Coloradous sobered as they rode away. "I fear Tykota loves that woman." He shook his head sadly. "She is certainly well enough to leave, yet Tykota keeps her here."
Inea frowned. "Our poor brother. Our laws forbid him to have her."
In the gathering darkness, Tykota lifted Makinna from her horse. He smiled when he felt the corset beneath her gown. "You are wearing too much clothing again."
She averted her eyes. "The same can't be said about you."
He set her on her feet. "Are you really feeling well enough to be out riding?"
"Yes. I was just telling your sister that I am well enough to leave."
He guided her down the riverbank and stood beside her. "Are you so anxious to leave us?"
She wanted to tell him that she never wanted to leave, that she would gladly stay here with him forever. But her stubborn pride formed her words. "My sister must be out of her mind with worry for my safety by now."
"I sent word to my mother to let your sister know you had come to no harm."
"Oh." She sat down and plucked at a long blade of grass. "It is lovely here."
He sat down nearby. "Yes, I think so."
She looked up at him and found him watching her closely. "You will remain here?" she asked.
"I must."
"I see."
He reached out and touched her cheek. He hadn't meant to; it just seemed necessary. "Will you leave so soon, Makinna?"
She fought against the tears that were forming behind her eyes. "You tell me, Tykota."
His hand dropped away. "Yes. I will make arrangements for you to go. In two days' time."
"Will you take me yourself?"
"As far as Biquera. My mother will see that you get to El Paso from there."
Her heart was breaking. He seemed so distant, and anxious to see the last of her. "Thank you."
They both fell silent, watching the water.
"Makinna, I suppose you will one day want to marry?"
She drew in a breath, wondering how he could ask her such a question. Wounded, she answered with bitter sarcasm. "Yes, of course. Every woman wants that, didn't you know? We are born to have children and please some man in bed." Upon making the outrageous statement, she saw the stricken look in his eyes.
He stood up, reached for her hand, and drew her up beside him. She was speechless as he took her into his arms. He laid his face against hers and said in an anguished voice, "Would that I were that man. I would sleep with you beside me at night so I could touch you as I am only able to do in my dreams." His mouth traveled down her cheek to the corner of her lips. "I would fill your belly with sons and make all your days happy."
A sob was building up inside her, and she threw her arms around him. "I want to lie beside you! I want to have your sons! I don't want to leave you!"
With an agonized murmur, Tykota tightened his arms around Makinna. "I have stayed away from you," he said, going down to his knees and pulling her down beside him, "because I knew I could not keep my hands off you if I saw you again."
Her eyes were wide with wonder. "You love me-you do!"
Her words were sobering. He could not let her know the depth of his love. Because he had to send her away. But he would taste her lips and hold her for a moment, then he would let her go. "It is desire I feel for you, Makinna," he said almost harshly.
She parted her lips and moved closer to him. "Then desire me, Tykota."
His lips were on hers, probing, covering, devouring. It was as if a floodgate had opened, and every emotion he had held back came spilling out. Makinna was ripe and ready for a man, and he wanted to be that man.
Makinna was quaking as he opened her gown and buried his mouth against her breast.
She found herself lying on the soft grass with Tykota beside her. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
He groaned her name and pulled her to him. At this moment, he would die for just one more taste of those lips.
The last flicker of sunlight gave way to darkness as Tykota unhooked Makinna's gown and pushed it down over her shoulders, giving him full access to both her breasts. While his mouth settled on the one his fingers caressed the other.
Makinna writhed as burning desire overwhelmed her. She bit her lip to keep from crying out from the sheer ecstasy of it.
There was no moon and the only light came from the twinkling stars that sparkled in the heavens and reflected in the river.
Tykota moved back to her lips and kissed her with all the passion that had been locked in him for so long. She grasped his head, holding him tighter against her, feeling she would die if he did not take all of her.
"Beloved," he murmured in her ear, kissing her earlobe while he unhooked her undergarment with trembling hands. He dare not deflower her, dare not know the depths of her delicate beauty, but just once, before he sent her away, he had to look upon her, touch her, caress her, as if she were truly his woman, for all time. The sacrifice he had to make was great. At least this much he could grant himself, the memory of her naked in his arms.