He seeks to trick us. He sets a trap for the Oglalas. He betrays us. I say kill him and the white-dog who waits nearby. The trade is no good. Seize him! I challenge for Wild Wind and his life.”

Lone Wolf stared at the furious Travis, who was glaring at his hostile warrior. “What trick is this, White Eagle?” he demanded.

Travis met the dark gaze and replied, “I swear on my life and honor that the white trader will pay for this black deed. I will go after the guns and prove White Eagle did not betray the Oglalas.”

“The white-dog has no honor or true words. He must die.”

“Black Hawk speaks in anger with a swift tongue,” he retorted. “The knives, blankets, and cornmeal are good. Many of the guns and bullets are good. I will return to the trading post to replace those that are bad. I will punish the white-eyes who tricked me. I must be allowed to prove my honor and words. Wild Wind is mine.”

“No!” Black Hawk declared thunderously. “You must die.” The warrior drew his knife and lunged at Travis. Buffalo Slayer and Two Ponies seized the warrior and restrained him until their chief spoke.

Prairie Dog rushed to Lone Wolf’s tepee and explained the dangerous situation to Wild Wind and Myeerah. The women hurried to where the argument was taking place. Wild Wind keenly and fearfully observed the confrontation. This man was her husband, she reflected, perhaps her destiny…

“Hear me, Lone Wolf,” Travis beseeched, “I did not lie or trick you. I demand the right to prove my innocence. I will ride to the trading post for more guns
and ammunition. I will punish the trader.”

Lone Wolf eyed the man critically, praying that Travis was speaking honestly and wanting to believe him, for he knew how much was at stake. “Buffalo Slayer, ride with Prairie Dog and Two Ponies and bring the other white man to our camp. We will hold White Eagle’s father friend and wife until he returns with more guns. If he does not return, I will slay the white man and Wild Wind will join to Black Hawk.”

A gasp of astonishment from the girl alerted the debating men to her presence. “Tell me what happens here, my brother,” she coaxed.

Lone Wolf explained Travis’s dilemma. Her gaze went to the man who was now her husband. Her probing eyes searched his face and observed his stance. No, she decided to herself, this man would not shame himself or risk the life of his friend by tricking her people. He was too clever to be unmasked this easily. It had to be a terrible mistake.

“If he has betrayed us, he must die,” her brother told her.

Black Hawk said with a sneer, “I will slay the half-breed for fooling you and shaming you, Wild Wind. He cares not for Wild Wind. He only desires a wild spirit to master. He seeks our shame and deaths. In five moons, he will be dead and you will join to me.”

Wild Wind was antagonized by the warrior’s words. She was not a fool or a prize! She walked to Travis and studied him, all too aware of what had occurred between them a short time before. She knew that if a man tricked you in one way, he would trick you in others. Surely he could not cause her heart to soar and her senses to cloud if he was evil and deceitful. “Do you lie, White Eagle?” she asked softly.