She pulled away, dabbing at her eyes. It was time to go. But not first without a goodbye to Samuel who glared at her. She smiled at him and he frowned at her suspiciously.
“If you ever hurt my mother, my brother or my sister, I will come for you. And I won’t be alone Samuel,” she promised. The man gulped at her threat. After she had hurt him, he did not come within close proximity. He knew she was not the naive girl she had been before. She had grown physically and mentally.
She turned around and got into the wagon, and without a look back, she commanded the horse to move. The wagon rolled down the streets and she saw many watch her with curiosity. The news must have spread around. She could also sense their animosity. They would not be able to understand how she had fallen in love with a barbarian.
As she rode past the constable’s office, she saw him on the porch with Officer Raleigh. He lifted a hand in a wave and she waved back.
The gates ahead opened, letting her out. Into freedom.
Chapter 15
Hannah was in his arms. They sat by the river laughing and talking. A butterfly rested on her arm and she giggled, freeing herself from him. The butterfly flew away and she followed it.
He screamed at her. He tried to move but he was rooted to the ground. He pointed ahead, at the tornado that was headed towards her. But she was too busy admiring the butterfly.
He screamed as the tornado enveloped her with its darkness.
With a gasp, Bear Claw’s eyes opened. He tried to sit up but there was a piercing pain in his arm. He groaned as he stared at it. How? The last thing he remembered was killing the mountain lion. The beast had struck him.
He looked around, he was in his teepee. Sparrow had come to him as he recognized the aroma of her herbs and the salve which has been applied on his injury.
The flap opened and in came Sparrow. He had not realized it but she had gotten older. Time was the greatest enemy, he reminded himself.
She knelt before him and slapped him. Bear Claw groaned as he glared at her.
“You hunted with rage,” Sparrow said, slapping him across the face again.
He was chief yet the woman disciplined him whenever he faulted. But she was right. A hunt with anger was prone to loss of one’s concentration. He had been too angry and had not tracked the animal well. He should have gone with one of his men but he had wanted to be alone.
“You scared all of us,” Sparrow said.
“I am sorry. How long have I been away?” He asked.
“A day. We have been praying to the spirits to return you. I knew they would. Your palm reads of a long journey ahead of you.”
Of what use was long life if he could not be with the woman he loved? Fate had been cruel to him. Why had they brought Hannah into his life? She had made him love. She had made him happy. And now he could not even imagine a life without her. What had he ever done to receive such misery?
“The wound heals,” Sparrow said as she applied more salve to it. She worked quietly like she usually did. He felt some pain but a few more days and it would be nothing but a bruise.
Done with examining him, Sparrow rose. By the flap, she stopped and turned to him. “Your people have worried for you. Do not be stupid again.”
His sisters arrived next. And when he saw the fear on their faces, he berated himself for taking stupid actions. He had to have known better. That there were people counting on him. His immediate family. The village. If he died, especially without a grown heir, there would be conflicts as to who would replace him. For now, while peace reigned, death caused strives.
“We are grateful to the spirits that you are back,” Aiyana said.
Indeed, he was. It was a wound many had died from, but he had survived.
“You promised you would raise my son,” White Dove said, with a frown.
“I will,” Bear Claw said.
“I know it hurts you that the woman is gone, but the spirits will it,” Aiyana said.
He scoffed. “Then why did they show her to me as my mate?” he asked. They looked at him confused, and he explained. “I have seen her in my dreams before I saw her.”
“Ah! She’s the one you dream of.” Seeing his surprise, she continued. “Mother told me. She made me promise to welcome that woman into our home. I have broken my promise,” Aiyana said with a fallen face.
He was not surprised that his mother whom he had trusted had left instructions to her first daughter. She had always known what to do best.
