Chapter 7
In silence, Rusty and Koda followed the nearly indecipherable trail that led along the ridge of the mountain westward from the headwaters of Oconaluftee River and deep into the Great Smoky Mountains. Moonlight filtered pure and silver through the trees, casting shafts of light onto the leaf and pine needle carpeted floor of the forest.
They emerged into a clearing and stopped. Below them lay a desolate valley. It was rumored to be the hidden place, Ataga’hi, the enchanted lake or Gall place as it had come to be known in the language of the white man.
Rusty stopped and sat. She’d not fasted but she could keep vigil this night and hope that the lake would appear to her. Koda lay down beside her. “Believe,” he said before he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Rusty thought about Ataga’hi and the myth about it. In times past, before the People surrendered their beliefs to that of the white man, all Cherokee knew that Ataga’hi existed. It was a place few had seen. The way to it was so difficult, so well hidden that only the animals knew how to reach it. If a hunter should happen upon it by mistake, he would know by the sound of thousands of wings as wild ducks flew around the lake.
But upon reaching the spot, he would not find a lake, only a dry, flat, void of grass or tree or flower, with no bird or animal to be seen.
Unless one sharpened their spiritual vision with fasting and praying and an all-night vigil, the lake would remain unseen. One would know whether they had succeeded at the end of the night, for upon daybreak the lake would appear.
Rusty closed her eyes and sent a wish spiraling out into the Universe, a cry for help and guidance, a plea that she see the path she should walk and the strength to walk it with honor and dignity.
Genetic memory swirled inside her, the Native American ancestry of her father calling to her as strongly as that of her mother’s lineage. Generations dating back to the beginning of time appeared in her mind, a swirl of faces and feelings and lives that were both apart and part of her.
She felt the energy expand in her mind one brief moment before her mind exploded with light. Then she was lost, with only her own fervent prayers echoing through the vast emptiness.
Time past unrecognized as Rusty gave herself to the spiral dance in her mind. Night deepened, the world turned and the stars began to fade. Upon the first hint of light from the breaking day, her eyes opened.
Joy leapt strong and vital within her. There before her was the lake, a wide and extensive sheet of purple water, fed by springs that sprouted from the high cliffs that surrounded the lake.
She marveled at the sight, watching as great flocks of birds appeared in the sky above the lake. On the glassy surface of the water she could see the undulating ripples from serpents gliding silently. Fish jumped and splashed.
A glossy black bear made his way to the water, a great gash in his side seeping blood and infection. Rusty observed in silence as the animal submerged beneath the violet depths of the water. When it rose and made its way to shore, the wound was healed.
“Your turn,” Koda spoke in her mind.
Rusty’s response was to rise and strip off her clothing. The soft carpet of grass and leaves was cool to her feet as she made her way to the water’s edge. A gentle cool breeze kissed her skin, eliciting a mild shiver.
She stepped into the water and a current of warm energy ran up her leg. With slow, steady steps she waded deeper into the water. Two long water moccasins swam by her, one circling her body twice before it slid away.
Rusty sank beneath the surface. The water was clear and brilliant in the morning sun. It was like sinking into light, being surrounded by liquid heaven. She sighed, watching the bubbles float to the surface as she sank deeper, her eyes closing and body going limp.
She lost track of time, immersed in the womb of the lake, protected and safe from all harm from the outside world. The thought entered her mind that perhaps she would not return to the world of man. Safer and more peaceful it would be to stay here.
No sooner had the thought appeared than Koda’s voice registered in her mind. “It is not your time. Open your eyes. See your way, and embrace it. Your destiny awaits.”
Rusty opened her eyes and there in the water was her future. She could not see what was to come, the joys or hardships that would befall her, but she knew that it was time to let go of the past and look to the future she saw shining before her. She reached toward the shimmering vision and suddenly reality returned.
No longer was she submerged beneath the surface of the enchanted lake. Now she stood in the middle of a barren clearing, the morning sun bathing her.
* * * * *
Clay had been trained to track by his brother Chase, and this night the training served him well, even if it did take him until nearly dawn to find her. He emerged from a thick stand of trees just after dawn and looked down at the clearing below.
For a split second he thought he saw a shimmering purple lake with cascading falls surrounding it and a multitude of animals on its shore. But in the next breath it was gone.
And there stood Rusty, in the middle of the clearing, naked. Water ran in rivulets down her skin from her wet hair, sparkling like gems on her tanned skin.
She turned and looked in his direction and Clay could have sworn that light shot from her eyes like a lens flare. Clay gasped as their eyes locked. Something inside him opened, releasing a flood of emotion so strong that his knees nearly buckled. Suddenly he had perfect clarity. There was no longer any confusion on what he wanted, on which way he wanted his life to go. It had been decided for him, and it was not a decision he wished to debate. Instead, he embraced it with enthusiasm and joy.
As of their own accord, his legs propelled him down the rise, toward Rusty.
Rusty’s heart filled as Clay started toward her. All of her prayers had been answered. She might not know what trials life would demand of her, but she now knew her own heart, and it belonged to the man approaching. Unashamed of her nudity, she walked to meet him.
They stopped a foot apart. Clay’s eyes moved slowly down her body then back up. “God as my witness, you are the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen, Miz Blackhawk.”
Rusty smiled. “My friends call me Rusty.”
Clay grinned in return. “And what do your lovers call you?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never had one.”
“Time to remedy that, Sassy.”
“That so?”
“Definitely.”
“And what if I’m not looking for a lover?”
Clay hesitated. “If not a lover then what?”
“This,” she said as she stepped up to him, slid her arms up to circle his neck and pull his head down. “meu inimă is cu tu, ” she whispered just before her lips touched his.
And with the joining of their lips, Rusty offered him all that was within her, her strength, her heart, her magic.
While Clay didn’t understand the words she spoke, he recognized what was being offered on a level that surpassed conscious thought. His response was to wrap his arms around her and pull her wet body close, deepening the kiss.
Rusty was the first to break away. With impatience born of need she tugged at the front of his shirt, her lips moving to the center of his chest as she parted the shirt and began to pull it down his broad shoulders.
She licked his skin, wanting the taste of him on her tongue. Clay helped her efforts to undress him by stripping off his shirt. He stepped back from her to pull off his boots.
Rusty watched as he stood and unbuttoned his jeans, her eyes glued to the motion of his fingers as he eased the zipper down. Rusty’s eyes followed the motion of his hands. Every inch of him that was revealed had her pulse racing higher. Her hands moved to the center of her chest, clasped and unclasped, then moved slowly down her own body as the jeans came undone. Clay eased the jeans down his lean hips, revealing himself to her. Hunger strong and demanding prompted Rusty’s hands to travel lower, to the vee of her thighs.
Clay stepped out of his jeans. His eyes moved to meet hers and she saw desire burning in their hazel depths . Her throat thickened, and her breath hitched as her eyes moved over Clay’s body. By all that was holy, she’d never seen a man so perfect, or wanted one so badly. She sank to the ground and raised her hand to him. He took it and lowered himself beside her, capturing her lips in a kiss that had all other thought fleeing her mind.