Savage Beloved

“Yes, food sounds good,” Candy blurted out, hoping Two Eagles had not noticed her silence as she had thought about Spotted Bear.

She sat down beside the fire, which someone had kept burning for Two Eagles while he was gone.

She had to believe that someone was Hawk Woman, for even at this moment, she was entering the tepee with a platter of food.

Hawk Woman and Candy gazed at each other in silent battle, and Candy turned cold inside. She had never seen such hate as she now saw in the other woman’s eyes.

“Thank you for bringing the food,” Two Eagles said, not seeing the looks between Hawk Woman and Candy because he was leaning over the fire to add another log.

“If you need anything else, just ask,” Hawk Woman said, her eyes glittering as she and Candy continued to glare at each other.

Two Eagles turned just to see Hawk Woman leave, but as he sat down beside Candy, he saw something in her eyes that he could not decipher.

It was an uneasiness, and he knew it had nothing to do with him. That only left Hawk Woman.

He wondered what had silently transpired between them during the short time he was not looking at them.

He hoped that Hawk Woman would do nothing foolish now that it was clear Candy was his chosen one.

“The food looks good,” Candy said.

Shadow came and sat down beside Candy, her eyes on the meat on the platter.

Two Eagles grabbed a piece of venison and gave it to the wolf, who contentedly settled down on the mats and ate it as Candy and Two Eagles enjoyed their food.

A short while later, after the platter had been emptied of food, Candy stiffened when Hawk Woman called her name outside the tepee.

Candy and Two Eagles exchanged glances; then Two Eagles went to the entrance flap and held it aside.

He immediately saw that Hawk Woman was carrying two dresses and towels.

“What is it?” Two Eagles asked as Candy came and stood at his side.

“I am going for my bath,” Hawk Woman said, giving Two Eagles a forced smile. “Surely Candy would like to take one, too, since she has been gone overnight. I have a dress and towel for her if she would like to go with me.”

A warning shot through Candy. She knew Hawk Woman was up to no good, yet it would look ungrateful of her not to agree to such an offer.

Two Eagles gazed down at Candy. “Would you like to go with Hawk Woman?” he asked with an edge to his voice. Candy knew that he didn’t trust her either.

Candy was torn. She did so badly want to bathe and have a different dress to wear. But could she trust the woman who offered such luxuries?

Thinking this might be the very time to set things straight between herself and Hawk Woman, Candy sighed. “Yes,” she said. “I would love to go for a bath.”

She smiled weakly at Two Eagles. “Will you be here when I return?” she asked softly.

“I will be here,” Two Eagles said, glancing quickly at his uncle’s tepee. The burial had been set for tomorrow.

For now, the shaman sat with his uncle, praying.

Two Eagles did not wish to disturb such prayers.

Shadow romped past Two Eagles and went with Candy and Hawk Woman to the river.

The two women walked on farther down the riverbank so that they would be far enough away from the village to bathe in privacy.

“This is very kind of you,” Candy murmured while actually mistrusting every move Hawk Woman made.

Hawk Woman said nothing in return, just brazenly threw off her clothes and ran into the river.