Silken Savage by Catherine Hart

will be a true daughter of the Cheyenne and I can claim you as my bride.” Pride registered in Panther’s voice.
    “It had better be soon,” Tanya sighed softly.
    “I know, my heart. I do not want our child to be harmed by the testing; but neither do I want you to have the heartache of bearing a bastard.”
    “How did you know? I have told no one, and my stomach is still flat!” Tanya was amazed.
    “Do you think after all this time I do not know every inch of your body? I know it better than you do; better than my own. Blind, I would know it; every curve, each rib, every mark, the scent of you. These days your breasts are more full and sensitive, your skin holds a special glow, and your hair and eyes sparkle with the vitality of the new life you carry within you.”
    “I didn’t want to tell you just yet and cause you worry,” Tanya explained. “I took special care to hide my sickness in the mornings and those times when certain smells nauseate me.”
    Panther gave her a tender smile. “I have noticed, but I think no one else has. I love you, Wildcat, and I would not put your life or that of our child in danger. You are young and healthy, and the testing should not be a problem if it comes soon. To wait would increase the danger.”
    “I would walk through fire for you, Panther. I love you so much!” Tears glistened in her golden eyes.
    “I am honored to have you for my woman,” Panther declared huskily, drawing her closer.
    He worshiped her with his lips and hands, making love to her more gently than ever before. One after another, he searched out the sensitive areas of her body, leaving no spot untouched, no part of her that was not yearning for him.
    Caught up in a web of desire, Tanya drew him to her, arching her body into his. “Panther, Panther,”she sighed his name. “You set my soul aflame!”
    “Then I must quench the fire with my love,” ho whispered back, and proceeded to make tender, exquisite love to her until they were both consumed by the flames of their desire.
    Later they talked softly. “Are you happy about the child, Wildcat?” he asked her.
    “I cannot tell you what joy it gives me to know your child grows within me,” she sighed, her face all aglow. “I find myself imagining a boy, a miniature of his handsome father, or a little girl with your huge, black eyes. Are you, too, pleased about the baby?”
    “More than pleased, I am proud and thrilled. I shall eagerly await the arrival of the child of our love and passion.”
    “Would you be disappointed if it is a girl? I know how important a son is to a man.”
    “If it should be a girl, she will be beautiful and courageous like her mother. How could I regret that ? But son or daughter, I hope it has your golden eyes, the eyes that first drew me to you. We should make beautiful children together, Wildcat. Brave, intelligent, proud.”
    “And if the first is a daughter, we can try again for a son. The trying is so very,
very
nice, Panther,” Tanya whispered softly in his ear.
     
    The day after their return to the village, Black Kettle set up Tanya’s tests. During the morning, she would sit in Black Kettle’s lodge and be examined orally on her knowledge of history, religion, customs, and medicine. In the afternoon, she would demonstrate her skills at riding, shooting, and fighting. She had already passed all her woman’s skills before Black Kettle’s wife, Woman-To-Be-Hereafter.
    The usually placid Panther paced outside his uncle’s tipi, unable to conceal his anxiety. Three hours later, Tanya emerged. Her face was set in calm lines; only her eyes were sparkling in delight. She gave Panther and Winter Bear a broad, saucy wink as she passed.
    Panther was unable to follow Tanya as he would have wished, for just then Black Kettle emerged from his tipi and approached Panther and Winter Bear.
    “Your woman surprises me, Panther,” he said. “She has the subtle tenacity of a spider’s web. For one who appears so fragile,