White Wind (8 page)

Shrugging, Sarah looked down and drew circles in the dusty ground with the tip of her boot. “Don’t meet many eligible males out here. Usually only old men or soldiers. Haven’t found anyone I want to marry, I guess.”

Secretly pleased by her reply and not sure it should matter, Golden Eagle said, “Are you ready? We have far to go yet.”

Sarah nodded her head and headed for the horses, stopping to rub his horse’s sleek neck. “You have raised him well,” she said. “He has grown into a fine stallion.” Next, she greeted Black Lady. “Are you captive too, Lady?” The stallion kept the mare close beside him.

Standing behind her, Golden Eagle watched as long silky hair brushed her small round bottom tightly encased in her men’s breeches.

“He was a fine young colt,” he said. “He is the envy of all in my tribe. His name is Great Star and he has fathered many fine sons and daughters. It was a fine gift that young Sarah gave.”

Golden Eagle suddenly recalled the angry woman who had greeted Sarah’s return that day. “I hope you did not suffer great anger from your outing that day?” he inquired.

Turning around, Sarah smiled. “No worse than I deserved. I was very foolish. Pa was extremely angry with me. But he kept what happened that day our secret. Even Mary wasn’t told the whole truth of that day. Smuggling the colt out to the trees and explaining its disappearance the next day was not an easy task. But Pa was very grateful to you.”

Watching her face light up, her eyes sparkle with remembered joy and mischief, Golden Eagle resisted the urge to take her in his arms and kiss those full soft lips. This spell she wove with just a smile was madness.

Turning abruptly, he commanded, “Let’s go.”

Night was falling as Golden Eagle slowly picked his way down a steep ridge, leading Black Lady. Great Star had gone ahead, as if he knew the way.

Sarah continued to murmur encouragement to her mare, who if given the choice would turn and flee. Even Great Star snorted his brand of comfort as he stopped and watched their progress.

Reaching bottom, Sarah sighed with relief and found a boulder to sit on, her legs weak and wobbly from the steep downhill descent. “Golden Eagle, wait. Can’t we rest?” She was so tired. Golden Eagle had only made short stops for food and brief rest stops. She put her head on her knees and closed her eyes. The only sleep she’d gotten last night had been in Golden Eagle’s arms, cradled against his chest to keep from falling off the horse.

Golden Eagle turned slightly. “Not here. We do not have far to go, little one.” Groaning, Sarah pushed herself up stumbled after Golden Eagle.

A short time later, Golden Eagle stopped. Sarah, head down and concentrating on putting one foot before the other, careened into him.

Golden Eagle caught Sarah by the shoulders, steadying her. “Listen carefully. Remember that you are my captive and must obey me.” He held his hand up forestalling her arguments when Sarah started to object.

“You belong to Golden Eagle.” He pointed a finger to his chest to emphasize his words. “I have claimed you. Remember this. Keep your promise not to run off and you will keep your freedom, unlike most captives, who are kept in bonds. Do not wander from camp. If you disobey me in front of others, I will be forced to punish you to show my authority over you.”

There was no doubt in Sarah’s mind that he meant every word. All trace of humor had been replaced by proud arrogance. She swallowed her fear. Somehow, she’d not thought of herself as a captive. Yet that’s exactly what she was.

She turned her head to hide her rebellion and dismay. “I would not be so foolish as to wander or run off when I haven’t any idea where I am, nor will I cause you any embarrassment,” she replied tightly.

Tossing her mane of silvery hair, Sarah met his eyes squarely as she acknowledged her position. Golden Eagle might have physical control over her, but no one controlled her mind or her will.

Golden Eagle understood her defiant look. He hoped he would not be forced to break the feisty spirit he so admired.

“Remember this, my wild one, respect is important to my people. I must have their respect as their future leader. They also distrust whites. You must learn your place or be put there. This I do not think you’d enjoy. In front of others, you will obey me and show proper respect. When we are alone, you may say what you please.” Grinning, he added, “I have no doubt you will anyway.”

With that, Golden Eagle turned, motioning her to keep silent as he listened. Sarah only heard sounds of approaching nightfall as he cupped his hands and gave the call of the great night bird.

Watching the alert body in front of her, Sarah wrapped her arms around her body, and shivered when she realized he was waiting for a signal in return. That meant
there were others and she’d no longer be alone with him. Whether that was good or bad she didn’t know. She only knew how hungry and tired she was…and scared.

Startled out of her musings as his arm grasped hers and pulled her forward, Sarah realized she had missed the return signal, so expertly blended into the night sounds around them. Squaring her slender shoulders, she was determined not to let them know her fear.

Moments later, she peered into the blackness ahead. She could barely make out the dark shadowy shapes of several horses.

Nervously, she watched as one lone figure detached itself from the shadow of a tree and strode forward to meet them. Listening to the two warriors greet one another, she searched for others and found none. Frowning in confusion, she counted at least three horses hobbled beneath the tree.

Feeling hostile eyes upon her, she looked at the fierce painted warrior before her. Swallowing hard, she met his dark brooding gaze before quickly looking away. Wishing she could understand their conversation, Sarah took another look at the horses. They seemed familiar somehow.

“We eat and rest here,” Golden Eagle said, then led Great Star to the others, Black Lady following.

Golden Eagle joined Red Fox after seeing to the horses. Together they watched Sarah disappear into a clump of bushes. Golden Eagle saw the tensing of his friend. With a smile, he patted his friend on the back and headed toward the small fire. “Do not worry, my friend, she’ll not go far.”

Red Fox’s raised black brows seemed to question the confidence Golden Eagle displayed toward his captive.

Unpacking food, sleeping mat and water skin, Golden Eagle related all that had happened since they’d parted.

As Red Fox listened, Sarah returned and wandered over to the horses. He pointed and asked, “What does Golden Eagle plan for the white girl? She would bring you many fine offers. Do you plan to sell her?”

Standing, Golden Eagle met the calculating stare of Red Fox. Softly, a thread of steel running through his words, he warned, “She is not for sale, Red Fox. Not to you. Not to anyone.” With that, he strode off to fetch Sarah for the meal.

Sarah’s head turned as Golden Eagle approached. With firm steps she met him, hands on hips, and said loudly, “Two of those horses are mine. Has Golden Eagle taken to stealing?”

Golden Eagle grabbed her chin, eyes narrowed to slits. “The horses taken from you will be gifts to the family that lost their daughters at the hands of your guardian. Would you rather give your life for theirs? Would you rather I give you to replace the help those girls gave to their parents? A life of slavery that you would not survive?” He drew a deep breath, ignoring the guilt over the fear he instilled, knowing her life depended on how she was accepted by his people and how well she adapted to their ways.

“Nothing can replace Stands Tall’s daughters or ease his pain, but good horses are of much value to our people. They help make our work easier and will help take Stands Tall’s and his wife’s minds off their losses as they retrain them. Owning two fine-
blooded horses will give the family pride. Be warned, Sarah. Watch your sharp tongue or you will be punished.”

Sarah knew she deserved the tongue-lashing, and bent her head to stare at the ground. “I’m sorry, Golden Eagle. I was not thinking of others. I shouldn’t have said anything. The horses will make such a small gift compared to their losses. Pa always said my tongue would get me into trouble. You have every right to be angry with me…” She stammered, her voice breaking off.

Cupping her face with both hands, Golden Eagle gently raised her head and gazed into watery blue eyes. When he saw the hurt and confusion, as well as the emotional exhaustion that threatened to overtake the girl, his anger fled. “The day has been long. Come. Sit and eat. We rest for a short time.”

By the end of the third day of hard, grueling riding, the trio arrived at the base of the hills. Knowing Sarah had reached her limits, Golden Eagle stopped early for the night. Tomorrow they would reach his tribe. He knew where they would be even though they’d been separated many days.

After taking care of the horses, Red Fox left to hunt their evening meal while Golden Eagle led Sarah the short distance to water.

Sarah stood at the edge of the gentle flowing stream, the clear inviting water slowly turning inky as daylight faded.

Turning in frustration, Sarah sighed and tried one last time to reason with her newly appointed guardian. “Be reasonable, Golden Eagle. You can’t expect me to bathe with you standing here. I gave you my word that I wouldn’t leave. I won’t go far or stay in too long. Please…”

Golden Eagle leaned his back against the rough bark of a large tree near the edge of the stream. He leisurely scratched his back and folded his arms across his dusty chest. “Do you wish to clean yourself or not? We don’t have much time before Red Fox returns with our dinner.”

Sarah turned her back on Golden Eagle and looked over her shoulder. Her chin lifted as she coldly said, “The least you could do is turn your back if you do not have the decency to leave.” Her eyes dared him to refuse this small courtesy.

Golden Eagle turned his back on the suddenly shy white girl, shaking his head. Why the whites felt shame over their naked skin, he’d never understand. Only in the cold of winter did his people feel the need for much clothing to cover their bodies.

Hearing a quiet splash behind him, he turned, stretching his arms high above him before crossing his ankles and leaning back against the tree. His sharp eyes quickly spotted Sarah in the twilight.

He found himself mesmerized by the sight of her. Silvery hair turned to liquid gold as the strands flowed with the current of the water when she dipped her head back. The smooth softness of her throat lay exposed to the moon’s kiss. His eyes were drawn to the pale flesh of her back, gleaming in the moonlight, shiny and sleek from the water.

Golden Eagle’s hand lifted with the urge to reach out and stroke the soft silky flesh. He glanced down at his own dust-covered body and grinned. He quickly shed his breechclout and moccasins and silently sank into dark cold, swirling liquid.

Washing dust, bits of leaves and twigs from her long hair, Sarah was careful to keep her back toward the bank. Closing her eyes, she savored the moment alone, knowing she’d not be able to remain much longer. Already her teeth were starting to chatter with cold.

She wouldn’t put it past him to fetch her out if he thought she was taking too long. But the cold water felt so good to her worn and sore limbs. Every joint, muscle and bone in her body ached. She swore she’d never voluntarily mount another horse in her life.

Rising slightly after rinsing her hair, she straightened and opened her eyes.

A gasp of shocked outrage escaped when she saw Golden Eagle standing before her, eyes riveted on her bared breasts.

Cheeks flaming and her heart hammering against ribs, Sarah crossed her arms and sank into the concealing darkness below, the water lapping against her quivering chin.

Furious with herself for thinking she could trust him, Sarah clamped her chattering teeth together and turned without a word to flee to the safety of the bank and her waiting clothes.

She took no more than a step before she felt herself gently tugged back by strong fingers tangled in her flowing hair, a firm hand circling her slim waist, pulling her against his torso.

“Let me go, Golden Eagle,” Sarah shouted, trying to twist away and hide her nakedness from his soft gaze.

Golden Eagle drew the embarrassed and furious girl against his chest, flesh to flesh, softness to hardness. He cupped her face and forced her to meet his passion-filled eyes.

“You are beautiful, Sarah. Do not be ashamed.” Slowly and seductively, his gaze slid down to rest lingeringly on her parted lips. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised.

Sarah looked into his dark eyes filled with desire, and shivered, not from cold, as his head slowly lowered. Unsure of herself, she turned her head and unsuccessfully pushed against his warm, enveloping body.

“Please don’t,” she whispered, even as she felt herself melt against him.

Arms of steel held her prisoner, so male, so bracing, as one caressing hand settled in the small of her back. His breath fanned her cheeks as his lips hovered, as if not sure where to kiss her first.

Holding Sarah’s moon-bathed body tenderly, Golden Eagle lightly kissed the tip of her nose, her eyes, the small cleft in her chin. Slowly, he nibbled, stroked and tasted.

Sarah’s eyes closed, his warmth and nearness caused such trembling within that she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from sinking into the dark depths swirling around the two of them.

Golden Eagle continued his gentle teasing. First he planted tiny feather-soft kisses on the corners of her trembling lips. Then his tongue stroked the shape of her upper lip before moving to explore the feel of the lower. As his lips played over her, Sarah felt an urgency deep inside her.

A sudden need to be close drew her closer into his warm safe embrace. She needed more, wanted more than this light teasing. Her lips parted with a moan and she gladly succumbed to the domination of his lips.

Golden Eagle heard Sarah’s plea, and tipped her head back, his lips taking hers fully, his tongue stroking and probing as her lips parted in wonder.

Sarah clutched Golden Eagle tightly to her. Never had she dreamed a kiss, the simple meeting of lips, could be so arousing, so demanding. But what he was doing with his tongue made her giddy and close to fainting.

Frozen by the unexpected pleasure of his touch, Sarah allowed him to explore the inside of her mouth, savoring the feel of the roughness of his tongue twining with hers.

Lost in the sweet embrace, she forgot all else as Golden Eagle skimmed his fingers down her throat, leaving a downward trail of heated flesh before gently cupping and lifting one breast. Sarah sucked in her breath as he continued to caress and stroke, her flesh filling the palm of his hand.

She moaned as waves of pleasure surged through her, and her legs moved restlessly as her body began to vibrate with passion. The gentle flowing water lapped against her sensitive flesh, heightening an aching need that settled at the juncture of her thighs. Her bead lolled back, opening a small distance between them.

As Golden Eagle’s finger and thumb gently rolled one taut rosy bud, her back arched, hips thrusting forward to nestle in the cradle of his hips. The hand at the small of her back slid down to knead the flesh of her buttocks, pulling her against his pulsing flesh as they rocked together.

Her moans became his and his hers, blending as one. They gasped for air, each breath fast and shallow. Caresses became frantic and the cold long forgotten.

Sarah was sinking, drowning in a sea of unfamiliar sensations. The hard knot of tension in her belly grew, spreading warmth as desire flowed like molten lava.

Golden Eagle’s hand seared a path down her abdomen, coming to rest against her quivering thighs. Sarah gave a startled gasp of surprise when she felt herself lifted to rest on top of Golden Eagle’s hard maleness.