Chapter 13
Chloe woke up about an hour later. She was hot and she couldn't move. Turning her head her nose brushed against Lex's neck, and Chloe smiled.
"Lex…"
He mumbled and blinked slowly.
"Chloe?.. Hey Baby." Lex leaned down slightly and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. Chloe smiled against his mouth and tried to reach for him, only to be stopped by the tightly wrapped blanket.
"Lex, I can't move."
Lex blinked at her then looked down at her body and laughed, helping her to unwrap herself. She had some dirt smudges on her front side, but they shouldn't be too hard to get out. Chloe sighed when the fresh air hit her heated skin.
"Lex, when are we leaving?" She asked with a smile.
Lex looked startled, then he made a face.
"I don't know, I think we need to talk to Chief Henry before we go. But Lillian and the others should have taken care of most of the problems by now." He slowly stood and helped her to her feet, pulling her to his side when she swayed slightly.
The left the tepee slowly, Lex holding Chloe close to his side despite the fact that she was fine now that the head rush was gone. When they reached Henry's tent they were immediately welcomed inside. Chief Henry sat pensively in front of the fire.
"Henry. Chloe and I are wondering when it would be alright for us to leave." Lex said softly.
Henry nodded but was silent for a long moment. "Lex, Chloe, you may leave whenever you wish. Lillian, Gabe and the women told me what happened. Then your father confirmed it." He shook his head, "How did I not see it. How did I not see the insanity in her eyes? I was letting that woman raise my daughter."
Lex and Chloe traded glances before Lex spoke again. "It's not your fault sir, but at least now you know Clark will take care of Lana."
Henry nodded absently, and waved them goodbye, his mind obviously elsewhere. Lex and Chloe left quietly; there was nothing they could do for the man.
They stepped out and headed back to the tepee. Most of their things were already packed; they just rolled up the blanket and called for Clark and Bruce to help them load up the horses. They tied the baskets across two of the horses that now belonged to Chloe, and she rode the third. The one she rode was a white mare with black spots and speckles across its rump and shoulders. Lex rode his fawn colored stallion, who had black feet and a black nose.
Clark, Lillian, Gabe, and some of the other villagers watched as they left. Once they crested the hill heading north, they seemed to be isolated by nature. Chloe was the only female in the group, Lionel and one of the warriors rode ahead talking quietly, while the others were behind Lex and Chloe.
The Luthor village was usually only about three hours away from the Lang tribe, but they weren't in a rush, the packages were slightly weighing down the horses and Chloe was not used to riding, so they stopped often. The trip stretched out to almost five hours. Bruce broke away about two hours before they would reach the Luthor village, heading home.
After the last stop Chloe had moved to Lex's stallion and she was curled against his chest in exhaustion. When Lex nudged her she sat up slightly and looked around. They had entered a dense forest, the shadows falling across her skin like cool caresses, and the soft sounds of wildlife were soothing. There was smoke curling into the sky not far in the distance.
They reached the village very suddenly. One moment they were surrounded by tress, the next they were passing a mixture of tepees and small long houses. The Luthors didn't move around like the Langs did, even though the Langs never went far, so the Luthors could set down more permanent homes.
Chloe sat up and smoothed her jerkin, her fingers wiping at the dirt mark as she tried to fix her hair with her other hand. Lex laughed and kissed her shoulder. Suddenly the tribes people noticed them and they came running at the sight of their Chief. Children scampered around, their parents pulling them out of the way of the horses with indulgent smiles. They gave Chloe a few appraising looks, but mostly smiled at her.
The warriors were smiling at a few of the women, some of which were holding Children or were obviously pregnant, and waving to some comrades. Lionel made an introduction of Chloe, naming her as a princess and as Lex's wife. Some of the younger women looked slightly disappointed but they still cheered with the others.
Lucas was there but he didn't speak to Chloe or Lex, instead he waved and winked at Lex, giving Chloe a long sexy look. Chloe looked at him in disgust, as if his face was twitching. Lucas frowned and Lex grinned and saluted him.
Suddenly music started and a semi-impromptu celebration began that lasted into the night. Lex and Chloe smiled as they were pushed into the seats next to Lionel, who was seated slightly higher as chief. The celebration passed quickly for Lex and Chloe. They danced, just the two of them in the middle of the ring of people, the tune and beat changed slightly.
Chloe was shy, but Lex still found her to be beautiful, her movements slightly hesitant, but still wildly erotic. The passed around the circle, then caught arms and pressed against each other, moving slowly. In the end they kissed, and when the people cheered and whistled, Chloe blushed because she forgot they were there. Lex just laughed and gathered her in his arms and sitting back in their places.
That was the only time they danced that night. They were both tired and somewhat stressed from the morning, and for most of the party, they cuddled against each other. They would kiss, soft and brief, randomly. Their hands stayed linked and their heads bowed together. When Lionel noticed that Chloe was asleep against his son and Lex's eyes were lowered, half asleep himself, he nudged him.
Lex jerked slightly, and Lionel shooed them off to Lex's tepee. The party would continue long into the night, but Lex and Chloe had stayed long enough. Lex gave Chloe a soft shake and they both sleepily toddled off to their home, new to Chloe, familiar to Lex. They were too tired to unpack most of their things, which had been delivered inside.
They unrolled the new sleeping mat. Lex folded the blanket nearby knowing they would need it later in the night as it was still cold this far north, Chloe looked at him oddly but smiled. A thinner blanket was spread across the mat, and after that they quickly stripped away their clothes and lay down together.
"I love you Chloe…" Lex whispered against her neck, and Chloe smiled brushing her mouth over his cheek bone.
"I love you Lex…" She smiled and tucked her face warmly against him. Lex smiled at Chloe's word and they both rested their heads on the soft, feather filled pillow that had already been present in his tepee. They were sleeping moments later.