Destiny Mine by Janelle Taylor

man. She can join to one only if our tiva laws are met. Few men have the skills and strength to provide game and skins and defense for two families, three if he is responsible for his parents. It would risk the tiva ’s family going in want, perhaps both of their families going in want. It is our duty as Chosen Ones to make these sacrifices. Tivas which number less than the fingers of a hand have joined with mates since before my mother’s birth. By the time we are released from our duties at our parents’ deaths, we are too old to bear children and most men have wives. Those who lose mates do not want one who cannot accept their seeds of life in old bodies. Only three times have girls in training had their kims broken to release their female spirits when their mothers gave birth to sons, all before they were ten seasons old and long ago. Tivas cannot allow themselves to have such selfish thoughts and feelings. You must do the same, Kionee, or you will suffer great sadness. To desire what cannot be causes a hardness to enter you.”
    As a vivid image of the Cheyenne warrior gallopedinto her head, Kionee asked, “What if a tiva cannot control such forbidden thoughts and feelings?”
    “Do you wish to yield to Night Walker’s desire for you? Is he the one who stirs such conflicts within you?”
    “No, never him. He is not my destiny. There are many things about Night Walker and Little Weasel which trouble me. They whisper of rising hungers to battle the Bird Warriors for coups and excitement. Already they speak such words aloud in council. Each time they leave camp to hunt, I fear they will seek a path to provoke the Crow against us so we will be forced to fight them. I do not like or trust the burnings in their eyes or the strange eagerness in their bodies for war. I do not like the fire in Night Walker’s loins for me. He has never accepted me as a man. He is careful with his words and actions, but I see what lies beneath their sly coverings.”
    “Your eyes and wits are sharp, Kionee, for you grasp how he looks at you and hear the softness in his voice when he speaks to you. As snow blanketed Mother Earth, I watched the hunger in his eyes grow larger and its fire burn brighter when he thought no one saw them. It will be hard to deny him when he pursues you after the buffalo hunt, for I am sure he will. He waits only for you to pass twenty-one circles of seasons, as is our tiva law, before he speaks openly to you and to others of his desire to join with you.”
    “I pray that is not true, but I fear your words are wise and knowing. I fear the trouble his chase will bring. Before his mouth opens to speak such unwanted words, I will do all I can to prevent them from spilling forth. I must halt him from trying to clear a path I do not wish to travel.”
    “Do not forget: he is our chief’s son; he is a man of high rank. If his brother is slain, he will become our next chief. Most will think it is a great honor to become his mate; most will be angry with you for refusing him.He has the skills to provide for and protect his mate and children, and your family. He has the prowess to best you in the hunt, and in hand battle. He meets all of the commands in our law.”
    “No, Regim, he does not, for I will not accept him. I do not love him or wish to share a tipi and mat with him.”
    Regim studied the expression in the troubled gaze of her sister’s child. “Is there another you would accept? Wish to accept? Has your heart been seized by a skilled hunter who does not meet our laws for freedom?”
    Kionee tensed and wondered if she should expose the astonishing truth.

3
    K IONEE’S GAZE LOCKED with her aunt’s, whom she trusted, respected, and loved. Her decision came swiftly. “Yes, but he is not of our tribe. He does not know I am a woman.”
    The astute Regim added up the recent clues to Kionee’s increased restlessness and withdrawal into herself. “The Cheyenne warrior from the hunt six suns past. Tell me