AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He took her hands and drew her to her feet. Slowly he dressed her, but not in the silk clothing she had worn during the ceremony. Right before Dawnmarie had left for Wisconsin, she had given Fire Thunder a beautiful, white doeskin dress, with the bead designs of the forest flowers sewn on the front.
“This is a gift from Dawnmarie,” he softly explained. “It was a dress worn by her for special functions. She wanted you to have it. She said that when you wear it, you will remember her, and the friendship that you found together.”
Kaylene gazed down at the dress, recognizing it, remembering when she had seen Dawnmarie wear it. She grew warm inside at the thought. “She is so special,” she said, choking back a sob. “I hope one day to be able to thank her for this wonderful gift.”
When it was on her, she ran her fingers over the beautiful beads. “How lovely,” she said, touched deeply by the gift.
“You are lovelier,” Fire Thunder said, then left the room for a moment.
When he came back to Kaylene, he held something behind him. “Close your eyes,” he said softly. “Stand still and do not open your eyes until I tell you to.”
“Another surprise?” Kaylene said, giggling as she closed her eyes. She grew quiet when she felt Fire Thunder pin something to the bodice of the dress.
“Look now and see,” Fire Thunder said, watching Kaylene’s expression as she gazed down at the brooch. Her eyes were wide. Her lips were parted in a pleased gasp.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, running her fingers over the small, elaborately etched brooch.
“My woman, this has been in my family for many generations,” Fire Thunder said thickly. “It is a German silver br
ooch. It has been used in conjunction with rhizome to enamor the person one desired. It has the power to catch. It has worked, has it not? I have you, the light of my heart.’”
“Does the brooch still have the power to ‘catch’ someone?” Kaylene asked teasingly.
“Yes, always,” Fire Thunder said, chuckling. “Have you not noticed the two little claws which serve to catch the one desired?”
“I will wear it proudly to keep the man of my desire,” Kaylene said, her eyes dancing.
“You have me forever,” Fire Thunder said, stepping into his breeches.
Again he gazed at length at her. “You are ever so beautiful,” he said huskily.
“Yes, I must admit that I feel beautiful,” Kaylene said. Her laughter rippled as she looked up at him. “And those gifts, Fire Thunder, that your people gave us. I am so very touched by everything and everyone.”
“They are all gifts from the heart,” he said, pulling his shirt over his head.
“The bird’s nest filled with daisies was so sweet,” she murmured, as she ran her fingers through her hair in an effort to remove the tangles that lovemaking had created.
She realized the roses were gone. She gazed down at the bear pelt and found them there, scattered across the pelt, as though they had been purposely placed there for their lovemaking.
“That gift that you thought was so sweet could have gotten the young brave in trouble,” Fire Thunder said, his eyes twinkling into Kaylene’s.
“How could it have?” Kaylene asked, her eyes wide.
“Children are taught not to disturb bird’s nests,” Fire Thunder said, stepping into a moccasin. “But if they find them on the ground, abandoned, that is the difference. When I saw the young brave with the nest, I questioned him. He said that he had found it beneath a tree. No birds or eggs were anywhere near it.”
The laughter and singing outside drew them. “Let us go outside and join the merriment,” Fire Thunder said, taking her hand, leading her toward the door.
When they stepped outside, they discovered that day had turned to night. The moon was full and bewitching overhead. “My wife, do you see the moon tonight?” Fire Thunder said, gesturing toward it.
“Yes, and I don’t think I have ever seen it look so beautiful,” she murmured, watching it.
Fire Thunder turned to Kaylene. He lifted her chin with a finger so that their eyes met. “The moon herself is a woman,” he said softly. “Tonight she shines brightly just for you, my wife.”
Again he looked heavenward, drawing her eyes there also. “Black Hair is up there in the heavens, perhaps one of the stars that twinkles the brightest tonight,” he said, his voice somewhat shaky. “Or he might be riding a horse spirit and gazing down at us, wishing us well!”
“And we won’t disappoint him, will we, darling?” Kaylene murmured. “Our marriage is going to be the envy of all who know us.”
Fire Thunder turned to her. “I am the envy of all who know me for having won you as my wife,” he said thickly, then kissed her, leaving her weak in the knees as though it were their very first kiss.
