Sweet Savage Heart (19 page)

As Travis and Nathan were leaving the tepee, Lone Wolf joined them. “Wild Wind is at the river with Myeerah. Come, we will get her. It is best for all if others do not see her battle you.”

The horses were saddled and Wild Wind’s possessions were collected. Then the three men headed for the river and quickly located the two women downstream by their voices. Lone Wolf wisely suggested, “Tell your father friend to wait here with the horses.” Nathan obeyed.

Lone Wolf called out to alert the women before he and Travis approached. The warrior chief smiled at his beloved and frowned at his adopted sister.

“Have you lost all pride and courage, Wild Wind?” Travis asked. “You have stalled our departure long enough. We must go,” he commanded firmly.

Wild Wind glared at White Eagle, then at Lone Wolf, who did not defend her against such treatment. “Wild Wind will leave when she is ready to leave. I will see my brother and friend joined first,” she asserted. Startled that White Eagle had sought her out so boldly, she stared defiantly at the man before her line of vision, for his size and stature seemed to block out everything and everyone else. As her challenging gaze met his narrowed one, a strange warmth passed over her body and she found she was having difficulty thinking and breathing. She
realized that if ever a male was masterful in exerting his prowess and in controlling any situation, he stood before her now, and, indeed, he owned her. Yet she was still wary of this man who had so easily enchanted her and alarmed by the emotions he had brought to life. She would not let him think her a coward or a weakling—or his lowly squaw! she stubbornly decided.

When she tried to push past Travis, he captured her arm in a firm yet pain-free grip. “We ride, woman,” he commanded sternly. “I have work to do and land to protect. You hide like a frightened rabbit.”

“I will ride after Lone Wolf and Myeerah’s joining,” she replied. She yanked on her arm, but White Eagle would not release it. She scolded him in Sioux, and still he held her securely. A curious panic flooded her body, and her blue-gray eyes blazed with fury. Her other hand attempted to claw free the imprisoned one. White Eagle simply captured it and stared calmly at her, his green gaze mocking her helplessness.

Nettled, she called him names and fought him. Travis looked and behaved as if nothing unusual were taking place. He pulled a rawhide thong from over his pistol and bound her wrists. She was astonished when Lone Wolf did and said nothing to the brazen man with laughing eyes. “Release me, white dog!” she shrieked at him. She struggled fiercely, to no avail. At last she was rendered breathless from her exertions and protests and could do no more than shake with rage at his actions. To make matters worse, Travis lifted her and tossed her over his shoulder. Then he strolled to his waiting horse and stood her beside it.

Bewildered, Nathan asked, “What’s going on, son? This can’t be necessary.”

Travis glanced at his friend and reminded, “Don’t forget what I told you, Nate. We need to head for home and she’s fighting me. She’s demanding to hang around
until tonight to watch her brother’s joining. This little wildcat will settle down after we get away from here. Please let me handle her and get us on the trail pronto,” he urged.

Wild Wind glared at Travis, then spewed forth insults and threats in the Indian tongue. When she added,
“Sunka ska, nanpi yuze sni yo! Mni kte sni yelo!”
Travis removed his bandanna and gagged her so that she would not draw the attention of others. He was glad Nathan could not understand his Oglala words as he refuted, “Yes, you will go with me. And if you call me a white dog one more time, I’ll spank you. And I’ll put my hands on you anywhere and any time I please, if I please.”

Wild Wind soon realized that her Indian brother would make no attempt to come to her aid. But it also seemed obvious that the older white man was annoyed and distressed over her vile treatment. Yet, when her gaze sent an appeal to him for help, he winced and lowered his head as if hurt and embarrassed. Suddenly she twisted, ducked, and forcefully threw her shoulder into Travis’s midsection.

He grunted and staggered slightly at the unexpected attack. Then he seized her by her forearms and shook her, warning, “Behave, woman, or I will punish you for acting like a fever-mad raccoon. You are a chiefs daughter and sister, and my wife, not a wild she-bear who is wounded. You are making a fool of yourself and shaming all of us.”

Nathan helplessly questioned, “Are the gag and bonds necessary? She’s only a scared child, Travis. Don’t be so rough and mean to her.”

Travis Kincade drilled his leaf green eyes into her stormy blue ones. Then he grinned roguishly and quipped, “Damn right, they’re necessary, Nate. This little viper would strike without warning if she had the chance. I’ll release her when she learns and uses some
manners, or when she remembers she’s a woman and not a little savage. And she had best learn quickly, ‘cause my temper and patience are short. I plan to take real good care of…my defiant wife, if she lets me,” he murmured, his smoldering gaze slipping over her face and body.

When Nathan started to debate Travis’s words and actions, Travis cautioned, “Taking up for her only encourages her to act worse, Nate. We can’t stay any longer, and she won’t leave peacefully unless I use force. She’s only trying to prove to herself and her friends that she can control me. We ain’t got time for silly female games. Please, stay quiet.”

Wild Wind was overjoyed when her flushed cheeks and flashing eyes did not expose her understanding of Travis’s words. Rather, both men interpreted these signs as indications of her anger. As far as these white men would know, she had forgotten English, which could not be considered unusual for a girl captured as a small child who had heard and spoken only Sioux for years. She decided to encourage the older man’s friendship and help, for she felt this would annoy her new husband. She would be clever and patient, she mentally plotted, until she could defeat him and escape. She would teach him about manners and kindness, and about Wild Wind.

Travis mounted agilely, then reached down to scoop her up in his powerful arms. When a resentful Wild Wind found herself on the same horse with her white tormentor, she sat rigidly before him, her chin held high and her gaze focused on the distance. Never had she been so humiliated or infuriated or mistreated. Knowing Lone Wolf and Myeerah were witnessing this degrading display, she ceased her struggles, vowing this white devil would pay dearly for shaming and abusing her.

After Travis and Lone Wolf had exchanged parting words, Lone Wolf touched her arm and advised her to be
obedient to her new husband and happy in her new life. Wild Wind’s gaze settled on the warrior. Her eyes told him she would never forgive him for this deed, even when he asked for her understanding and forgiveness. She shook her head and tore her misty gaze from his entreating face. She would not be forgiving or understanding while she was a humiliated captive who could neither speak nor move. Lone Wolf had the authority to order Travis to remove the bonds and gag so she could hug him and speak words of farewell. Since he made no attempt to do so, he did not deserve her forgiveness. Let him suffer, as she was suffering.

Travis was annoyed by her obstinancy and spitefulness. “Do not worry about her, Lone Wolf. I will make certain she is safe and happy. When her temper cools, she will be sorry she behaved so badly. You did right by trading her to me. I will take good care of her.”

“You are a good and wise man, my friend. My sister is strong and proud. Give her time and patience. She will come to accept you and her new life. In time, understanding will fill her mind and heart.”

“I wish happiness and long life for my Oglala brothers and Lone Wolf. May you find great success on the hunting grounds and in battle. May the Great Spirit ride with you and protect you from your enemies. Soaring Hawk is proud of his son, a wise, strong chief and a powerful, cunning warrior, as he was. May you find peace and joy with your new mate on this happy joining day. I am proud to call you friend.”

Travis smiled when Lone Wolf responded with the heartfelt words,
“Pilamaya, Wanbli Ska. Wakan Tanka ni’ci un. Tanyan yaun nunwe, Watogla Tate. Icantewaste, mitanksi,”
which translated: “Thank you, White Eagle. May the Great Spirit go with you and guide you. Goodbye, Wild Wind. Be happy, my sister.”

Travis knew their time was fleeing. He kneed his horse
and rode away. When they were almost out of sight of the settlement, the girl began to battle him like a snared badger. She wiggled and thrashed, threatening to send both of them to the hard ground. His horse was well trained, and he released the reins while he struggled to control her and their precarious position. His arms banded her body and he shouted at her, “Stop it, Wild Wind! You do not have to be afraid of me and Nate.” When she did not relent, he commanded, “Be still, or you will make me hurt you. We must leave here—
now,”
he stressed impatiently.

The realization of a permanent parting with her Indian brother and her friend Myeerah had struck her hard. Soon all she knew and loved would be lost to her forever. She did not wish to leave in this cold manner, with cruel words between them. She wanted to go back to say she was sorry, but she could not explain this to White Eagle through the gag. She hoped her actions would enlighten him and he would remove it, but all he did was threaten her and shake her. Her anger and desperation grew.

When she attempted to shift herself to peer around his broad chest, Travis saw her pleading gaze and understood her actions. He removed the gag and inquired, “Do you want to say something?”

“I must go back and speak with my brother and Myeerah,” she coaxed. “It is wrong to leave this way,” she informed him sullenly.

Travis knew he could not comply with her wishes. “There is no time, Wild Wind. The sun is high, and we should have been on the trail long ago. You should not have behaved so badly or wasted precious time trying to provoke me. Lone Wolf knows you are angry and hurt; it is natural. He will forgive you and forget your defiance and cruelty. The trail is filled with enemies. We must become friends or our lives will be in danger. For once, be a good girl,” he commanded.

She glared at him, her look scorning his order and his refusal.
“Hiya kola! Wanbli Ska toka!”
she declared heatedly declining his offer of friendship and calling him her enemy. She asked to be untied, but he shook his head and unwisely grinned at her. “You are mean and evil; that is why I resisted leaving with you. I hate you. I will never yield to you. If you try to force me to sleep on your mat, I will claw out your eyes. I will escape and return to my people,” she warned coldly.

Vexed at having to behave this way and knowing time was short before the Hunkpapas’ arrival, Travis retorted, “If you try to escape or disobey, you will be sorry. When I take a woman to my sleeping mat, it will not be a hateful, defiant child. You are selfish and cold-hearted, and you were mean and evil to your brother. Stay my enemy if it makes you feel better. I do not need your friendship or your body, only your obedience. I cannot see why any warrior would chase after a bag of trouble like you. Obviously the jokes about you are true. One of us will tame a wild wind; the choice of who does it is yours.”

Incensed, she scoffed, “If you do not wish me as your mate, why did you make trade for me? Did you need a slave for your chores?”

“You are not my slave or prisoner,” he replied too quickly. He sighed in annoyance at his slip and added, “Unless you behave like one.”

“If I am of no value to you, release me,” she responded.

“No. I made trade for you to help Lone Wolf and his people. I offered them many guns and supplies. In exchange, I had to ask for something they viewed as having great value. I could not ask for horses, because your people need them for fighting and hunting. I could not ask for furs, because it is wrong to slay so many animals. There was nothing else of value to ask for in trade. I believed taking Wild Wind as my wife would
make the trade one of honor and fair exchange. You are a white woman, and you caused trouble many times for your brother and his people. He was about to trade you just to get rid of your sharp tongue and rebellious ways. You should be glad I rescued you from an enforced joining. Just do as you are told, and we will not have any problems.”

He could tell she was getting more angry by the minute. He decided to try reasoning with her. “White women can do the things you desire, things that need to be done in our lands—hunting, riding, fighting, and protecting your family. We thought you would be happy with other whites, and safer during this war between our peoples. I did not choose an Oglala woman, because an Oglala would feel lost and frightened in my white world. Since you are white, you will fit in easily. If you escaped or I sent you home, you would live in shame and ridicule. You would no longer have trade value or pride. You would be dishonoring your chief and the trade that could save his people. I gave you the chance to do something good and unselfish for the people who raised you and loved you. I believed you had pride and courage. I thought you were smart and could relearn the white ways and accept them. You will go with me willingly or by force, but you will not cause trouble and dishonor. I have never raped any woman and I will not start with you, wife or no wife. You have more thorns than a wahoo tree, and I do not like getting pricked on my sleeping mat. Do the chores. I will ask nothing more.”

Wild Wind recognized the truth in most of his words. Nothing was as important to an Indian as honor and the survival of his tribe and lands. If she rejected her appointed role in this intimidating episode, she would face shame and ridicule. He knew the Indian ways and the paths of cunning too well. His reasoning had been flawless, except for one point : his motive for claiming her
in trade. She was neither blind nor a fool. She recalled that night in her tepee; he was a virile man and he had found her desirable. She was his wife now, and he would not ignore her for very long. Too, she questioned why he had made trade with the Oglalas instead of the Hunkpapas. Or perhaps, she decided, he had made trade with both. She was too angry and confused to be flattered by his compliments, which had been laced around insults or chiding, but she had caught them and now stored them away in her keen mind. She wondered if he would come after her if she were to escape, and she concluded that he would. The only honorable way she could return to the Oglala camp was through his death, and he was not a man who would die easily. She was trapped. “Then I am your captive and you are my enemy,” she announced. “I will ride my own horse. I am not a child.” For now, all she wanted was to put some distance between them.