"Perhaps, to some extent. We must learn from them, Luki. It is the only hope we have of remaining a people."
"We will not be Indian by following the white man. White man rapes the land, kills the buffalo, do you not see this?"
"Yes, it is true. But he also has much knowledge and we can learn from them."
She sat upon a rock and smiled provocatively totally aware that her leg was bare nearly to the hip. "Your father finds me a very acceptable bride. He told me so. He said no man could look upon me, without wanting me. It would also benefit your tribe to unite in marriage. But you know all that, don't you? Why do you fight it, am I not desirable enough for you?"
"Desire is not what I seek, Luki. Desire is in the body, it has nothing to do with the heart." He came closer, "I do not wish to hurt you, or my father. And I'm sure you could have your pick of men." He stared down at her now.
Her anger festered. "Your tribe will suffer if you do not take me for your wife." Her voice dripped with acid. But her hand reached to touch his chest, lingering on his nipples with her two fingers, she smiled beguilingly at him. She knew her power to stir a man. "Desire is not evil, Lone Wolf, it's natural between a man and woman."
"Perhaps to some. But I will be chief one day, and desire does not dominate me. I want the heart of a woman, not just her body. I have had a vision and you are not there. You are not my destiny."
"You would take an ugly Arapaho woman, rather than me?" She turned her chin up in defiance. "There is not a man in our camp that does not find me desirable. I am the most beautiful of all my people, and you turn me away? Can you not see that I could please you beyond compare?"
He leaned toward her, taking her lips against his. The kiss held no passion, no fire for him but she responded her mouth opening so he could explore? Her tongue reached to capture his. Lone Wolf took her mouth with curious intent. She pulled away smiling at him, thinking herself a victor.
"You kiss me as though you want me. I can tell you like to dominate, that's good, as I like being submissive to a powerful man."
"I kiss you the way you offer, lustful. It is not to be Luki. Our women have a beauty that goes much deeper than the skin. A beauty that never gets old but remains. If I took anyone from our tribes it would be Little Feather, but I do not love her, so I will not take her either."
"What do you seek, from this vision?" She asked, her temper flaring.
"It is not for me to tell."
"You will be sorry for not taking me. Many Cheyenne warriors want me." She spat. "I can make a fire in the pit of your belly that burns for me. I can pleasure you more than any woman you might know…"
"I'm sure you could. You should choose among your own people."
"I have heard you are a breed… " she laughed.
"It is true. My mother was white." Lone Wolf told her. "I do not hide the fact. And it is another reason you should reject me."
"Then perhaps that is what you desire, a white woman like your father had."
"The Great Spirit will determine my mate." He told her.
"I am your mate," she declared boldly moving toward him, her hands going up and down his chest, as though measuring. Again, she touched his nipples, her mouth open and her eyes full of desire. "I would fill our wedding night with much pleasure. You are big and strong, and I could desire you easily, Lone Wolf. Your body speaks to me, even now." Her voice had softened, as her body moved against him. He took her hands and pushed her away.
He studied her closely. He smiled, "Yes, it does, but I will not have you as a bride, nor will I forsake the one I will take."
"You admit you want me?"
"Any man would want what you offer. But you have failed, Luki. What I seek to capture from a woman is not her body…. But her heart!"
"I am here for your taking," she declared, determined he would make her his wife, she pulled her dress over her head and stood naked before him. She threw the dress to the ground. You said you desire me… I desire you too. Perhaps you are one that needs proof that we are to be together. Take me, I'm yours… " she smiled at him.
He stared, his eyes raking her, and he turned away.
"No, I am sorry, Luki, you are not my bride."
"I offer you my innocence…. " she tried to lure him.
"I do not think you still have innocence Luki. A good woman does not bare herself to a man to prove she is worthy of marriage."
He turned toward her, held her chin up and smiled. "I am sure with your beauty, you will find someone soon. I will not insult you, you are very beautiful, and it would be easy to take you to my bed, but I seek something deeper, more meaningful than lust…"
Then he shoved her away and walked away.