Read Lakota Princess for Free Online Page B

concern for you?”
    “He is doing the best that he can.”
    “Humph,” was the Indian’s only response.
    “Mato Sapa,” Estrela said, not even daring to raise her gaze to his, knowing he would consider this action an insult. She sighed, then said in English, “Black Bear, though I know I should not speak it to you, I hope you will allow me to ask you a few questions. I am glad to see you. I thank you for your assistance to me. Because of you, I still live.”
    He didn’t say a word, emitting only a grunt low in the back of his throat.
    “But Black Bear, I am astounded that you are here. And I can’t help wondering how you managed to come here. And I wonder too”—she gulped and closed her eyes—“why have you come?”
    “Do you forget your manners so easily?”
    Black Bear answered her back in Lakota. “I am barely arrived here, and already you ask me my purpose? Besides, I cannot believe that you cannot answer your own question. Or have you forgotten our vows so soon? The years since we have seen one another have not been that great.”
    “I…” She hesitated, then, “I am not ill-mannered,” Estrela said, choosing to respond only to his first statement, ignoring the rest. “Customs are different here and—”
    “But you know mine. And,” he added, taking care to speak his language slowly, “you know my purpose in being here.”
    Estrela paused. She didn’t dare look at him. She didn’t dare speak. And Black Bear, realizing her dilemma, nodded, treading away from her to restudy each painting.
    Still in Lakota he said, “I have been much disappointed that you have not returned home before now. And…” he looked back at her, over his shoulder, “…I had at one time considered your absence betrayal to me.”
    “I know.”
    “You know this?” He turned around in full, letting any anger he felt settle in upon her. “Then why did you not come back? Why did you not keep your vow to me?”
    Estrela died a little inside, though outwardly she managed to look contrite, tilting her chin upward as was her way. Slowly she raised her gaze to look at him. “I had no means of getting there,” she said, “until recently and then I worried that… Black Bear, I must know.” She paused. “Have you…married?”
    He didn’t move. He didn’t answer. He didn’t even blink. Finally, after several moments, he turned, putting his back toward her, pacing to one of the huge, five-foot windows and Estrela thought she might have seen him shudder before he said, “I realize my coming here has been a shock. I will give you time to accustom yourself to me again. I will give you time to think more wisely. But I do not understand why you would believe I would marry. Did we not, you and I, make a promise? Do you think I would so easily break it? No, Waste Ho Win, I have not married. I have waited for you. Waited, perhaps for a phantom, a mere ghost of my imagination.”
    “I—”
    “I am here to take you back. Or so I had thought. Your silence on this subject now makes me wonder if I have made a wasted trip.” He turned away from the window, facing back into the room, his glance seeking her out. “Tell me, Waste Ho Win, Pretty Voice Woman,” he said, his features revealing no emotion, “have you changed so much?”
    “I—”
    “Do not answer now. You are injured. My presence here is perhaps startling. I will allow you time to heal, time to become accustomed to me again. But know that I cannot stay here long. Even now, my heart longs to hear the voices of the prairie, of my grandfathers.”
    Estrela shivered, but whether from cold or pure reaction, she couldn’t tell. She shut her eyes and inhaled sharply.
    Tell him , a part of her demanded. Tell him you are married to another, even though that marriage be a sham. Tell him and let him return to his people now before you become too attached to him again; and he, perhaps to you.
    “I… I… You,” she started, then stopped. She glanced up at Black Bear