Sitting down, surrounded by the council and the warriors, I began to tell them the premonition given to me in my dream. Our children stolen from us starved, beaten, raped only for a means to destroy their spirit. Evil teachings and drugs used to destroy our communities, disease, and desecration of our sacred ways.

In my premonition, I saw Native peoples sitting on dirty streets, their faces swollen, their spirits broken. Whole tribes massacred never to be seen or heard from again. My heart ached with the memory.

There was a long silence after I spoke until an elder shared of being shown similar things. The scouts told more of the abuses these invaders had inflicted on the land and their own women and children. It was a long and hard discussion. In the end we were ready to wage war to protect.

We stepped out of Council with purpose, ready for the war to come.

Part 2 Waking

Damn! My heart is pounding, I wake, my blood pounding I am ready to fight. It was a dream within a dream. Closing my eyes to collect my thoughts, I play it all back allowing myself to live it again. Slowly, I feel myself returning to the present. I stand to look out the window across the reservation. It seems so isolated in the darkness of night.

Warm steady hands come across my belly sliding up to rest on my heart. Her small body’s warmth pressed against my back her cheek resting just between my shoulder blades. Just her touch soothes me. Her hearts steady rhythm, the warmth of her touch inflames me. My hands come up to cover hers over my heart.

“Rayne, I didn’t mean to wake you.” I only want to drown in her warmth.

“It’s ok.” I can feel her body shrug, I can even feel her smile as mischief creeps into her voice. “I was laying there trying to keep from jumping you anyway.”

I laugh turning to pull her in my arms. “Is that so?” A lift of my eyebrow makes her giggle causing my body to react to her “jiggling” in a very pleasant way.

Her head tilts up, I lose myself in her deep dark eyes. Her skin the color of carmel melted over milk chocolate. A sweet treat every inch of her, my sweet Rayne.

Her long black hair glistens in the moonlight. It beckons to me, my fingers lost in the silkiness of midnight.

“What’s wrong love?” She asked her eyes inquiring of my soul what words cannot say.

“A dream of the past, the dream seemed like a memory where I failed to keep you safe.” I admitted burying my face in her thick hair inhaling her scent, her essence.

“Alec, hold me tighter.” Her request surprises me.

Happy to comply, I wrapped her tight in my embrace. Her softness a tantalizing contrast against my chest. It always amazes me how she could sooth me with just a touch or word.

“In your arms I am safe.” Her hand on my cheek worked to calm my very being.

“Rayne, how do you do that?” I asked

“What?” she inquired perplexed

“How do you calm my troubles with nothing more than your presence? How do you chase the demons away?” I asked silencing any chance for her to answer with a kiss

Stealing her mouth in a kiss I found my answer in her taste and texture. The need to engulf her, to be engulfed in her taking over any reason or worry from a moment ago.

Swallowing her moan, feeling her skin under my caress drains me of any other thought. Her sigh, her warmth, the feel of her is all I need. I want nothing more in this moment, but to lose myself inside her.

Here with her I am whole, I am a warrior with everything to protect.

End part 2

Read Stand and Protect part 1 here

By Rae Rose

My name is Rae Rose and I live in the Pacific Northwest. I have always, always loved stories. I love writing, reading, listening and imaging the words coming to life. My youth was not the happiest and it is not an exaggeration when I say stories saved me more than once.

Every story I tell carries a seed of truth. Mine and of those who were not able to survive. Every story is special and personal to my heart. It is my hope that you enjoy the stories and find comfort, love, and laughter in my words.

*Rae Rose (Paiute, Mayan, Japanese) is a writer based in the Northwest. Follow her @Rae_Rose7