CAPTIVE

CHAPTER TWO

Night fell on the small dwelling and he hadn't returned. A knot formed in my stomach as I paced back and forth trying to push all the macabre thoughts from my head. I wanted desperately to leave the confines of the little round house in search of him to make sure he was safe, was going to return to me but the thought of meeting Dog Tooth or one of his minions after dark quelled all desire I had to leave the assumed safety of the hide-covered hovel. At length I drew myself down onto the stool and stared into the fire letting my mind go blank as I watched the dancing flames rise towards the heavens. I jerked to a start as the hide door parted, the knot ready to release until I saw the small frame of Bird Song slink into the room. I jumped from the stool and stood motionless as she raised her tiny form and moved to the side allowing Red Horse to enter after her. The breath I had been holding squeaked in an undignified hiss out of my mouth causing them both to stop and stare at me. I could feel the flush on my face as I forced a smile in greeting. Bird Song looked less than enthused at having been called out of her long house after dark. I assumed she had been in the middle of feeding her family or caring for a child and felt a small pang of sympathy at having to attend to the awkward relationship that existed between Red Horse and I. My thoughts must have shown readily as she drew herself up and smiled kindly before speaking, "Red Horse wants me to tell you that the men are attending a hunting party on the morrow. Elk have been seen and they will go to hunt." She paused and looked over her shoulder at Red Horse who stood stoically staring calmly at me. "He wants you to know that he will be gone for..." She paused, searching for the right word, "...days. He does not want you to worry." I could see the look on her face, she was worried. Her husband would be going as well. I knew from personal experience that, hunting was always dangerous, whether it was done by Indians or whites and I inhaled deeply. She read my shared concern and relaxed slightly, "I have told him I will look after you while he is away." A shock went through my body at this admission. I had thought Bird Song amiable towards me if not, at times, kind, but to offer me protection told me just how much she must respect Red Horse. I nodded in comprehension and appreciation, "Thank you kindly." I smiled sincerely at her. She nodded back and then disappeared out of the house leaving Red Horse and I alone staring at each other.

The next morning he didn't steal out of the house as he had done before but turned towards me, drew me to him in spoon fashion and whispered into my ear. I could not understand the Seneca he spoke but I knew what he was saying. Finn had done the same, before leaving me the morning of a battle. He wanted reassurance, comfort, but mostly he wanted me, one more time, so that if he didn't return, he would know me one last time. I raised my head towards the lips that pressed near my ear. His hand fell over my hip. We were both naked under the furs. I could feel his skin burning as it pressed close to me. I could feel his cock hard against my buttocks and I raised my leg over his in invitation. He was eager and quickly entered me moaning into my ear as he did. He spoke softly to me between gasps as he thrust deeply. I made my own gasp and grasp his hand in mine. He pulled free and laid my hand along the curve of his thigh as his own hand moved upwards and fell around my breast, I whimpered and he bit the lob of my ear still softly whispering. His hand moved downward again, slowly over my breast, my rib cage, the point of my hip to rest on the curve of my thigh. Clutching my leg he pulled upward spreading me as he bit my neck just under my jaw line and thrust hard eliciting a moan that rose from deep within me before passing through parted lips. He released the skin between his teeth to speak again as he made small deep thrusts. I could feel myself beginning to convulse as he trembled behind me. I squeezed his thigh hard and he moaned releasing himself deeply as my womb spasmed in its own pleasure.

We lay tangled together for a long time as he slowly grew soft and slid out of me. I found his hand again and twined my fingers through his. He snuggled his lips close to my ear and whispered, "I love you." I was shocked and whipped my head around to stare into the gold flecks of his eyes which were dancing in the small light of the night's fire. He smiled with his entire face and bent to kiss me slow, deeply and with all of himself.