Read Online Bittersweet Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor - Free Book Online Page B

worried, would she select a nineteen-year-old warrior who had not yet submitted himself to the Sun Dance, and who carried the careless scar from an enemy’s knife across his right shoulder, over famed and seasoned warriors who had much to offer for her and to her? If she felt only friendship and sisterly affection for him, it could spoil their relationship if he exposed deeper feelings and desires for her. Every time they held hands or embraced, his body burst into fiery need for a union with hers. He could not seem to look at her or be with her enough. He asked himself what she would do if he covered her mouth with his.
    Tashina watched Soul-of-Thunder as he watched her. She wondered if he realized how much his gaze and nearness affected her, for her body was trembling and tingling. This last year had demanded a great deal from both of them; her with her father, him with their white foes. So many maidens hungered for him and trailed him like she-wolves with the mating fever! His father had trained him to be a superior hunter and fighter, and any female would be honored and overjoyed to call him her mate. They had spent so much time together while reaching these ages, but a strangeness had fallen over their relationship during the past two winters. They spoke less and seemed to be secretive. They watched each other slyly and curiously. Maybe he was confused and alarmed by her new behavior toward him. She tried to comprehend why he seemed so nervous and reserved around her each time they were alone. She fretted apprehensively. Did he fear she would throw herself at him or try to entrap him with girlish wiles?
    Tashina could not help but think of her white blood, enemy blood. Even if she wanted to deny it existed, it was impossible, for her colorings and features made it known. She hated the word “half-breed,” but she had been called that many times in secret by other children. To her, all that mattered was she was Indian, Oglala, in heart and life. Her sister Little Feet was lucky, for she passed as Indian and she had won the heart of Racesthe-Buffalo, chief of the Sisseton tribe.
    Many braves and warriors had asked for her hand in joining, but why? Because she was a chief’s granddaughter? Or because she was Tashina? Besides, the only man she wanted was standing before her, and she dreaded how her white blood and looks might affect his feelings. He was willing and eager to be her friend, but would he become more? If only he would view her in the same light in which she viewed him. If only she dared to make her feelings known, but that meant risking their closeness…
    Soul-of-Thunder and Tashina simultaneously took a few steps toward each other, but each was only aware of his or her advance. Just as they reached for each other, a rider noisily approached the stream. Both reacted as if caught doing something naughty and moved away from each other. They watched Sun Cloud dismount and let his horse drink after the long ride. They could tell he was distracted, for it was a few minutes before he looked at them and spoke.
    Sun Cloud was not so self-engrossed that he failed to realize he had interrupted a romantic scene between his brother’s daughter and the son of her father’s best friend. He wondered if Bright Arrow knew about their relationship and if he thought it was wise to throw them together so frequently, and often alone, for they were still young, and young blood often raced too hotly and rapidly in the body. He and Soul-of-Thunder werefriends, but Soul-of-Thunder had not exposed such intense feelings for Tashina to him. Perhaps he should discuss this matter with his friend later.
    The two warriors spoke as Tashina’s eyes went from one to the other. At nineteen and twenty-three, both were handsome and strong, and both were males to enslave a woman’s senses. She wished her young uncle had not intruded at this particular time, and she wondered what he had witnessed and might tell her father. Reminding herself