Shivering from the cold and her wet clothes, Alice moved away from the rest of the group. She sat down, trying to rest, but her eyes followed Uncas as he climbed the rocky acclivity and disappeared from sight. From the moment, he had lifted her off the ground back on the battlefield; Alice knew she had to tell him she loved him. There would be consequences, of that she had no doubt—a white women and an Indian, but the fear of losing this man, who she loved more than life itself was stronger.
When she thought no one was watching, she slipped away and climbed back up the rock facing. As she turned one of the last corners before coming to the entrance, Alice caught sight of the watery curtain concealing their hiding place. Night had fallen and the silvery light from the moon made the cascading water shimmer like small diamonds. Fascinated, she walked toward the water, unable to stop herself.
"Get back!" a voice hissed from the darkness. Two strong arms shot from a nearby rocky niche, grabbing the frightened girl.
Gasping in fear, Alice struggled against her assailant, trying desperately to break his hold. When she finally caught sight of her attacker, her strength faded and she collapsed against him. It was the man she had come to find.
Uncas.
Trying to calm her fears, the young Mohican enfolded the trembling girl in his arms. The sight of Alice's terror-stricken face tore at his heart. Holding her close, he rocked her gently on his lap, stroking her hair and speaking softly in his native tongue.
Wrapping her arms around the young brave, Alice buried her face against his chest. The stress and tumult of the day finally shattering what little remained of her sanity. She began to sob uncontrollably.
"Do not cry Miss. Nothing will harm you."
It took a few moments for his words to sink in before Alice quieted. Brushing a hand across her face, she tried to wipe away the remnants of her tears. The light given off by the moon dimly illuminated their hiding place and she could just make out Uncas' handsome features. Reaching up, she caressed his face, trailing her fingers lightly over his jaw-line and lips.
Capturing her hand in his, Uncas placed a soft kiss on the upturned palm.
Electrified by his touch, Alice felt a shiver run down her spine. In the silvery light given off by the moon, she could just make out his dark eyes. They were filled with more love then she had ever known in her short life. Shifting her position, Alice swung one leg over Uncas to straddle his lap. Leaning against his muscled chest, she sought his mouth, passionately kissing him. She could feel his manhood pressing against her, making her shutter in anticipation. Softly she whispered, "Please...love me, Uncas."
Though surprised by her plea, Uncas gathered her into his arms, letting his hands caress the cool skin along her lower arms. He could feel the warm fullness of her body as she pressed against him. Her mouth opened beneath his loving kisses and he soon moved his lips down to her throat, then the hollow between her breasts. His hunger for her grew, igniting a fire deep inside his loins.
Alice's body arched in response to the waves of desire sweeping over her. She ached for some small release. Quivering from his ministrations, she began to touch the young Mohican, shyly at first, wanting to pleasure him as he was pleasuring her. When Uncas finally entered her, her desire for him became unbearable. She was startled by the intensity of her feelings for him. Together, their bodies rose and fell toward a fiery climax as their passions left them reeling in total ecstasy.
Drained from their lovemaking, Uncas held Alice close, unwilling to release her from his embrace. Feeling safe and secure in his arms, Alice snuggled against him.
"I love you. I have since we met," he whispered after kissing her.
Alice's heart sang at his revelation. Lifting her face, she gazed into his eyes. "I love you too. I actually followed you up here...because I wanted you to know how I felt. I don't care what others may think. I shall always love you."
He replied by kissing her cheek.
"Where I am from," said Alice as she began finger combing her wet hair, "a woman will sometimes wear a sign of her affection for a man." Pulling together some of the golden strands, she twisted them into one long braid on the side of her head. "Let this braid be a token of the love I carry in my heart for you."
Uncas pulled a piece of rawhide from his belt and offered it to her. She tied it around the end to keep the braid from unraveling. Touching the finished product, he ran it lightly through his fingers. After a moments thought, he pulled one of the silver bracelets he wore from his wrist, "Accept this as my token, that you are my achwahndowagan. It is the Mohican word for love."
Alice smiled as he placed the circlet on her. It proved too large for her slender wrist, so he slid it up her arm until it rested just under the cuff of her dress sleeve. Then he pulled his knife and sliced a long strip from the hem of her skirt. Twisting it with a piece of leather from his wrist, he fashioned a bracelet for his arm.
"For me...a piece of you." he murmured.
Sighing, Alice nuzzled his cheek before relaxing against his shoulder. She couldn't remember ever feeling so calm. The gentle thump, thump, thump of his heart lulled her into a peaceful sleep—the first she had known in days.
