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the stallion.” Yellow Hawk sounded pleased.
“She is,” Whispering Wheat agreed. “Shining Star says they talked. Gentle Wave is going to encourage Straight Arrow and Grazing Fawn, even though she knows she’ll have a long wait until the stallion is a man.” She noticed the stallion glance at her. “You have a fine, young Indian woman waiting for you when you complete your journey.”
Mike wasn’t sure how much of what Raining Thunder had told him was true. Part of his mind tried to attribute the warrior’s kindness to his responsibility of caring for the horse. When Gentle Wave looked into his eyes, he now realized it was the first time she, at least, was looking at him as a man. If he made it through the journey, he’d be respected if he was with the dominant woman, even if he was once only a flatlander.
At dawn the next morning, the entire tribe was bustling with excitement. The Indians always hosted the celebration because they were midpoint between the two settlements. It also reinforced their friendship with their Protectors.
CHAPTER 4
THE PROUD STALLION
Mike was tethered to an outside post by the stable. “These will be long days for you. You’ll be standing as a proud stallion. Remember that as the hours go by. It will be a test of patience and strength.” Yellow Hawk checked the tracers one more time. “You’ll be watered and fed. Other than that, we‘ll see very little of each other for the next three days. You‘ll be stalled at night.”
That was all the explanation Mike got. He heard war hoops of cheer as Patrick’s Clan arrived. An hour later, he was aware Wind Seeker had approached with some other people. Mike, eyes staring straight ahead, had been lost in thoughts of what a life with the Indians and Gentle Wave would be like.
Wind Seeker walked to his side. “This is our stallion, Patrick.”
Mike caught a glimpse of a tall, blonde man who reminded him a little of Nathan. He could also see the tall blonde woman by his side.
“Lucien may have made a mistake letting this one go,” Patrick said. “He’s got a proud bearing. I think I would have kept him. The settlements need leaders.”
Mike stood even straighter. At least this Vampire realized his qualities and agreed the almighty Lucien was a fool. Patrick caught the slight move.
Constance spoke up. “From what you’ve described of this Ariel person, well, I don’t see how such a fragile woman could have hoped to be with this one. Look at his tall stance. No, this one needs a woman with strength by his side. His woman should be a leader in her own way.”
Mike was hoping Wind Seeker would tell them about Gentle Wave. She was waiting for him. He was going to be with the dominant female. It’s what he deserved.
“I suspect when Lucien and Ariel see him, they’ll realize their mistake,” Wind Seeker said, and they wandered off.
When they were out of Mike’s hearing range, Wind Seeker said, “Thank you. Yellow Hawk says he still sees anger in the stallion’s eyes. He’s come a long way on his journey and will make a good man for the tribe, but he has to let go of his ghosts.”
Patrick chuckled. “He must have been a real asshole on the trip up the mountain.”
“He was,” Wind Seeker confirmed. “I’m hoping Lucien has realized Ariel’s his mate by now. It was obvious to me when I watched how he was with her. She has a gentle way about her. I could see her distress when the stallion was a dog. I think it will help her on her own journey with Lucien if she can let go of her ghosts. When she sees the stallion’s pride, it should help.”
“It might be easier if I bring her over,” Constance offered. “We can talk for awhile until she’s comfortable with me. I know she’ll be confused when she sees the stallion, but I think I can explain it to her. If she knows he’s passing a
“She is,” Whispering Wheat agreed. “Shining Star says they talked. Gentle Wave is going to encourage Straight Arrow and Grazing Fawn, even though she knows she’ll have a long wait until the stallion is a man.” She noticed the stallion glance at her. “You have a fine, young Indian woman waiting for you when you complete your journey.”
Mike wasn’t sure how much of what Raining Thunder had told him was true. Part of his mind tried to attribute the warrior’s kindness to his responsibility of caring for the horse. When Gentle Wave looked into his eyes, he now realized it was the first time she, at least, was looking at him as a man. If he made it through the journey, he’d be respected if he was with the dominant woman, even if he was once only a flatlander.
At dawn the next morning, the entire tribe was bustling with excitement. The Indians always hosted the celebration because they were midpoint between the two settlements. It also reinforced their friendship with their Protectors.
CHAPTER 4
THE PROUD STALLION
Mike was tethered to an outside post by the stable. “These will be long days for you. You’ll be standing as a proud stallion. Remember that as the hours go by. It will be a test of patience and strength.” Yellow Hawk checked the tracers one more time. “You’ll be watered and fed. Other than that, we‘ll see very little of each other for the next three days. You‘ll be stalled at night.”
That was all the explanation Mike got. He heard war hoops of cheer as Patrick’s Clan arrived. An hour later, he was aware Wind Seeker had approached with some other people. Mike, eyes staring straight ahead, had been lost in thoughts of what a life with the Indians and Gentle Wave would be like.
Wind Seeker walked to his side. “This is our stallion, Patrick.”
Mike caught a glimpse of a tall, blonde man who reminded him a little of Nathan. He could also see the tall blonde woman by his side.
“Lucien may have made a mistake letting this one go,” Patrick said. “He’s got a proud bearing. I think I would have kept him. The settlements need leaders.”
Mike stood even straighter. At least this Vampire realized his qualities and agreed the almighty Lucien was a fool. Patrick caught the slight move.
Constance spoke up. “From what you’ve described of this Ariel person, well, I don’t see how such a fragile woman could have hoped to be with this one. Look at his tall stance. No, this one needs a woman with strength by his side. His woman should be a leader in her own way.”
Mike was hoping Wind Seeker would tell them about Gentle Wave. She was waiting for him. He was going to be with the dominant female. It’s what he deserved.
“I suspect when Lucien and Ariel see him, they’ll realize their mistake,” Wind Seeker said, and they wandered off.
When they were out of Mike’s hearing range, Wind Seeker said, “Thank you. Yellow Hawk says he still sees anger in the stallion’s eyes. He’s come a long way on his journey and will make a good man for the tribe, but he has to let go of his ghosts.”
Patrick chuckled. “He must have been a real asshole on the trip up the mountain.”
“He was,” Wind Seeker confirmed. “I’m hoping Lucien has realized Ariel’s his mate by now. It was obvious to me when I watched how he was with her. She has a gentle way about her. I could see her distress when the stallion was a dog. I think it will help her on her own journey with Lucien if she can let go of her ghosts. When she sees the stallion’s pride, it should help.”
“It might be easier if I bring her over,” Constance offered. “We can talk for awhile until she’s comfortable with me. I know she’ll be confused when she sees the stallion, but I think I can explain it to her. If she knows he’s passing a
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