I tensed. I wanted to tell her my whole truth, but how could I? Who would possibly believe me? Emily would run for sure if I were to share my fantastic story of being born in the 21stcentury, traveling through time to ancient Rome, and now being here. She’d think I was insane.
“Let’s see,” I began. “I met Roman when I was traveling. We were kind of thrown together. It’s a crazy story, really. One I’m not sure I can do justice.”
Emily frowned. “And who’s Marcellious? How did you meet him?”
“He’s Roman’s twin brother. I met him on my travels.”
A wistful sigh escaped Emily’s lips. “I’ve never traveled anywhere. I was born in South Carolina and thought I’d live and die there. But then the war happened, and soldiers ripped us from our home when they found out Papa was trading weapons with the British.”
“I’m sorry.” I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to never leave your state or your hometown. As for being ripped from your home, I knew what that felt like in ways Emily could never comprehend.
“How is it that Marcellious speaks the Sioux language?”
“That I can’t answer. I don’t know Marcellious that well. He and Roman have been at odds for a long time. I’d hoped that, um, traveling to a new place together would help them reconnect. It hasn’t.” I turned on my side to face Emily. “How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-eight. You?” She rolled to face me, too.
“Almost twenty-six. So, we’re close in age.”
“We are.” Emily reached out and touched my face affectionately.
The door flap flew open.
The woman who had led us down to the stream said, “Come. We feast.”
Emily shook her head. “I’m not going, Olivia. I’m too sad. This is the first time I’ve had to mourn my half-sister and father. Would you mind if I stayed here?”
“I don’t mind. I’ll tell them you’re not well. And I’ll bring food for you to eat. You must be as hungry as I am.”
“Thank you.”
I hesitated before saying, “Don’t be afraid, Emily. I’ve lost many people, but I won’t lose you.”
I hugged her warmly.
Emily beamed at me.
I crossed the fur-covered floor toward the woman.
“I’m Olivia,” I said.
“Leaping Deer,” the woman said, flashing the first smile I’d seen on her face. It creased her cheeks and brightened her stern countenance. “Come.”
She exited the teepee, and I followed her.
The sun was low, hovering in a cloudless sky above the abundant grasses rolling across the plains. Soon it would be nightfall.
“Your man has been asking for you,” Leaping Deer said.
My man…
My heartbeat increased.
Leaping Deer gestured toward a teepee. “He is over there. I will bring you to him. And soon we feast.”
I nodded, wings practically sprouting on my feet at the thought of seeing Roman alone.
We padded across the soft dirt until we stood before Roman’s teepee. My heart nearly fluttered from my chest like a wild bird.
