I whimpered, and my arms and legs shook like a dreaming dog.
I shot into my body with a startled cry, and my eyes flew open.
Colorfully dressed dancers continued to prance and leap around me, arms outstretched, as they chanted and sang.
I sat covered with a sheen of cold sweat, frightened by the vision I’d just witnessed. I prayed, please don’t let anything happen to Roman or our baby.I’m begging you. Keep us safe on this most sacred of days.
Finally, that part of the ceremony ended.
Leaping Deer and Red Bird stood on either side of me, helping me to walk to a teepee I didn’t recognize. I was ushered inside and told to wait. I sat on plush furs covering the entire floor.
The sounds of men’s voices, laughing and talking, filled the air outside the teepee.
The door flap flew open, and Roman stumbled in, shoved from behind.
The men who pushed him inside all engaged in wheezing belly laughs.
Roman managed to steady himself before tumbling to the ground.
“A-ho!” he said, grinning at me.
“A-ho to you, too,” I said, regarding him with amusement. “What are you doing in here? What is this part of the day?”
“We’re to inspect our new teepee, beloved betrothed, as well as chat about our future.” He settled into a cross-legged position next to me. “And the men outside are keeping watch to ensure we don’t engage in carnal activities before we are wed.”
“Seriously?” I said.
Outside, the murmur of voices came from every direction.
“Quite serious. Carnal relations before marriage are quite forbidden—at least today. We could have freely participated before marrying, and no one would bat an eyelash. Native Americans have different views on marriage and sexuality than Western cultures.”
“How so?” I said, taking in his handsome appearance.
He had been dressed in deerskin pants and a shirt with beautiful beadwork. His face bore new strength and fortitude since he’d healed. But sometimes, when he thought I wasn’t watching, I’d glimpse his haunted eyes.
“Oh, I’ve been taught many things today, Little Moon,” he said, resting his hands on his head. “Besides numerous purification ceremonies, I’ve been instructed that the Sioux regard marriage as an ‘as long as it lasts’ sort of thing, not a ‘death do us part.’”
“Honestly?” A stab of insecurity jabbed my insides.
“But I told them our culture regards this as a lifelong commitment. I don’t plan on ever leaving you, my beautiful flame.” His eyes grew soft as he studied me. “You look every bit as beautiful as the day we met. I shall never tire of gazing at your beauty, even when we’re old and gray.”
He leaned close, brushed a lock of hair away from my face, and then held one finger before his lips. “Shhh,” he said quietly. Gently, he pressed his lips to mine in the sweetest of kisses.
I savored the feel of his warm skin and the slick sensation of his tongue as it gently probed my mouth.
That was when I realized the entire day made me acutely aware ofeverything.
A whack against the hide walls made us both jerk apart.
“Can they see inside this structure?” I said, laughing.
“Who knows? But let’s keep it chaste, just in case. We’ll be wed soon enough. I think they’re hoping that refraining from carnal relations will make us so horny we’ll entertain the whole tribe tonight.”
I blushed at that idea.
A slice of light streamed in as the door flap opened.
Leaping Deer and Red Bird entered, carrying trays of food.
