Free Gypsy in Black: The Romance of Gypsy Travelers by Sarah Price Page A

protest, horrifi ed at Nicolae 's fury and frightened for her life.  “ And you will abide the rules and traditions, yes?  Oth erwise, you will be punished! ”   The crowd began to respond with nods and grunts, words that Sahara could not understand.  “ You must never be outside without your diklo!  It must always cover your head! ”   With all of his strength, Nicolae pushed her away from him.  She felt herself falling and landed on the g round at the feet of some older gypsies.  Her skirt flew above her knees.  Sahara sat up, tugging desp era tely at h er dress, hoping to regain some dignity.  Nicolae noticed the blood on her lower shin and ankle.  Sahara's terrified eyes looked up at him , questioning his outburst with ignorance.  For a few long seconds, no one spoke or moved.  Nicolae glared down at her, watching as Sahara dab at the cut with the bottom of her ripped dress, tears spilling freely from her eyes. 
    The crowd dispersed around the side of the wagon.  Nicolae watched them from the corner of his eye.  Once they were gone, his anger vanished. Biting his lip, Nicolae moved toward her crumpled body.  He knelt before her, one hand reaching out to brush her hair out of her face.  “ S'hara... ”   Tenderly, he touched her chin, til ting it to look up at him.  The confusion he read in her face ma de him feel even more ashamed.  “ Come.  I will wash your cut. ”
    Forcing her tears back, she met Nicolae 's eyes and slowly reached out for his hand.  He helped her stand than put his arm around Sahara's waist when he saw the cut caused her pain to walk.  No one was there to see the Rom Baro 's son, the future leade r of the kumpania, take the beautiful raven-haired gadjo woman away from the encampment, his anger replaced with tenderness .  Sahara sat down on the gr ass, her fingers playing with a rock on the ground as she watch ed Nicolae .  He was standing near a wooden bucket of water, his back to her.  She could see his taunt muscles move as he dipped a cl oth into the bucket and rung it out.  Turning around, Nicolae caught h er eyes lingering on him before she turned away, blushing.  Cle aring his throat, he approached her timidly.  Once again, Nicolae knelt down before her, lifting the hem of her skirt in order to wash away the remaining blood.  “ I am sorry I was so angry.  I did not mean to frighten you, S'hara. ”   His voice was soft and s tilted as he mumbled.  “ I heard you had left the wagon without the diklo covering your hair. ”   He glanced up at her face.  “ That is a mockery against me, S'hara.  Always wear that scarf over your head. ”
    “ Why? ”
    “ Last night, my bori, the cer emony was to join you with this Machwaiya kumpania.  All bori and romni wear diklos, see?  It is...how do you say...an honor? ” Sahara's eyes travelled to th e ground as she sought the rock that had slipped out of her f ingers. He reached out for her chin and tilted he r head so that her eyes met his .  “ You must understand.  I would lose face if I didn’t reprimand you in front of the people.  I am the future leader, bori. I must always be strong, yes? ”
    Sahara put her hand on top of his.  The press ure of his hand on her bare leg sent tingles up her spine, esp ecially when she met his gaze.  “ Nicolae , ” she said softly.  “ If no on e explains your customs to me, how can I obey them? ”   The softness in her voice warmed him.  She noticed the change in his eyes imm ediately.  “ Nicolae , you don't know how dreadful it is!  I don't know anyone here.  No one but you. ” She fought back the tears in her eyes.  “ I feel so lost, Nic olae.  Where am I going?  What am I to do?  I have no home, no family, no place to go to.  If I stay with you and your people, I have to give up everything I know but , in reality, I have nothing left to give . ”   The tears starting to stream down her cheeks.  “ Y ou're the only one who's made me