The Wolf and The Blossom

Chapter 10

Anne

The weather has gotten colder as the past week has gone by. Soon winter will be here, I've never known a winter in such harsh conditions, but Ahyoka assures me it will be okay. We are currently gathering what's left of the corn before winter sets in and kills even one precious corn. The kids run through the stocks and I wait on Ahyoka, already having finished my section.

Waya is in a meeting with Elder Inola and other men discussing the English camp. The breeze is cold and it's freezing hands rake down my arms, causing goosebumps. Soon we will all be wearing more layers than our more airy summer clothes. Winter is one month away, but I can feel it lurking. As I double check my stocks to make sure I didn't miss any, a hand grabs me, pulling my through the stocks into Waya's body.

That mischievous grin has excitement trilling along my bones. He drags me from the field and a little into the woods before slamming me into a tree. "You look beautiful, Anne." his hands are everywhere, eyes following. His lips brush over my cheek, caressing a sensitive spot that has my body arching and eardrums trembling at the feather light touch. His body is heavy over mine, hands pressing into my hips, those torturous lips dragging across my skin to my neck before slanting over mine.

I love this feeling. The feeling of being out of control. Of letting him take the reigns, giving myself wholly and fully to him.

I slide my hands in his hair, gripping it tightly, making approving sounds as he palms my backside. His tongue slips into my mouth, sliding over mine, twining and dancing with mine in a sensual dance. My body undulates as he works my mouth with his before he finally pulls away and peck my nose and I pepper kisses along his strong jaw, sliding my tongue along his smooth skin.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you during the meeting." he murmurs against the crook of my neck.

I press against him, running my hands over his arms. "You really should have focused. That meeting was really important," I mock scold.

He nips my earlobe, squeezing my behind. "How am I supposed to focus when all I can see in my head is you on y..."

I press my hand to his mouth as he finishes his sentence with more details of what has transpired between us and licks my hand. "Waya! You are so indecent!"

Waya tips his head back and laughs deeply, the sound coaxing me to laugh as well.

A smack sounds and Ahyoka appears behind Waya, smacking his head. "She was working! As you should have been doing!" she rolls her eyes, muttering something about lovebirds and inappropriate behavior.

"What a mother hen."

I slap his arm as we both laugh and he gives my back side a good smack as I leave to get my basket before returning to his side and to pay back I slap his butt which causes him to look at me bewildered before we fall into a fit of laughter.

-~-

While disney is being prepared the kids grow restless so I suggest playing in the woods. Waya and I take the kids and they decide to be monsters while Waya and I chase them. The children scatter, screaming and roaring. We let them have a head start before we chase after them.

The woods are thick, branches and leaves sticking and crushing beneath my feet. Waya goes left while I head right and chase both of Ahyoka's girls.

We run through the woods chasing the children and when I catch Awinita, I pick her up, spinning around, making monster noises as she squeals and laughs. I let her go and as I go to chase Kamama, Waya yells, "Capture the pale princess!"

All attention turns on me and I screech, running deeper into the forest, children and Waya running after me. Suddenly my feet aren't on the ground and Waya tosses me over his shoulder as he walks towards the children.

"I caught her my young demons!"

I kick and squeal as he drops me, gently onto the ground and the children attack me with hugs and laugh as we fall over into a heap of limbs.

-~-

At dinner the meat runs steadily giving everyone seconds and the fire is so warm we all stay around it. Talk of the Englishmen is popular and hushed lest the young ones hear. Some men say they saw Englishmen close to our settlement which causes me to worry.

"What if they seek vengeance?" I whisper to Waya.

He slides an arm around my waist, kissing my temple. "We are prepared, adsila. I won't let anyone take you from me."

I shake my head, resting a hand on his leg. "I am worried about you, Waya. I don't want you to be harmed." my chest caves in and I fight tears.

"Don't worry about me, Anne. I'm okay and can take care of myself," he says, kissing me ling and soft, I squeeze his arm.

He grins and pulls away. "I have something for you."

I raise an eyebrow as he digs into his breeches pocket. He covers an object with both hands and I smile, feeling giddy and excited. "Are you ready?"

I make a noise. "Come on!"

Waya chuckles and slowly opens his hands to reveal a carving of an orchid, he even painted it. My breath catches. "Oh my... Waya..." gingerly I run my fingers over the smooth petals.

" I started it after our first day at the river." he says, face reddening in embarrassment.

I gently take it into my palms and gaze at it. "It's lovely. What does it symbolize?"

He clears his throat, turning his back on the tribe. "Well an orchid symbolizes luxury and beauty, both of which are apparent as I first laid eyes on you, but after the river and the ceremony and everything you went through the day before I saw your strength. Now I have come to... I love you."

My heart flutters and I slam my lips against his, kissing him hard. "I love you!"

He chuckles and kisses me again.

Happily, I look down at the figurine he made for me, touching the beautiful flower. A symbol of his love for me. I nestle into him as we enjoy the rest of the fire and a little girl comes up to me named, Gola.

"Anne?" she mumbles timidly.

I smile warmly. "Yes, sweetie?"

"Can you mend my pillow? The straw is poking out," she says.

"Of course!" I say cheerfully. "I'll go get my needle and thread."

I head over to my wattle, slipping the flower in my wrap around skirt pocket, then movement catches my attention. In my periphery I see a white man lurking in the woods, others on the other side too. My heart stops. I turn and run back to the center of the tribe.

"The Englishmen are here!" I yell in the native language.

Just as the words leave my lips, chaos descends onto the village.