Yellow Moon by Ginger Simpson

Author:Ginger Simpson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, native american, cherokee, santee
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.

Chapter Seven

“Yes. I desire another wife. Now I will have two women to keep me warm.” Plenty Coup threw back his head, his long braids touching his mid-back, and laughed…a most evil laugh.

Yellow Moon tasted bile again. With Plenty Coup’s face hidden beneath a black handprint, his features were hard to distinguish, but his sagging chest, thin arms, and snow-streaked hair showed he was no youngster. The breechclout he wore didn’t hide skinny legs that were wide enough apart to herd buffalo through. The thought of warming his blankets sickened her. She wanted her handsome Santee to be the first to bed her.

Complaining would only anger Plenty Coup, so Yellow Moon didn’t struggle against his wife. Markings on the outside of the tepee like those on Plenty Coup’s face were painted black, a color indicating strength, victory, and braveness. A legend of his hunting and raiding successes were shown in pictures for all to admire.

Inside, a woman much younger than expected turned wide eyes from stoking the fire to Yellow Moon. The younger brave accompanying gave explanation about how she’d been taken captive but said no more to the woman he called Pretty Shield.

She cocked her head. “Then why do you bring her to me?”

“I will let Plenty Coup answer for you.” The brave ducked through the lodge flap.

“So, my husband took you, too.?” Pretty Shield spoke in the white man’s tongue.

“Too?”

The young woman squared he shoulders. “I am not Crow, I was born Cheyenne. Plenty Coup and others raided our camp on a moonless night and took me captive. At first, I wished to die rather than share his home, but he has been kind to me and life has not been so bad.”

Yellow Moon’s mouth gaped. “How old were you when you were taken?”

“Twelve summers. I now near my twenty-fourth.”

“No one came to look for you?” Hope tinged Yellow Moon’s question.

“Where would they look? Even if they guessed who took me, I doubt my tribe knows where I am.”

“I feel certain my intended husband, Thunder Eyes of the Santee, will come for me. The Crow are well-known for stealing horses, and they took the few animals belonging to the people with whom I traveled.” Yellow Moon cocked her head. “How is it that you speak the white man’s language so well?”

“Mormon missionaries and five years of learning the ways of those with pale skin…and you?”

“Catholic Father and sisters held school for Indian children until tension between the red and whites became threatening.” Yellow Moon wished to be back among her trusted white friends…with her parents…any place away from Plenty Coup and the Crow.

“Seems we have a lot in common.” Pretty Shield smiled. “You know my name. I would like to know yours.”

“Yellow Moon of the Lakota. I was promised in marriage at the Sun Dance and traveled with Thunder Eyes and his band to their home in Minnesota. Can you tell me where I am now?”

“You are in Ohio Country.”

“I do not even know where that is.”

“Just above where you came from and below where you were going.

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