Darkness of Time, page 9
“How is it that Marcellious speaks the Sioux language?”
“That I can’t answer. I don’t know Marcellious that well. He and Roman have been at odds for a long time. I’d hoped that, um, traveling to a new place together would help them reconnect. It hasn’t.” I turned on my side to face Emily. “How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-eight. You?” She rolled to face me, too.
“Almost twenty-six. So, we’re close in age.”
“We are.” Emily reached out and touched my face affectionately.
The door flap flew open.
The woman who had led us down to the stream said, “Come. We feast.”
Emily shook her head. “I’m not going, Olivia. I’m too sad. This is the first time I’ve had to mourn my half-sister and father. Would you mind if I stayed here?”
“I don’t mind. I’ll tell them you’re not well. And I’ll bring food for you to eat. You must be as hungry as I am.”
“Thank you.”
I hesitated before saying, “Don’t be afraid, Emily. I’ve lost many people, but I won’t lose you.”
I hugged her warmly.
Emily beamed at me.
I crossed the fur-covered floor toward the woman.
“I’m Olivia,” I said.
“Leaping Deer,” the woman said, flashing the first smile I’d seen on her face. It creased her cheeks and brightened her stern countenance. “Come.”
She exited the teepee, and I followed her.
The sun was low, hovering in a cloudless sky above the abundant grasses rolling across the plains. Soon it would be nightfall.
“Your man has been asking for you,” Leaping Deer said.
My man…
My heartbeat increased.
Leaping Deer gestured toward a teepee. “He is over there. I will bring you to him. And soon we feast.”
I nodded, wings practically sprouting on my feet at the thought of seeing Roman alone.
We padded across the soft dirt until we stood before Roman’s teepee. My heart nearly fluttered from my chest like a wild bird.
Leaping Deer opened the door flap to the teepee, and a warm smile stretched across her face. She stood aside and gestured for me to enter.
A Native man crouched near Roman’s prone body, dabbing herbs on his many wounds. He didn’t look up, focused on his task.
Like me, Roman’s hair appeared damp. And he’d been dressed in buckskin leggings. His torso was bare, but what looked like a buckskin shirt lay beside him.
His face brightened like a sunrise when he saw me. He patted the bison hide next to him.
His healer finished applying the herbs to Roman’s skin, sat back, and said, “You will heal. You are a strong warrior.”
He stood, reached for a large deerskin pouch on the floor, and nodded at Roman. Without glancing at me, he exited the teepee.
I rushed to Roman’s side and sat beside him.
He pushed up to sit and faced me, his eyes shining warmly.
I studied his handsome face in the dim light from the small hole in the ceiling, tracing his features with my fingertips. “I’m so thankful we’re far away from Rome and the emperor.”
I let my fingers trail down his thick neck and brush his collarbone.
“As am I, my beloved.” He pushed my hair away from my face. “You look beautiful.”
“So do you.” I drank him in with my eyes, unable to get enough of him.
He glanced at his body. “Even my wounds have wounds.”
His torso was smeared with herbs.
“But you look clean and cared for, as am I.” I ran my fingers across his skin, mindful of his many bruises, scrapes, and gashes.
“I was told to let these dry before putting my shirt on. But I can still kiss you.” He brought his hand behind my neck and dropped his forehead to mine. “Olivia, my beautiful flame. I thought I would never see you again. Forgive me for not believing you when you told me Marcellious was my brother. I stubbornly clung to the idea that Marcus was my brother. I should have listened.”
“I forgive you. I’m just thankful that the time traveling worked, and I brought you here with Marcellious.” I breathed in Roman’s clean scent of creek water, deerskin, herbs, and his uniquely masculine scent. He smelled delicious. Swirls of pleasured heat rocked through my body. “Can I sit in your lap?”
“Oh, yes, my beautiful flame,” he whispered.
He crossed his legs, and I straddled him, pressing my core into his growing erection. I leaned back slightly, not wanting to disturb the thick, gooey salve drying on his wounds.
He grasped my face between his hands and studied me intently. “Had I lost you again, Olivia, I would have searched the heavens for you.”
“As I would for you, my love.” I pressed my palms over his large hands, savoring the heat emanating from him.
“I never want to be apart from you again,” he breathed.
“Nor do I.”
My heart ached with need. I loved this man so much that it shattered me. Touching his muscles, I felt the strength of his warrior self. This man killed and conquered, who did what he must for his honor. Yet his words and caresses soothed me, melted me, coaxing me into a private world where the only people who existed were him and me. Everything—this village, our time in Rome, my life in Seattle, all the hardships we’d experienced in the last couple of days—melted away inside this shelter. We were suspended in a cocoon of love.
“It’s so bewildering to be in one place and time and then in another. I barely had a chance to comprehend what you were saying, and then I dissolved through time. Awakening in this land was pure torture without you by my side.” Roman stroked my cheeks with his calloused thumbs.
“I know,” I said, squeezing his hands. “It was for me, as well. I didn’t know where you were or how to find you. Emily gave me hope—she told me love would find a way, and I clung to that belief. And now, here you are.” What had been Roman’s role here? How had he ended up here?
I let go of those thoughts, caught up in pleasure.
“Here I am.” He brought his lips to mine while continuing to caress my cheeks. His lips were soft and pliant as he kissed me, as if I might splinter from too much passion. Or maybe he was savoring the connection, easing into the desire that burned so hot between us.
I rocked into his hips, wanting nothing more than for him to slide inside me. My core ached with the need to join with him, to draw him into my soul with the insatiable hunger pouring through me. But we could be interrupted at any moment, called to join the others in celebrating Roman’s and Marcellious’ return.
Roman’s movements matched mine as he deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue inside my mouth while urging the hardness beneath his leggings against my swollen core. His slippery tongue slid in and out, in and out, with maddening intensity.
I wanted his erection to slide in and out of me.
As I continued to push against his rigid heat, my excitement built. I could climax through our garments, which had never happened to me. But my desire for Roman knew no limits.
He gripped my face as I whimpered into his mouth.
I massaged his shoulders and neck, mindful of not getting too close to his wounds but desperately wanting to be skin-to-skin with him.
We poured all our needs and all our desire into this kiss. We rejoiced in this connection, this renewed jubilation at finding one another again.
If I didn’t take what was offered now, I didn’t know when we’d have the chance to connect again.
My thrusts became frantic as I pushed against Roman’s bulge.
I continued to moan and whimper against his lips as I rocketed toward release. I hungrily sucked his tongue, digging my fingers into his shoulder.
Roman wrenched his lips from mine and bit the tender skin at the base of my neck.
The intensity of the bite, coupled with the thrusts of our hips crashing together, sent me soaring.
“Oh, God,” I whispered. “Roman. I’m going to come, and you’re not even inside me.”
He let out an exultant laugh. “Come for me, my beautiful flame.”
He brought his fingers to my hips and gripped me tightly as he shoved against me.
My whole body exploded in an orgasm.
“Roman!” I bit the words out through clenched teeth, not wanting to be overheard. “Oh, Roman!”
My body lit up like it was on fire, flames licking my limbs, coursing through my bloodstream.
Roman’s expression was one of triumph as he watched me.
As I came down, I wanted to fall against him, to draw him into the hides covering the floor. But I dared not sully the work of the healer. Roman needed time and care to recover from his injuries.
He urged me off his lap and guided me to lie down as if sensing my thoughts. Then, he settled on his side, facing me. He stroked my hair, smiling all the while.
“You’re so beautiful when you orgasm, Olivia.”
“Thank you. But what about your needs? How can I take care of you, too?” I caressed his stubble-covered jaw.
“Oh, I can think of a few ways to meet my needs. But they all require more time than I believe we have now, so I can wait. It was such a pleasure to watch you surrender.”
“Are you sure?” I dropped my hand to the bulge beneath his leggings and stroked.
Soft scratching sounded on the door flap, followed by a male voice. “Come. It is time for the feast.”
“That answers that,” Roman said, then kissed the tip of my nose.
I sighed and pushed to sit.
Roman did the same, then he placed his palm on my cheek. “Seeing you again, being with you, it’s as if my love for you has only intensified. You are my world, Olivia.”
“Oh, Roman,” I said. “You’ve made me so happy. I feel it, too. It’s as if I’m falling in love with you all over again.”
Light streamed into the teepee as whoever stood outside opened the flap.
A man peered inside. “Come.”
“We’re coming,” Roman said in faltering Sioux. He donned his shirt and helped me to my feet.
We strode hand in hand behind the fellow who had summoned us. The smell of cooking meat and fragrant stews made my stomach growl.
Other village dwellers, men, women, and children, headed in the same direction as us. They eyed us with curiosity, without the suspicion from earlier. Apparently, word had spread that Roman and Marcellious were honored guests.
Emily and I were held in equal status through association.
“I was so shocked to see Marcellious revered by these people,” I said.
“I agree,” Roman said. “But there are too many holes to his story—holes that need answers. Perhaps we shall get the answers tonight.”
“I certainly hope so. How is it you know Earth Bear?” I asked.
“Dancing Fire introduced us. Chief Grey Feather is Dancing Fire’s brother.”
A fire blazed beneath a deer carcass in the middle of a half-circle of gathering participants. Women huddled over cooking stones and frying loaves of bread and greens.
The smells made me nearly ravenous.
Two of the men who’d attacked us approached us. The taller of the two, who had confronted Marcellious when he told them he was one of them, said, “Come with me. I am to take you to the Great Chief. He is waiting for you.”
Roman nodded.
“Of course,” he said.
“I am White Eagle,” the tall man said. “And my friend is Little Bull.”
He grinned at us.
We crossed to the largest teepee.
White Eagle peeled back the door flap.
“Come in,” he said.
We ducked our heads and entered.
Embers burned in the center of a fire pit inside the dark environment. The ten men who had attacked us sat in a circle around a man who looked as old as time itself. Next to the elder sat a man who looked to be in his forties.
The elder wore a deerskin robe as white as bleached bones. Intricate red, black, yellow, and white beadwork had been sewn into the robe, and the lapels were lined with fur. The man’s skin hung in deep wrinkles, and he peered out at us from beneath folds of skin. A lavish headdress of feathers adorned his head. His long hair, the blue-black color of crow wings, had been crisscrossed into braids wrapped with leather strips. Two long earrings of bone and beads hung from the chief’s ears, trailing down to his chest.
I fell in awe of his quiet power and something curious—I felt at home in his presence. When I turned my gaze back to his face, I knew why.
Chief Grey Feather was the spitting image of Moon Lee.
Olivia
I faced another bewildering moment as I stared at Grey Feather, trying to wrap my head around the fact that he looked exactly like Moon Lee. Marcellious, who had just shuffled into sight, looked more frightened than I’d ever seen him. Come to think of it, I’d never witnessed fear on the face of Marcellious. Derision? Many times. Rage? Of course, that was his M.O.
But fear? Never.
So what was he afraid of? Whatever it was, I hoped that maybe he wouldn’t act out in his usual crazy, unpredictable manner.
An array of bison hides had been arranged on the ground in a circle. One by one, we all took our seats. I settled next to Roman, who sat next to Earth Bear.
Marcellious sat where Earth Bear indicated—next to Grey Feather. Marcellious kept his body rigid to avoid touching Grey Feather, even though he was sandwiched between the chief and the chief’s son.
After taking a seat, the tribeswomen distributed roasted deer, fry bread, and fried greens. No one spoke, however, making it an awkward kind of festival. I busied myself eating, smiling at the tribal members who stared at me, and studying my surroundings.
A pale moon hung in the sky. An abundance of stars spread across the sky, making the setting look magical. A vast herd of horses appeared as shadowed shapes just beyond the myriad of teepees.
I thought of all the times I’d studied Native American history. But I’d never imagined I’d be immersed in it firsthand.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Roman said softly, leaning close enough that our shoulders brushed against one another.
I glanced down at the basket of food placed before me.
“I’m not sure. Everyone is so quiet. I’m afraid I’m feeling a bit uneasy,” I whispered.
“Just follow me. Do what I do,” he whispered back. He reached for his flat basket, plucked a steaming morsel of deer, and popped it in his mouth.
I did the same. Then, I shoveled in a few more bites.
The simple food tasted delicious, save that my stomach, reflecting my unease, cramped around each bite. I wished someone would say something or do something to indicate that this was indeed a celebration, not a somber, stiff affair.
Grey Feather appeared to take his time eating but kept his gaze pinned on Marcellious.
“Eat,” he finally said in Sioux.
Marcellious jerked like he’d been struck by a stone. His hand shook as he picked at the deer meat in his basket.
What is going on with him?
Watching him only increased my anxiety.
“Olivia.”
I turned toward Earth Bear, who stared at me expectantly. “Yes?”
“I would like to ask you some questions. Would you rather I speak in English or my native tongue?” he smiled warmly at me, making his weathered face crease in wrinkles.
I glanced at the other tribal members, who eyed me with curiosity. “English, please.”
Earth Bear nodded. “As you wish. My father and I learned English from the white man, but please excuse me if I falter.”
“Of course. I don’t really speak your language at all. I only understand it, so clearly, you’re at an advantage.”
I returned the smile, starting to relax for the first time since I entered the feasting area.
Earth Bear’s smile transformed into a grin. “Then, let us proceed. How long have you been here?”
I froze, unsure whether he wanted to know how long I’d been in this century or if this was the kind of question you’d ask innocuously at a dinner party.
Roman touched my hand in reassurance. “It’s alright, Olivia. You can speak freely. Grey Feather and Earth Bear know we are time travelers.”
I scanned the group.
“We haven’t been here—in this time and place—for long. Less than a moon cycle,” I said, figuring they didn’t use terms like “month.”
“And where were you before?” Earth Bear leaned forward slightly.
“We came from ancient Rome.”
“Fascinating,” Earth Bear said, shaking his head.
I glanced at Marcellious.
He appeared miserable, hunched over his meal.
“Let me add something,” Roman said. “I lived in Rome for eight years. Olivia arrived over one and half years ago—that’s where we met and fell in love. Olivia is a clever woman—strong and intelligent.”
He reached for my hand and squeezed it.
“I can see that by how she holds herself,” Earth Bear said.
“She was the one who figured out that Marcellious and I were brothers,” Roman said.
Marcellious lifted his head and scowled at me.
“I didn’t know Hunting Wolf and I were brothers,” Roman continued. “I only knew I had a twin, so I searched for someone who looked exactly like me. But since we’re not identical, I didn’t know what I was looking for. I only knew Marcellious as my enemy. We’d been at odds with one another from the time we met. We were about to kill one another in what is known as the Colosseum in Rome when Olivia sent us here, back to the time we were before.”
“Colosseum?” Earth Bear said, his eyes wide.
Roman continued. “It is an enormous structure, twice the size of your encampment. People came from miles around to watch men fight against other men and animals.”
Earth Bear and his father exchanged glances.
“What a wonder,” Earth Bear said in Sioux to Grey Feather. “I wish white people would pay to watch us fight them. We would give quite a show.”
Grey Feather laughed. It was a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to well up from his toes. “And we would win.”
