“No, no, it’s important,” I said. “Tell you what. When we leave, he’ll be our first stop. We’ll get the answers we need and head out on our trip to the Catskills.”
A shudder, like a foreboding, twisted my spine. I shoved the feeling aside, telling myself it was nothing. I was just paranoid. But I had every right to be afraid with a demon on my tail.
At any time, anything could happen.
Olivia
A light rain spattered across the plains, tap-dancing upon the hides of my teepee as I slept.
Emily burst into my dwelling before dawn. “Sister, get up! Today is the day I am to marry Marcellious!”
I yawned and gestured for her to sit next to me, so I could take my time in awakening.
But Emily wouldn’t hear of it.
“Olivia! Remember how nervous and excited you were to wed Roman? That’s how I am today!” She twirled in a circle like Cinderella might have done.
I pictured birds chirping overhead and forest animals helping her dress as I threw back my bison furs and prepared to greet the day.
A stone of wistfulness weighed down my heart. Of course, I was excited about Emily getting married. But the day’s significance drove home the knowledge that Roman was not by my side. I wanted nothing more than to head out and find Eyan Malik and, hopefully, my husband.
But, as Emily had said, today was her wedding day.
As the day proceeded, I first summoned as much good cheer as possible, with the blessing ceremony in the creek, followed by the dancing and feasting. Ours was a sad little group, and only Leaping Deer, myself, and four other women performed the water prayer and the dancing. All the others had been slaughtered by the Kiowa. Still, I could see in the eyes of those who survived that all welcomed the celebration of love.
Once the marriage had been ordained, I escorted Emily to her and Marcellious’ sleeping quarters. There was no need to declare the teepee as “theirs” as we would all depart at sunrise tomorrow.
We walked silently as the remnants of a beautiful sunset faded into the gloaming.
When we were halfway there, Emily grabbed my sleeve. “Olivia!”
Her voice held such alarm I jerked.
“What is it?”
“I’m scared. I’ve never been with a man in that way…you know what I mean.” She blinked, eyes fixed on the horizon.
I stopped and placed my hands on her shoulders. “Don’t be scared. Let me talk to Marcellious, so he knows to be gentle with you.”
“Oh, would you?” The lines in her face eased somewhat. “He’s been so good to me. He hasn’t pushed me or pressured me to….”
She redirected her gaze toward the ground.
“You know…” Her pale blue eyes lifted to face me. “I want to please him. I want him to be happy.”
“It’s a two-way street, sweetheart.” I brushed a few errant curls away from her face. “Hehas to be good toyou. I know he’s changed—we’ve all seen the shift in his demeanor. But don’t forget—he’s been dark before and can be dark again. You’ll need to stay mindful of his moods.”
I closed my mouth, realizing I wasn’t helping things much with my talk of doom and gloom. Yet, even the hope of finding Eyan Malik didn’t quash my paranoia.
Emily’s eyes pinched at the corners, and she blinked rapidly. “He’s changed, Olivia. He’s put those awful ways behind him.”
“Of course he has,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m sorry I said anything. Please don’t listen to me.”
I drew her to me in a hug so she couldn’t see my lying eyes. “You’ll be fine tonight. I promise. Tonight should be about love and connection. Just let me talk to him, and then I’ll immediately escort you to his side.”
I pulled away and smiled at her. “I’m so happy you found love, Emily. Truly I am.”
“Thank you, Olivia,” she said, her eyelids fluttering to keep the tears at bay.
