Raven

Raven

by

Crystal Rayne

Smashwords Edition

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PUBLISHED BY:

Crystal Rayne

Raven copyright 2011 by Crystal Rayne

This book is available in print at most online retailers

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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Legal:

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

To my husband, for all the times you have been my Raven, and continue to be.

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Chapter 1

In the lush green grass of the meadow, at the bottom of the hill, stood the majestic white beast. Jagger was the largest of the stallions owned by the tribe. Charcoal, black hooves, which stood silently. Taunt muscles twitched under the shinny white coat. His black mane hung down on a thick neck, he was known to be the most fierce war horse. Jagger belonged to the Chieftain’s son.

Raven sat perfectly straight on Jagger’s powerful back, the proud and mightiest warrior of his Blackfoot tribe. Ebony long hair hung past his broad, strong shoulders. Eyes of velvet brown looked out upon the lake. His strong, handsome chiseled face, perfect sensual lips, slightly curled to a gentle smile.

His body, a masterfully crafted piece of art from the gods. Skin kissed by the sun until it was a deep rich golden brown. Every muscle in his hard, rippled expansive chest twitched as he looked at the view. A few strands of hair were pulled from each of his temples. They were woven into the silkiest, smoothest braid that lay between the center of his shoulders. Intertwined in the hair was a thin strip of leather. At the end of the strip rested a cream colored feather.

Ravens back was tickled lightly by the feather. His every sinewy muscle flexed, almost seemed to dance, in the gentle breeze and sunlight. Pale sun bleached leather pants taunt on his powerful legs, holding his hard yet perfect buttocks. Raven caught the scent of the woman in his flared nostrils. She was here...with him. Just a few paces behind him hiding in the underbrush of some trees.

Nicole Sanders had wandered to far from camp yet again. She had never seen an Indian before and to be this close to this savage made her feel numb. In the pit of her stomach, she felt sick with fear. Her head was downright dizzy from looking at such an alluring creature. Never had a man evoked such erotic feelings in her before. This was the second time she had seen him. The first was from a great distance, he was perched on a white steed, on the top of a mountain. Nicole was just a few feet away from him now, one more look at this creature wouldn’t hurt, she thought to herself. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain. A hard crisp throbbing to her head and everything grew dark. All she would remember when she awoke would be, the intoxicating smell of leather and this fascinating man.

She barely heard the words spoken Mine! She is mine!

Bear stood over the white woman’s motionless body, eyeing her. He had not meant to hurt her, but from behind, she appeared to be a man. She was clothed in riding breeches, boots, a large, heavy shirt and a man’s cap. Raven had leapt from Jagger’s massive back and was at her side in what seemed to be a flash of an eye.

Raven pulled the leather cap from her head and released a rich golden thick mane. Never had he seen hair more golden than that of corn hair. Her skin was lightly tanned from hours that the sun had kissed her sweet flesh. Soft high cheek bones just made her beautiful face all that more graceful. Placing his index finger to her full, rosy luscious lips he traced her jaw line and down the length of her creamy neck. His hungry eyes resting on her made his loins quiver like a badly aimed arrow.

I did not hurt her....did I brother? Bear asked in his native tongue. Slowly he said She looked like the white man, you know they have guns. Bear was watching your back brother. I did not see it was a woman.

He felt a bit uneasy by the reaction of his brother. Going over in his mind what had transpired. He had hit her on the head, and her delicate limp body fell to the ground. The sound seemed to echo in the forest.

Then came, Mine! She is mine! From Raven.

Just what did he mean his? Bear was a large brave but nowhere near the bulk of his brother. Bear was a full seasoned warrior of four years to Raven’s nine seasons. True Bear was one of the strongest Blackfoot braves at his mere nineteen years.

Raven, just five years older had strength in abundance, but was also supremely wise. He had seen blood baths that were beyond his years and most of the elders.

Have you seen this white woman before? Asked Bear.

I know she has seen me. Raven said.

His demeanor was stiff and rigid, as it should be with his position in the tribe. He gathered Nicole in his arms and cradled her to his bare hard chest. He stood with so much grace, it was if he had just picked up a feather. He strode over to Jagger and laid her over the beasts back face down. Jumping up he sat up straight and tall, his expression was blank. He rolled over the limp, little body until she was cradled once again in his powerful arms.

What do you do with her? Bear asked Raven.

He would not take her back to the tribe. She was a white woman and a beautiful one at that. There would be hatred from some of the squaws, and maybe worse from the young braves, Bear thought to himself.

Tell the others I go on a quest. Say nothing more, I will be back at the end of the season. Raven said.

The end of the season! That is to long my brother. Her people will look for this woman. They will come and look for her. Bear said.

What will Bear tell Sparrow? She should be told by Raven of this new woman. Sparrow had been given to Raven, as a gift, for saving a young braves life in a battle. She was to be his squaw not this white woman! Bear had been in love with Sparrow from the first time he had laid eyes on her. They would meet in the fields of corn, in the forest and made love in the waters not far from their village. To see her hand put in Raven’s, to be given for his squaw, all but killed him.

His heart was tormented to know she loved him, but had to retreat to his brother. Bear knew that Raven did not feel for her as a mate should. There had been no wedding ceremony yet, but it was to come at the end of the season. The only thing Sparrow found appealing about Raven was that one day he would be Chief and his velvet soft eyes.

Sparrow waits for you! Bear growled.

She waits for someone I am not! She waits for the marriage ceremony, the new babes and for me to be the new Chief! Raven is not ready to marry, have babes, and it is not my time yet to be Chief. Raven said with anger strong in his voice. Sparrow is now your concern. She belongs with you, I see it in her eyes and yours. She is a proud young squaw. Take her and marry her with my blessing. Now go!

Raven turned Jagger and rode off without hesitation. Raven rode on for hours, cresting marvelous hills and through thick woodlands. Finally, the log cabin was in sight. It was nestled at the base of a mountain, surrounded by trees and wild flowers. As the sun began to set, the crisp, brisk winds of autumn gently blew memories to him.

He had watched the settlers leave many seasons ago. He needed this time alone with this white woman, to find what she searches for. To tend to her needs and a few she didn’t know she had. He could remember the first sign of her, his match.

On a journey, through the smoke tent where all of his fate was revealed to him. He was shown his path, and, on the path, he was lead to a squaw. She was so remarkably different from the Blackfoot squaws. She was lighter in skin, and this squaw had a fiery spirit. She appeared standing behind the white man’s billowy cloth clouds, that were blown by the winds of change. Raven had been perched on Jagger’s back, high on the great ridge, overlooking the waters. He looked out and could see the ship that would bring his mate to him.

He had waited for her for what seemed his entire life, and now she had landed. That very first night he had to see her, his match. He crept closer and yet closer to the white man’s camp. Outside of her canvas tent he peered through the brush. A dainty figure appeared to him, the shadow of her exquisite body. The lantern behind her shone bright casting a spell over him. He watched the shadow dance on the canvas, as she removed her clothing. It almost seemed that she wove this bewitching spell knowing he watched her. Slender arms with long dainty fingers held a long night gown over her head. It fell down around her body and seemed to cover her soul. He could see the ruffles at her wrists as she began to brush her long wavy hair, which came to rest at her tiny waist. Wanting to pounce like a wild bobcat, claiming what was destined to be his, he held his breath.

His head cantered No she will come. The quest showed she will come to me. He spoke to himself.

He had waited for an entire full moon until she sought him out.

Once at the cabin, he slipped off of his mount and opened the heavy pine door. This place was far from the tribe and even farther from the white man’s camp. She would be more accustom to the bed rather than sleeping on the earth. This cabin would have all the things of the civilized camps she stayed in. The table and chairs sat untouched, timber still lay in the fireplace. Raven used his flint to light a fire and shook off the bedding while the woman lay asleep on a woven cloth in front to the fireplace.

Fingers of the night had long since claimed the sun, and it was unusually chilly and damp. The fire had worked its magic and warmed the cabin. Raven was bringing in his pouches that were filled with dried meats and bread. When he opened the wooden door, he was met by a woman filled with fear and rage. She was swinging a small log burning with hot, bright yellow flames at one end.

Nicole stood there in wide eyed shock. She had been taken by this...this savage. She began spouting out words at random.

Don’t.... don’t even come close to me! She demanded. Oh God, Oh God, Oh God please stop. She spoke ever so softly.

He moved slowly closer to her starring into her eyes. He knew she was as frightened as a deer waiting for the final blow. On his face, he wore a blank stare.

Savage Stop! She yelled at him. No! I am a great white woman with big yellow fire....you stop now! She yelled trying to scare him, but her voice was shaking more than her hands.

Ravens’ eyes sparkled in the firelight. A look came over his face, it wasn’t fear. Of course, it wasn’t fear what would he have to fear from her. He stood in front of her his bare rock hard chest heaving. Leather pants that laced at his tight waist. Her eyes shifted to the rather large bulge that rested between his thighs and it seemed to be growing. Quickly her eyes flew up to his where her eyes were captured by his velvet brown ones.

Great spirits her watery blue eyes they will love me. He spoke in his native language in such a low tone she thought she had heard him growl.

You big...handsome savage. She said softly. It seemed