The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 27

"I'm sorry about last night," Adelaide whispered as they stood watching the wedding ceremony.

Chief Long Knife looked down, acknowledging he had heard Adelaide but he didn't respond.

Adelaide slipped her hand in his, "I missed you holding me last night," she confessed just above a whisper.

He had guessed as much, waking up to her plastered against his back. His eyes twinkled a moment, although his features maintained a neutral expression inclining more towards a scowl.

"I couldn't help it! That was barbaric and disgusting and cruel what you did yesterday and there is no way I was going to cuddle with you after..."

But you did anyway…

He missed what she said next, her voice climbing above a whisper in her frustration.

"But then I realized you act like a savage because you haven't been taught any better. Well, we are going to remedy that."

"We'll speak of this later," he eventually replied.

Adelaide had missed the wedding, only refocusing her attention again as the men led the women to their sleeping quarters. The Englishmen stood awkwardly beside their quiet wives. Looking at each other, they led their husbands to their beds, Chief Long Knife leading Adelaide back to theirs. It would be a long night for the captives, but Adelaide wasn't thinking of her sister at the moment. She had a lot to say. Under the covers, Chief Long Knife wouldn't be going anywhere, a captive audience.

****

Leaning on her elbow, Adelaide propped herself up, looking down at her husband's chiseled features.

"Now that you are a believer, things are going to have to change," Adelaide resumed where she'd left off, "There can't be any more of these kidnappings or you torturing their hands. I still don't understand the purpose of the gauntlet either. I'm sure there must be more humane ways to ensure they won't rise against the tribe..."

Chief Long Knife frowned. Adelaide was speaking of things she did not understand.

"We cannot be vulnerable or show weakness," he sought to explain as patiently as possible their ways as he twisted a strand of her hair around his finger.

So distracting!

"We believe in your God but if we show mercy, we will be attacked and slaughtered. This is the only way. It is only the men who suffer because their spirits need to be broken. You have seen for yourself that the women and children are not harmed."

"True..." Adelaide bit her lower lip, "Was I taken to replace your wife?"

Chief Long Knife's eyes darkened. He had worked to not think of Gentle Doe these past months, not even for a moment.

"Why do you ask?"

"Your mother told us today the women were brought here as replacement wives...as Maggie and I had been."

"It is true. We raided your town after we lost our women and children in an Iroquois raid. You know we don't seek war or attack without cause. Mother is right. We took you and Brown Swallow to replace our wives."

"And Guillaume?"

"Who?"

"Maggie's husband! Her first husband..."

Chief Long Knife looked away. It was better if she didn't know the truth.

"We only wanted women and children."

"Where is he then? Did you release him?"

Chief Long Knife didn't answer, reaching up to stroke her hair.

Adelaide melted, struggling to keep her thoughts on track.

"Do you love me?" Adelaide whispered, laying her head against his chest.

Adelaide needed to know now that she knew the truth. She wasn't his first love, but did he love her? Truly love her?

"I am blessed to have three children," he didn't mention his fourth, "and my heart loves you, Dark Star. Yes, I love you. Do you love me?"

"Most of the time," Adelaide grinned with a soft chuckle.

Chief Long Knife smiled, causing her heart to race. She laid her head on his chest, listening to the hammering of his heart, nestled in his arms.

Her thoughts wandered as she drifted off into another restless sleep. Why was she not pregnant yet? She had expected to be before now. Was it because she had time traveled and this was not real? The truth was that she didn't want to ever return home now, the children happier than they had ever been as well.

Now she longed to give Chief Long Knife a child, but that might be impossible if…

Sleep claimed her.

****

Strong Oak didn't get a moment's sleep. Regret. Why had he thought all white women would be the same? No, his bride was a wildcat, her pale green eyes deceptively hiding a fierce heart. Why did she feel the need to fight him tooth and nail? He'd tried to be patient and gentle, but it hadn't made a difference.

He wouldn't force her, finally turning his back to the woman who lay beside him, ignoring the biting sting along his arms and chest, trickles of blood oozing from the wounds inflicted with her nails.

Jaira never thought she would face the day when she'd have to fight for her morals and indeed, fight to keep her salvation. Adelaide concerned her, but she wouldn't fall so easily. The man beside her wouldn't dare try to touch her again any time soon. William would come, she was sure of it. She could try to escape...no, who was she kidding? She'd rather endure with her sister than face the unknown within the woods.

As dawn approached, sleep finally came.