Read Red Bird's Song for Free Online

thought of food in her knotted stomach. Whiskey would never mix with her quaking fear.
    The taunting smile played at his lips. “Stay with me."
    Her heart drummed in her ears. “No."
    Nostrils flared in a prominent nose. “Who are you to refuse me? Do you know who I am?"
    The significance of his identity was lost on her.
    "Where is Wicomechee?” he demanded.
    "Nearby."
    Chaka smiled at her attempt, apparently gleaning the truth from her face. As though in a bad dream, she could summon no resistance as he pulled her farther back into a dark recess. An inner voice urged her to struggle but her body wouldn't respond except to tremble. She shook as he trapped her against a stone wall. The gloom swallowed his overpowering features, but not the fiery miasma of whiskey and the scent of bear grease used as a base for the war paint.
    "You're drunk,” she argued breathlessly.
    "Not so much."
    "What do you want?” she panted.
    "You."
    Her stomach gave a sick lurch. Was he simply toying with her, enjoying her terror, or would he act?
    He ran large hands down the loose hair cascading to her waist. “So beautiful, your hair."
    Was he truly admiring her auburn lengths, or would he scalp her? He could swiftly accomplish that bloody deed in the dark. A shudder convulsed her. “Let me go."
    "Shhhh. I will not harm you, pretty English girl.” Whiskey permeated every word.
    His fingers, seemingly unaffected by alcohol, smoothed her cheeks and drifted to the curve of her neck without a tremor. He could easily draw his knife and slit her throat, but if this was his aim, why was he stroking her skin? His fingers roamed lower, over her bodice.
    She jerked in a new sort of alarm. “Stop—"
    Disregarding her plea, he tugged at the lacing and the drawstring of her shift.
    Coming violently back into control of her body, Charity fought to push him away as he jerked down the freed cloth and pawed her exposed breast. Rough fingers scraped her nipple and she slapped his hand. Then he closed his arms around her and she caught her breath, feeling herself being crushed against his scratchy shirt. His burning lips covered hers, pressing down, forcing her mouth apart. Horror consumed her as she felt his tongue thrust inside her shuddering mouth. Her first kiss from a man was anything but tender.
    She kicked wildly at his muscular legs and twisted in his vise-like grasp. But he held her so tightly she couldn't move while his lips enforced her silence. Not that anyone could readily hear her over the boisterousness in the cave, even if they were willing to aid her. Never had she felt so helpless, not even when Wicomechee had taken her captive the day before. She desperately wished him back.
    Growling erupted near their feet. What animal could be causing the commotion? Her frantic thoughts touched on the dog that had adopted her in the night. He must have burrowed down into the leaves until, in that peculiar way animals have of connecting, he'd sensed her panic and come to life.
    Men's upraised voices neared their blackened nook in response to the irate dog.
    Chaka clamped his hand over her mouth. “Hush."
    "Chaka! Naga !” the men called.
    Above the barking, several braves spoke to him, but she couldn't see them in the dim light. Wrenching her head to the side, she sank her teeth into Chaka's hand. He freed her mouth. She shrieked, gaining their immediate attention.
    "Wicomechee's tamsah . Wehpeteh , Chaka,” one man scolded.
    The name ‘Wicomechee’ caught her ears in the heated exchange that followed, while she prayed the newcomers would interfere on his behalf if not hers.
    Chaka tersely relinquished his hold. “You will not escape me,” he hissed in a voice only she could hear.
    His ominous threat echoed in her mind as he left and her legs shook so badly she couldn't stand. She sank down onto the cave floor, clutching her sagging bodice with shaky fingers. “Take me to Emma,” she cried.
    "I take,” a warrior rumbled in his deep bass.
    She