Deed to Damnation

Double Down

The smell of cooking food woke Ireland from a heavy sleep. The drug she was given had made sure of that, and she was groggy too. The breakfast that she and Henry were served in their teepee helped wake her a little but she missed her bed and the strong coffee Joss made every morning.
Henry was in a dour mood. He ate in silence and she dared not ask why. She had barely any memory of last night after Little Bird's ridiculous show. All she knew was that somehow she had married him in a Cheyenne ceremony. She didn't know why and was pretty sure it was of no consequence to Henry anyway. He did it for his own reasons. There was no doubt about that and most likely he would never tell her about them either.
No sooner had they stepped out of their wedding night den that the teepee was being taken down and rolled away. She couldn't believe how quickly the handful of men did it.
"We're done here, Ire." Henry informed her. "For now anyway."
She was glad. Although the natives were fascinating, she had no desire to stay any longer. As they headed back towards the wagon, Howling Star and Winter Willow intercepted them. The chief had his arms outstretched and his smile was big. He embraced Ireland without warning and she froze in his unexpected bear hug.
"A new Cheyenne bride." He grinned and released her. "You are honorary. You should come back and learn our women's ways."
She managed a timid smile.
"I, uh.." she began.
"Watchful Fox belongs with me in Solstice." Henry answered for her. "Or at my homestead that I thoroughly plan on starting as soon as possible. If you see strange white men building on your land, they are mine. My horses are branded with my initials. If you don't see the markings, kill them all and take the horses. We will divy them up at a later date."
Ireland cringed at his words. Sometimes she forgot who Henry Delarue was and his fondness for violence.
"I will." The chief agreed. "And my invitation is only for Watchful Fox, not you. You will stay away from my son and daughter. In ten days I will send someone to where you are building to collect our weapons and game."
Ireland watched as the muscles in Henry's jaw tensed, deepening his already prominent dimples. She smiled inwardly. Even though she would never voluntarily come back to this place, it was gratifying to know that she was preferred above the mighty Henry Delarue.
"Agreed." Henry grumbled. "And you will tell Dark Eagle to stay away from my bride."
Why would he say something as ill-mannered as that, she wondered. This whole farewell was making her uneasy. Howling Star lost his smile at the snide retort and  she quickly broke the tension by addressing Winter Willow.
"Here." She offered, handing her a neatly folded cloth. " The jewelry I woke up wearing plus the necklace you lent me is in there."
Winter smiled warmly.
"They are a gift for your wedding. You may keep them." She said and gave Ireland a quick embrace.
"There is something else." Howling Star said as they reached the edge of the village. "Dark Eagle has something for you as well."
A young boy came towards them and Ireland squealed in excitement. It was Meadow! And she was primped in Cheyenne custom, her mane braided and adorned with dyed blue porcupine quills. A bear hide horse blanket was draped over her sleek, white back with the fine leather saddle she had chosen strapped on top.
"You should ride bareback." Winter suggested. "Waiting Wolf should teach you."
"Seems to me, she needs to learn how to ride in general." Henry said, grabbing the reins and securing them to the side of the team.
"Please tell Dark Eagle I said thank you." Ireland gushed. "I thought she was gone forever."
"Yes, beautiful things can escape you if you are not careful in handling them."
It was Winter that spoke, leveling a hard, knowing look at Henry who pretended not to notice.
Ireland went to mount her mare, excited to ride her safely back to Solstice but Henry grabbed her arm and escorted her roughly to the tailgate. She gasped when he scooped her up and deposited her in the back, banging the gate closed loudly. She went to protest but decided against it. The last few minutes had been tense enough. With a sharp snap to the reins, they began the trip back and Ireland watched as the pointed steeples of the teepees, with their clouds of billowing, white smoke disappeared behind them. How fascinating that a people that seemed so otherworldly only lived one day and night's ride from her home, she thought. Even more intriguing yet alarming was that her husband was doing something shady with them. She knew enough about him to almost guarantee it.