"Yes, she belongs to another." Lone Wolf proclaimed.
"And what of your vision?"
"I should let her go now."
"No, she does not belong to another." Black Feather blurted. "Not in her heart. That is what torments her. She is a good woman. For she knows she should feel something for her white husband. She does not. This troubles her. She also has never known love. Never. Can you imagine not being loved by anyone. Not feeling what love is? It is hard to imagine how one could be born of this world and not loved by someone. She did not marry him with her heart. She never gave her heart to anyone. Her family did not love her, her husband did not love her. Can you imagine living in a world like that? She thinks there is something wrong with her that no one can love her."
"How could anyone not love her…. " Lone Wolf blurted. Then his head raised, and he looked at his friends.
They were smiling. Black Feather stepped closer to him, stared at him and added, "For one who has never known love, perhaps someone should tell her she is loved."
Lone Wolf stared, his mouth open, and suddenly he nodded. "She nearly killed herself out there."
"Yes, she is strong willed."
He glanced at Black Feather, then leaned to kiss her on the forehead, "Thank you…"
Black Feather smiled as he went inside to see about her.
A young maiden was tending her, he sent her away.
He took the rag that she used to cool her head and wiped it gently.
His eyes followed the length of her. He continued to wipe her brow for over an hour. And that night he held her close in his arms as he slept.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, she was curled up against his chest, sleeping. She opened her eyes and saw him, and relief flooded her. She was back in his arms. It felt so right, as though she belonged there. Still, she had to remember her place. Forgetting it meant losing whatever it was she had with this man.
And what she had was so precious, she would be his slave forever if he'd only understand.
But when she fully awakened she realized that falling in love with Lone Wolf could mean heartache for her, if he didn't return her love. How would she ever know?
"You ran away and became very sick." He told her as he sat up.
"I'm sorry." She said, not looking at him.
"Why did you run?"
"Must we talk of this?"
"You could have died out there, you were nearly frozen when I found you." He protested. "Did you want to escape me, that badly?"
"You do not understand."
"Then make me understand." He said turning her around and lifting her chin.
"You think I am like Luki. When you kiss me, I lose myself? No one kisses me like that, but you. I am your slave, and I do not know how to respond. No matter where I go, or who I am with, I am still just a slave. Each time I slave for others, each one is different in how they treat me. I must adapt, and I'm having trouble doing that."
"I see. I thought you responded with your heart." He told her, still not looking at her.
"Do not trifle with me. I was never a good lover to Liam. He told me so. When he kissed me, he slobbered, and the smell of whiskey was upon him. I hated it. But when you…. " She stopped.
She got up and paced and fretted. "I'm sorry, this isn't coming out right."
"I think it is coming out just right." He stood up and took her by the arms, staring into her eyes. "Are you my slave or nebii'o'oo? You are not like Luki, you could never be. I would never compare you to her. And I enjoyed every kiss from you. I hunger for your sweet kisses every day; do you not know this?" His expression was serious as he stared into her eyes. But his eyes softened on her and it left her speechless for a moment.
"But you kissed me and walked away, like Liam, you felt nothing…I do not know what to say, or how to act. What is the proper action for a slave, Lone Wolf. I am ignorant of your ways."