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Sasha wondered if they were afraid of him. But the look on their faces told her they weren't, they cared for him. All of them. That was a different matter. Would they be jealous? Then why on earth did he want to marry her? It looked very much as though he could have his pick of his own women.
She hadn't had time to say goodbye to Big Knife and she wondered what he might be thinking about all of this. Would he find a way for them to be together? Would he come after her and steal her away? The very notion struck her as ro
mantic and she smiled. She barely saw the look of hate on his face as she left. But surely, if he loved her, he would find a way.
She glanced at Black Wolf. He'd beaten Big Knife fairly and she was impressed with his strength, but she longed to be with Big Knife.
He'd lose some of the admiration from his people for this. She hadn't meant to bring him ridicule. She loved him. How could she marry this… man?
Black Wolf introduced her to some of the people gathered to greet them, and he took her to a tepee with other women. "You will sleep here every day until the wedding."
"How long?" she asked.
"Until the wedding?" He asked. She nodded. "We will be married in three days and one week. The week is for you to get familiar with my people and the laws of our tribe."
"Three days and a week, why so soon. I do not even know you." She complained.
"We will talk much between now and then, so you can get to know me." He smiled. "I give you leave to ask any question."
"Give me leave?" she huffed and turned away.
"You may ask any question, and I will try to answer." He said with patience.
"Three days and a week is not enough time." She was determined to make him wait longer. Maybe Big Knife would think of something to get her back, if she could prolong the wedding. But even that thought fizzled when she remembered all Naomie had said. The truth was, Big Knife might not want her back. She was certain that Naomie would marry him if he asked her.
She felt so uncertain of everything now.
Doubt began to eat at her.
Short of making a war between the two tribes, she had no idea what Big Knife could do, or would want to do about her situation. Perhaps he would merely accept her father's wishes and that would be the end of it.
Did Big Knife really love her? She felt so insecure.
Black Wolf pulled her closer, so others could not hear. "Sasha my sweet," his glance bore into her now. "Big Knife lost the battle. He fought bravely, but he lost. It was a fair battle. Your father gave you to me as a wife. I gave him a great prize of fifteen horses as I promised, along with corn and skins for the winter. The wedding is in three days and one week. In the morning, I will come get you and we will walk and talk, and I will introduce you to many of my people."
"B-but!"
"Three days and one week!" he insisted and walked off.
She turned to see the woman in front of the tepee. "You are welcome here." She let her come inside.
The tepee was very large and had all manner of things inside. Big, thick hides for the winter, tools that they worked with, weapons that they hunted with. There were blankets all around, and a big fire in the middle where one of the girls was cooking. Three women lived here with their parents, as they were not yet wed. This tribe had much more than her own, she could see that for herself. They did well here. But they had been here much longer. This once had been their rightful land. She knew the Shoshone had made peace with the blue coats and wondered if that was the reason for their prosperity.
"My name is Blue Bird, my sisters, Sweet Bear, and Little Star. This is our home. For the next three days and week, you will eat and sleep with us. We will make your wedding dress, and everything will be prepared for you. You were chosen to be Black Wolf's wife, and it is a great honor, to become a chief's wife."
"I am the daughter of the chief of my people. My name is Sasha." she told them.
"Oh! That is good, then you are familiar with how to run his home."
"To some extent." Sasha answered.
Sasha knew she could not argue her point with these women. But she would need some friends to escape from here, that much she knew. She'd find a way and go back to her own people. But finding a way that would not disgrace her father, would not be an easy feat. Surely Big Knife was arranging something now.
Still, the fact that it would dishonor his gifts to her father made her rethink it. He was a chief and if she didn't marry him, it would be a direct insult. It would be a scandal in both camps. She had to think things through before she acted. She'd known all along that the daughter of a chief could not be reckless with her behavior.
Right now, she wished she didn't have a mind to think with.
But why had he chosen her? Why not one of these women? They were pretty and friendly.
