SAVAGE DESTINY
By
Jewel Adams
Historical Romance – Indian White Captive
On a wagon train that journeys from Baltimore to the Northwest Territory, Cali discovers the land that touches her heart with its beauty. She pesters the old scout, to teach her all he knows, embracing the new land she needs the old man’s knowledge to survive. But all her lessons can’t prepare her for the very real Indian that hunts her down. And like the hawk that holds his prey in his talons, Cali looks deep into the coal black depths of the man that is her savage destiny!
Blackhawk’s senses pulse in possessive yearning for the woman he took captive. Nothing will make him set her free, not even her own wild spirit. But can he save her from the dangers, ones that come from his own tribe and want her death? And when she believes he betrayed her, ordered her to be killed, will she see past her hate and fear, to find the love they once shared?
Two beautiful people find a love worth fighting for in the wilderness of 1795 in the Northwest Territory of the American frontier. Let your emotions run through the smoke fires that dry buffalo meat, feel the biting sting of a knife’s killing blade and touch the love that finds ecstasy in SAVAGE DESTINY!
EXCERPT: General Audience, Historic Romance
Available in Print and Ebook: http://classactbooks.com/bkpgSavDestiny.html
SAVAGE DESTINY
THE STORY OF
BLACKHAWK AND CALI
By
Jewel Adams
…
Cali slid cautiously down the slope, fighting with the clumsy bucket hoping she didn’t spill too many berries, glad again for the cradle holding Jennie safe and secure to her breast.
Something in the tree line caught her awareness. The hairs at the back of her neck stood up and tingled at a shocking velocity. Cali tried to shake the scary feeling overtaking her as she straightened at the bottom of the hill. The trees were about twenty feet in front of her and yet she couldn’t bring herself to move towards them. She saw the tree marking the spot where she should enter.
“Jennie those are the ones.”
She was talking to ease her sudden fear. Cali tried to rationalize her feelings, but couldn’t. Instead, she moved off to her right, hugging the base of the hill, some inner warning forbidding her to enter the trees where she exited from this morning. Following the hill Cali wondered if she wasn’t being more foolish, possibly getting lost by her actions. But when she did enter the woods she could find the camp, even if it meant heading back the way she came. She would just follow the stream, the camp would be simple to find from there.
Her steps slowed as the sensation ran anew up her spine. Now she felt certain she was being watched. It didn’t make sense and she fought down the dark panic rising in her mind. Her hand went protectively about Jennie, stilling her movements. Looking quickly down at the baby Cali tried to smile. Jennie seemed to be feeling Cali’s growing apprehension, she was very still, clutching at Cali’s bodice.
Maybe if she dashed into the woods she would feel safer? Cali realized how exposed she and Jennie really were. She took small steps, straining to hear anything that might tell her something, nearly panicking when she realized the birds were silent.
“One of the signs Willow spoke of. What are the others?”
She heard a whippoorwill in the trees directly beside her, then an answering call from the area up in front of her. If she stopped she would be telling them she knew they were there. Could she make a run for it? The hill was too steep, carrying Jennie she would never be able to make the top before they caught her. Yes, they were there in the trees…she could feel them, even if she couldn’t see them. She swallowed down the mounting fear, needing all her thoughts to plan.
Blackhawk was stalking her. She pleasantly surprised him by her evasive movement. He saw her casual look and the hesitant steps turning from her planned path. She looked at the tree that bore her mark of the broken twig, but she felt him and turned away. Her eyes stayed ahead, only once did he see her fear when she thought of running up the hill. He actually thought he could feel her rejection, knowing he would overtake her too easily.
Blackhawk now saw why she wasn’t trying to run for escape. A baby so well covered, he only now noticed it when her arm went protectively around the child. He knew he would be fighting a mother’s instincts, like a bear protecting her cub. But she would also be hindered in her flight, easier to capture.
Her movements nearly stopped when Nighteyes answered his call. So, she realized she was trapped. Blackhawk wondered how she would try to escape them. He felt her tense; she was ready to act. Blackhawk waited for her.
Hopelessness engulfed Cali, there were at least two and one was very close. She knew there were likely more, but where? She couldn’t put it off much longer. God, did an animal feel like this? She felt sorry for them and herself even more, for she believed any action would probably be her last, just like a deer in a death flight. She must try, just as any animal in a trap would fight. Besides, she carried Jennie. Oh dear God what would they do to Jennie? She’d fight! She knew this, but to what avail?
Making her decision, Cali made her move.
Pulling back her arm as slowly as possible, she hoped the one beside her wouldn’t notice as her arm with the pail was beside the hill. Cali hurled the bucket! Berries flew through the air. She screamed at the top of her lungs before turning about-face, running along the base of the hill. Without looking she sensed when he broke out of the brush. She turned sharply towards the woods, praying she could reach the haven before they caught her. All the time she held Jennie, saying over and over to her not to cry, and praying she wouldn’t stumble and fall on her precious bundle.
Although he’d been ready for her, what she did surprised him. The pail barely missed his head, making him jump back and wonder if she really saw his exact spot. Her scream had been for Nighteyes benefit.
Blackhawk cleared the woods and was right behind her. She hadn’t once turned to see his pursuit and he respected her control, for he was sure of her fear. Her scent was heavy in his nostrils, increasing his own excitement. Even with her burden her body moved with extreme agility. She turned suddenly, and headed towards the trees. Blackhawk almost wanted to let her escape as a reward for her brave attempt. She realized how futile her attempt would be, but she gave it a strong try and something inside him made him feel proud of her unexpected effort.
He’s so very close! She strained under the burden of the baby clutched to her breast. Blackhawk increased his stride, he would have to scoop her up in his arms or they would both fall on the child. Her efforts were too great to let that happen.
Cali could actually feel his hot breath at her back. He was nearly on top of her. She wanted to scream out with the fright gripping every inch of her. She felt near collapse, her breathing hurt from the strain she put on her lungs. Her legs felt weak with her fright as her feet hit the bare ground. The slippers did little to protect her and the rocks cut deep through the sole, but the pain helped fight the panic and she concentrated on it. The trees were almost within her reach.
Suddenly Cali felt weightless, like she was floating in the air. She wondered if she fell and waited for the hard landing to slam into her. The stunning realization of where she actually landed shocked her into frightful stillness. Only her heaving breasts moved as she gasped for each painful breath.
Arms so large they locked about her like an iron trap, held her firmly against a hard, rock solid chest heaving from the same exertion. Cali couldn’t make herself open her eyes, refusing to accept what might meet her gaze. Hoping, maybe her death would be quick and she wouldn’t feel it come.
Like a wild animal she quivered with fear in his hold. Hair as dark as any woman in his camp flowed over his arm, the waves of ermine softness were startling to his senses. Blackhawk held her tight, knowing that very quickly her shock would fade and she would act to break his hold. He watched her eyes held tightly shut, the thick black lashes feathered her cheeks. Her skin held a fine shine over the rich tan coloring, very much the same brown tones of his own, but much softer. Red lips pulsed and trembled as she fought to control her fears. He felt her shudder in his arms, causing something Blackhawk never felt before strike through his strong body, weakening him with the force pulsing through his veins….