Free Red Bird's Song by Beth Trissel Page B

times as much and was still hungry. “Do you want more?"
    "No. Give me what you promised."
    He withdrew a handful of tiny berries from his pouch, poured his find into her open palm and popped a few berries into her waiting mouth. She chewed with enthusiasm.
    "I love these. Craig used to gather partridgeberries for me when he was hunting. They taste of wintergreen. He brought me hard candy once that tasted very much like them."
    Wicomechee crunched several berries and the taste she'd declared wintergreen flavored his mouth. “Tell me of your brother."
    "Oh, Craig was the best of brothers and far cleverer than the wolf you claim kin with."
    Wicomechee smiled. “Who cared for you before Craig?"
    "Papa. Mama died when I was three. I don't remember her, but Craig said she was nothing like Aunt Mary, and Papa told me I looked like my mother."
    "Beautiful, then."
    "If you say so."
    She seemed embarrassed by his praise, yet pleased, which only charmed him all the more. “Why did your father not find a woman to care for you?"
    "He did, after a bit. Aunt Mary wanted to take me, but Papa took on an indentured servant from England to tend me."
    "Did your father never marry again?"
    "No. He was too grieved and said he would be with Mama again in heaven. But he loved me. Aunt Mary vows he and Craig spoiled me entirely."
    Wicomechee weighed Charity's disclosures. “You are not accustomed to doing as another says."
    "Is it wrong to run free? To fly?” she asked, with more than a trace of wistfulness.
    He popped the last berries in her mouth. “You would be snatched by a hawk. You must learn caution and obedience."
    "And you think to be the one to teach me, I suppose?"
    He had no doubt.
    "I may try your patience. I gave Aunt Mary fits."
    "Do you think to frighten me? I possess more determination than you."
    "More strength anyway. I don't expect you to indulge me as Craig did, but in some small way you remind me of him."
    Her concession touched him, though it wasn't at all what he wanted. “This does not make me your brother."
    "You would make a good big brother,” she attempted.
    "No."
    "Why?"
    It was as much of a plea as a question. Rather than another futile reply, he pushed back her hood and cupped his fingers around her chilled cheeks. Without a word, he tilted her face toward him.
    "Mechee—” she balked, suddenly wary.
    "Shhhh...” Mindful of her timidity, he lowered his head and gently covered her uncertain lips with his. From the first light touch, a wealth of sensations flowed into him like the headiest brew he'd ever tasted. The dewiest berry in the forest couldn't compare to the deliciousness of her lips...as though he'd truly captured an elusive spirit of the trees and held her now, claiming her mouth.
    All else faded from his mind, the incessant warfare between their people, her deep-seated fear...there was only Charity and her melting sweetness. Desire surged through him with startling force, but he guarded this powerful urge.
    She didn't try to pull back as he'd expected after her initial shock faded. If she had, he would have released her as he was resolved to do. Rather than fright, she relaxed against him...breathless, unresisting.
    Manito had smiled upon him. He slid one hand to her smooth throat and felt her heart pulse beneath his fingers. As though unaware of what she did, she circled her arm around his neck and her lips parted. In that moment, he knew.
    His own heart pounded like the beating of many drums. He'd never felt this inflamed when he'd kissed any other woman. Not even when—but no, he wouldn't think of her now. Charity was seductive without the least intention of being so, or the faintest knowledge of how to go about rendering a man speechless, witless, wanting only her. His loins throbbed with need, but he could never abuse such purity. With a will hammered from the fires of rigorous training, he restrained himself and slowly released her mouth.
    She sighed near his ear, her warm breath