He brought his mouth back to hers as he settled his body over her, parting her thighs with his own, and she felt the heat of his passion throbbing against her. “Tell me you want me,” he whispered against her lips.
She understood and answered in kind. “I want you, Panther. Please, I want you now.”
There was a moment of pain as he entered her, making her his own, but he cut off her surprised gasp with a searing kiss that set her senses reeling. His mouth devoured hers and his hands excited her as he introduced her to a world of sensuous pleasure. As she surrendered herself to him completely, his thrusts became faster and deeper until her passion flared into an all-consuming desire, and she met his thrusts with her own. Her body was aflame, consumed and fed by his, and his needs became her own. Together they climbed from one plateau of passion to another, even higher, until at last the sky broke open and they soared on wings of ecstasy to the stars. Rip- ples of rapture shuddered through them as they clung together, savoring the delight of their mutual release.
He held her close to him afterward, stroking her and murmuring to her in words she could not comprehend. But one thing she knew. She now belonged to him totally, body and soul. There was no turning back after this; there would never be any escape for her now.
For a week afterward Tanya found it hard to meet Panther’s gaze. She felt unaccountably shy around him, and the slightest move on his part could set her blushing furiously. During the day she worked with the other women, diligently applying herself to her tasks and improving her language skills.
Tanya now had full responsibility for Panther’s tipi. Walks-Like-A-Duck no longer came to the lodge, except to instruct Tanya in some new skill. Dutifully, Tanya cleaned the lodge, cooked Panther’s meals, and sewed and cleaned his clothes. Each night she shared his sleeping mat, and only there did her painful shyness melt away under the flame of shared passion.
Never again did Panther place the detested leash about her neck. Now she was free to come and go from the tipi as she pleased. The new freedom was exhilarating, but Tanya was not so much a fool as to think she was not watched.
The possibility of escape was remote at best, but Tanya found herself barely even entertaining the idea these days. She worked long and hard, but was content at the end of the day, especially when she could look forward to a long night enfolded in Panther’s embrace. And she did look forward to the nights, as much as she tried to berate herself for it. A part of her grieved for a while over her lost way of life, but another part openly and willingly accepted and adapted to her new life, gradually overshadowing any residual sadness with a blossoming joy.
Sometimes she wondered at her growing happiness, failing to understand how she could possibly enjoy her life here. She was a slave, Panther’s woman. He had but to command, and she obeyed without question. She cooked and cleaned, tanned and sewed, and satisfied his desires — but he also met her desires.
As the days wore on, Tanya finally stopped warring with herself and admitted to herself that she was in love with Panther. He was everything she desired and admired in a man, Cheyenne warrior or not. He was brave, wise, noble, extremely handsome, and strong enough to be tender when the situation warranted.
Her brain warned her that she was merely his slave, and that he could at any time decide to trade or sell her, or take a wife who might mistreat her and have her beaten every day of her life, but her heart refused to be discouraged. Tanya now loved him irrevocably, and she would take him on any terms. Her pride was humbled before this devastating love.
Panther’s first clue to all this was when he entered his tipi one day to find Tanya plaiting her usually unbound hair Indian fashion into two long braids across her shoulders. Neither of them commented on the fact, but he caught the shy smile she threw in his direction.
“She is no longer fighting her fate,” he reasoned, greatly pleased by the thought and her gesture.
Later that day he presented her with a beautifully decorated headband. It was his first true gift to her, and her delighted smile lit up her face. She sat there looking so captivatingly lovely that Panther’s breath caught in his throat. “I would bring you gifts each day if you would smile upon me each time as you do now,” he teased her, enjoying the way she blushed at his comment.
“I shall smile for you if you bring me no gifts at all,” she answered shyly.
As he absorbed her words, he asked, “Are you happy here now, Little Wildcat? Do you no longer desire to escape or pray for rescue?”
His heart nearly stopped at the spark of love in her eyes as she met his questioning gaze. “I have no wish to leave here, Panther,” she admitted softly. “My life is with you, as long as you wish it.”
One more thing he had to know. “Do you not grieve for your lost love?”
Momentarily startled by his question, she wondered how he knew about that, but she pondered it only for a second. “I belong to you now, Panther. It is you I love. You hold my heart in your hands.” Her face held a solemn promise.
“Then I must treat such a treasure gently,” he responded tenderly, as he gathered her into his arms. Never had Tanya seen such a magnificent, victorious smile as Panther’s. Then his lips claimed hers in a kiss that branded her his forever; the Panther’s mate, his Wildcat.
TWO DAYS later the tribe moved. The tipis were pulled down, packed and loaded on pack horses and travois. Robes, rugs, mats, and parfleches loaded with household and personal items were secured alongside the burdened beasts.
Tanya was amazed at how swiftly and easily everything was accomplished. These people were used to being on the move and had developed a rhythm and economy of motion that allowed them to prepare to relocate with very little fuss and bother.
One last time Tanya checked the knots, making sure the bundles were properly tied for the journey ahead. It was early morning, and the sun hadn’t yet burned the dew off the grass. A slight breeze brought the freshness of spring to her nostrils, and the sun shone gently, warming her upturned face.
She turned as she heard Panther approaching astride his big black horse. Panther’s cousin, Winter Bear, rode beside him, leading a buckskin horse behind. Tanya liked Winter Bear. A mere inch shorter than Panther, he was a handsome young man with a friendly, ready smile. He and Panther were very close in age, and had grown up together. More like brothers than cousins, they liked and respected one another, and either would lay down his life for the other if need be. They had spent their boyhoods playing and working side by side, became warriors at the same time, went on raids and war parties together, and shared joy and sorrow throughout the years.
There was a slight family resemblance between the two men, but their attitudes were often different. Panther was much more arrogant, Tanya thought. Winter Bear was less volatile, more calm and quiet, with an inner serenity that shone in his dark eyes. Though Tanya preferred Panther, with his flashes of anger and passion, she found Winter Bear pleasant to have around. It seemed to her that the two men complemented one another; Winter Bear with his calm and thoughtful ways, and Panther with his quick intelligence and vitality.
Tanya smiled as the two men approached. “Is everything ready?” Panther asked, looking about.
“All is packed, Panther, unless you have something else for me to do,” Tanya answered softly.
“Good. Now come, Little Wildcat, it is time to mount.”
As she walked to the side of his horse, preparing to mount behind him, he shook his head and smiled. “No, Wildcat, you shall not ride with me this time.” He gestured to the beautiful buckskin mare, complete with saddle and bridle. “You shall have your own horse from now on. Do you like her?”
Tanya looked from the mare to Panther and back again, her golden eyes mirroring her delight. “Panther! Is she truly mine, to keep always?”
“For as long as she pleases you,” he nodded.
“Oh, she pleases me, Panther. She is beautiful! Is she already trained?”
“Little Wildcat, I would not place your life in danger by presenting you with an unbroken mount,”
Panther admonished with a frown. “She is trained by my own hand.”
Her eyes shining like twin suns, Tanya looked up at him. “Thank you, Panther, for such a wonderful gift! I will take good care of her.”
Panther dismounted in one lithe motion. “Come,” he said, approaching the mare. “Come let her smell you. Let her get your scent into her nostrils and feel your hand upon her. You must learn to guide her with your knees, as a Cheyenne does, and not hurt her. She was gently broken, and you must treat her with care. Do this and she will always give her best for you.” Tanya ran her hand along the long, smooth neck of the mare. “I will not mistreat her, Panther. I know it would displease you, and I have never mistreated an animal in my life.”
Panther cupped his hands and boosted Tanya into the saddle. “Ride beside me and I will teach you how to ride like a Cheyenne brave,” he teased with a broad grin and a chuckle.
Winter Bear gave a gruff laugh. “Cousin, if you can no longer tell a woman from a brave, you are beyond help!” He gave Tanya a sly wink and she giggled.
Panther scowled at him. “Winter Bear, when I need your advice, I’ll ask for it. You would do better to direct your energies toward your own courtship with Shy Deer. I’ve noticed how she follows you with those doe eyes of hers.”
Winter Bear laughed. “There is nothing wrong with my eyesight, Panther. I’ve noticed that and a lot more.”
They travelled north for eight days, stopping each night to set up a temporary camp. Tanya had learned that they were journeying to a meeting spot where they would join many other bands and tribes, both Cheyenne and Arapahoe. There the tribes would celebrate their spring festival and hold ceremonial rites, the most important being the Sun Dance.
Mid-morning of the eighth day, they reached their destination. Hundreds of tipis had already been erected. Dogs and children swarmed everywhere and chaos seemed the order of the day, but Tanya knew that under all the confusion, the women had everything under control.
Quickly and efficiently, with help from Walks-Like- A-Duck and Shy Deer, Tanya erected Panther’s tipi, taking care to face it east. Then she began to unload the pack horse. She collected fresh water and firewood, and started meat boiling in the pot.
Finally she had time to tend to her horse. Tanya had just fed and watered Panther’s horse, Shadow, and her own, which she called Wheat. Intent on combing the burrs from Wheat’s mane, she was shocked to hear the hiss of a whip, followed by a blinding, searing pain across her back. Stunned and gasping for breath, she stumbled against the mare. When she found her balance, she whirled about to face her attacker.
Before her stood a beautiful Indian girl Tanya had never seen before. She probably belonged to another tribe. About Tanya’s own age and size, her dark eyes sparkled with arrogance, her manner haughty and overbearing. “Get away from that horse, slave,” she ordered as she brandished the whip again. “Were you trying to escape?” Her voice was almost drowned out by the whine of the whip as it lashed toward Tanya once more.
The leather wound itself about Tanya’s arm and back, cutting into her tender flesh. With a hiss of pain, Tanya grabbed the thong and held it firmly. “Stop this!” she screamed. “The horse is mine!”
Her tormentor’s face hardened with hatred. “Ha! You lie! I know that mare. She belongs to A-Panther-Stalks.” The girl tried to retrieve the whip, but Tanya held on, swiftly lessening the distance between them.
“The horse used to belong to Panther, as I do. He gave her to me,” Tanya managed to say.
Now the two girls were face to face. The Indian girl launched herself at Tanya, arms flailing. “You lie! You were going to steal his horse and escape! Only a fool would give a horse to a slave!”
“Panther is no fool, but
you
certainly are!” Tanya grated out. Warding off blows right and left, her temper finally snapped. “Enough is enough!” she shrieked, and threw her full weight against her slim opponent. Down they both went, wrestling and rolling in the tall grass, shrieking like banshees. For several minutes they fought, until Tanya managed to gain the advantage. Straddling the other girl, one knee firmly against her breastbone, Tanya held her to the ground, pinning her arms alongside her head.
Heaving with the effort of their battle, Tanya repeated, “The horse is mine!” Her golden eyes flamed with anger.
The Indian girl tried to buck her off and failed, her own dark eyes snapping. “You lie, white face!” she spat out.
“Hardly ever, mud face!” Tanya retorted heatedly.
“I’ll see you beaten for this,” came the threat.
“I belong to Panther and am under his protection. No one beats me but him!”
“I will tell him of this and he will give me permission,” the girl avowed.
“You can try,” Tanya countered. Her captive had calmed by now, and Tanya slowly released her and stood.
The young girl rose and launched herself at Tanya once again.
“Oh, for pity’s sake!” Tanya grumbled, throwing the girl face-down on the ground and sitting on her. “Look, I am very busy. I don’t have time for this nonsense! I have a lot of work to do, and Panther will be expecting his meal. Surely you can find something better to do than harass me!”
Whatever answer the girl was about to make was cut short as both spied a pair of moccasinned feet before them. Tanya’s startled gaze travelled up firm, dark legs, past the loincloth and broad chest to a familiar bronze face.
Panther barely managed to hide a smile as he beheld Tanya’s bedraggled state. “What is the meaning of this, Wildcat?” he demanded calmly.
Tanya remained seated on her victim’s back. “This girl refuses to believe me when I tell her you gave me the mare.”
“So you decided to sit on her?” Panther’s look was incredulous.
“No,” Tanya began, but now her silent combatant found her tongue and started squealing accusations non-stop, appealing her case to Panther.