White Dusk Read Online Free

She reached down to offer comfort and reassurance to the woman.
    Lone Warrior gripped her harder, stopping her gesture. “Do not touch her. You will be cursed.”
    Small Bird shook him off. “No,” she said softly. “This is Willow Song, cousin to Swift Foot.” She glanced up at her brother and saw the understanding dawning in his eyes.
    Small Bird called out in a gentle voice, “Willow Song?”
    “Please leave,” the young woman said, her voice muffled by her hands.
    “No. I am not afraid.” And she wasn’t. This was not a Double-Woman Dreamer. Willow Song had received her injuries and scars in the same attack in which Swift Foot had saved Small Bird’s life.
    Compassion urged her to wrap her arms around the young woman. “Come, Willow Song. We will help you up.” When Lone Warrior continued to stand and stare at the distraught woman, Small Bird glared at him. He didn’t notice. His gaze remained on Willow Song, who’d hesitantly lowered one hand. The other remained to shield her scarred face.
    Small Bird helped Willow Song to her feet.
    “Thank you,” the woman said.
    To Small Bird’s surprise, Willow Song’s voice reflected the beauty of her perfect profile; it was soft, melodious and clear. Lone Warrior’s gaze remained fixed on Swift Foot’s cousin as if he were in a trance.
    Kicking a large stone, she aimed it at his shin. He yelped, then glared at her. She motioned with her eyes for him to come to Willow Song’s other side. “We will help you to your tipi,” she suggested. Her voice brooked no argument—from either Willow Song or her brother.
    Lone Warrior looked ill at ease, and Willow Song looked frightened as the brave approached her mutilated and ugly side.
    “No!” Her voice rose. “Do not touch me.”
    “What is going on here?”
    Small Bird and Lone Warrior whirled. Kills Many Crows, Willow Song’s brother, approached at a run.
    Lone Warrior stepped forward and quickly explained all that had happened.
    Kills Many Crows narrowed his eyes. “The behavior of those boys is unacceptable.”
    “Agreed. I will deal with them,” Lone Warrior promised.
    Kills Many Crows slashed at the air with his hand. “No. Our chief shall deal with them.” The two braves glared at each another.
    Willow Song reached out for her brother and clung to his arm. “They did not know,” she said softly.
    “It is no excuse,” Kills Many Crows said.
    Small Bird stepped forward. Behind Willow Song’s brother, she noticed several women gathering. “You are right. There is no excuse. We were about to help your sister to her tipi.”
    Stepping in front of his sibling as if to protect her, Kills Many Crows scooped the young woman into his arms. “You and your people have done enough.”
    Stung by the man’s insult, Small Bird fell back as Kills Many Crows strode past her. The crowd of collecting women scattered. Some ducked their heads, some ran, and others slunk off.
    Lone Warrior glanced down at his sister with troubled eyes. “Do you need further proof of what your future with Swift Foot holds? His enemies do not care who they harm, but harm they shall. Think upon that.” With that final shot, he stalked off.
    Alone in the morning sunshine, Small Bird shivered. She was very much afraid that he was right. If the talks of peace failed, the Miniconjou would not hesitate to kill or maim her. She too might end up scarred like Willow Song.
    Needing suddenly to be around her people to keep her worried thoughts at bay, Small Bird turned to leave. She froze when Swift Foot stepped out of the shadows.
    “Your brother has no faith in his new chief,” he said mockingly.
     
    Swift Foot had heard most of the conversation between his soon-to-be wife and her brother, and it upset him. While he cared little what Small Bird personally thought, he could not allow any member of his tribe to doubt his abilities. Their faith in him made him an effective leader. His people accepted his abilities without question—and