Chapter 41
“Do you know how frightened I was?” he asked at length. “When that buffalo hunter fired, and you fell to the ground, I thought I would die. I jumped up and ran straight at him. I wanted to hatchet the man to death! I wanted his scalp! Then Otter kicked at him, and I was afraid for the boy, so I shot the boy-stealer. I was relieved when you got up and rode after the runaway. But when I caught up, you were flat on your face sucking wet snow into your lungs.” He looked at me intently. “Don’t ever frighten me that way again.”
I returned his stare but held my tongue for a long moment, savoring what I saw in those strange gold-flecked black eyes. At length, I laid a hand on his corded arm. “Now I truly believe you love me. You understand the small death I die with each raid you undertake. Remember this feeling the next time you needlessly expose yourself to risk.”
He chose to ignore my gentle rebuke. “If that is love, it is a terrible thing.”