The New World

Chapter Twenty-Three

I ran my fingers through my wet hair and headed back to the tent with the soap and shampoo bowl in hand. I felt clean and fresh... Until I put my dress on. The nasty thing smelled of sweat and fire smoke. The thread was tattered and began to tare.

I wore the pair of moccasins Tecumseh had given me as I quickly made my way back. I was truly surprised that he let come alone. The tent came into sight and my stride began to slow. I grabbed the door flap and pushed it aside.

I walked in to Tecumseh's back towards me. "I'm back," I announced myself.

He turned around with a piece of clothing in his hand and smiled at my appearance. I stood still and smiled at his dear face as he walked up to me. I looked up at him and still feel myself smile. He placed the clothing on the floor and cupped my face with his hands and kissed me with deep passion.

I grasped his wrists and kissed him back. He removed his lips too soon and smiled.

"You are standing on your toes, my love," he looked at my feet.

I giggled, "You are very tall."

I picked my up and spun me around, my arms around his neck. His hand on the back of my head and one on my bottom to keep me from falling.

He slowed down and gently placed me back on my feet. "I have something for you," he said.

"What for?" I beamed.

He bent down and grabbed the clothing he placed on the floor. He unfolded the cloth and held it up for me to see. A sleeveless doe skin dress were between his fingers. Beads were threaded around the collar of blues, reds, oranges, and purples. From the shoulder, fringe cut across diagonally to the waist and from the waist to the bottom. It was a beauty, something I could not even express.

My hands went to my mouth, "Oh, Tecumseh..." I muffled under my hands.

"Do you approve?" he asked, uncertain.

"Approve? I love it. It's beautiful," I gasped. I stared at it in awe.

"Put it on," he said softly.

I grinned and nodded. I grabbed it gently and rushed to my cot. I turned to say my thanks before I put it on, but I was alone. I slowly walked to the door flap and saw Tecumseh standing his back to me outside. I smiled.

I hurried back to the dress. I undid my disgusting dress I had on for the past two weeks. I felt my skin breathe. I carefully slipped the doe skin dress on, doing my best not to rip or tare. The dress hugged my every curve, just like another layer of skin. The dress hem stopped at mid-thigh.

I spun around, making the fringe dance. I stopped at the flap door, "Tecumseh? You can come in now," I called out.

Right then Tecumseh's fingers slipped between the flaps and brushed them aside as he stepped in. His breath hiked in his throat when he gazed over me. I stood on the balls of my feet and spun around, giving him a show.

"You are breath taking, lecakie," Tecumseh said, tenderly.

I blushed at his compliment, "I cannot thank you enough, Tecumseh."

"There is no need to thank me, my love. I should apologize for not giving it to you sooner. I feel terrible for letting you live in that horrid dress..." he starred to the one I had lived in for two weeks.

I laughed, "It is disgusting. But it is fine. This dress is beautiful."

"You are beautiful," he breathed.

I bit my lip and walked gracefully on the balls of my feet up to him. I placed my hands on his chest and planted a kiss on his lips. He brushed my hair from my face and kissed my forehead, lovingly.

"This dress," he began, "Was my mother's. She hadn't worn it long. She passed soon after she got it. A friend of the family of the Shawnee made it for her."

I stared up at him, sadness in my eyes. I felt so honored to wear his mother's dress. I brought him into a tight hug, thanking him.

"But I would like to show you off," he grinned.

I looked up at him, trying to hide the horror in my eyes, "What?"

"You are mine, Alice. The tribe will be wondering what I will be doing with you."

I stepped away and looked at him with my eyebrows furrowed, "Tecumseh, I do not understand."

He shook his head, like he couldn't believe he was explaining this, "Alice, the tribe does not know if I will kill you or not. I am obviously not going to do so."

"Well, that is good to know," I said, sarcasm seeping into my tone of voice.

A smile played on his lips, "You still seem confused."

I nodded, "Why do you need to show me off? Why can't you just go to them and tell them you're not going to kill me?"

He chuckled, "You do not understand."

"Well, then explain to me. I do not know what I am missing," I eyed his suspiciously.

"Alice, you are mine. I want them to know that," he took a step toward me.

I still looked at him confused, "What do you mean by that?" I took a step back.

He smiled, "I want them to know that no one can have you, but me," he took another step.

I stood still. I cocked an eyebrow, "Oh, so you own me?"

He shrugged, "Well, I do."

I shook my head, smiling, "Now wait a minute, I am a human being. Yes, I am a woman. But you do not own me."

Tecumseh took another step and was right up against me, "Oh, is that so? What about those men and woman called slaves back in your home? They are human beings. They have women. Yet, your people own them. Is it a completely different story when a pale-face becomes a slave?"

He starred down at me. His face held the same expression from the earlier days I was with him; blank, emotionless, hard.

I looked up at him in shock, no words came to mind. I knew I looked like a spooked deer.

He lowered his gaze, still looking into my eyes, "You are a woman. You are a human being. But, technically, I do own you. But, you are confusing two things together, Alice. They already know that I own you. But, what they do not know is that your heart is mine."