"Stop thee? Never!" She wiggled her hips a little as she spoke, and, looking there, he thought he might burst with need. As it was, he answered her wiggling hips with the touch of his fingers, giving her what she seemed to be begging for. And, when she whimpered in a high-pitched, soul-inspiring sigh, moving her hips against the movement of his fingers, he knew the time had come for him to act.
He didn't withdraw his touch from her, there where she was demanding it, but he leaned his head down toward hers, bringing his lips to hers in a kiss that was both hungry and giving. He said, "I love you. I tell this from true heart. Though passion beats within heart, I tell…truth. I love you for all life."
"And, I love thee," she whispered. "Husband, I need thee. Please. I need thee now."
Changing his position until he lay over her, he answered her plea and gave her all of him, body and soul, loving her and moving with her as joy took hold within his being, both physical and spiritual. And, when at last their love peaked and he gave his seed to her, he felt himself uniting with her in spirit. Never had he been this close to another being. Never had he ever felt a oneness with another like he did with his woman.
Indeed, his love for this woman brought on the sensation of spiritual release, and he felt himself go up into the air above them both. And, there she was right beside him, so close…so very, very close.
She whispered, "I love thee, husband of mine. I belong to thee."
"Áa.And, I belong…to…you, here…my world. It now your own. Come, we learn about world…together."
"Aye, husband of mine. Aye."
****
And so, the season of Home Days passed in a lazy, blissful way. There was much to do when one was in camp; after all, there were arrows and arrowheads to make, sacred shields to create and paint, as well as the required daily hunt for food and for skins to trade…and all this to do before the winter set in.
True, there was always the real threat of a surprise attack from some ambitious war party or, more often, a horse raid. But, as one moon followed upon another, even these didn't affect First Rider's enjoyment of his marital life with Otahki.
Indeed, he considered himself to be a lucky man.
Each day followed a similar pattern. Either First Rider went out on the hunt, or if there was enough meat to last a few days, he would lounge around their lodge, watching Otahki at work while he pretended to be involved in some project. Often when he was in camp he was called to council, and now and again he was asked to attend to an injured or sick person.
In the evening, there were dances to attend or friends to visit. And, sometimes there was not much else to do but watch Otahki go about her daily chores.
On such days, he would seat himself outside their lodge, and while feigning to be engaged in one task or another, he would, in reality, do little more than watch his beautiful woman work and laugh with her friends. In the evening, there were always invitations to feast in some friend's lodge. But, usually he and Otahki preferred their own company, their darkened lodge proclaiming their private inclinations to one and all. Indeed, First Rider could not remember a happier time in his life.
Otahki was now accompanying him whenever he was called upon to attend to the sick or the injured. Truly, shewas gaining a good reputation as a medicine woman, her repute spreading through many of the bands of the tribe.
And so, it came to be that these long summer days passed, each in a similar manner. In years to come, First Rider supposed he might come to think upon this, their first summer together, as one of discovering the joy and peace of the two of them finding each other again.
It was on such a warm sunny day when it happened. First Rider had been sitting outside his lodge, smiling at the easy companionship of his wife with his almost-sister, White Weasel Woman, as well as Czanna, the wife of his friend Stands Strong.
"Óki napí," greeted a man known as Heavy Storm, a man who was about the same age as First Rider. So quietly had Heavy Storm approached him, and as distracted as First Rider was by the beauty of his woman, he had been taken by surprise.
"Óki napí," returned First Rider, looking up at this man he had known since childhood. Indicating a seat on the ground next to him, First Rider said in the Blackfoot tongue, "Come, sit with me. I am glad to see you. I had heard you were on the war path, seeking revenge for the murder of your brother. It is good to see you have returned from the war path. I have also learned about your pony herd; it is now much greater in numbers, and I am happy to learn of your success."
"Áa, soka'pii," agreed Heavy Storm. "And, I am grateful to be back once again with the people."
"It is good." First Rider nodded. "Good, indeed. As I understand it, you led a war party against the Nez Perce. It must have been successful, since all who went with you have also returned. Were you able to enact your revenge against they who killed your brother?"
"This I did," affirmed Heavy Storm. "We who went on the war party are also now richer in many horses. And, my brother's spirit is satisfied to have been revenged."
"Soka'pii.Iiksoka'pii."
Heavy Storm paused a moment, then asked, "I hear you are recently married?"
"It is so."
"And, you are happy?"
"Indeed, I am very happy."
"Perhaps, then, I should not tell you what I discovered when we were in the camp of the Flathead, with whom we wintered."
Frowning, First Rider turned his head to stare at Heavy Storm, then said, "Say what you mean."
