White Wind (18 page)

Sarah groaned as the horse plodded uphill, winding its way slowly around trees and boulders. She’d never been so humiliated, so badly treated, in all her young life. Her stomach ached from the jarring motion of the horse, her arms dangling over her head were numb and her head pounded. In a word, she was miserable.

Breaking her vow not to plead for mercy, Sarah raised her head. Straining and twisting to see Golden Eagle, she tried to reason with him. “Please, Golden Eagle, let me up. I promise to sit quietly.”

Golden Eagle looked down into her pleading eyes, his impassive to her misery. “No. You had your chance, were warned. Now you must suffer the consequences.”

Using her hands against the side of the horse for leverage, Sarah jerked up as far as she could and threw him a venomous look. “You’re a savage animal, mean and heartless. Do you hear me?” she stormed, trying to kick away hand. “Just you wait, you’ll be sorr—”

“You are in no position to make threats, my stubborn wildcat. Be still and sheathe your claws or you will fall on your hard head.”

A short time later Golden Eagle drew to a halt. Dismounting, he reached up and pulled Sarah down, letting her land in a heap at his feet.

Sarah groaned, her head spinning dizzily as the world righted itself. Prickly sensations in her arms told her the numbness had left her limbs as the blood flowed. She was thankful to be off the horse. Opening her eyes, she silently watched as the animal was unloaded and hobbled nearby to graze and rest.

She sat, uncaring, as Golden Eagle disappeared behind some thick bushes. With a satisfied expression, he returned and gathered the load that had been lashed to the back of his horse. Again he went behind the concealing bushes. Upon his reappearance, Golden Eagle reached down and scooped Sarah up into his strong arms.

“Put me down, I can walk,” Sarah demanded.

Stopping in front of the bushes, Golden Eagle looked into eyes that still blazed with anger. Shaking his head wearily, he commented, “Will you not learn, little one? Perhaps I should toss you over my shoulder again, or drag you by your arms, or hair, as a true savage would.”

Sarah lowered her eyes, seething. She knew she was pushing all limits, but she could not seem to stop herself.

Behind the bushes, they came to a dark opening. Sarah could see nothing but a large black void. Entering the darkness, Sarah involuntarily clutched Golden Eagle around the neck, burying her head against his shoulders.

She heard his chuckle, but the darkness had swallowed him as well as everything else. They were in a cave, a large one with a long winding tunnel. Ahead—at least she thought it was ahead—she could see a faint light dispersing the darkness somewhat.

Rounding a slight bend, Golden Eagle stopped. Looking around, Sarah saw they were indeed inside a large cavern. Her eyes lifted to follow the trail of dust particles floating upward. Through a small hole high up in the top, fading daylight filtered in, which displaced the total blackness in this part of the cavern and left the small enclosure bathed softly in shadowy light.

Sarah examined the cave. The air was musky and cold, but at least it was dry and free from animals—with exception of one, Sarah thought crossly to herself.

Striding toward the back wall, Golden Eagle deposited his armful onto the pallet he’d already laid out. His look cautioned she’d better stay put.

As she watched, he disappeared into the murky tunnel. He soon returned with an armload of small twigs and branches, which he arranged in the center of the cave, directly under the small opening overhead.

With a small fire to ward off the chill, he turned to Sarah, sitting forlornly on his pallet. “Now we talk. We stay here as long as it takes for you to listen.”

Hugging her arms to her body, not only against the cave’s coolness but what he would say, Sarah leaned wearily against me cold wails. “What is there to say? You did not tell me that you were to be married. You led me to believe…” Sarah stopped, unable to confess that she’d thought he loved her.

Golden Eagle kneeled in front of Sarah and placed his hands upon her shivering shoulders. Forcing her to meet his honest, searching gaze, he spoke. “I love you, White Wind. I love you as I love no other. And I know that you love me. We are meant to be. I have told you that. We will remain here until I can convince you of this. You do not understand our ways, but you must understand that I speak the truth when I say I want and need only you.”

Looking into his serious love-filled gaze, Sarah felt hysteria build as she cried out, “Why are you doing this to me?”

She swallowed hard, drew her knees to her chest and struggled to contain the deep hurt that threatened to spill out. He must not see. She had to control her anger.

“What you say is not true,” she told him. “We both know that soon you will marry. She will share your tipi, cook your meals and bear you sons.” She waved him to silence.

“I don’t belong here, Golden Eagle. I want to go home.” Sarah choked, forcing down the awful urge to throw herself in his arms, desperate to keep herself from begging him to love her as she loved him.

She raised her head bravely as she pushed the heavy lies from her lips. “I don’t want you anymore and I don’t want you to ever touch me again. And I don’t want your false declarations of love.”

“No, my sweet one. You want me. You want my touch. Your mind can deceive you, but not your body. You love me.” Golden Eagle finished with a grim smile.

Sarah glared at him in frustration. Her arms tightened around her knees, knuckles turning white. There was no way she’d admit the truth to him, admit that all it took was a look and she would melt. She steeled her heart. Giving in now would only let her in for more heartache later.

“I hate what you’ve done to me, Golden Eagle. You have not told me the truth. I had to hear it from someone else.” That bitter thought made her next words easier. “I don’t want anything more to do with you, Golden Eagle. I especially don’t want your lovemaking. Save that for your wife.” Her cold controlled voice formed a barrier between them.

Golden Eagle straightened, clenched his jaw in frustration and moved toward Sarah. Slipping a hand behind her neck, he took her mouth in a bruising kiss, demanding a response.

Sarah willed her body not to respond. She would prove to him his kisses meant nothing to her anymore, that he’d killed all feeling with his betrayal.

Unfortunately, her body did not feel the same way as her mind. As his kiss gentled, fire began to flow in her veins, thawing the coldness she sought to retain. Her dress came off with one swoop and she felt herself lowered.

Her wall of resistance slowly started to crumble. “Please, Golden Eagle, don’t do this,” she whispered. Her body trembled, ached and any minute now would betray her. She couldn’t bear that, couldn’t bear his smile of triumph.

Lifting his head, Golden Eagle stared into eyes smoky-blue with desire. “Admit that you want my touch. That you enjoy my kisses. That you need me as much as I need you.”

Sarah turned her head. She could not bring herself to say the words aloud. She’d lost. There was no way for her to win. He could so easily prove her words of denial for the lies that they would be.

Golden Eagle shook his head at the obstinate girl, and moved over her, lips leaving feather-light kisses along her contours with tantalizing tenderness.

Moving her head side to side as his lips latched on to her peaked nipples, Sarah moaned and helplessly thrust her firm flesh into his mouth, silently begging for more. Her body betrayed her after all. Quivers of desire surged from head to toe, but she’d not betray herself by saying the words he wanted. Moving her hands to his shoulders, she squirmed beneath his weight.

“Your body gives me my answer, little one. But I will hear the words from your lips.” He whispered into her ear, one hand into his, drawing each finger, one by one, moist lips to suckle. His other hand lightly caressed the rosy tips of her breasts, before moving downward, blazing a heated path across her ribs. His lips and tongue followed the downward trail, stopping to explore her navel, dipping in, swirling in and around the small crater before leaving lingering kisses on the softness of her belly.

Sarah was on fire. Her muscles contracted fiercely, painfully. Her lips rose silently, begging for relief as only he could give her.

She whimpered as he parted her legs, his lips and tongue tasting and nibbling on the softness of her sensitive inner thighs. Anticipating the hardness of his throbbing manhood, Sarah tried to pull him to her, her hips moving in an unmistakable invitation.

Her eyes flew open as the warm wetness of his mouth and tongue found her hidden folds, her hips jerking in response to his explorations.

She lifted her head, and her hands reached out to his dark head buried among her curly blond nether-hairs. “No, Golden Eagle, not there,” she protested weakly, dropping back to the soft fur beneath her as incredible waves of pleasure assailed her when his tongue found and stroked her hidden jewel.

He lifted his head momentarily, and his voice washed over her, warm, husky and thick with desire. “Yes, my love. Here. Like this.”

Moaning softly at the wondrous sensations his tongue aroused, she felt shivers of racing desire take hold. Her hips arched wildly, lifting for more, seeking the fulfillment that only her golden warrior could give her.

Golden Eagle’s breathing grew ragged, out of control, as his tongue and lips explored and tasted every hidden crevice.

Whispery mews of pleasure, harsh moans of throbbing desire filled the dimly lit cavern. Voices twined, whispering, begging, pleading, as cries of desperate need swirled around the lovers, bathing them in a pool of drugging passion.

Golden Eagle lifted glazed eyes and moved into Sarah’s outstretched arms as he removed his hindering piece of clothing. Holding her head between his hands, he looked into her smoldering blue eyes.

“Tell me, sweet Sarah. Tell me that you want me. Tell me you want my touch,” he hoarsely commanded as he rocked his hips forward, rubbing his throbbing hardness against her heated softness.

Stalling, Sarah begged, “Please, Golden Eagle. Please love me.” Desperately, she thrust her hips forward, trying to capture him in her velvety sheath.

“Tell me!”

With a ragged sob, Sarah burst out, “Yes! Oh, yes. I want you, I need you. Please love me.”

Lifting her hips with both hands, poised at her entrance, Golden Eagle whispered, “Do you really hate me?”

Looking into his serious gaze, Sarah groaned. She reached up to trace his full lips with shaking fingers. “No, my golden warrior, I don’t hate you. For to hate you would be to hate a part of myself.”

The truth was there, on her face, burning brightly from passion-filled eyes though she hadn’t said the words. They both knew he could force the words from her. “I’ll not force you to tell me of your love. It is here, in your eyes when you look at me.” Golden Eagle kissed each lid. “Here in your body that trembles for mine. Soon, you will hold nothing back from this warrior.”

Threading his fingers with hers, he took her lips urgently as he thrust deeply, fiercely into her. Savage need ruled as they rode the storm of their mutual passion.

It was late. The chill of the darkened cave woke Golden Eagle. Rising, he stretched his arms overhead, unaware of the play of muscles rippling across his back as he worked out the kinks.

In the faint shadows, he found the small pile of wood and gathered an armful. Soon he had the dying embers licking eagerly at the new fuel as the fire roared to life. The warmth quickly warded off the growing chill and the dancing flames dispelled the gloom, replacing it with the cheerful oranges, reds and yellows.

Pleased with the results of the crackling fire, Golden Eagle walked over to his pile of supplies. He lifted a wrapped bundle and unrolled a pouch of dried meat and fruit. He gathered a small portion and grabbed the water pouch before straightening. As an afterthought, he knelt and reached into another pouch and retrieved an object before returning to the pallet.

Setting the food aside, he reached down, trailing a finger along Sarah’s velvety cheek, coaxing her to wake. As he watched, Sarah yawned and stretched her supple young body.

Golden Eagle smiled indulgently as Sarah curled back up, trying to regain some warmth. He pulled her to a sitting position in front of him, closer to the warm crackling fire.

Sarah leaned into his solid warmth and let her head fall to rest against Golden Eagle’s shoulder. His arms wrapped around her, embracing her with his warmth. Her
eyes closed as she yawned again and sniffed the smoky spiciness of the air. Fire and their presence had long since dispelled the damp, musky smell. Sarah sighed with contentment.

Golden Eagle pulled Sarah tight against his chest and leaned down to rub his cheek against hers. “We must talk, White Wind.” He tipped her head back and gazed into her eyes. “You are mine. You belong to me, just as I belong to you. You must see that you were sent to be my soul mate, my life’s helpmate. I cannot let you go. I ask that you agree to stay with me. No fighting. No running away.”

Sarah stiffened, and turned back to stare at the yellow-orange flames. “I don’t want to fight you or myself, but I’m afraid of the future.” She closed her eyes against the tears welling there. “It won’t work, Golden Eagle. It can’t work,” Sarah whispered hoarsely.

“It will work. I promise all will work out. The Great Spirit has chosen you for my life’s mate. He will reveal this to my father and Chief White Cloud. My mother has already seen this. Her gift is greatly valued among my people. We must be patient,” Golden Eagle reassured her.

Securely nestled against him, Sarah leaned her head back into the crook of his neck, her hands resting on his brawny arms as they held her tightly. Letting out a shaky sigh, she spoke softly. “I wish to believe this, my golden warrior. You know me well. I cannot refuse you, or fight you any longer. I’ll stay for as long as I am allowed.”

Golden Eagle’s sigh of relief warmed her cheek. Taking a deep breath, she added, “I have one condition to ask of you.”